Actors Theatre KC announces the opening and run of Taking Sides by Ronald Harwood at City Stage, Union Station. It opens Friday, August 15 and runs in rotating rep with Translations by Brian Friel through August 31.

Kansas City, MO - infoZine - In Taking Sides, we witness the interrogation by Americans of the renowned conductor, Wilhelm Furtwangler and stand in judgment of his behavior during the Nazi era. Since he was allowed to remain as the leader of the Berlin Philharmonic throughout the war, he is under suspicion as a Nazi sympathizer. Furtwangler remains passionate in his defense that he survived as a protector and comforter of the German people and an artist on watch over the cultural life of his homeland. Does continuing to function as an artist and cultural icon in the Hitler regime taint him as a man of liberty and justice or are the many examples of those he helped to escape enough evidence to save him? This fascinating look at the role of the artist midst a horrific time in history asks you to evaluate the role of art in politics and to take a side.

The play .... offers a total experience that is satisfying because it fully engages its audience leaving them with food for thought and discussion that should extend well beyond the evening's proceedings. Curtain Up

Taking Sides will be directed by Founding Member Tom Mardikes and features Founders Gary Holcombe and Mark Robbins. Nathan Darrow, Elana Kepner, Michael Rapport, and Vanessa Severo round out the cast.

Ronald Harwood is the acclaimed screenwriter of "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "The Pianist."

Season tickets still on sale for the 4 current and remaining productions as ATKC present plays exploring instances of oppression and triumph as ethnicities collide. Next up is A Lesson From Aloes by Athol Fugard, directed by Bruce Roach and featuring Gary Neal Johnson, Peggy Friesen and Founding Member Walter Coppage. Previews September 5 - 11, opens September 12, closes September 21.

For tickets please call 816-235-6222 or visit www.kcactors.org

Related article in infoZine
"Taking Sides" at the Actor's Theatre Kansas City, Review
By Jeannine Chatterton-Papineau - Actors Theatre Kansas City continues its examination of oppression and the human spirit with their presentation of Taking Sides by Ronald Harwood.