Four Inane Questions with Whim Productions’ Producing Artistic Director Kevin King
Photo Courtesy of Kevin King
Kevin King is equal parts showman and strategist—the kind of theatremaker who can leap from debugging software to choreographing a stage kiss without missing a beat. As the founder and producing artistic director of Whim Productions, Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ theater company, King has turned whimsy into a mission, creating bold, inclusive work where community and creativity collide.
He’s also the rare multitasker who wears every hat in the costume closet—director, intimacy choreographer, playwright, sound designer—making him a literal one-man repertory company. His credits stretch from provocative fare like F**king Men to the upcoming revival of Mart Crowley’s iconic The Boys in the Band this October. And because his artistic energy doesn’t take holidays, he’ll unwrap a new tradition in December: Whim’s immersive My Kid’s Christmas Program—a festive romp that promises heart, humor, and just the right amount of holiday chaos.
Whether he’s coding in his day job or crafting unforgettable stories onstage, King has built a career out of balancing precision with play. And in Kansas City’s theater scene, that mix makes him nothing short of indispensable.
We caught up with KC’s proverbial renaissance man to zing him with our subpar questionnaire. He answered while doing an interpretive dance he created on the spot. Bless.
Photo Courtesy of Kevin King
The Pitch: In your humble opinion, out of all the wigs ever created in the history of wigs, what’s the best one?
Kevin King: So many choices—from Marie Antoinette to the founding fathers to Moira Rose’s wigs in Schitt’s Creek. I love a wig that has things embedded in it, like Christmas tree baubles. But I also love a wig that has a story.
And this is why I’m going with Hedwig Robinson’s wig in the box. This is somewhat of a cheat answer because that wig is really any wig—and every wig. It’s from the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell. The song “Wig in a Box” perfectly captures the transformational qualities of wigs. It speaks to how you can be anyone you want, and how you can unlock your true self… just by pulling on a wig.
You’re forced to wear an ascot or monocle for eternity… What are ya choosin’?
This is easy. Ascot all the way. To hold a monocle in place, you have to permanently contort your face. No, thanks. Also, who wouldn’t want to join the likes of the famous ascot-wearers Fred Jones and Speed Racer?
If you were a stinging insect, which stinging insect would you be?
I’d want to be a honeybee. It’s an insect that has an important job. It’s a happy worker until it has to deal with someone’s crap—then you better watch out.
You’re creating a pizza called The Kevin. What’s on it?
I’m so busy that I don’t spend much time thinking about what I eat. Or even getting groceries. So, it’d probably be whatever is left in the fridge or can be pulled from the pantry. Do they put cereal on pizza?
It’d probably be horrible, but I wouldn’t put it past me to try it.
