Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade may look a little different without the crowds on the streets of New York, but the show will go on. Recently, a number of Broadway shows came together for the first time since March to rehearse and perform pre-taped performances to air during the parade on Thursday, November 26. Tune … Continued
On this week’s episode, a number of British Stage Legends star in a virtual fundraiser, the Broadway Podcast Network launches its first digital soap opera, and a stage manager launches a new project. Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, and Maggie Smith Set for Virtual Fundraiser For One Knight Only
On this week’s episode, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is set to premiere on Netflix, Leslie Odom Jr. releases a Christmas album, and Laura Bell Bundy launches a new podcast. Watch Chadwick Boseman in Netflix’s First Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Trailer
With the new school year well under way, Starlight’s community engagement team is hard at work on the 2020-21 Blue Star Awards. While this year will be very different from years past, Starlight is thrilled to continue to celebrate the success and talent of Kansas City metro high school theatre students. With covid-related changes and … Continued
In partnership with the University of Missouri—Kansas City, Starlight will once again offer a college credit course for high school students in grades 10-12. Titled “Theatre Industry Career Possibilities,” the course allows students to identify skills and training needed for selected careers, research possible employment opportunities and develop personal career path strategies. Students are eligible … Continued
Thanks to all who voted for Starlight in The Pitch’s Best of KC! We’re proud to have been awarded Best Live Music Venue (1000K+), Best Live Theater and Best Outdoor venue. This is the third year in a row that Starlight has been honored with Best Live Theater and Best Outdoor venue. The Pitch’s Best … Continued
For the first time ever, KC Parks and Recreation will host Winter Magic—the longest animated light tunnel in the Midwest—right in the heart of Kansas City in Swope Park. This socially distanced holiday event is perfect for the whole family and runs November 2-January 2, 5-11 p.m. nightly. The drive is approximately one mile long … Continued
Starlight’s latest performance in our Raise Our Voices video series features Chase Chancy—a Multimedia Intern and student from the 2020 Bob Rohlf Internship Program. In his internship at Starlight earlier this year, he played a key role in video production and editing—he was actually on the other side of the camera in previous Raise Our … Continued
For 70 years, Starlight has been a Kansas City tradition. Since our gates first opened in 1950, millions of audience members have enjoyed a show under the stars. Much of the success of our historic venue has been thanks to the loyal support of our donors and patrons! To ensure the road ahead is paved … Continued
On this week’s episode, the 2020 Tony Award nominations are announced, a virtual reading benefits the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and Cameron Mackintosh releases two live recordings. 2020 Tony Award Nominations Announced October 15
Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart revealed the much-anticipated 2020 Tony Award Nominations via YouTube on Thursday, October 15. Jagged Little Pill, the rock musical inspired by the Alanis Morissette album of the same name, earned the most nominations with 15. Moulin Rouge! was a close second with 14, and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical … Continued
On this week’s episode, Starlight announces its 2021 Season, a critically acclaimed play will stream on Amazon, and The Prom announces its star-studded cast. Just Announced – Your 2021 AdventHealth Broadway Season!
In Starlight’s most recent Raise Our Voices performance, professional performer and 2011 Blue Star Awards Rising Star Scholarship recipient Talya Groves takes the stage for a powerful rendition of “Freedom” by Beyoncé. The empowering song comes from Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, which Talya fondly refers to as a love letter to black people—specifically, black women. Talya … Continued
Entertainment venues, including Starlight, were some of the first to close when the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year—and they’ll be some of the last to reopen. Starlight alone has projected a loss of more than $4 million dollars this year. However, the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, sponsored in part by U.S. Missouri Senator … Continued
While the coronavirus pandemic prevented audiences from enjoying evenings under the stars in 2020, Starlight is excited to look ahead to 2021. Starlight rebooked a number of shows previously scheduled to play in 2020 for the following summer and added two new sensational Broadway hits for the upcoming season. In chronological order, the 2021 AdventHealth … Continued
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Starlight joined a number of venues across the state in evaluating and improving its cleaning procedures and adapting to new protocols to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Specifically, the Missouri Arts Council and the Missouri Arts Safety Alliance together launched a certification program as a standard for venues from … Continued
For 32 years, Ingram’s has conducted their “Best of Business” Awards in Kansas City. Starlight has had the honor of winning a number of awards—including a Gold for Best Theater, Silvers for Best Concert Venue and Best Performing Arts Venue, and Bronze for Best Charitable Event in 2019. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the publication … Continued
Traditionally, Starlight hosts an annual fundraiser that helps us to close the gap between ticket revenue and operation costs in addition to providing valuable arts education and community engagement programs to Kansas Citians. Even in a “normal” year, ticket sales only cover part of Starlight’s operating costs, and this year our historic venue projects a … Continued
On September 17th, Starlight hosted its first ever virtual donor event and it was a major success! Approximately 60 donors and patrons like you came together to speak with members of the Starlight staff, Board of Directors, Blue Star Awards participants and program sponsors. Highlights included: A behind-the-scenes look at Starlight’s New Donor Lounge, which was constructed earlier this year, thanks to a new gift from the Morgan Charitable Foundation. A performance from talented Blue Star Awards students and the opportunity to … Continued
A lifelong patron of the performing arts, Doug Jones’ passion for theatre was ignited after attending his first show at Starlight as a little boy. Motivated by a desire to ensure underserved children in Kansas City have the opportunity to experience the magic of live theatre, Doug joined Starlight’s Legacy Society in 2015. Find out more about his story below: Where did you first get your passion for … Continued
Starlight recently made the difficult decision to move away from a traditional in-person benefit gala for 2020. But the show must go on...so we’re bringing it to you! This year, we’re excited to announce an online event, FREE and open the public, featuring performances and appearances by Tony Award-winning Broadway stars, an original Hamilton cast member, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, The Vi Tran Band, a number of local artists, and a few extra special surprises! Please join us for: … Continued
In Starlight’s newest Raise Our Voices performance, Vincent Legacy Scholar Courtney Germany takes the stage for the series’ first dance piece to “I Can’t Breathe” by the artist H.E.R. Her brother suggested the song to Courtney, and she found that her feelings toward violence and police brutality filtered through every powerful and honest lyric of … Continued
On this week’s episode, Hocus Pocus may get a Broadway bow, we invite you to join us for An Evening With Starlight, and The Color Purple is set to become a musical film. Director Kenny Ortega Says He Would Love to Bring Hocus Pocus to Broadway
Breana Smith, a 2019 Vincent Legacy Scholarship winner, is the latest Starlight student to share her talents and perspectives in “Raise Our Voices.” Starlight introduced this new performance initiative in June, giving students with a connection to Starlight an opportunity to publicly share their responses to racial injustice and other social issues our nation faces. … Continued
Starlight and the Vincent Legacy Foundation extend CONGRATULATIONS to three of our scholars who are now high school graduates! We shine a spotlight on Faith Andrews-O’Neal, T’Khara Jones and Amari Lewis as they begin their pursuit of new goals and adventures, and we applaud them for succeeding in a senior year filled with challenges and … Continued
Soon, Starlight will announce the 2021 AdventHealth Broadway Season, and with Broadway classics, sensational new hits and some seriously catchy jukebox musicals, it’s sure to be a summer to please. When patrons return to Starlight in 2021, they may notice a few changes throughout the venue. In our “off” season, Starlight leadership and staff have … Continued
Starlight is Like, Totally KC! Nearly 12,000 Kansas Citians cast more than 63,500 nominations for The Pitch’s Best of Kansas City 2020. The finalists have been announced and now is your chance to vote in more than 450 categories for your Kansas City favorites. Starlight was lucky enough to be nominated for two categories—and we’d … Continued
Are you in need of a night of socially distanced fun under the stars? Us too! While Starlight was unable to stage Sister Act this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, Young Friends of Starlight still wants to celebrate the musical’s inspiration with a movie night showing the 1992 film, “Sister Act,” on Starlight’s North … Continued
On this week’s episode, Alan Menken reaches EGOT status, a number of artists collaborate for A Killer Party - A Murder Mystery Musical, and Once on This Island heads to Disney plus. With Daytime Emmy, Alan Menken Joins the Elite EGOT Club
On Tuesday, September 1 Starlight joined more than 2,000 landmarks, buildings and other iconic structures across the country in lighting red for the #RedAlertRESTART. The nationwide event raised awareness on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the live entertainment industry. It also encouraged a call to action for Congress to vote for the RESTART … Continued