In a basement room of the Bolender Center, Costume Shop Supervisor Jennifer Carroll and her assistant Joey Gee spend busy days fitting and repairing the costumes as the Kansas City Ballet prepares for its annual production of The Nutcracker.
Under a full moon, Kirk Eichelberger, as Ferrando, tells the story of a Gypsy woman burned at the stake many years ago.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, shields Rafael Davila, as Manrico, from attack by the Count di Luna.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Just as Rafael Davila, Manrico, prepares to kill Roman Burdenko, Count di Luna, Manrico is held back by a mysterious power.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, explains to Rafael Davila, as Manrico, that, although she has raised him, she is not his mother.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The Count di Luna prepares to kidnap Leonora.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The Count di Luna pursues Leonora.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Rafael Davila, as Manrico, prevents Roman Burdenko, as Count di Luna, from kidnapping Leonora.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, is recognized and captured. The army prepares to torture her and burn her at the stake.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
After Manrico is captured while trying to rescue Azucena, Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, pleads with Roman Burdenko, as Count di Luna. When the Count does not relent, she offers herself to him.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Imprisoned, Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, and Rafael Davila, as Manrico, remember happier times.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, begs Rafael Davila, as Manrico, to flee the prison.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, confesses to Rafael Davila, as Manrico, that she has secured his freedom by promising herself to the Count. But she has poisoned herself to remain true to him.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
An anguished Roman Burdenko, as Count di Luna, discovers from Azucena that he has unknowingly executed his brother.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, has triumphed over the Count di Luna.
When it comes to the plot of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il Trovatore - which revolves around a love triangle, murder, and revenge - audiences are advised to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the music.
A landscaped roof at 12th and Walnut, in the Power & Light District of downtown Kansas City, is now an art space and community focal point with the addition of a new sculpture called “Prairie Logic."
