Our professional theaters kick off their 2025-26 seasons with a whole host of plays and musicals these next few months. What better reason to support your local stages bringing art and fun this fall to Kansas City.
THE COLOR PURPLE
Through Sept. 21 | Spencer Theatre at UMKC
KC Rep kicks off its season with the extraordinary journey of Celie, a young woman who discovers her voice and strength against all odds in a breathtaking tale of courage and transformation — where every note and every moment reminds us of the beauty and power of love. The hit Broadway musical, based on the hit novel which also spawned a hit film: THE COLOR PURPLE hits you hard with its lessons of forgiveness, redemption and the power of the human spirit. Tickets at www.kcrep.org.
DESIGNING WOMEN
Through Sept. 28 | Unicorn Theatre
Emmy Award winning screenwriter Linda Bloodworth-Thomason revisits her much-loved television sitcom, moving the action and comedy from the screen to the stage in this fast-paced comedy about four strong, outspoken women who run an interior design firm in Atlanta. In this episode, friendships are tested, secrets surface and the sass flies. What did you expect from four designing women? Tickets at www.unicorntheatre.org.
DEATHTRAP
Sept. 10 – 28 | City Stage at Union Station
KC Actors Theatre presents Ira Levin’s gripping drama about a mystery writer up to no good. Guaranteed to make you jump out of your seat. Tickets at www.kcactors.org.
ALONE TOGETHER
Sept. 10 – Nov. 16 | New Theatre Restaurant
KC’s comedy cutie Cathy Barnett teams up with Brady Bunch heartthrob Barry Williams in a new piece of fluff about a middle-aged couple who’ve packed their three sons off to the real world. Wouldn’t you know it — one by the one, the boys return home, robbing their folks of their privacy but paying the dividends of joy, connection and family you can only experience alone — together. Tickets at www.newtheatre.com.
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Sept. 16 – 21 | Music Hall
Once again, a mismatched pair of missionaries go halfway round the world to spread Brigham Young’s teachings, though you wouldn’t know it from the hearty laughter emanating from audiences for this Tony ® Award winning Best Musical. Don’t bring the kids — this show contains explicitly hilarious language. Tickets at www.broadwayinkc.com.
LIFE OF PI
Sept. 16 – 21 | Starlight Theatre
Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel that became an award-winning motion picture, this is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation. Tickets at www.kcstarlight.com.
A WRINKLE IN TIME
Sept. 16 – Oct. 12 | Coterie Theatre
Adapted from Madeleine L’Engle’s much-loved young adult novel, welcome back to the tale of that stubborn Meg Murry, her baby brother Charles Wallace and friend and neighbor Calvin as they battle the forces of evil in order to rescue Meg’s father, save humanity and discover Meg’s true self. For young people 10 and older. Tickets at www.thecoterie.org.
’NIGHT MOTHER
Sept. 18 – 27 | Just Off Broadway Theatre
A raw and intimate exploration of mental health, family dynamics and the strength of the human connection, this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama brings mother and daughter together one last time for a conversation that becomes a battle for understanding the unbearable weight of silence between family members. Tickets at www.kcmeltingpot.com.
RENT
Oct. 2 – 26 | Music Theater Heritage in Crown Center
A show about connection and healing, this Tony® Award winning Best Musical is one of only 10 musicals ever to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, Jonathan Larson’s infectious pop-rock score became a pop culture phenomenon, with songs and stories that resonate with audiences of all ages. So sad that we lost Larson shortly after RENT opened. Tickets at www.mthkc.com.
DRACULA
Oct. 14 – Nov. 2 | Copaken Stage
When the lines between predator and prey blur, the power of women’s strength rises from the shadows in this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s iconic tale, compliments of KC Rep. KC theater treasure Vanessa Severo teamed up with director Joanie Schultz to reclaim this classic, revealing a Dracula you’ve never seen before. Tickets at www.KCRep.org.
DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL
Oct. 25 – 26 | Folly Theatre
With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, our eponymous character loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy, the cyborg fish, or Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? Based on the bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, who also brought us Captain Underpants, this is one for the kiddies. Tickets at www.broadwayinkc.com.
SUGAR SKULL!
Oct. 25 | Starlight Theatre Indoors
Just in time for Día de Muertos — the Mexican Halloween-like Day of the Dead — this musical adventure begins when a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, entrancing 12-year-old Vita into a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of the holiday. The bilingual family musical begins Starlight’s indoor season of young people’s theater. Tickets at www.kcstarlight.com.
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Oct. 28 – Nov. 2 | Music Hall
Belle and her behooved beau are back, just in time to capture the hearts and purse strings of another generation of boys and girls and their generous parents. The Tony® Award winning Best Musical from the composing team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman brought the Disney franchise back where it started, with family stories told with a song in the heart. Tickets at www.broadwayinkc.com.
Compiled by Mark Edelman
