Quality Hill Playhouse continues its annual tradition of presenting holiday music in a cabaret setting when Christmas in Song opens Nov. 23. For more than a decade the intimate theater has celebrated the season with a revue of traditional and popular music.
This year’s production features Sarah LaBarr, Kathryn Long, Tim Noland and pianist/emcee J. Kent Barnhart performing songs that range from the sacred and traditional – Joy to the World!, O Holy Night and Go Tell It on the Mountain – to the popular – I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Barnhart’s virtuoso performance of Charles Lindberg’s thrilling solo piano arrangement of Jingle Bells has become a perennial favorite. With nearly two dozen beautiful and touching songs, this intimate revue offers something for everyone and quickly has become one of Kansas City’s favorite holiday traditions.
Christmas in Song runs through Dec. 24 at Quality Hill Playhouse, 303 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, Mo. Single tickets are $32, with discounts for students, seniors and groups. For tickets, call 816-421-1700. Visit www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com for more information or to purchase tickets online.
Also, this season the Playhouse continues the tradition started last year of hosting an old-fashioned sing along of treasured Christmas carols. Here We Come A-Caroling features J. Kent Barnhart and Julie O’Rourke Kaul leading the audience in sacred carols and popular songs. These casual performances will allow the audience to be the star of the show. Performances are at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 and 8, and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, at Quality Hill Playhouse, 303 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo. Single tickets are $24, with discounts for students, seniors and groups. For tickets, call 816-421-1700. Visit www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com for more information or to purchase tickets online.
About the Performers (Christmas in Song)
Sarah LaBarr is making her Playhouse debut with Christmas in Song, but she is no stranger to Kansas City holiday audiences, having performed in A Christmas Carol for over 10 seasons. In addition to working at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, LaBarr has appeared with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Musical Theater Heritage, Starlight Theatre and three seasons with Kansas City Chorale. www.sarahlarr.com.
Kathryn Long is returning for her second production at the Playhouse, following her Kansas City professional debut with our production of On the Sunny Side of the Street in September. Long has numerous credits with Utah Festival Opera and Music Theatre, including roles in both operas and musicals. She returns to Utah in 2013 as a Festival Artist.
Tim Noland returns to the Playhouse after an 18-year hiatus, having moved to New York City shortly after appearing in Quality Hill Productions’ inaugural production, The Melody Lingers On, in 1995. Bringing with him NYC (Town Hall) and regional credits (Hamlet in Hamlet the Musical at Temple Theatre, N.C.), Noland returned to his hometown Kansas City last year, and has appeared with Starlight Theatre (Aladdin) and as the title role in The Music Man with Musical Theater Heritage.
J. Kent Barnhart has worked as pianist, musical director, stage director and producer for more than 20 years and has produced more than 200 musicals, plays and cabaret revues. He has served as Executive Director of Quality Hill Playhouse since 1995.
