Musical comedy kicks off second season of Starlight Children’s Theatre
The beloved children’s book, Flat Stanley, comes to life when Starlight Children’s Theatre presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jan. 18-20 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway.
The musical comedy is the story of Stanley Lambchop who becomes flattened when his bulletin board above his bed falls on top of him while he is sleeping. In a whirlwind travelogue, Stanley – the ultimate exchange student – scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted and cancelled from Hollywood to France to Honolulu and beyond. And whether he’s thwarting a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, or ‘hanging ten’ off the coast of Hawaii, Stanley is closing in on his goal of being a three-dimensional boy once more.
“Starlight Children’s Theatre and the creative team of Flat Stanley have assembled an A-list cast, full of Kansas City’s favorite musical theatre performers,” said Andy Parkhurst, co-director and choreographer. “Cathy Barnett and Tom Lancaster are two of our city’s finest comedians, and Katie Karel, Phillip Russell Newman and Alex Herrera represent our most celebrated young performers. With production values that are only possible with Starlight Theatre and the Kauffman Center, this production is equally enjoyable for adults and kids.”
Starlight Children’s Theatre, now in its second season, is a partnership between the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Starlight Theatre with the goal of creating fully produced children’s theater productions for Kansas City. The partnership also allows for qualified schools to receive bus money to attend the school matinees through Kauffman Center’s Open Doors Transportation Fund. The school matinees for The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley are Jan. 16-18.
“For many young audience members, Starlight Children’s Theatre at the Kauffman Center provides a first-ever experience of seeing a live stage show,” Parkhurst said. “Having performed for Starlight Theatre as a 13- and 14-year- old, then returning as a New York actor to inaugurate the 2000 renovations, it is wonderfully full circle directing for Starlight Children’s Theatre. The Kauffman Center has helped put Kansas City on the international map as a true arts city, and it’s an honor to work with both organizations.”
Price Chopper is the presenting sponsor for Starlight Children’s Theatre; Panera Bread and Farmer’s Insurance Group are also sponsors.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
The talented cast includes Alex Herrera (Flat Stanley), Phillip Russell Newman (Arthur), TJ Lancaster (Mr. Lambchop), Cathy Barnett (Mrs. Lambchop) and Katie Karel (Mrs. Catero).
The creative team includes Michael Grayman (co-director and choreographer), Andy Parkhust (co-director and choreographer), Kevin Brogan (musical director), Sean Glass (lighting designer), Jonathan Rowell (sound designer), Jason Harris (set designer), Kent Andel (production manager), Michelle Gutierrez (production stage manager), and Sadie Desantis (assistant stage manager).
ABOUT FLAT STANLEY
Jeff Brown created the beloved character of Flat Stanley as a bedtime story for his children. He went on to write five more books about the boy who became flattened overnight and then traveled the world. Today, the Flat Stanley Project is one of the most-recognized and best-loved literacy and geography curriculums. It is meant to facilitate letter-writing by schoolchildren to each other as they document where Flat Stanley has accompanied them. This multi-generational global activity engages hundreds of thousands of children on a daily basis in classrooms around the world. For more information, visit www.flatstanley.com .
TICKET INFORMATION
Single show tickets for The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley are $15-$40 and are available at the Kauffman Center Box Office at www.kauffmancenter.org or 816.994.7222. VIP single tickets are available for $59 a ticket at kcstarlight.com or 816.363.STAR (7827). VIP tickets include exclusive seating in the first two rows of the theater, autograph and photo session with the cast, show souvenir and a tax-deductible donation to Starlight Children’s Theatre.
Discounted group tickets and student matinee tickets can now be ordered by contacting Stacey Million, Starlight’s group sales manager, at groups@kcstarlight.com or 816.997.1137. A study guide for educators and group leaders is available at www.kcstarlight.com. Qualifying schools may also apply for bus transportation assistance from the Kauffman Center’s Open Doors Transportation Fund; more information is available at www.kauffmancenter.org.
Season tickets for Starlight’s Children’s Theatre, (The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and Peter Cottontail III), are available at www.kcstarlight.com and 816.363.STAR (7827). Season tickets range from $28 to $70 with benefits that include up to a 20 percent discount compared to single ticket prices, season tickets range from $28 to $70 a ticket. VIP Season Tickets are available for $130 a ticket.
Starlight Theatre Association is dedicated to producing, presenting and promoting excellence in musical theater and the performing arts for diverse audiences of all ages, with continued programming for families and children. Starlight strives to enrich our region for all residents and visitors by building appreciation for the performing arts, making live theater and music affordable and accessible, providing superior theater arts education and community outreach programs, and delivering exceptional customer service.
