Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
Try before you buy! The SpongeBob Musical plays under the stars as part of the 2020 Advent Health Broadway Series but before it takes the stage at Starlight, Nickelodeon will broadcast The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! December 7 at 7 p.m. on Nickelodeon, TeenNick and Nicktoons. Based on the beloved Nickelodeon series, The SpongeBob Musical originally premiered on Broadway in … Continued
Last month, Nonprofit Connect held its annual Philly Awards to recognize outstanding achievements in nonprofit marketing and communications. All nonprofit organizations were invited to submit entries, resulting in more than 200 entries from 99 nonprofits in 2019. Entries were evaluated by local marketing experts and judges awarded first (Gold) and second (Silver) place in 15 … Continued
We are proud to share the following good news from several members of Starlight’s Vincent Legacy Scholarship family. Since 2006, Starlight has proudly awarded $97,500 in scholarships to 40 ethnically diverse Kansas City area middle school students to fund their training in the performing arts. A big round of applause for the three Vincent Legacy Scholars who … Continued
When students are awarded Vincent Legacy Scholarships, they receive funds to apply toward professional training in the performing arts. They also receive opportunities to build and share their skills at Starlight and, perhaps equally important, they and their families become part of a larger Vincent Legacy family that has been growing since the program’s inception … Continued
Starlight’s middle and high school performance troupes are getting into the holiday spirit! After a successful summer season performing musical theatre medleys before Starlight shows and throughout the metro, the Starlight STARS and STARS of Tomorrow will perform holiday medleys at a variety of community events this month and next. Save a date or two … Continued
Calling all young professionals! Are you or someone you know looking for ways to become more involved in the Kansas City arts community? Join the Young Friends of Starlight’s leadership team! Applications are now open for the 2020 YFS Steering Committee. The Steering Committee works together to plan YFS events that provide opportunities to network … Continued
On our final episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor talks with the Broadway legend, Chita Rivera. Find out what it was like to play Starlight in the ‘60s, how outdoor theatres have changed throughout the years, and what's so special about performing at this historic venue. Chita Rivera is an accomplished actress, singer and dancer … Continued
Earlier this year, Starlight Theatre leaders, board members and staff surprised the newest Vincent Legacy Scholars in their middle school classrooms with the good news that they had been awarded $2,500 Vincent Legacy Scholarships. Parents, grandparents and siblings of the scholars were also invited to attend the surprise presentations in front of gatherings of each … Continued
Thanks to loyal patrons like you, Starlight has been an award-winning, historic outdoor theatre in the heart of Kansas City since 1950. We’re proud to announce that in 2019, thousands of Broadway fans and concert-goers cast their votes in a variety of awards and categories, leading to the following winning titles: 2019 – (Gold) Best … Continued
Starlight celebrates 70 years of live entertainment in 2020 and is pleased to announce a new look to represent the overall Starlight brand, which includes not only theatre and concerts, but education and outreach initiatives and special events. Over the years, Starlight has seen an abundance of logos—from the whimsical scripts of the ‘50s to … Continued
Did you know? In addition to being one of only two remaining self-producing outdoor theatres in the country, Starlight has been a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 1951. Part of our mission is providing superior theatre arts education and impactful community outreach programs, and in 2019 Starlight was able to reach more than 25,000 people, including … Continued
Starlight is pleased to announce a fantastic line up of Broadway crowd-pleasers, iconic jukebox musicals and hit stage favorites coming to our historic theatre under the stars as part of the 2020 AdventHealth Broadway Series. With a selection of fantastic productions hitting the road this season, Starlight booked a summer to encompass six week-long Broadway … Continued
September was Hunger Action Month, a time when the national network of food banks, Feeding America, commemorates the fight against hunger in the United States. Starlight helped Harvesters, Kansas City’s own regional food bank, spread the word during the national Broadway tour of Hello, Dolly! by asking patrons to bring non-perishable food donations to the show. Because orange … Continued
For the 13th year, Visit KC is once again giving travelers the opportunity to vote for their favorite Kansas City businesses in 47 different categories—from Favorite Art Museum to Favorite Barbecue Restaurant and everything in between. This year, Starlight Theatre was lucky enough to get a nomination for the category of Favorite Concert/Live Music Venue! … Continued
As the weather cools off, Young Friends of Starlight is gearing up for its annual Harvest Happy Hour Event! Join YFS to usher in the fall season on Thursday, October 17, in the Applause Club at Starlight Theatre. Featuring local breweries like Boulevard Brewery and Crane Brewing, plus debut ales from Revolver Brewing and Founders … Continued
School is back in session, and high school theatre students are already hard at work rehearsing their 2019-20 musicals. Registration closed Sept. 16, for the 2019-20 Blue Star Awards, and Starlight is proud to announce that 53 metro area high schools have applied to participate in this season’s awards program. Now in its 18th year, … Continued
Calling all college students! Do you want hands-on experience in the live entertainment world? Starlight Theatre is now offering a paid spring internship in our marketing department to support our 2020 Starlight Indoors and Broadway seasons. As a Starlight marketing communications intern, you’ll play a large part in the day-to-day tasks at a professional theatre, … Continued
The fast-paced, musical comedy spoof of the hip hop hit by a similar name, Spamilton: An American Parody makes a splash November 5-17 as the first show of the 2019-20 Starlight Indoors Series, sponsored by Missouri Lottery. After two extensions Off-Broadway in New York, Spamilton: An American Parody hit the road to play Chicago, Los Angeles and even London’s Off-West End. … Continued
On this week’s episode, Something’s Coming at Starlight’s annual gala, A Chorus Line is heading to Netflix, Young Friends of Starlight invite you to Harvest Happy Hour, and Lin Manuel Miranda is honored at the National Portrait Gallery. Something’s Coming—Starlight’s Annual Benefit Gala! On Saturday, October 12, Starlight will hold its 33rd annual black-tie benefit gala to … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor talks with Carolee Carmello, who plays the title role in the national Broadway tour of Hello, Dolly!, playing under the stars September 25-29. Carmello is a stage veteran who has been seen in 14 Broadway shows, including Parade, Finding Neverland and The Addams Family. Now, she makes her Dolly debut … Continued
Guests attending performances of Hello, Dolly! at Starlight Theatre on Sept. 25-29 can help fight hunger in our community by bringing nonperishable food items to donate at the entry gates. Starlight is proud to partner with Harvesters in support of September’s Hunger Action Month. And, because orange is the signature color of Hunger Action Month, Starlight patrons … Continued
On this week’s episode, Carolee Carmello makes her Hello, Dolly! premiere in Kansas City, Love Actually Parody coming to Off-Broadway, a film version of Merrily We Roll Along is in the works and, Starlight Theatre offers college prep workshops to Blue Star Awards students. See Who’s Joining Carolee Carmello in the New Company of Hello, Dolly! Tour Dolly will be back where she … Continued
Did you know? The Starlight concert experience doesn’t have to end at the encore! Check out Starlight’s Spotify page to hear all of the touring concert artists’ setlists—even after they pack up and hit the road for the next stop on the tour. Click on the album to listen.
On this week’s episode, registration is open for the 2019-20 Blue Star Awards, Forbidden Broadway is back, Broadway stars celebrate Emmy Award nominations, and a Blue Star Alum hits the road in Mean Girls. Forbidden Broadway Will Return to New York This Fall Forbidden Broadway, the long-running musical spoof, returns to New York City this fall to … Continued
On Saturday October 12, 2019, Starlight Theatre will hold its annual black tie benefit gala. This year’s gala is chaired by Bridget and John Murphy and honors the Elsberry Family with the Star Award for their leadership in the Kansas City community. Celebrating its 33rd year in 2019, Starlight’s annual benefit gala supports the historic … Continued
It’s been another wonderful summer under the stars with the 2019 Capitol Federal Concert Series. Starlight has hosted top artists in a variety of genres—from country music stars to famed rockers and everything in between. There are just a few more chances to catch a concert this summer with these fantastic tours coming soon! The … Continued
The 18th year of Starlight Theatre’s Blue Star Awards is officially under way! Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, this program recognizes the accomplishments of high school musical theatre students across Kansas City. Knowing that many of these students plan to pursue careers in the performing arts after high school, Starlight now offers a variety of … Continued
Dolly will be back where she belongs September 25-29 as the final show in the 2019 AdventHealth Broadway Series. This will be Starlight’s fifth staging of the matchmaking musical comedy, and Dolly is still glowing and going strong, as evidenced by the sold-out Broadway crowds and honors bestowed on this 2017 revival. This iconic show … Continued
Now in its 88th year, the Plaza Art Fair will once again delight Kansas Citians September 20-22 at the Country Club Plaza. A top-ranked, national art event, the Plaza Art Fair includes local venue booths, live music stages and local restaurant vendors, in addition to incredible visual artists from across the country. Starlight Theatre will … Continued
On this week’s episode, Starlight honors our 2019 Vincent Legacy Scholars, Broadway has announced new shows premiering on the Great White Way, The Little Mermaid Live is coming to ABC, and new songs from Waitress are on the way. Vincent Legacy Scholars Honored at A Bronx Tale Earlier this month, Starlight leaders, supporters and staff honored our four most recent … Continued