The Mid-Life Players, a local nonprofit musical theater group, will present a concertized performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber favorite, “Cats,” this Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, and next weekend, May 2 and 3, at the Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., in Kansas City, Kan.
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for each performance. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased through brownpapertickets.com
Mid-Life Players was created by is a group of four friends, Ruth Baum Bigus, Catherine Boone, Curt Knupp and Dan Prather, all singers and actors who love to perform. This quartet enjoys the sheer joy of singing and entertaining an audience, so they decided it would be fun for others in “their age” group, too.
The group provides an outlet for singers and actors age 35 and older. Mid-Life Players produces “concert style” musicals and musical reviews incorporating blind casting when appropriate or needed. Auditions are help prior to productions and a limited rehearsal schedule is held for each show. Productions use minimal costuming, make-up and sets – just enough to enhance the audience experience. Mid-Life Players is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization.
“As Mid-Life Players, we relish the opportunity to perform works that are not often done in the community and take on roles that we would not likely be selected for at this ‘stage’ of our lives,” Boone said.
Mid-Life performers come from all walks of life. The current production of “Cats” is directed by Dan Prather and Curt Knupp with Julie Fox as assistant director and Becky Clark as music director.
Past productions include “Into the Woods,” “Rent,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Company.” Mid-Life Players is guided by a board of directors and an advisory board that are dedicated to the mission of the group.
For more information about Mid-Life Players visit https://www.facebook.com/midlifeplayers.
Mid-Life Players “Cats” cast (some roles are double-cast):
Bill Bergman – as Skimbleshanks; Grandview, Mo.
Chad Burris – as Mungojerrie; Independence, Mo.
Curt Knupp – as Munkustrap; Kansas City, Mo.
Dan Prather – as Rum Tum Tugger; Kansas City, Mo.
Debra Skodack Burnes – as Cassandra; Westwood, Kan.
Dee Green – as Grizabella; Kansas City, Mo.
Diana Leonard – as Jellylorum; Raytown, Mo.
Dottie Bartlett – as Demeter; Overland Park, Kan.
Ed Leonard – as Gus; Raytown, Mo.
Gary Barber – as Skimbleshanks; Edwardsville, Kan.
Georgia Schmittling – as Jemima; Raymore, Mo.
Janet Shelman – as Jemima; Blue Springs, Mo.
Joe Bartlett – as Bustopher Jones, Mistoffolees; Independence, Mo.
John Vandevort – as Deuteronomy; Shawnee, Kan.
Joy Richardson –aas Bombalurina; Kansas City, Kan.
Julie Fox – as Bombalurina; Olathe, Kan.
Julie McDaniel – as Grizabella; Oak Grove, Mo.
Kate Elcock – as Ecetera; Olathe, Kan.
Ken Kasten – as Gus; Overland Park, Kan.
Kristine Norvaishas – as Tantomile; Cleveland, Mo.
Linda Wetzel – as Jennyanydots; Olathe, Kan.
Patty Moore Armstrong – as Jennyanydots; Lenexa, Kan.
Rebecca Shaw Stabno – as Rumpleteazer; Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Richie Johnson – as Rum Tum Tugger; Kansas City, Mo.
Robert Ritter – as Bustopher Jones, Mistoffolees; Liberty, Mo.
Scott Powell – as Deuteronomy; Kansas City, Mo.
Thomas Anderson – as Munkustrap.
