Babes Galore

Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston’s Nine is familiar yet strange, a kinda, sorta hit musical based loosely on Fellini’s 8 1/2. The first scene opens on a marbled spa someplace in Italy. Women from across the continent assemble, excited and bubbling over in English, Italian, French and German. They clamor about one subject: the great film director Guido Contini. We learn in song, upon his arrival, that he writes his own subtitles. Contini can’t choose between being Proust or the Marquis de Sade. He feels that, as his body nears 40, his mind is verging on 10. Yeston’s melodies have won over critics and audiences, but the story — which chronicles Contini’s strained give-and-take with the many, many women in his life — has been somewhat divisive. Perhaps that explains why, in the 25 years since its Broadway debut, the show had never made it to Kansas City before tonight’s 7:30 premiere at the Barn Players (6219 Martway in Mission, 913-432-9100), our most daring community theater. Nino Casisi, the real-life director, believes the area is ready for it. “Afterwards, there will be a moment of silence,” he says. From start to finish, it’s one giant breath of life. It’s a whirlwind, a roller coaster, with all these singers, these characters, these feelings, these passions.” He takes a breath himself. “People are going to walk out wondering if this was a professional or community production.

Fri., Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 10, 2 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 17, 2 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 24, 2 p.m., 2008