George Bernard Shaw makes his triumphant return to the Kansas City stage in KCAT’s new adaptation of Arms and the Man. In this brand-new adaptation from KCAT Ensemble Member Jerry Mañan, George Bernard Shaw’s enduring comedy-drama takes a satirical look at the absurdities of war as Captain Bluntschli attempts to flee the Serbo-Bulgarian war by hiding in the boudoir of the engaged-to-be-wed Raina. What results is a series of events that turns Raina’s household, engagement, and life upside down. “Arms and the Man is a prime example of Shaw’s knack for sneaking subversive ideas—in this case, a dismantling of war worship—into a romantic romp.” (Lighting & Sound America)
Perhaps only rivaled by Shakespeare when speaking of the preeminent voices of English-language theatre, George Bernard Shaw masterfully weaves wit, satire, social criticism, and more in a delightful romp in Bulgaria. “Arms and the Man is clever without ever feeling stuffy, and farcical without tipping into chaos. It reminds us that the ‘noble’ ideals of romance and war are often just theatre with better costumes.” (Broadway World)