75 Years of Inspiring Stories
It all started in 1950 with Thrills of a Century! Since then, Starlight has presented hundreds of Broadway musicals and popular concerts to thousands of Kansas Citians, inspiring stories to last a lifetime. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with a few of the milestones that have entertained, inspired, and engaged the community with live arts experiences.
1950s
A Thrilling Beginning
1950
Starlight opens on June 3 with the historical pageant, Thrills of a Century, as part of the centennial celebration for the city of Kansas City, Missouri.
1951
A not-for profit organization is created to activate and run the theatre. The first Broadway season presents 10 musicals.
1960s
Big Names and Big Shows
1961
TV Guide Best Actress Carol Burnett stars in Calamity Jane. She returned to Starlight in 1962 and set an attendance record with The Carol Burnett Show.
1964
President Harry S. Truman has a walk-on role in Mr. President but leaves at intermission due to appendicitis!
1970s
20 Years of a Kansas City Tradition
1970
Starlight celebrates its 20th anniversary! A special show called The Sound of the Seventies is headlined Paul Revere and the Raiders.
1970s
Starlight is a popular venue for TV and movie stars. Big names headlined shows, including Yul Brynner, Carol Channing, Shirley Jones, and Jim Nabors.
1980s
New Programs and New Spaces
1980: The first popular concerts are performed by Heart and Little River Band after 30 years of offering exclusively Broadway-style shows.
1984: Starlight establishes its internship program, later named for President + C.E.O. Bob Rohlf, who led the organization for 26 years.
1987: Improvements debut including a new stage floor, renovated rehearsal spaces, and an outdoor Applause Club restaurant.
1990s
1991
Phyllis Diller gets “wicked” in the role of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.
1997
The Shirley Bush Helzberg Garden of the Stars is dedicated.
2000s
Focus on Improvements and Education
2000: Starlight turns 50 and gifts the community a new, state-of-the art stage house named for Jeanette and Jerome Cohen.
2003: Blue Star Awards begins, now one of the largest high school musical theatre awards programs in the country.
2006: The Vincent Legacy Scholarship Foundation, extending $2,500 scholarships to BIPOC middle schoolers in the metro.
2010s
New Indoors and Outdoors
2015
Starlight begins indoor programs inside the climate-controlled stage house. Small shows include parodies and one-person, cabaret-style productions.
2018
Four mega-fans make their debut to help cool audiences in the Kansas City summers.
2020s
2023: Starlight launches its first capital campaign in more than 20 years for continuing venue improvements – including a new, state-of-the-art canopy.
2025: Starlight celebrates 75 years of inspiring stories with a year full of fun and surprises!
2026 and beyond: Starlight continues to inspire stories and create memories for generations of Kansas Citians.