By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com If it were not for J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter, I would not become the ferocious reader that I am today. I was first introduced to this wizard by my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Cynthia Johnston, at Indian Valley Elementary School in Overland Park, Kansas. While she only read a portion […]
A Conversation with Rory O’Malley
September 6, 2017 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com It is a privilege to welcome Tony-nominated performer Rory O’Malley to Jake’s Take. The actor-singer made his Broadway debut in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Leaf Coneybear before joining the original company of The Book of Mormon. His portrayal of the openly closeted Mormon Elder McKinley earned […]
A Night at the Theatre: On Your Feet
August 12, 2017 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com There are two women named Gloria that I have deep admiration for my mother, the outstanding Gloria Matzdorff Elyachar, and the impeccable Gloria Estefan. In fact, it was my mom who introduced me to Mrs. Estefan’s iconic music when I was in Mrs. Sandy Porter’s third-grade class at Indian Valley Elementary […]
Superstars prepare for Third Annual Elsie Fest
August 2, 2017 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com Central Park will be celebrating pop culture and the Great White Way on October 8, 2017, with the third edition of the Elsie Fest. The Elsie Fest is New York City’s first music festival that will give Broadway fans access to see their favorite theatre performers and music stars. The artists […]
A Night At The Theatre: “The Last Five Years”
May 27, 2016 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com For 25 years, Music Theatre Kansas City (MTKC) has provided entertainment to audiences through their interpretations of Broadway classics and hit shows. Now, MTKC is about to reach its next chapter in its quarter-century of existence: MTKC Pro. MTKC Pro offers a chance for their MTKC alumni who found success in […]
A Night at the Theatre: Disney’s Aladdin
October 19, 2015 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com Recently, I headed to NYC for a family wedding (Congrats Josh and Emily!). Before the ceremony, my family and I returned to the New Amsterdam Theatre (for the first time in 12 years) to see Disney’s Aladdin. Aladdin is one of my all-time favorite Disney films, due to the outstanding score […]
A Night At the Theatre: Sue Aside
July 19, 2015 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com Ever known someone that has been stuck in a toxic relationship that they could not get out of? In playwright Vicki Vodrey’s latest KC Fringe Festival offering, Sue Aside, audiences will be introduced to Sue (Laura Jacobs), a therapist who encounters her ex-boyfriend, Tevvor (Scott Cox), who claims to be sober […]
The Book of Mormon rocks KC
March 4, 2015 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com One of the Great White Way’s best musicals made a huge splash in Kansas City! The nine-time Tony-winning Book of Mormon is currently winding down its two- week engagement at the Music Hall and if you want to see this show, tickets are vanishing faster than a trip to “Sal Tlay […]
A Night at the Theatre: A Hard Day’s Night
July 19, 2014 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com The 2014 Kansas City Fringe Festival is upon us! Every year, the Kansas City festival highlights the best up-and-coming playwrights in the region. Among one of those playwrights is Vicki Vodrey. Her latest production, A Hard Day’s Night, follows Kelly Kelley (Melissa Fennewald) as she deals with her family. Kelly’s parents, […]
A Night at the Theatre: The Frowning Vajayjays of Shady Pines
March 21, 2014 By
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com Recently, One of my favorite playwrights debuted a new play in Kansas City. Vicki Vodrey’s The Frowning Vajayjays of Shady Pines focuses on a trio of elderly Southern Belles, who live in Shady Pines Retirement Home. However, their lives are turned upside down when Bertie (Sherri Roulette-Mosley) moves into their quad…despite […]
