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Central Standard

Inmate Makes The Most Of Borrowed Time In 'When I Come To Die'

A prisoner on death row, for a decade, prepares to die. But, then something goes wrong on the morning that's supposed to be his last - the lethal injection is not lethal. That's the premise of the production, When I Come to Die, at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Thursday on Central Standard, we talk with playwright Nathan Louis Jackson, a Kansas City, Kan. native, and director Kyle Hatley about researching the prison experience, the death penalty, and the tools of a writer.

When I Come to Die marks the second play by Jackson to be staged by the Rep. The first, Broke-ology, was a family drama about two brothers caring for an ailing father, based on Jackson's own personal experiences. Both debuted at Lincoln Center Theatre's LCT3 program in New York.

Guests: 

  • Nathan Louis Jackson, resident playwright at the Rep
  • Kyle Hatley, associate artistic director at the Rep
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Central Standard theaterdeath penalty
Kansas City is known for its style of jazz, influenced by the blues, as the home of Walt Disney’s first animation studio and the headquarters of Hallmark Cards. As one of KCUR’s arts reporters, I want people here to know a wide range of arts and culture stories from across the metropolitan area. I take listeners behind the scenes and introduce them to emerging artists and organizations, as well as keep up with established institutions. Send me an email at lauras@kcur.org or follow me on Twitter @lauraspencer.
Matthew Long-Middleton has been a talk-show producer, community producer, Media Training Manager and now the Community Engagement Manager at KCUR. You can reach him at Matthew@kcur.org, or on Twitter @MLMIndustries.