Now in their 8th year of producing musicals in Kansas City, Musical Theater Heritage continues to present quality, affordable entertainment through their very popular concert-style productions of classic American Musicals and original revues.
Last year, MTH had their most successful year as an arts organization, increasing their audience size by 100%, and setting box office attendance records for their production of Big River, which also was chosen as the area’s Best Musical of the Year by the Johnson County Sun. In 2010, MTH plans to continue to be one of the most unique and rapidly growing theater companies in Kansas City, and are offering two large musical classics this year to their season.
One of those large shows includes Kiss Me Kate, March 11-28. Considered a comeback triumph for an aging Cole Porter in 1948, Kiss Me Kate was easily his biggest hit as a composer, and exceeded his previous triumph, Anything Goes, as a successful musical with cohesive book and score. There are many great songs in the show, including: Why Can’t You Behave, Tom, Dick or Harry, So In Love, Wunderbar, Too Darn Hot. This musical masterpiece won the first Tony Award presented for Best Musical.
1776 will be MTH’s next large musical, starring Deb Bluford as Benjamin Franklin with an all-girl cast, Aug 12-29. Typically produced with a large, male cast with only 2 female roles, MTH’s production will consist entirely of ladies (which has never been done before). It will give a new voice to this cherished musical, and bring new meanings to this historic moment of our country’s past. It’s about how much work and courage it took to get Congress off their “arses” to break it off with England. Sherman Edwards, developed lyrics and libretto for this insightful musical on the real struggle to write our Declaration of Independence.
And finally, A Spectacular Christmas, Dec. 2-23. Now in its third year, A Spectacular Christmas is quickly becoming a Kansas City tradition. 2010’s production will have an all-new script, but the show will still feature sackfuls of classic holiday songs being sung by KC’s best-loved performers. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, it’s sentimental and it’s Christmastime.
And don’t forget! Musical Mondays are also a part of the MTH Season at Crown Center, too. It’s an impromptu evening of musical theater, hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC’s finest actors and singers. You never know who will show up, and you never know what songs will be sung, but it’s a guaranteed great time. Performances are at 7:30 pm on Mar 1 / May 3 / July 5 / Aug 2 / Sep 20 / Nov 22.
MTH hires the best local talent, such as 2009’s Kip Niven, Karen Errington, James Wright, Lauren Braton, Tim Scott, Craig Benton, Jerry Jay Cranford, and many more; with their orchestra headed by our fabulous Jeremy Watson on piano. Performances are at the Off Center Theatre located on the 3rd floor of the Crown Center Shops, and run Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8pm, Matinees on Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm. MTH audiences enjoy giant, movie theater seats in an intimate venue, with plenty of leg room, and there’s never a head in the way.
Tickets are $13 for the side sections and $27 for the center section. For tickets call the AHT / Off Center Theatre Box Office at (816) 842-9999 or visit Musical Theater Heritage online at www.mthkc.com. For interviews and further details, call George Harter or Chad Gerlt at (816) 221-6987.
