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A Candle Against the Dark

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Save the Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023, 2:30 PM

Ben Martin, President of the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch, has written a stage play titled, A Candle Against the Dark premiering at the Englewood Arts Center in Independence, Missouri in October.

A Candle Against the Dark tells the true story of one Kansas City family's experience with polio. In addition, it tells the stories of others who have been affected by the disease. The story follows victims and doctors, parents and nurses. It recalls a time in our history when we were helpless against a seemingly invincible foe and reminds us of all those who worked so hard to achieve near-total elimination of polio from the world.

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Let’s Get Trivial

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ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to our first annual FUNdraiser, Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 6:00 to 9:30 pm. 100% of net proceeds from this event support our ESU Kansas City Branch's educational programs, events, and operations.

Where: Piropos Restaurant in Briarcliff, Buenos Aires Room, 4141 N. Mulberry Dr. Kansas City, Missouri

When: Saturday, September 30, 2023.
6:00 pm—Drinks, social, networking
6:45 pm—Buffet Dinner served
6:00-7:30 pm—Live jazz musicians entertain
7:30 pm—Let's Get Trivial Contest begins

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Happy Hour: What I Know About Shakespeare and Why It Matters

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Join Us for Our Next ESU Happy Hour

Jeff Watkins, the founding Artistic Director of the Atlanta Shakespeare Company (ASC) at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, will investigate the idea that Shakespeare changed his life, and the life of the Atlanta Shakespeare Co. ASC developed an understanding of what Shakespeare's original practices were and how they could revolutionize our production and performance of his works. 

In simpler terms, Jeff will ask and answer the question of how his approach to rehearsing and performing Shakespeare has changed over the last 25 years. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch.

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ESU Kansas City Branch Welcomes Andrew Lownie

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Dr. Andrew Lownie, acclaimed author and biographer, arrived in Kansas City for a lecture program co-hosted by the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch (ESU) and the International Relations Council (IRC). Andrew told an intriguing tale about the notorious English-born Soviet spy, Guy Burgess. Lownie, arriving in Kansas City direct from London, presented his lecture program on Friday, September 15, 2023. This special lecture program is part of ESU's Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series. Members and guests from ESU and IRC thoroughly enjoyed the program which was also livestreamed in the auditorium of the National World War I Museum. You may watch the recorded lecture here (1 hr. 20 min.)

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Happy Hour: Classical Shindig with ESU Chairman Dr. Quinn Peeper and Michael Harold

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Wednesday, September 13, 2023,
6:00 pm EDT

Make the acquaintance of two of New Orleans' most beloved hosts and concert pianists, Michael and Quinn, who sure do know their shindigs. From seasonal celebrations to iconic book clubs to lavish parties for friends, family, and charities, both local and national, Michael and Quinn have seen, done, and decorated it all. Join us for our next ESU Happy Hour Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 6:00 pm EDT when Quinn and Michael share stories from their new book, Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry: From the Simple to the Sublime. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU New Orleans Branch. All ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and Friends of ESU. Please click here to register:

Enjoy the pairs' authentic sense of style and design in their lush home and garden while exploring the joys of throwing unique and personal events. The pages are filled with hundreds of delightful photographs captured by twelve renowned Southern photographers that showcase the abundance of Michael and Quinn's New Orleans Garden District home. Come away with hosting, interior design, and entertaining tips and tricks that even an amateur can execute. Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime is complete with more than sixty recipes for every occasion, QR codes for recorded movements of their concertos given in support of community causes, illustrations by acclaimed artists Paul Cox and Tug Rice, and delightful stories all the way from Mississippi County, Arkansas, to the oak-lined streets of New Orleans. Between adventures in piano concerti with orchestras and entertaining New Orleans' natives. The British monarchy, and everyone in between—there's nothing these two won't do to celebrate their love of food, music, and people.

To buy a copy of "Classical Shindig," go to classicalshindig.com and use promotional code ESUCS. A portion of the sale will be donated to The English-Speaking Union of the United States.

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Stalin’s Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War And the Cambridge Spy Ring

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Stalin's Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War And the Cambridge Spy Ring

A Lecture by Acclaimed Author
Dr. Andrew Lownie

Everyone loves thrilling British spy novels and Andrew Lownie doesn't disappoint as he tells an intriguing tale about the notorious English-born Soviet spy, Guy Burgess. Lownie, arriving in Kansas City direct from London, will present his lecture program on Friday, September 15, 2023. This special lecture program is in partnership with The English-Speaking Union of Kansas City and the International Relations Council and is part of ESU's Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series. The ESU and IRC are pleased to welcome Dr. Andrew Lownie to his first visit to Kansas City.

In his lecture, best-selling author, Andrew Lownie will present the chilling, yet colorful, life story of one of the most fascinating and utterly ruthless men who betrayed his country to the Soviet Union. Burgess rose through academia, the BBC, the Foreign Office, M15, and M16, eventually becoming a member of the infamous Cambridge Spy Ring gaining access to thousands of highly sensitive secret documents which he passed to his Russian handlers. 

Andrew Lownie is a best-selling author, journalist, and one of Britain's most acclaimed biographers. He is currently a visiting professor at the Ulster Literary Biography Research Centre. He has a master's and a PhD in history from the University of Edinburgh.

When: Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
5:45-6:30 pm CT—Registration and Networking
6:30 pm: CT—Lecture followed by Q&A
7:30  pm: CT—Book signing

Where: National World WarI Museum, Auditorium,
2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO and online

Tickets: IRC/ESU Member (in-person): $15
Non-Member (in-person): $20
Livestream (online) attendance: $10
Students: FREE

After the lecture, Andrew will be available to autograph his book, "Stalin's Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War, and the Cambridge Spy Ring." A limited number of books will be available for purchase after the lecture, or you are welcome to bring your own book. 

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Happy Hour: The Kennedys in England

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Join Us for Our Next ESU Happy Hour

Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 4:00 PM CT

Dr. Barbara Perry, presidential scholar, acclaimed author, and Kennedy family biographer, will tell us how one of America's most historic dynasties experienced the height of political and social achievement in pre-war London only to see their dreams dashed by diplomatic missteps and the tragedies of wartime casualties. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. All ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and Friends of ESU. Please click here to register:

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ESU Salutes A Chorus Line

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Music Theater Heritage (MTH) at Crown Center is producing the musical A Chorus Line, considered one of the most prolific musicals of all time. Winner of 9 TONY Awards as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it remains relevant, provocative and explosively entertaining. 

This production stars Kansas City native, Nathan Darrow, whose talents include film and television productions such as House of Cards, Billions, and many more. Nathan has the role of the choreographer in A Chorus Line at MTH.

Here are three events featuring A Chorus Line and we hope you can attend all three:

Thursday, August 10

We will attend the opening performance of A Chorus Line at MTH at Crown Center on Thursday, August 10 at 7:30 pm. Read more.

Monday, August 14

This will be a fun evening of storytelling by Ben Martin. He will share his memories when he directed A Chorus Line at Lee's Summit High School just before he retired. Read more.

Tuesday, August 22

We will be showing the documentary film Every Little Step (1 hr. 33 min.) which follows the plight of real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. Read more.

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2024 Membership Renewal Party

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Let's Celebrate Our New Membership Year

ESU's new membership year begins July 1, 2023 and what better way to bring in the new membership year than with a party! 

All ESU members and Friends of ESU are cordially invited to a Membership Renewal Party hosted by our ESU members, Sally and Greg Davis. This is a potluck party. Our board members will provide Barbeque Brisket, iced tea, and soft drinks. Everyone is invited to bring a side dish such as baked beans, potato salad, tossed salad, or dessert. BYOB for wine, beer.  

We want to bring all ESU members together for a casual afternoon party to make it easy and convenient to renew your membership as well as renew friendships. You can renew online at the party on our secure laptop or with a paper form.  Either way it is easy and fast.  You'll also have the chance to meet both longstanding ESU members as well as our newest recruits.

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Gypsy Musical Book Club & Film Screening

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You're Invited to Our Next Book Club
And Film Screening of GYPSY the Musical

The Music Theater Heritage (MTH) at Crown Center is presenting the musical Gypsy, regarded by many as the finest musical ever created. The celebrated score by Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne boasts a continuous barrage of musical theater hits—tunes like "Everything's Coming Up Roses," You Gotta Get a Gimmick," "Let Me Entertain You," and more! Set when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of ambition and mother's love.

MTH, The English-Speaking Union, Kansas City Branch (ESU), and the International Relations Council are co-hosting a special Book Club. ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to be part of this Book Club where you will meet with other book and musical theater enthusiasts to discuss Gypsy Rose Lee's memoir. The Book Club will meet in-person on Wednesdays beginning June 7, 14, and 21 at 6:00 pm at the Music Theater Heritage, upper level of Crown Center Shops, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO. Each of the three Book Club dates will focus on specific chapters in the memoir. ESU will be part of a discussion panel during each of the Book Club dates. ESU members and guests are welcome to attend the Book Club discussion groups. The Book Club events are free, but registration is required. Read more.

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