‘Mary Poppins’ opened at the Jewish Community Center’s White Theatre on July 9 and Facebook reviewers are giving it a big thumbs up! ‘Mary Poppins’ is a co-production of The J and Theatre in the Park and continues at The J July 14, 16, 21, 23 at 7:30 p.m. and July 17, 24 at 2 p.m. Ticket information is available by calling 913-327-8054 or emailing . After concluding its run at the White Theatre, the show will travel to the TTIP’s outdoor amphitheater for a seven performance July 29-31 and Aug. 3-6. Bob Compton Photography

THEATRE IN THE PARK PRESENTS BIBLICAL FAVE —  The upbeat and colorful musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” rocks on to the Theatre in the Park stage tomorrow, Friday, July 15, for its seven-performance run!

 

“Joseph” tells the story of Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis. A group of narrators tell the tale of Joseph, the favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. Joseph has vivid dreams that foretell the future, and his older brothers are jealous of their sibling’s talent. In this musical filled with hilarious songs and colorful dance numbers, Joseph finds himself sold into slavery and later imprisoned for sharing his vivid tales. Joseph regales Pharaoh by interpreting his dreams — a task that earns Joseph his freedom. Finally, with his colorful coat, Joseph rises above it all. 

The musical runs through Sunday, July 17, and then continues its run Wednesday, July 20, through Saturday, July 23. The box office opens at 6 p.m. and the gates to the seating bowl open at 6:30 p.m.; the show begins at 8:30 p.m. “Joseph” is rated G and is appropriate for the entire family to enjoy. Ticket information is available at www.theatreinthepark.org.

TAKE THE STAGE GALA SET — Unicorn Theatre, a leading producer of new plays and musicals in the Midwest, has announced a gala unlike any other: Take the Stage. This benefit will take place on Sunday, Aug. 7, at the theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111, and is the third annual gala in this style. All of the proceeds will support the creation of thought-provoking theatre at the Unicorn, now preparing for its 43rd season of innovative new plays.

Guests will feast on a gourmet dinner from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions served by some of their favorite Unicorn actors on the Levin Stage, named after Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin, who joined the company in 1979. One-of-a-kind entertainment will be presented where the audience normally sits. This year’s concert performance will feature highlights from the hit musical comedy “La Cage aux Folles.” A live auction and special appeal is also scheduled.

For ticket information, contact Ian R. Crawford, Unicorn Theatre development director, at 816-531-7529 ext. 12, email , or visit www.UnicornTheatre.org.

JEWISH BEATBOXERS WOW ON ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ (JNS.org) — Two Orthodox-Jewish yeshiva students from Manhattan wowed the judges of the 11th season of “America’s Got Talent” with their beatboxing skills last week.

Judges Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandell and Mel B watched Ilan Swartz-Brownstein and Josh Leviton, dressed in their traditional tzitizt, beatbox Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.” All four judges voted to put the two contestants through to the next round.

“How did you two meet?” Mandell asked the students. Swartz-Brownstein explained that they met in Israel, “at the Western Wall, which is the holiest place in the Jewish tradition.” They are local performers in New York City, with Leviton going by the moniker “The Orthobox” and Swartz-Brownstein by “The Aleph Bass.” Leviton has also performed with the popular Jewish a cappella group The Maccabeats. Swartz-Brownstein is a member of the Yeshiva University singing group the Y-Studs.