(l-r) Elvie Ellis, Nathan Haydel, Jared Howelton, Tyler Fauntleroy – HAMILTON National Tour Marcus 2024 (photo by Joan Marcus)
The start of a new year brings some great new theater to our town. Whether it’s KC premieres or classic musicals you enjoy, there’s something for everyone as we raise the curtain on 2026.
NOBODY’S PERFECT
Now through Feb. 1 | New Theatre Restaurant
Jim O’Heir of Parks & Rec fame stars as an out-of-work writer disguises himself to win a feminist writing competition — only to fall head over heels for the contest’s judge. Meddling families, wacky misunderstandings and a love story hanging by a thread make this fast-paced comedy another perfect evening to enjoy after the sumptuous buffet and those great desserts! Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
KIMBERLY AKIMBO
Jan. 20 – 25 | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The touching, funny tale of a teenage girl who suffers from a condition that rapidly accelerates the aging process. Before Kimberly has a chance to grow up, she finds herself turning into an old woman. Whimsical yet life-affirming, the show reminds us of the preciousness of the time we have at hand. Tickets at www.kansascity.broadway.com.
THE DRUM CLOSET
Jan. 28 – Feb. 22 | The Coterie in Crown Center
Two ambitious, Nigerian-American brothers learn how to survive the culture of their Midwestern school and the obstacles of adolescence. Desperately trying to stay out of trouble, the brothers race to become drumline section leader and make their immigrant mother proud. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
CASEY & DIANA
Jan. 28 – Feb. 15 | Unicorn Theatre
In this U.S. premiere, Princess Diana visits Canada’s first AIDS hospice facility. A powerful true story of compassion, unity, hope and grief ensues. Tickets at www.unicorntheatre.org.
THE TOXIC AVENGER
Jan. 30 – Feb. 8 | Arts Asylum
This funky theater space at 63rd and Rockhill presents the musical version of some folks’ favorite slasher movie, with a score by Bon Jovi bandmember David Bryan, himself the Tony® Award winning composer of Broadway’s Memphis. Bring a plastic raincoat, in case you get stuck (or choose to sit) in the splash zone. Tickets at www.thartsasylum.org.
RENT
Jan. 31 – Feb. 22 | White Theater at the Jewish Community Center
A year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to get by in the shadow of HIV/AIDS — loosely based on Puccini’s opera La Boheme — made it to Broadway and international acclaim under its own tragic cloud — the death of its brilliant young composer Jonathan Larson just days before its premiere. KC Melting Pot Theatre co-produces this Tony® and Pulitzer® Prize winner on the White Theatre stage. Tickets at thewhitetheatre.org.
ELVIS & ELTON
Feb. 5 – April 19 | New Theatre Restaurant
It may never have happened, but that doesn’t stop our favorite Overland Park venue from mashing up a concert spectacular starring two of the only pop sensations renowned by first-name only. Not sure where the thematic connection happens here, but both of these larger than life entertainers get the dinner theater treatment thanks to NTR favorite Victor Trevino Jr. Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE
Feb. 6 – 21 | Black Box Theatre in the West Bottoms
An exuberant tribute to rhythm and blues pioneer Louis Jordan, Black Rep of KC introduces us to Nomax, broke and in love with Lorraine, who just walked out the door. Listening to the radio at 5:00 in the morning, Nomax discovers five more guys named Moe, jumping in finger-popping ecstasy right out of those cathode ray tubes. With a healthy dose of rhythm and blues, the Moes encourage Nomax to turn his life around and win over his gal after all. Tickets at www.brtkc.org.
KANSAS CITY CABARET
Feb. 6 – March 1 | Quality Hill Playhouse
Kent Barnhart and company start the calendar off right with an original revue showcasing Kansas City, from its jazz beginnings — Charlie Parker, Bennie Moten — to John Kander, homegrown composer of Chicago, Cabaret and All That Jazz. Tickets at www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com.
LITTLE WOMEN
Feb. 13 – March 2 | Music Theater Heritage in Crown Center
The timeless, captivating tale about personal discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love based on Louisa May Alcott’s American classic. Now it’s a musical. Tickets at www.musictheaterheritage.com.
ONE OF THE GOOD ONES
Feb. 17 – March 8 | Copaken Stage
When the perfect Latina daughter brings her boyfriend home to meet the parents, her family’s biases and preconceptions are put on full display. As tensions run high and hilarity ensues in this KC Rep production, everyone must navigate the ins and outs of family dynamics and the boundaries of acceptance — all while tackling the age-old question: What does it truly mean to be an American?
Tickets at www.kcrep.org.
HAMILTON
Feb. 18 – March 1 | Music Hall
Immigrants — they get things done. And, to prove the point, the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda (child of immigrants himself) fashioned Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography of our most underappreciated Founding Father into the most important musical of the 21st century so far. Winner of 11 Tony ® Awards and the Pulitzer ® Prize, this indefatigable work was never more timely. Tickets at www.kansascity.broadway.com.
Compiled by Mark Edelman
