MAKING GOD LAUGH Launches American Heartland Theatre's 2012-13 Season, 9/7

Kansas City's American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center has announced its 2012-2013 season, which will include five Kansas City Premieres and one favorite holiday hit. Starting off the season is comedy about family by one of AHT's favorite playwrights, Sean Grennan, MAKING GOD LAUGH. The season also includes a riotous adaptation of the thriller, THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. The holidays have everyone laughing with the return of the Sisters of Mount St. Helens in NUNCRACKERS.

Kansas City Premiere
Making God Laugh
By Sean Grennan
Tonight, September 7 - October 21, 2012

About the show: "Home is where the heart is, and also where the laughs are! Empty nesters welcome their children home for the holidays over a period of thirty years. Family traditions are rekindled, dubious recipes are resurrected, dreams are reevaluated, ancient tensions flare and comedy abounds during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. A delightful new comedy by spawned by the famous Woody Allen quote, 'If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.'"
Rated PG-13.

Holiday hit starring Debra Bluford and Kenny Remmert
Nuncrackers - The Nunsense Christmas Musical
By Dan Goggin
November 2 - December 23, 2012

About the show: "With the winnings from Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, the Sisters of Mount St. Helens are on the verge of taping their first-ever Christmas TV special! Sound a little nutty? You ain't heard nuttin' yet! And nuttin' goes as planned, resulting in an uproariously funny spoof of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet, zany renditions of classic Christmas carols, a send-up of The Village People, a Catholic home shopping network, and more!"
Rated G.

Kansas City Premiere
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Adapted from Arthur Conan Doyle's novel by Steven Canny and John Nicholson
January 11 - February 24, 2013

About the show: "A wildly funny adaptation of the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story of mystery and suspense! An ancient family curse, a spectral hound and a deranged killer on the loose. One after another, the male heirs of the Baskerville family are being knocked off. Sherlock Holmes, the "greatest detective of all time", sends Dr. Watson to the countryside in order to prevent more bloodshed, and naturally, mayhem of various kinds ensues. And man it gets scary...really, really, scary. Join us for this fast-paced send-up of the classic Sherlock Holmes novel that teems with adventure, physical humor and non-stop laughs. This Hound will find your funny bone!"
Rated PG.

Kansas City Premiere
Life Could Be A Dream
By Roger Bean
March 8 - April 21, 2013

About the show: "SH-BOOM! In a time before American Idol, The Crooning Crabcakes, the boy group banned from the Springfield High prom and replaced by the Marvelous Wonderettes, enter the talent search hosted by the Big Whopper Radio contest in hopes of realizing their dreams of making it to the big time! Trouble comes in the form of Lois, who arrives to put some polish on the group-and hilarious heartaches ensue! Featuring "Stay" (just a Little Bit Longer), "Earth Angel," "Unchained Melody," "Only You," and over 20 more doo-wop hits, Life Could Be a Dream will leave you laughing, singing and cheering-let's hear it for the boys!"
Rated G.

Kansas City Premiere
Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage
By Ken Davenport and Sarah Saltzberg
May 10 - June 23, 2013

About the show: "Miss Abigail, the most sought-after relationship expert to the stars (think Dr. Ruth meets Emily Post), and her scrumptious sidekick, Paco, share with you their outrageously funny advice and "how-to's" on dating, mating and marriage! Miss Abigail takes you back to a simpler time, before speed-dating and text-messages...back when the divorce rate wasn't 50% and when 'fidelity' was more than an investment firm! Learn a thing or two ... like how to have a perfect kiss (it's all about lip position)...what you should and should not talk about on a date (don't mention your troll doll collection)...and how to let a man think he wears the pants. So, grab your girlfriends, your date, your mate (or even your ex!) and join us. You'll be laughing about love all night long!"
Rated PG-13.

Kansas City Premiere
The Bikinis - A New Beach Party Musical
Created and written by Ray Roderick and James Hindman, music arrangements by Joseph Baker, additional music and lyrics by Joseph Baker and Ray Roderick
July 12 - August 25, 2013

About the show: "Back together after 20 years - four best friends are bringing back the sun, fun and all the great songs they sang down on the boardwalk...all to raise money for the good folks at Sandy Shores on Florida's Gold Coast. In 1964, the boardwalk was smitten with 4 talented teens in bikinis... Jodi and Annie, sisters; Karla, their slightly manipulative first cousin; and best friend Barbara. Filled with hits like "It's In His Kiss", "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", "Heat Wave", "Under the Boardwalk", "These Boots are made for Walking", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "When Will I Be Loved", "I Will Survive", "It's Raining Men" and many more! You'll be dancing in the aisles - it's a non-stop celebration of fun!"
Rated PG

Performances run Tuesdays through Sundays with evening, matinee and twilight performances. Ticket prices range from $22.00 to $35.00, plus ticketing fee (depending on performance day and time - subject to change).

Tickets are available at the theatre box office on the third floor of Crown Center, by calling 816-842-9999, or by visiting www.ahtkc.com. Groups of 10 or more may call 816-842-0202, Ext. 218 for discounts.

Gift Certificates and Season Tickets are also available.