Disney’s The Lion King (photo by Matthew Murphy)
Summer is on the way, and, with it comes Starlight and the outdoor theater scene. Even indoors, there’s lots to see on KC area stages. Check out some of these hot commodities!
JERSEY BOYS
Now through June 22 | New Theatre Restaurant
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are the subject of this Tony® Award-winning Best Musical, a big Broadway hit that’s toured the universe by now. Come for the Four Seasons greatest hits but stay for the sometimes uplifting tale of four blue-collar Italian boys whose vocal harmonies took them to heights they would never have achieved on the mean streets of Jersey. Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
FAMILY SIDESHOW
Now through May 10 | Just Off Broadway Theatre
KC Melting Pot Theatre presents a dark comedy about a dysfunctional family reuniting for a chaotic and absurd night of revelations, confrontations and unexpected twists. It all unfolds under the glow of the family’s carnival sideshow in this immersive new production. Tickets at www.kcmeltingpot.com.
EMMA
May 6 – 25 | Spencer Theater at UMKC
KC Rep concludes its 2024-25 season with this fresh, flirty take on Jane Austen’s classic, as filtered through the eyes and wit of popular contemporary playwright Kate Hamill. Join the party as Emma Woodhouse romps through Regency-era England, navigating the complexities of matchmaking, friendship and love in this new adaptation. Tickets at www.kcrep.org.
FAT HAM
May 14 – June 8 | Unicorn Theatre
This Pulitzer Prize-winning play reimagines Hamlet as a gay, self-aware, young black man grappling with some serious identity issues. When the ghost of his father shows up at the backyard barbecue, demanding that his son avenge Dad’s murder, things get a little out of hand. Tickets at www.unicorntheatre.org.
MEAN GIRLS
May 20 – 25 | Starlight Theatre
Tina Fey’s movie about high school angst and the mischief that ensues was a Broadway hit, thanks to an effervescent score by composer (and Tina’s hubby) Jeff Richmond and eye-popping direction and choreography by Broadway stager extraordinaire Casey Nicholaw. I imagine these teen queens would be unhappy out in all of that heat and humidity — but, hey, it’s Starlight. Tickets at www.kcstarlight.com.
Disney’s THE LION KING
May 22 – June 1 | Music Hall
North America’s longest-running and most-attended Broadway tour returns to Kansas City after more than 10,000 performances in over 90 cities across the continent. 120 million people worldwide have seen Simba, Nala and their eponymous papa fight against the evil Scar and the hyenas trying to destroy the animal kingdom by ignoring the circle of life. Sound familiar? Tickets at broadwayinkansascity.com.
IT’S ONLY LIFE
May 23 – June 15 | Quality Hill Playhouse
Kent B and company are back with a new cabaret, this time featuring a song cycle from award-winning tunesmith John Bucchino. Longing, fulfilment, loss, triumph and wisdom get the QHP treatment in this tantalizing work. Tickets at www.qualityhillplayhouse.com.
THE ROOMMATE
May 28 – June 15 | City Stage in Union Station
In this fresh-from-Broadway comedy, recently divorced Sharon is looking for a roommate when in comes Robyn looking for a place to hide. KCAT favorites Jan Rogge and Carla Noack play the two women who change each other’s lives and discover things about aging, femininity and identity that may resonate with more than a few of us. Tickets at www.unicorntheatre.org.
SCHOOL OF ROCK
June 3 – 8 | Starlight Theatre
The Jack Black movie about a substitute teacher who turns his geeky kids into rock and roll stars features a tune-filled score by the guy who brought screamin’ guitars and driving bass to the theater, Lord Andrew Lloyd (Jesus Christ Superstar) Webber. Will Dewey’s prep school students win the Battle of the Bands and revive their tutor’s gonzo roots? Do you even have to ask? Tickets at www.kcstarlight.com.
GUYS & DOLLS
June 5 – 29 | Music Theatre Heritage at Crown Center
Live! from the Hot Box Club, the award-winning classic gambles with luck and love in MTH’s immersive production. 1940s Broadway returns with front-row seats to Miss Adelaide and the Hot Box dancers up close! Frank Loesser’s score spills out with chestnuts from “Luck Be a Lady” and “If I Were a Bell” to the rollicking “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” Tickets at www.musictheaterheritage.com.
SNOW WHITE
June 10 – 28 | City Stage at Union Station
Theatre for Young America updates the classic nursery tale, this time taking the evil witch’s side of the story. From tragic childhood to thirst for revenge, find out how this baddie got to be her mirror-dwelling self, complete with the seven little guys moving things along to a more or less happy ending. Tickets at www.tya.org.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
June 11 – August 3 | Coterie Theatre in Crown Center
Based on Arnold Lobel’s popular books, this Tony Award-nominated musical follows cheerful, popular Frog and grumpy, misanthropic Toad as they romp through 12 months of the year. Vaudeville and make-believe join forces to tell the story of an unlikely friendship, all set to song. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
