Challenges of Tweaking a Holiday Classic

KCUR

Published November 30, 2008 at 10:36 AM CST

photos courtesy of The Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Left to right: Walter Coppage, as Bob Cratchit; Gary Neal Johnson, as Scrooge; and Robert Gibby Brand, as Charles Dickens.

In ads for The Kansas City Repertory Theatre this season, you'll find this slogan: "This is the year rappers, politicians and suburbanites mingle in KC." It refers to the range in subject matter under the leadership of the Rep's new artistic director, Eric Rosen. But it also hints at the move to reach out to a more diverse audience, as well as tap a more diverse pool of actors. By Laura Spencer

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-798164.mp3

Kansas City, MO – This holiday season, Rosen's taking a fresh look at the Rep's nearly 30-year-old production of A Christmas Carol.

The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents A Christmas Carol through December 27th at the Spencer Theatre in the UMKC Performing Arts Center.
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