Atticus Finch in the courtroom – Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”) and The Company of To Kill a Mockingbird. (photo by Julieta Cervantes)
Our major professional theaters kick off their 2023-24 seasons and some spooky scenarios celebrate Halloween over these next two months. It’s all the more reason to support your local stages bringing art and fun this fall to Kansas City.
CYRANO DE BERGERAC
Sept. 5 – 24 | Spencer Theatre at UMKC
KC Rep kicks off its 60th with Edmond Rostand’s classic romantic tale, adapted by Martin Crimp. The dashing but “handsomeness-challenged” Cyrano secretly loves the radiant Roxane, who has the hots for hunky-but-inarticulate Christian. Cyrano offers to act as go-between, setting in motion a love triangle for the ages, pitting the allure of physical attraction against the seductive power of words. Tickets at www.kcrep.org.
NATIVE GARDENS
Sept. 6 – 24 | Unicorn Theatre
Vanessa Severo directs Karen Zacarias’s hot-button comedy about cultures and gardens clashing. When well-intentioned neighbors become feuding enemies over a shared property
line, you can be sure no one will come out smelling like a rose. Tickets at www.unicorntheatre.org.
ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID
Sept. 13 – Nov. 19 | New Theatre Restaurant
Television, movie and Broadway star Morgan Fairchild returns to the NTR stage in a delightful comedy that explores the relentless pursuit of the perfect love.
IS GOD IS
Sept. 14 – 23 | Just Off Broadway Theatre
KC Melting Pot Theatre opens the season with Alesha Harris’ Obie Award-winning play about twin sisters who receive a deathbed request from their mother. Directed by Lynn King, it’s a compelling tale of Black women reclaiming their time and voices as they rethink family history on their own terms. Tickets at www.kcmeltingpot.com.
JUSTICE AT WAR
Sept. 19 – Oct. 15 | Coterie Theatre
The Coterie celebrates its 45th season with an interactive drama based on the true story of Mitsuye Endo’s challenge to her years-long incarceration at an internment camp during World War II. The audience is judge and jury as one young woman defends the rights of millions. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
BACK TO BROADWAY
Oct. 6 – 29 | Quality Hill Playhouse
J. Kent Barnhart’s never-ending tribute to the Great American Songbooks welcomes its 29th season with the benefit COCKTAILS AT THE Q Sept. 8, 9 and 10 and then continues with the first show of its full season
with this song-filled session, looking back at shows from the Golden Age of Broadway to today. Tickets at www.qualityhillplayhouse.com.
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
Oct. 12 – 29 | Music Theater Heritage in Crown Center
Winner of the TONY® Award for Best Musical, this swinging celebration of Fats Waller features all of his beloved tunes including “The Joint is Jumpin’” and “Honeysuckle Rose.” Tickets at www.MTHKC.com.
MACBITCHES
Oct. 18 – Nov. 5 | Unicorn Theatre
Sidonie Garrett directs Sophie McIntosh’s contemporary take on the Bard’s unspeakably entitled play. When a college freshman unexpectedly lands the coveted role of Lady Macbeth, she threatens to upend the theatre department. Girl Power rules as more than secrets get spilled. Tickets at www.unicorn.org.
ELECTRIC POE
Oct. 19 – Nov. 5 | Union Cemetery near Crown Center
KC’s oldest public cemetery is the scene for. R.H. Wilhoit’s masterful encore performance of Edgar Allan Poe’s beloved poem, “Annabel Lee,” his ode to obsession, “Berenice,” and the claustrophobic short story classic, “The Cask of Amontillado.” You, too, will hear your heart beating over these moody masterpieces, performed in front of Union Cemetery’s “Holding Vault,” built in 1857. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
Oct. 24 – Nov. 12 | Copaken Stage
KC Rep presents Heidi Schrek’s Broadway hit starring Tony-nominated actress Jennifer Westfeldt. In high school, 15-year-old Heidi earned college tuition money by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In her funny, hopeful play, she returns to those halcyon days to trace the profound relationship between four generations of Schreck women and the document that shaped their lives. Tickets at
www.kcrep.org.
HARPER LEE’S TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Oct. 24 – 29 | Music Hall
Emmy and Academy Award-winning playwright Aaron Sorkin’s compelling adaptation of this American classic comes to the Music Hall, direct from its award-winning Broadway engagement and national tour. Richard Thomas stars in the dark tale of racism. Tickets at www.broadwayinkc.com.
