KC FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025
Performances July 17-27
Visual Art July 06-26
Film July 18-20
KC FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025
Performances July 17-27
Visual Art July 06-26
Film July 18-20
Click on the venue name above for information on parking and amenities.
Show Description
Kansas City’s own new theatre initiative The Playground produces When the Daffodil Blooms: A Musical Myth, an original musical that reimagines the myth of Narcissus and Echo for the modern age. This production challenges its audience to reflect on identity, connection, and self-perception, and its artists to examine how and why theatre is created.
When a botanist and a bartender meet, an unlikely relationship blooms. But fate, love, and self-discovery may weave the strangest of tapestries. A timeless story from Greek mythology comes to life with an experimental score, innovative directing, and a stellar team of actors and musicians. Together they are The Playground, a methodology that examines the way we create theatre, how we can empower the voice of every artist in the room, and tell a story outside of the patriarchal structures we are accustomed to.
Cast and Crew
CAST
Narcissus: Stephonne Singleton
Echo: Meghan Emily Welfer
Chorus: Sadie Jensen, Aidan Sarmiento, Ruthie Wu
BAND
Cello: Adee Dancy / Sisterbot
Piano: Iona Dewalt
Bass: Spencer Thut
Drums: Morgan Rogers
OTHERS
Director: Soph Marsh
Composer and Playwright: Joel Walley
Artist & Show Details:
The Playground and its members love KC Fringe! Our cast and crew members have enjoyed acting in a variety of shows at KC Fringe since 2019. This year, our cast member Aidan Sarmiento is double-cast in Gleenior Year!
Will Carter –
What an incredible modern day take on classic Greek mythology and the story of Narcissus and Echo. The blend of music styles was a delight to the ear, both in its harmony and sometimes it’s clashiness of the serialsim style. There’s also an undertone of the Waltz of the Flowers that plays into the evolution and beauty of the narcissus flower and that character. It’s such a unique look at human relationships and a show that is not to be missed!
PW (verified owner) –
Good production, and thoughtful message. Great way to end an enjoyable evening!
Elias Walley –
Really incredible mix of classic Greek mythology and modern life. All the performers were moving and driven by their character, and the music added a whole new level to it. It was a very involving and intimate performance, and the story brings you in really well. I would definitely recommend this new show to anyone, don’t miss it!
Lindsey Johnson (verified owner) –
Joel’s “Retelling of Narcissus and Echo” was an intimate, powerful production. The botanist and bartender twist was brilliant, seamlessly connecting ancient myth and modern life. Actors and musicians showed clear dedication! The score, gorgeous and haunting, became the heart to the story. A truly profound and memorable experience.
Deany Goode (verified owner) –
It was really good, but the MTH sound set up subtracted from the story and the performance. The microphones weren’t connected to different speakers, so what seems to be a really well-done composition became a cacophony when the characters were all singing different things at the same time, and the voices were unclear, so some of the plot also became unclear. I couldn’t understand the argument between Juno and Echo at all. The audience could tell sometimes that the characters couldn’t hear themselves, which caused them to sometimes sing off-key.
David Luby –
The musicians and actors were great. Though I enjoyed it, it was hard to follow the story. The writing needs to be tweaked a bit so it’s less confusing. I do think it’s a great start to a full length new musical. Maybe an opera. Keep up the great work. I personally felt it was almost there. But I am happy I went very different.
Jessica Whitfield –
Beautiful music and great performances from the actors and musicians. A unique Fringe experience!
Beau Palen (verified owner) –
Masterful orchestration and captivating performances all around. The merging of musical influences was intriguing—an absolute must-see!
Tara LaCoe (verified owner) –
A modern myth with thorns. What began as a quirky reinterpretation of Narcissus and Echo slowly unfurled into something much deeper, an exploration of projection, perception, and the loneliness of being seen but not known. Still thinking about that last bloom.