(L to R) Sarah Hollis as Miss Scarlet, Alex Mandell as Mr. Green, Kathy Fitzgerald as Mrs. Peacock, Donna English as Mrs. White, Michael Kostroff as Professor Plum and John Treacy Egan as Colonel Mustard. Courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse. (photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphymade)
Spring trees and flowers are abloom, along with a brand-new crop of great theater. Not to belabor the metaphor, but plant your bottom in a seat at some of these performing arts spaces and I promise you’ll “leaf” a satisfied patron.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF
Now through March 10 | The Coterie at Crown Center
Young adult fiction’s Percy Jackson books get a musical send-up worthy of a 2019 Broadway engagement. Follow teenager Percy and his friends on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. How do you fit all of that on the intimate Coterie stage? You’ve got a week to find out. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Now through March 17 | MTH at Crown Center
Long a much-loved purveyor of musical theatre, Music Theatre Heritage ventures into drama with Tennessee Williams’ classic about a complicated Depression-era family and the secrets they hide. Not to be un-music-ed, MTH’s production features a live improvised jazz score emanating up from the Paradise Dance Hall down the street. Tickets at www.musictheatreheritage.com.
ELVIS: ALOHA FROM VEGAS
Now through April 21 | New Theatre & Restaurant
The King has yet to leave the building in this New Theatre retrospective of your favorite Elvis Presley tunes. Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
MAMMA MIA!
March 5 – 10 | Music Hall
A mother, her daughter and three possible dads — probably not what ABBA had in mind when they recorded some of the biggest hits in pop music, but it’s a story that’s held up well for 25 years, two movies and a ton of drunken girls’ nights out. The tour returns to the Music Hall or, as the composer suggests, “Here I go again.” Tickets at www.broadwayinkc.com.
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
March 8 – 31 | Quality Hill Playhouse
Kent Barnhart and company offer up a paean to one of the Great American Songbook’s mostly celebrated contributors, Harold Arlen. Think “I’ve Got The World On A String,” “Stormy Weather,” “Get Happy,” “Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive” — and, of course, “That Old Black Magic,” along with tunes from “The Wizard of Oz” should make for a wonderful evening of song and story — what we’ve come to expect at the QHP. Tickets at www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com.
BACKWARDS FORWARDS BACK
March 20 – April 7 | Unicorn Theatre
When a soldier returns from Afghanistan carrying the ghosts of his tour, he’s confronted with the difficult task of seeking help or living with PTSD. This one-person play explores that decision, the transformative power of virtual reality therapy and the journey toward healing and strength that comes from being fully vulnerable. Tickets at www.unicorntheatre.org.
CLUE
April 2 – 7 | Kauffman Center
Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Based on the classic Hasbro board game and the Paramount flick it inspired, this show may leave you dying of laughter, but you’ll for sure be guessing until the final twist. Tickets at www.broadwayinkc.com.
NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED
April 2 – May 19 | The Coterie at Crown Center
Leave it to those clever theater makers at the Coterie to pull pathos and principle out of a rodent. Based on Mo Willems’ popular book, this “rock experience” encourages young audiences to embrace their originality and be comfortable in their own skin — or suit, as the case may be. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
April 9 – May 4 | City Stage Theatre in Union Station
In Theatre for Young America’s spirited sequel to the bedtime classic, Goldilocks and Baby Bear become good pals. When Goldi discovers Baby’s hidden talents, everyone — humans and bears alike — learns to better understand one another as musical theater ensues. Tickets at www.tya.org.
SQUABBLES
April 24 – June 30 | New Theatre & Restaurant
Dinner theater favorite George Wendt and his real-life wife, film and TV actress Bernadette Birkett, star in this new comedy about a happy couple who discovers their dream home infested by in-laws. Written by Marshall Karp, co-author with James Patterson of the #1 bestselling NYPD Red series of novels, it’s no wonder that all hell ensues amid the prime rib, tilapia and those delicious desserts. Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
April 30 – May 19 | Spencer Theatre at UMKC
Feed the need for musical hilarity with this sci-fi spoof about a man-eating plant who sings like one of the Four Tops. Poor Seymour loves his accident-prone girlfriend Audrey so much he names the carnivorous weed after her. The dentist from hell and a talented girl group round out the botanical business. Sorry, vegetarians — It doesn’t end well. Tickets at www.kcrep.org.
Compiled by Mark Edelman
