1776 (photo provided by Starlight Theatre)
Starlight hosts a full schedule, the New Theatre Restaurant presents its big summer musical and more great theater rolls off KC stages as the hot weather comes to an end (we hope). Support local theater by attending one or more of these productions:
THE TEMPEST
Now through July2 | Southmoreland Park
Shakespeare’s exotic tale of fanciful creatures, conjuring, comedy and forbidden love performed alfresco, as it should be, starring Bruce Roach as Prospero. Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s 2023 production is, as always, free for all.
GYPSY!
Now through July 9 | Music Theater Heritage
The classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim with book by Arthur Laurents wraps up its summer revival with Tina Maddigan as Mama Rose. Tickets at www.musictheaterheritage.com.
DOCTOR DOLITTLE
Now through Aug. 6 | The Coterie
The Coterie presents the world premiere of their young audiences adaptation of the beloved movie musical Doctor Dolittle. Featuring Leslie Bricusse’s original songs from the film including Academy Award-winner “Talk to the Animals,” Doctor Dolittle tells the story of an eccentric country physician who sets out to change the way animals are treated and understood in the world. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
DREAMGIRLS
July 6 – Sept. 10 | New Theatre Restaurant
The house will be rocking as this celebrated, Tony Award ® winning Best Musical takes the stage in Overland Park. Follow the journey of a determined Motown girl group as they chase their dreams of fame and fortune. Starring KC superstar Shon Ruffin. Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
LEGALLY BLONDE
May 24 – June 11 | City Stage in Union Station
Adapted by award-winning playwright Kate Hamill, Jane Austen’s touching tale of life, love, struggle and hope touches all the emotions of the original novel, while adapting it for a 21st- century audience. Featuring KCAT stalwarts Chioma Anyanwu, Teisha Bankston, Hillary Clemens, Coleman Crenshaw, Karla Fennick, Phil Fiorini, Jerry Mañan, Carla Noack and Christina Schafer, this “Little Women” is “an ingenious compassion of Alcott’s novel that is by turns funny and painfully poignant” (The Wall Street Journal). Tickets at
www.kcactors.org.
RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
July 21 – 23 | Starlight Theatre
Songs from Abbey Road and Get Back’s rooftop concert are featured in this homage to the legendary foursome, delivered note-for-note in the next best thing to seeing the Beatles. Tickets at kcstarlight.com.
1776
July 25 – 30 | Starlight Theatre
Our nation’s founding saga, told in a brand new, all-female production in this Tony Award-winning Best Musical. A cast that reflects multiple representations of race, gender and ethnicity brings these critical weeks and months in our country’s history to exciting life. Tickets at kcstarlight.com.
(photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for Murphymade)
JAGGED LITTLE PILL
Aug. 1 – 6 | Starlight Theatre
Alanis Morisette’s seminal album and music propel this new musical about a perfectly imperfect American family to glorious life. You live, you learn, you connect, you jump out of your seat, you feel truly human with this multiple Tony Award® nominee. Tickets at kcstarlight.com.
A CHORUS LINE
Aug. 10 – 27 | Music Theater Heritage
The groundbreaking musical that set a new standard for Broadway. Winner of nine TONY Awards and the Pulitzer Prize tells the poignant, funny and engaging tale of those faceless dancers who make up the ensemble or chorus line in a Broadway show. Tickets at www.musicaltheatreheritage.com.
GRAND HORIZONS
Aug. 15 – Sept. 3 | City Stage at Union Station
KC Actors Theatre’s next offering depicts the surprisingly amicable and hilarious end of Nancy and Bill’s 50-year marriage and the fallout it causes within their retirement community. The Tony Award® -nominated Best Play stars KCAT favorites Victor Raider-Wexler and Peggy Friesen as directed by Dennis Hennessy. Tickets at www.kcactors.org.
COME FROM AWAY
Aug. 29 – Sept. 3 | Starlight Theatre
he remarkable true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded on 9/11 and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but the initial uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Tickets at kcstarlight.com.
