Sex, betrayal, and a retirement community—everything a play should be, courtesy of Kansas City Actors Theatre, performing at City Stage in Union Station. Grand Horizons by Bess Wohl, a Tony Award nominee for Best Play, runs through September 3 and stars some of Kansas City’s favorite faces.
Victor Raider-Wexler stars as Bill, the patriarch of the family and husband to Nancy, played by Peggy Friesen. The pair takes the stage and navigates the end of their characters’ 50-year marriage, which proves surprisingly amicable. Horrifying their adult children and causing ripple effects all across their small retirement community (aptly named Grand Horizons), Bill and Nancy’s back-and-forth is sharply comedic and insightfully written by Wohl.
Also joining the cast is Craig Benton, making his KCAT debut as Nancy and Bill’s eldest son, Ben, Matt Leisy, Amy Attaway, Tanner Rose, and Jan Rogge. Grand Horizons is directed by Dennis D. Hennessy, co-owner and artistic director of the New Theatre & Restaurant. By the end, the cutting comedy turns its lens toward the lasting love behind Nancy and Bill’s marriage for a thought-provoking performance worthy of experiencing by anyone who’s fallen in or out of love.
Learn more about Kansas City Actors Theatre and find tickets to Grand Horizons here.