Presenting a wide spectrum of entertainers and performers from around the world as well as regional performing arts organizations, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has become Kansas City’s home for extraordinary performing arts experiences. The 2018-2019 Kauffman Center Presents series promises to deliver additional mesmerizing moments spanning various genres.
The Kauffman Center Presents series is designed to complement the range of programming offered within the community so that audiences, performances and even ticket prices are diverse. At the Kauffman Center, everyone has opportunities to experience excellence. The Kauffman Center’s mission to enrich the lives of everyone in the community through extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences is always a consideration when planning programming.
“Kauffman Center is thrilled to showcase such high-quality and diverse performers as part of the 2018-2019 Kauffman Center Presents season,” said Paul Schofer, Kauffman Center President and CEO. “From shock rock to a cappella, we are looking forward to welcoming both new and returning audiences to experience the extraordinary and diverse performances offered at the Center.”
Featured fall performances include:
Alice Cooper
Monday, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Alice Cooper topped record sales charts worldwide with his 2017 album, Paranormal. Known as the architect of shock rock, Cooper — in both the original Alice Cooper band and as a solo artist — has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo. After the band’s 1972 Top 10 track “School’s Out,” Cooper’s solo career skyrocketed in the late 1970s with a succession of hit singles, including the ballad “You and Me.” Cooper’s performance will be a paranormal evening that includes the dark and horror-themed theatrics he’s known for. Tickets range from $49 to $109.
Happy Together Tour 2018
Sunday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m.
Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Relive the countless solid gold hits of the 1960s and 1970s with the Happy Together Tour. The tour features six headline artists who delivered some of the biggest songs of the era: The Turtles, Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night), Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Association, Mark Lindsay (former lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders), and The Cowsills. This all-star ensemble brings classic tunes to the stage, including “Happy Together,” “Joy To The World” and “Never My Love.” Tickets range from $49 to $89.
Punch Brothers
Sunday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m.
Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Punch Brothers are the acoustic quintet of mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny and violinist Gabe Witcher. Says The Washington Post, “With enthusiasm and experimentation, Punch Brothers take bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart.” Their latest album, the T Bone Burnett-produced The Phosphorescent Blues, addresses with straight-up poignancy and subversive humor the power and the pitfalls of our super-connected world. Singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham will open the evening, followed by headlining act Punch Brothers. Tickets range from $29 to $59.
Black Violin
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Black Violin returns to the Kauffman Center after their fall 2016 sold-out performance. The duo combines classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that resonates with music lovers of all ages. Violist Wil B. and violinist Kev Marcus have crafted a style that’s often described as “classical boom,” aiming to change perceptions of classical and hip-hop music. Black Violin has shared stages with musical acts including Kanye West, Aerosmith and Tom Petty. The group’s first major label album, Stereotypes, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard classical crossover chart. Tickets range from $29 to $49.
Chanticleer
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m.
Helzberg Hall
Called “the world’s reigning male chorus” by The New Yorker, the San Francisco-based GRAMMY Award-winning ensemble Chanticleer will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2018. Chanticleer is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for its seamless blend of 12 male voices ranging from soprano to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz and popular genres, as well as contemporary compositions. The group’s 40th anniversary tour — Then and There, Here and Now — is a panoramic look at Chanticleer’s complete musical history, featuring classical pieces, traditional songs and modern melodies. Tickets range from $19 to $59.
George Winston
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m.
Helzberg Hall
Inspired by the seasons and topographies, George Winston’s concerts feature a variety of styles including melodic folk piano, New Orleans rhythm and blues piano and stride piano. Winston performs songs from his seasonal favorites Autumn, December, Winter Into Spring and Summer, as well as Peanuts pieces from his Vince Guaraldi tribute albums Linus & Lucy — The Music of Vince Guaraldi and Love Will Come — The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2. Tickets range from $27 to $57.
Tickets for these and other events are available through the Kauffman Center Box Office at (816) 994-7222, on the Kauffman Center’s mobile app or online at kauffmancenter.org.
The Kauffman Center is dedicated to making performances affordable for a wide range of diverse Kansas City populations, including students, community organizations, local educators and military service members. As an extension of the Open Doors Community Tickets program, various ticket discounts are available for Kauffman Center Presents performances. More details can be found at kauffmancenter.org/discounts.
The Kauffman Center Dining Experience will be available for pre-performance dining on each of these dates. A seasonal three-course dinner menu features fresh, local flavors. The Dining Experience also offers a small plates menu with lighter fare and a rotating selection of craft cocktails. For more information or to make a reservation, visit kauffmancenter.org/dining.
–Megan Felling
