Stage Capsule Reviews
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story A class-A crowd pleaser guaran-damn-teed to make you hiccup the Holly songbook all the way home from Hallmark Land. The script is silly, but the show’s achievement is the way it evokes that thrill of creation. Sure, “Peggy Sue” couldn’t have come together as quickly as it does here, but there’s joy in watching it form, even if the process is radically accelerated. As Holly’s Crickets, David Bendena and Ry Kincaid seem constantly pleased at the untrained racket they’re making; as Holly, Wichita native John Mueller is exactly life-sized, capturing the dreamy shyness of a bright, artistic Texan without being showy. All of them play great, loose rock and roll, but the show is stolen by Tim Scott, hilarious as the MC the night the music died. Through Jan. 8 at the American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center, 2450 Grand, 816-842 -9999. (Reviewed in our Nov. 10 issue.)
A Christmas Conundrum Yet another murder mystery staged by the Mystery Train, ensuring the following: a death aboard a train, which audience members will be charged with solving; a whimsical script with plenty of puns, many of which audience members will be charged with delivering; a bevy of characters with silly names and offbeat histories, several of whom audience members will be charged with becoming; and dinner from the Union Station Café, which audience members will simply be charged with. This one’s set in 1952, at Christmastime, so expect a background of Kansas City history taking full advantage of the Union Station surroundings. Reservations are required. Through Jan. 7 at Union Station Café, 2200 Main, 816-813-9654.
Christmas in Song This year’s Quality Hill Christmas cabaret boasts local stalwarts Melinda MacDonald — so good doing it to Cole awhile back in Let’s Do It — and Matt Leisy, KC’s boy on Broadway. Everyone does their damnedest to freshen up “O Holy Night” and “Winter Wonderland”; half the show is holy, half secular, so ACLU types should wait until intermission. Through Dec. 24 at Quality Hill Playhouse, 303 W. 10th St., 816-421-1700.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast This version of the old don’t-judge-monsters-because-they-might-be-princes story dates back to just 1991, when Disney technicians planed off the rough edges and set the second act all a-clatter with singing flatware. The last Disney musical to achieve any amount of grace whatsoever, this one features the rousing Gaston song, at least four other memorable numbers and a plot point or two cribbed from Measure for Measure. Added plus: One of the heroine’s parents actually survives! Through Dec. 11 at the Lawrence Community Theatre, 1501 New Hampshire, 785-843-7469.
Stuart Little E.B. White’s other book gets a loving, faithful treatment from the Coterie. Today’s entertainment for kids would jeerily snot all over this story of a little mouse crossing this giant country, but it charms even those who aren’t so little. Lessons to be learned: Being small doesn’t mean you’re unimportant, shows for kids can engage grown-ups, cats can kill you. Beverly Cleary’s mouse may have a motorcycle, but White’s story crushes her book like a grape. Through Dec. 30 at the Coterie Theatre, Crown Center, 2450 Grand, 816-474-6552.
