Michael Oaks

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2021-22 season with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Geoff Elliott and directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Associate Artistic Director of KCRep/UMKC Partnership Jason Chanos. Performances run November 19 through December 26 at Spencer Theatre.

Luigi Pirandello's 1917 "Cosi e (se vi pare)", or "You Are Right, If You Think", playfully toys with subjectivity as one gossipy family tries to get at the truth. Theatre9/12 presents a delightful and streamlined adaptation of "You Are Right, If You Think", now performing at the Trinity Episcopal Church, that packs a punch in a humble environment. Charles Waxberg's adaptation of this gossipy romp is pure, classic fun.

Most people have that thing every year that signals the beginning of the Holiday season; seeing the lights downtown, that first pumpkin spice whatever, or braving the crowds on Black Friday. For me, the Holidays don't really begin until I get to enjoy my favorite annual show from Seattle treasures Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch, Ham for the Holidays . And their current incarnation, The Hamchurian Candidate currently playing at ACT certainly rang in the holiday season with a bang and a chainsaw and some aerobicize videos that I can never un-see.

There's something to be said for a bunch of actors, putting in the work and leaving it all out on the stage unencumbered by elaborate sets. That's why I love Theater 9/12's shows as it's all about the performances. Plus the shows are always so intimate in their little parish hall space that you really feel part of the world they've created. This is why their current production of "Six Degrees of Separation" works so well especially with the narrative quality of much of the dialog. And while many of the performances were quite strong and noteworthy, the show as a whole tended to get a little static.

In these chaotic and somewhat disturbing times, we can all use a good laugh as a release valve. I know I could. This is why I was so excited that last night I was going to get to partake in my favorite annual holiday tradition. No, not getting to beat some old lady to the last Tickle-Me Pokemon (or whatever) on Black Friday or sipping eggnog with your co-workers until the inappropriate conversations begin. It's my annual trip to ACT to catch the latest installment of Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt's 'Ham for the Holidays' and this year's offering 'Jurassic Pork' was certainly not a letdown, in fact I think this may be one of their best. With their liberal dose of liberal humor and more gay than you can shake a glitter and jewel encrusted stick at, Koch and Platt have the cure for any Grinch-like holiday moods.

There's nothing like a well done David Mamet play with its verbal sparring, clever dialog and constant exchange of power. But in order to be great the performances need to be so laser focused and on point you could cut glass with them. And while the current production from Theatre9/12 of "Speed the Plow" is on its way to that level, they still need a bit more settling into the roles in order to be fully committed.

The actors of Theatre9/12 present David Mamet's theatrical black comedy, SPEED THE PLOW. This scathing dissection of the Hollywood Industry exposes the sexual dynamics and political maneuvers within this male-dominated 'bizness.' The balance is upended when one of two Hollywood producing partners gets promoted to Head of Production. But the presence of an enigmatic temp worker is the surprising catalyst for Mamet's explosive confrontations.

The actors of Theatre9/12 present David Mamet's theatrical black comedy, SPEED THE PLOW. This scathing dissection of the Hollywood Industry exposes the sexual dynamics and political maneuvers within this male-dominated 'bizness.' The balance is upended when one of two Hollywood producing partners gets promoted to Head of Production. But the presence of an enigmatic temp worker is the surprising catalyst for Mamet's explosive confrontations.

Everyone has their own personal hallmarks that the holiday season has arrived. For some it's catching that favorite movie on TV such as "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Sound of Music", for others it might be heading downtown to see the lights and carolers. But for me in my own warped and twisted way, the holidays cannot begin until I get to see the latest irreverent collection of insanity from Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt (a.k.a. Dos Fallopia). And while this year's offering of "Ham for the Holidays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham?" currently at ACT is a bit light on the holiday themes, it doesn't mean it's at all light on the comedy.

Merry. Mirthful. Mad. Seattle comedians Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt (aka Dos Fallopia) return to ACT with their wackadoodle, gender-bending holiday sketch series, Ham for the Holidays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham? Directed by David Hunter Koch, the long-running cult series has found a hammy holiday home at ACT's Falls Theatre, in collaboration with ACTLab. Platt and Koch take you on a holiday outing packed with devilish social satire, cockeyed musical parodies, and more wigs than Lady Gaga.

Strengthen up those smiling and laughing muscles because the insanity of one of my favorite holiday show alternatives is back with "Ham for the Holidays: Fear the Bacon" over at ACT. And let me tell you, they have upped their game and outdone themselves. My cheeks are still aching from all the laughter as they turned in one of their best holiday shows to date.

Holiday theatrical traditions are alive and well at ACT but the two shows playing couldn't be more different from each other. First off with their 38th annual production, ACT presents the classic “A Christmas Carol” with all the polish and flash that you've come to expect. And then with their 13th installment, Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch (AKA Dos Fallopia) present their irreverent sketch comedy show “Ham for the Holidays: Close Encounters of the Pork Rind”. I managed to see both in one night (it's possible but it's tight) and I went from sobbing to belly laughs that amounted to a lovely evening of holiday treats.

Outrageous. Irreverent. Seattle Treasures. Comedians Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt (aka Dos Fallopia) bring their sketch comedy chops and a trunkful of characters to ACT this December in Ham for the Holidays: Close Encounters of the Pork Rind.

John Patrick Shanley's Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play "Doubt" is and intense and stunning piece of work to be sure but it's far from bullet proof. In order to fully realize the power of the play you need four amazing actors willing to dive into the conviction and vulnerabilities of the characters. And while I've seen better (how can you compete with Cherry Jones on Broadway?), Theatre 9/12's current production may start off to an uneven start but it ultimately amounts to a solid and engaging piece of theater and is completely worthy of the script.

Theatrically speaking, there are few things in this town that are a sure lock of enjoyment. Anything from New Century? Sure. Putting Bobbi Kotula on stage? Hell yes. And any of the 'Twilight Zone: Live!' productions from Theater Schmeater? Damn Skippy! The tall, dark and brooding master of the bizarre, Rod Serling is back to take us into another dimension. A dimension of sight, a dimension of sound and a dimension of a kick ass night of eerie 60's fun that definitely qualifies as one of those sure locks I spoke of.

The Twilight Zone: Live! returns to the comfy confines of Theater Schmeater, presenting three classic episodes from the iconic television series promises to pluck at heartstrings, bemuse with dry irony, and terrify by innocence.

The Equity Company Members of Theatre 9/12 present the World Premiere of A SHADE OF GREEN (formerly SHADES OF GREEN), starring Michael Oaks and Gregory Michaels.

The word riveting just doesn't seem to cover the experience of watching the World Premiere of Charles Waxberg's, "A Shade of Green" currently being offered from Theatre 9/12. No, riveting doesn't cover the intense ethical debate wrapped in a gripping game of cat and mouse, nor does mesmerizing. No, those adjectives just don't cover it so I'm really only left with, DAMN!

The Equity Company Members of Theatre 9/12 present the World Premiere of A SHADE OF GREEN (formerly SHADES OF GREEN), starring Michael Oaks and Gregory Michaels.

The Equity Company Members of Theatre 9/12 present the World Premiere of A SHADE OF GREEN (formerly SHADES OF GREEN), starring Michael Oaks and Gregory Michaels.