The Wiz. Kyle Ramar Freeman as Lion, Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Phillip Johnson Richardson as Tinman, Avery Wilson as Scarecrow. (photo by Jeremy Daniel)
In this last gasp of summer, before school starts in September, try one or more of these plays and musicals, live! onstage. Nothing like a cool summer night (or matinee) to bring the family together for a cultural connection.
LOVE’S LABORS LOST
Now through July 6 | Southmoreland Park
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s annual summer offering, this Elizabethan rom-com revolves around four fellas who take an oath to isolate themselves from the oh-so-trivial distractions of women and love. Did we see this on the fifth season of “Friends”? Tickets are free, though a donation is appreciated. Info at www.kcshakes.org.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
Now through Aug. 3 | Coterie Theatre in Crown Center
Based on Arnold Lobel’s popular children’s books, this Tony Award-nominated musical follows two great friends — the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad — as they careen through four fun-filled seasons. Part vaudeville, part make-believe, it’s the story of an unlikely friendship, accompanied by a jazzy upbeat musical score that bubbles with melodies for the whole family. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
CLUE
Now through Sept. 7 | New Theatre Restaurant
Kansas City stage favorites Cathy Barnett, Craig Benson and John Rensenhouse have a ball with this whodunit comedy, based on the popular board game and the movie it spawned. When a bizarre group of strangers is invited to ominous Boddy Manor, their mysterious evening quickly turns into a real-life game of whodunit. Who could the murderer be? Regardless, if the food’s great and this wily troop of Kansas City players make for a cool, diverting evening. Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
SYLVIA
July 5 – 12 | Arts Asylum
This popular comedy is about relationships, nature, growing older and the need for connection in an ever changing world, all helped along by the eponymous character, a lovable, high-strung dog who changes the lives of her masters. Tickets at www.theartsasylum.org.
THE WIZ
July 8 – 13 | Music Hall
Ease on down the road with Dorothy and her friends as they take a trip of their own to find out there’s no place like home in this national touring production. With a score filled with soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk, you’ll know you aren’t in Kansas anymore. Tickets at broadwayinkansascity.com.
PUSS ‘N BOOTS
July 15 – 26 | City Stage in Union Station
Romance, ogres, cats and kings get entangled with the pursuit of staying true to one’s heart in this Theatre for Young America update of another classic children’s tale. Amidst a flurry of fur and secrets lies the existential question: What will we sacrifice to pursue our dreams? Don’t worry — the kids will love it. Tickets at www.tya.org.
AIN’T TOO PROUD
July 22 – 27 | Starlight Theatre
The life and times of Motown’s Temptations and their string of R&B hits are celebrated in this hit Broadway musical. From a Detroit street corner to international stardom, the ups and downs of their story tell a cautionary tale about fame and friendship. Tickets at www.kcstarlight.com.
DISNEY’S FROZEN
Aug. 5 – 10
Starlight Theatre
Let It Go — your wallet, that is — and take the little girls in your life to the Starlight production of this family favorite. A powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance and finding the real meaning of true love, this is one show that lives up to the merchandise (plan to spend some money on that, too). Tickets at www.kcstarlight.com.
CATS
Aug. 7 – 13 | Music Theatre Heritage at Crown Center
MTH’s Broadway in concert version of this feline fantasy adds hip-hop and street jazz choreography to tell the tale of Grizabella the Glamour Cat and her furry friends as they vie for a spot on the inner tube to the Heavyside Layer. It didn’t make a lot of sense back in the ’80s and it still doesn’t — but who cares with a great Andrew Lloyd Webber score like this one. MTH brings it back after a sold-out run in 2018. Tickets at www.musictheaterheritage.com.
Compiled by Mark Edelman
