Unfettered Letters

New JoCo courthouse would uproot theater

I own and operate the Chestnut Fine Arts Center, a professional theater located on the proposed site for the new Johnson County courthouse.

I opened the Chestnut more than 10 years ago with the understanding that my property was situated in a protected area. In 2003, the city of Olathe announced a 30-year plan called “Envision Olathe,” a revitalization plan and a “tool to guide long-term decision-making to realize a shared future.” I was excited to be a part of the revitalization and thought the Chestnut was an asset and a perfect match to the long-term city plan.

The Chestnut is one of the few thriving businesses in downtown Olathe, with more than 13,000 patrons visiting our facility each year. We have more than 700 season ticket members, and 95 percent of our performances are sold out.

We are happy to provide entertainment and education in an area that has minimal opportunities, and we would like to remain in our location for many years to come.

Brad Zimmerman
Executive director, Chestnut Fine Arts Center
Olathe

KC arts rising to top

I had the enormous privilege of making my Kansas City Symphony debut this past weekend as a guest soloist. Although I sing on the famous international stages of the world, being a native of Prairie Village and current resident of Kansas City, this particular debut was one of the most special of my career. I’ve seen firsthand the unbounded growth and meteoric rise of my hometown “band.” The Kansas City Symphony, under the vibrant direction of Michael Stern, is on its way to becoming a world-class institution.

I have a feeling that this city doesn’t yet realize what an enormous impact our new performing arts center is going to have. It will redefine our skyline and scream out to the world that we are a vibrant, progressive and principled city that believes in building a strong cultural backbone and that has made an enormous commitment to ensuring a lasting place for the arts. This new building will give birth to the international arrival of not only the Kansas City Symphony, but the Lyric Opera and Kansas City Ballet as well.

Brace yourselves, Kansas City — it’s going to be an amazing ride!

Joyce DiDonato
Kansas City

Harriman-Jewell concert a gem

Sunday was one of the nicest Mother’s Days. My grandson treated me to a concert by Juan Diego Florez, an internationally known tenor. The music was just beautiful.

What a wonderful opportunity to see such world-class entertainment right here in Kansas City.

Special thanks to Dr. Harriman and the Harriman-Jewell series for bringing this caliber of talent to our area.

Mary Schloegel
Raytown

Bravo to KC Symphony

Something wonderful has been happening in Kansas City. I am speaking of the truly amazing ascendance of the Kansas City Symphony under the direction of Michael Stern.

KC, if you have not heard your symphony perform under Stern’s direction, you are simply missing out on hearing — and seeing — what is quickly becoming a world-class institution. The quality, dedication and depth of talent of the musicians in this group are breathtaking, as are their recent performances under Mr. Stern.

Do yourself a big favor. Get yourself a ticket to one of the symphony’s upcoming performances of Verdi’s magnificent Manzoni Requiem, May 16-18, and you will be astounded by what we have going on right here in old KC. You will be introduced to anther kind of world-class athleticism and awe-inspiring talent.

We are extremely blessed to have this group in our town, and we should support them to the fullest.

Jeff Gerner
Kansas City

Thanks, Quality Hill Playhouse

An extraordinary thing happened in the Kansas City theater community the evening of April 28.

Chita Rivera, the solo headliner who was to perform at Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s gala, became ill the afternoon of the event and was unable to perform. A somewhat anxious call was made to Kent Barnhart, artistic director of Quality Hill Playhouse, to inquire if he might be able to pinch-hit.

With little hesitation, Kent rallied the cast of his current production, “The Musical of Musicals.” Giving up their one night off of the week, Kent and his talented cast performed portions of their hilariously funny show at Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus. Jumping in to save the evening showed a remarkable generosity and embodied the motto “the show must go on.”

Kansas Citians are truly blessed to have so many wonderful theater companies in their city. That one company would, on such short notice, help another says a lot about the community spirit of Kansas City theater.

Leaving the performance, the crowd was abuzz about “The Musical of Musicals.” Kent Barnhart’s generosity deservedly garnered some new fans for Quality Hill Playhouse, and he has the Rep’s sincerest respect and gratitude.

Lili Shank
Fairway

Myra Siegel
Kansas City

Thank you, Gill Studios

The James A. Fussell article about the origin of the bumper sticker (4/19, FYI, “Honk for KC area inventor; Lenexa firm originated the mobile messages about 60 years ago”) is a finely written and well-deserved tribute to Gill Studios Inc. Besides being a successful and original industry, the bumper sticker concept is, indeed, “an American form of communication.”

However, local readers may not be aware that, under the leadership of company chairman Mark Gilman (the founder’s son-in-law), Gill Studios has given back to this community in so many ways, especially in its support of the arts. From its contributions to high schools through professional theater grants, free publicity and gifts, Gill Studios has quietly but effectively encouraged and enhanced the continuing growth of the performing arts in Kansas City.

So, here’s a suggestion for a new bumper sticker: “Go Gill for KC”.

Frank Robertson
Historian, The Barn Players
Mission

Local singers shine

While I share Paul Horsley’s eager anticipation of the Lyric Opera’s 2008-9 season (2/24, A+E), when he calls Mary Dunleavy “possibly the most vaunted singer it has ever invited” he demonstrates a tendency that is far too common among people who comment on the local arts scene: the assumption that out-of-town singers have more talent than our local ones.

Few singers in the world have the fame or prestige of our home-grown diva Joyce DiDonato, who dazzled Lyric audiences a couple of years ago in the title role of “Cenerentola.” We should learn to enjoy visiting talent without ignoring those who live closer to home

S.A. Lewis
Prairie Village

Puppet troupe a treasure

A big thank you for the wonderful article about Paul Mesner and his puppets (1/6, A+E, “Puppet regime; For 20 years Paul Mesner has ruled KC audiences”).

Kansas City is so very fortunate to have him in Kansas City, providing creative entertainment and taking fine arts to people of all ages.

From theater productions to free performances at various venues (libraries, museums, etc.), we should consider ourselves lucky to have this type of entertainment available to us.

“The Mikado” at the Lyric Opera was magnificent, stunning and moving. (Although our 5-year-old hardly moved during the two-hour performance!)

I’d also like to thank all of various corporate and individuals sponsors who support him.

Paul Mesner is a jewel in Kansas City’s crown, and I hope our city continues to enjoy, appreciate and embrace him.

Amy Cornwell
Kansas City

‘The Pearl Fishers’

I have not read any letters to the editor thanking the Lyric Opera for their production of Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers.” I am taking this opportunity to thank you, dear Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
In my many years of listening to operas and attending operas in our country and in Europe, I have never had the opportunity to see or hear the complete “Pearl Fishers.” The beautiful tenor/baritone duet “Au fond du temple saint” in the first act has always been a favorite opera piece of mine. I just assumed that was the only lovely part of that opera. I found out on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 11, that this opera has much more glorious music. The soloists were beautiful to hear and beautiful to see.
Thank you again, Lyric Opera.
Naomi Karmeier
Kansas City