Berger Rehearsal Hall
Named in honor of
Richard Hill Berger, Starlight Producing Director, 1951-1971
&
Richard Laurence Berger

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Richard Hill Berger left high school in 1927 to become a ticket seller at the 46th Street Theatre on Broadway. Thereafter, he worked for a producer of New York musicals, spent eight years at the St. Louis Municipal Opera (The Muny) and, later, worked as a producer for film studios MGM and RKO. In the early days of television, Mr. Berger was hired by NBC to produce "The Perry Como Show" and the network's specials.

Mr. Berger began his 20-year career at Starlight Theatre in 1951, serving as our first Producing Director after Kansas City leaders built a permanent outdoor theatre in Swope Park. As the former production manager of The Muny, Mr. Berger had the experience and contacts in show business to bring quality performers and stage technicians to Starlight's stage.

It was at The Muny that he formed his theatre philosophy: large public theatres were places for family entertainment. It was his intention to keep it that way and, indeed, Starlight's philosophy of family entertainment has remained unchanged since 1951.

Mr. Berger, his wife, Sherry (a former "Ziegfield Girl") and their son, Richard Laurence Berger, lived in Kansas City four months out of each year. During the winter, the senior Berger worked on the details of the next season's shows. Auditions for the Starlight dancing and singing chorus were held in New York, Chicago and Kansas City. He is credited with discovering young stars such as Marilyn Maye and television actor Charles Nelson Reilly, both of whom got their big break on the Starlight stage.

Dick Berger was truly "Mr. Starlight" and made audiences happy for 20 years!

He died in Los Angeles in 1998.

When Richard Laurence Berger was 15, his father put him to work as a Starlight stagehand. Among various tasks, he worked backstage with the master carpenter, assisted the prop crew and loaded lumber. In 1959, he was cast as a member of the chorus in Starlight's production of The New Moon.

With the Starlight experience under his belt, the younger Berger headed to Hollywood. In 1973, he became a vice president at 20th Century Fox, where he developed film and television productions. In the late '70s, he joined CBS as vice president in charge of developing new programs, including the TV series "Dallas" and "Lou Grant."

Richard Laurence Berger would eventually rise through the entertainment industry ranks to become president of Walt Disney Pictures, where he started Touchstone Films, and president of MGM. Despite all his success, he always acknowledged that he learned the theatre business from the ground up - just as his father had done before him!

The junior Mr. Berger died in Los Angeles on Sept. 29, 2004. He included a generous trust in his estate for Starlight Theatre, designated to honor the memory of father and son at Starlight.

Dorothy Jeter Music Hall
Named in honor of
Dorothy Wickstrom Jeter
February 26, 1914 - May 20, 1997

Dorothy Wickstrom Jeter was a musician her entire life. An accomplished pianist, she shared both her talent and her love of music with those around her. During many of her later years, she led an orchestra made up of fellow senior citizens.

Mrs. Jeter instilled her love of music in her three children in many ways, including bringing them to performances at Starlight. At the time, free tickets were given out for the last three rows of seats in the theatre. Dorothy and her children would arrive early to stand in line for tickets and, then, picnic across the street before the performance.

These memories shared by her three loving children reflect many other treasured moments held dear by all families touched by the magic of Starlight Theatre.

The Dorothy Jeter Music Room honors the memory of a woman who loved Starlight Theatre and shared her music with so many.

Backed by a beautifully landscaped terrace, The Steadman Family Fountain has stood at Starlight Theatre’s West entrance since 1997, when it was donated in honor of longtime Starlight supporters, Martha and Jack Steadman.

The Shirley Bush Helzberg Garden of the Stars Fountain featuring 10 gently falling cascades of water and over a dozen vertical jets, stands at Starlight Theatre’s East gates.  The fountain and garden commemorate Shirley Bush Helzberg and her family, who have graciously supported Starlight for decades.  In 1984, the Helzberg family increased their support by making Helzberg Diamonds the first official sponsor of Starlight Theatre, a tradition that continues to this day.