At 3828 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri sits a small theater called the Unicorn. Its Mission Statement, according to Marketing Director Justin M. Shaw, is as follows: "The Unicorn Theatre exists to enhance the cultural life of Kansas City by producing professional, contemporary, thought-provoking theater, which inspires emotional response and stimulates discussion."

That is in fact what the Unicorn does. Having seen a few plays, ranging from The American Trailer Park Musical to rightnextto me, I must say the Unicorn Theater is a diamond in a rough neighborhood.

With the recent addition of the new Jerome Stage, the Unicorn has an exciting season planned as well as many ideas for years to come. "With [the new stages] next season, we plan to produce even more of the most thought-provoking work in Kansas City. We will also have more staged readings and work more on the development of new plays," Shaw said. The playhouse plans on running two consecutive shows next season, offering broader topics to its audience.

One of the most annunciated aspects of the Unicorn is its dedication to taboo and once-taboo topics. It leaves nothing untouched, showcasing plays with unique perspectives on cultural issues of our time. This is one of the reasons the playhouse is so well-loved by its audiences. In fact, the Jerome Stage was funded by local and national donors, and was fully paid for upon its completion (a rarity in the theatre industry). The new stage was named for Dr. Norge W. Jerome, a former board member and local philanthropist.

Currently running at the Unicorn Theatre is The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane (playing now thru March 30). It is a 2007 Tony Award nominee for Best Play, and is a scandalous farce about celebrities in Hollywood. The players include a brash, ambitious Hollywood agent who can spin anyone and anything, a rising movie star, and a sexy male prostitute. A picture is worth more than a thousand words in that town; it can make or break a career. Do they look for an escape from the glass closet of Hollywood or find a way to lock it from the inside?

Upcoming shows at the Unicorn include Heather Raffo's 9 Parts of Desire, which moves to Park University on March 27. Also upcoming are Faith Healer by Brian Friel (April 25-May 18th), Well by Lisa Kron (June 13th-July 13th), the In-Progress New Play Reading Series: The Velvet Rut by James Still (March 9th), and Fly Like a Bumblebee by R.W. Klamm (April 6th). All of these shows promise to tantalize your mind, and entertain your spirit.

If you would like to see a play at the Unicorn, just call 816-531-PLAY or visit them online at www.unicorntheatre.org. The Unicorn offers a $5.00 student discount on tickets, which comes in handy for us college students, and is a good thing to keep in mind. Groups of ten or more students can come for only $10 a piece with reserved seating. Just call the group sales line at 816-531-7529 ext. 21. The website also has several other online sites for you to visit for information, and last minute discounts on tickets are available on Myspace and Facebook.

The Unicorn Theatre is an important contributor to Kansas City culture and offers an experience you shouldn't miss. Their plays are always entertaining and thought-provoking, touching all the issues at hand today. So head down to 3828 Main, and have a night worth remembering.

Copyright 2008 Metropolitan Community College