Arts news: Auditions for “Annie,” “Lost in Yonkers” at KU; Patty Larkin at Unity

KU Theatre debuts Neil Simon comedy

The University Theatre opens its 2010-11 main stage season at Kansas University this month with Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 12, and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in Crafton-Preyer Theatre.

Jack Wright, professor of theater, is directing the comedy. Mark Reaney, professor of theater, is scenic and lighting designer, Phillip Schroeder, Kansas City, Mo., graduate student, is costume and make-up designer, and Austin Robinson, Merriam senior, is the dialect coach.

The winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award, “Lost in Yonkers” was written in 1991 and is one of Simon’s later plays.

Tickets are $18 for the public, $17 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for all students. Call 864-3982.

Members of the cast for “Lost in Yonkers” include Drew Cheek, an eighth-grader at Baldwin Junior High School, and Erica Fox, of Lawrence.

Patty Larkin to perform at Unity

Patty Larkin has been redefining the boundaries of folk-urban pop music for 25 years with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising vocals and lyrics. Acoustic Guitar hails her “soundscape experiments,” while Rolling Stone praises her “evocative and subtle sonic shading.” She has been described as “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly) and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter).

Larkin will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Unity Church of Lawrence, 900 Madeline as part of the West Side Folk concert series.

Joining her is Alan Williams, the songwriter and lead singer of Birdsong at Morning.

Admission is $23, with discounts available for season tickets. See more information and upcoming shows at WestSideFolk.org.

New art exhibit at Landmark National Bank

Kansas artists Jan Gaumnitz, Margaret Rose and Steve Ramberg have works currently on display at Landmark National Bank, 4621 W. Sixt St.

Gaumnitz specializes in sculpture, paintings, photography, monoprints and mixed media. Rose specializes in assemblages, collagraphs, mixed media, monotypes and collage. She uses found objects and relates them to each other in a unique and creative way. Ramberg, a photographer, focuses on flowers, insects, landscapes and panoramas. “I’m interested in capturing a lot of detail and in pattern and balance,” he says.

Auditions scheduled for ‘Annie’

Leapin’ Lizards! Theatre Lawrence has announced auditions for children and adults for a December production of “Annie.” The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals about a spunky orphan who foils evil to find a new family and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

A large cast, ages 7 and up, is needed. Boys will be included in some ensemble numbers. Some roles may be double cast. Two dogs are also needed for the show.

Auditions are 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11-12 for children ages 7 to 14 and 7 p.m. Oct. 13-14 for adults.

Those auditioning are asked to prepare a short song. An accompanist will be provided.

Dogs can be auditioned at 4 p.m. Oct. 24.

The show will be under the direction of Charles Goolsby with music direction by Annie Biggs and choreography by Melia Stockham. Production dates are Dec. 3-19. For additional information, call the Theatre at 843-SHOW.

KU Wind Ensemble to perform ‘Circean Waters’

The KU Wind Ensemble will kick off its 2010-11 season with “Circean Waters,” conducted by Paul Popiel, KU’s new director of bands.

The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lied Center on KU’s West Campus.

The program will include “Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare” by Richard Strauss; “Circean Waters” by Joni Greene; “Suite of Old American Dances” by Robert Russell Bennett; “Chorale Prelude” on a German Folk Tune by KU Professor James Barnes; and “Lincolnshire Posy” by Percy Grainger. Sarah Labovitz will be guest conductor.

Tickets are $7 and $5 and can be purchased by calling 864-2787.

Lawrence author releases new book

Novelist, short-story writer and poet Tom Mach has released a new short story collection, titled “Stories to Enjoy.”

The 16 tales include “Burning Faith”: What happens when a soon-to-be world-famous historical relic disappears? And “When Kansas Women Were Not Free”: A woman experiences a form of slavery at a time when all men –black and white — were free.

Mach won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award for “Sissy!,” two other awards for his second novel, “All Parts Together,” and the Nelson Poetry Book Award for “The Uni Verse.”

“Stories to Enjoy” costs $14.95 and is available at Border’s, Hastings, and the Raven as well as directly from the publisher Hill Song Press at www.TomMach.com.

KU professor giving scholarship benefit concert

Jack Winerock, KU professor of music, will give a piano concert at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Swarthout Recital Hall.

Admission is free but with a suggested donation of $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students to benefit student scholarships.