A SIOUX CITY BORN ACTRESS, WRITER, TEACHER AND DIRECTOR WITH MORE THAN FIVE DECADES OF STAGE EXPERIENCE IS STARRING IN THE TITLE ROLE OF A TOURING BROADWAY PRODUCTION THAT WILL MAKE A ONE-WEEK STOP IN IOWA THIS WEEK.
ANN MORRISON, WHO’S 70, IS VERY UP-FRONT ABOUT HER AGE AND SAYS IT’S A THRILL TO PLAY THE LEAD IN “KIMBERLY AKIMBO,” WHICH WON FIVE TONY AWARDS, INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL.
MORRISON1 OC………. “SHOW UP” (LAUGHS) :23
IN AN ERA WHEN SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON STAGE AND SCREEN IS PLACED ON YOUNG BLONDES, MORRISON SAYS SHE’S NEITHER, AND IT’S A SPECTACULAR CHANGE OF PACE TO BE PLAYING THIS PART — AT THIS LEVEL — AS A SEPTUAGENARIAN.
MORRISON2 OC….. “REALLY 70” :12
OVER HER CAREER, MORRISON HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE ROLES ON BROADWAY, OFF-BROADWAY AND LONDON’S WEST END.
SHE SAYS HER LOVE OF THE THEATRE STARTED EARLY WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP IN SIOUX CITY.
MORRISON3 OC…….. “ON CAMPUS” :15
FOLLOWING IN HER PARENTS’ FOOTSTEPS, MORRISON NOW RUNS HER OWN THEATRE COMPANY, SARASOLO PRODUCTIONS, THAT’S FOCUSED ON YOUNG ACTORS.
MORRISON4 OC…….. “ADORE SO MUCH” :19
THE MUSICAL “KIMBERLY AKIMBO” IS PLAYING AT THE DES MOINES CIVIC CENTER, WITH EIGHT SHOWS TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.
Photo from Des Moines Performing Arts/Radio Iowa
