Over Seventy-five years after its publication, The Diary of Anne Frank remains one of the most widely-read books in the world. The account of a Jewish teenager's life in hiding in an annex behind an Amsterdam warehouse during the Nazi occupation left readers with the lingering question, who alerted the Nazi search team, in 1944, to Anne Frank and her family's hiding place?

In 1955, The Diary of Anne Frank premiered on Broadway at the Cort Theatre for the first time and is now being brought to life by McKinney Repertory Theatre this March.  In honor of this, Chestnut Square is partnering with McKinney Repertory Theatre to host an interview on February 17th at 1:30pm with retired US FBI Agent, Vince Pankoke, to explore the question, "who betrayed the Franks" and learn how technology has given us new theories on this mystery.

After he retired from the FBI, Vince was recruited to become the Director of Investigation for the Anne Frank Cold Case Investigation, which was featured in the CBS news program, 60 Minutes. His role included coordinating the investigative effort to solve the mystery surrounding the circumstances of the raid in which Anne Frank, her family, and friends were captured on August 4, 1944. Pankoke developed a cold case team protocol including recruiting subject matter experts, team member selection, identifying investigative initiatives, directing archival research, and applying modern investigative techniques which included profiling, testimonial reconstruction, and most importantly for this presentation, artificial intelligence. 

Join us on February 17th at 1:30pm at Chestnut Square Heritage Village as we interview Vince Pankoke on this compelling case as we approach the 80th anniversary of this heartbreaking betrayal.

TICKET PRICES:   $20 for VIP or $5 General Admission.  VIP Seating begins at 1 pm with conversation beginning promptly at 1:30 pm.  For more information and to buy tickets, please visit Chestnut Square or https://bit.ly/MRTDiaryofAnne

Calling all sleuths:  McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) will be kicking off their 20th Anniversary season by presenting Clue at McKinney Performing Arts Center on October 6-7 & 13-14, 2023.  

Watch all of your favorite Clue characters come to life on stage in this hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery.  The tale begins on a dark and stormy night set in 1954.  Six unique guests, a butler and a maid assemble for a dinner party at the home of Mr. Boddy. When their host turns up dead, it becomes clear that no one is safe. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the kitchen with the candlestick? Perhaps it was Mr. Green in the billiard room with the wrench? Based on the popular board game and adapted from the 1985 Paramount cult classic film, Clue will keep audiences guessing to the very end. 

Clue was written by Sandy Rustin and based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn. The MRT production is being produced by Kathy Snyder and is directed by Rebecca N. Moore, a newcomer to McKinney Repertory Theatre, who says, “I am very excited to bring this amazing cast full of talented and hilarious performers to the stage. This production of Clue will leave you laughing and wanting more!”

The poster for MRT’s production of Clue is the first of five posters that feature original art by local artist Kim Guthrie as part of the community theatre’s collaboration with her in honor of their 20th Anniversary. MRT hopes that this collaboration will highlight and celebrate the two art forms (art and theatre) and the importance of both in our local community. 

McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) is a 98% volunteer, nonprofit, community theatre.  MRT is McKinney’s Official Community Theatre and is a resident company at McKinney Performing Arts Center in historic, downtown McKinney.   

Tickets are $24.50 for adults, $21 for Seniors 55+, and $19 for students ages 13+

Rated PG-13 for suggested violence and innuendo.  NOTICE:  This show contains gunshot sounds and flashing lights. 

SHOW DATES: 

Total of 6 shows (2 weekends):

Friday, October 6, 2023, at 8 pm

Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm

Friday,  October 13, 2023, at 8 pm

Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm

LOCATION:  McKinney Performing Arts Center - 111 N. Tennessee Street, McKinney, TX 75069

For more information and to purchase show tickets please call (214) 544-4630 or visit:  https://mckinneyrep.org

 McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) is excited to announce that McKinney artist, Kim Guthrie, will be collaborating with MRT on the artwork for their 20th Anniversary theatrical season. 

 Ms. Guthrie will be creating five (5) total paintings that MRT will use as the poster art for their 20th Anniversary Season.  These five pieces will represent each of the shows that are being produced as part of the 20th Anniversary Season, which will include: 

• Clue by Jonathan Lynn

• Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol adapted by Dr. Andrew Harris 

• Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross

• Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling

   

   

   

   

• The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, Newly Adapted by Wendy Kesselman

"Theatre is the one art form that needs artists and experts from every type of artistic medium to collaborate together to produce a show. Since McKinney is such a rich artistic community, it made sense for our community theater to celebrate our 20th Anniversary by highlighting the variety of artists and creative minds that call McKinney home by selecting a local artist to collaborate with on our 20th Anniversary season artwork,” said Davina Gazo Stampfel, executive director of MRT.  “Ms. Guthrie’s artistic style and motto of ‘whimsical art for the young at heart’ feels very in line with our nonprofit community theatre and we are thrilled to be collaborating with her!” 

Ms. Guthrie hails from California but grew up all over the world.  After studying art in Colorado, she went abroad to France and ventured out to find her own artistic style.  Her paintings incorporate bright colors and an array of palette knives to move the buttery paint in organic strokes which result in a textured, almost 3-D feel.  Her love of texture spills over to 3-D sculptures which she designs using paper mache and vintage finds.  Ms. Guthrie moved to McKinney eight years ago and established her studio at 115 W. Virginia St. Suite 101 in historic, downtown McKinney.  She has been an active artist for over thirty years. 

For further information about Kim Guthrie’s work, please visit her website at: 

https://www.kimguthrieart.com/ 

Further details about MRT, the 20th Anniversary season, and our upcoming show, “Murder on the Orient Express”, can be found on MRT’s official website at:  https://mckinneyrep.org/

March 13, 2023 (McKinney, TX) – McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) and McKinney Creative Community (MCC) are excited to launch the search for a local McKinney artist to collaborate with the community theatre on the artwork for its upcoming 20th Anniversary Season.  

All local McKinney artists (ages 18 and up) are invited to submit a proposal to create five (5) total pieces of art that will be used by MRT as the poster art for their 20th Anniversary Season.  These five pieces will represent each of the shows that are being produced as part of the 20th Anniversary Season. 

The art work should be the artist’s interpretation of the following shows: 

• Clue by Jonathan Lynn

• Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol adapted by Dr. Andrew Harris 

• Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross

• Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling

• The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, Newly Adapted by Wendy Kesselman

MRT and MCC will review all of the proposals and choose one artist to create artwork for all five shows. The chosen artist will be awarded $500 as an artist’s fee/honorarium.   

"Theatre is the one art form that needs artists and experts from every type of artform to collaborate together to produce a show. Since McKinney is such a rich artistic community, it made sense for our community theater to celebrate our 20th Anniversary by highlighting the variety of artists and creative minds that call McKinney home,” said Davina Gazo Stampfel, executive director of MRT.  “I can’t think of a better way of tying things together than opening up this opportunity to our community and partnering with a local artist.” 

Please visit:  https://mckinneyrep.org/20th-anniv-art-rfp for full submission guidelines.

The deadline to apply is April 9th, 2023.

Media Contact:  

Davina Gazo Stampfel

McKinney Repertory Theatre

executivedirector@mckinneyrep.org

About McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT)

McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) was started in 2003 when a group of local actors decided to bring the gift of theatre to McKinney.  Since then, MRT has become McKinney’s Official Community Theatre and we are one of the resident companies at McKinney Performing Arts Center in historic downtown McKinney.  MRT is also a 98% volunteer driven non-profit theatre and is supported, in part, by grants from the City of McKinney through the McKinney Arts Commission (MAC) and the McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC).  

About McKinney Creative Community (MCC)

TheMcKinney Creative Community (MCC) brings area artists together in order to build on the rich, cultural character that McKinney is known for. Each month, the group hosts a public potluck where creatives in any field or medium can share their personal and professional experiences. Often a guest speaker addresses the group. The group was founded in 2010 and has over 2,400 members/followers on Facebook. In December, it hosts the Holiday Art Bazaar, the second largest art fair in McKinney. The group welcomes all who wish to connect with fellow creatives. Potlucks and membership are free.