Category: Starlight

In each issue of “On the Spot” from now through September, we are sharing selected highlights from each decade of Starlight Theatre. The following is excerpted from Making Memories for 50 Years, a Starlight commemorative magazine published in 2000. Richard Hill Berger, Starlight’s first theatre manager and producing director, took the reins in 1951 and continued as producing … Continued

In each issue of “On The Spot” from now through September, we are sharing selected highlights from each decade of Starlight Theatre. The following is excerpted from Making Memories for 50 Years, a Starlight commemorative magazine published in 2000 and from The Story of Starlight Theatre published in 1993. By the end of the 1960s, Starlight Theatre … Continued

Once the house lights go down on show nights, the action on Starlight Theatre’s stage commands the audience’s attention. But in the minutes and hours before the curtain rises, our flowering gardens and extensive landscaping often steal the show. Just as a musical requires hard work behind the scenes to succeed, so, too, do the … Continued

Our continuing Q&A series allows Rich Baker, Starlight president and CEO, to share his thoughts and insights about topics related to our Broadway season, venue, industry trends and more. Q. How do recent changes in Broadway touring productions impact Starlight audiences? A. It’s important to discuss how changes in the offerings coming out of Broadway affect … Continued

They’re making the lists, and at Starlight Theatre we’re checking them twice! National and local list-makers continue to give a nod to Starlight as one of the best places to spend a summer night. Just this week, Visit KC shared online its “15 Reasons to Love KC this Summer.” Among its listing of “new and … Continued

Our new Q&A series allows Rich Baker, Starlight president and CEO, to share his thoughts and insights about topics related to our Broadway season, venue, industry trends and more. This issue’s topic addresses improvements audience members can look forward to at Starlight this season. Q. What new features can audience members expect at Starlight Theatre … Continued

On Monday afternoon, April 6, Kansas City baseball fans cheered as the Kansas City Royals opened their 47th season against the Chicago White Sox. Way back in 1969, when the Royals first called Kansas City home, they were also a hit at Starlight Theatre. As cast members rehearsed for Starlight’s August 1969 production of Damn Yankees, … Continued

Starlight Theatre leaders welcomed many familiar faces to the theatre on April 1 to recount and celebrate the important ways in which their volunteer service has enhanced the Starlight venue since the 1980s. A reunion of members of the Starlight Board of Directors from the past 3½ decades took place in the Applause Club. Current … Continued

Welcome to our new Q&A series with Rich Baker, Starlight president and CEO. On a regular basis, Rich will share his thoughts and insights about topics related to our Broadway season, venue, industry trends and more. This issue’s topic addresses Starlight’s recent presentation of its first-ever musical indoors on the Cohen Community Stage.  Q. What … Continued

The 2015 season marks Starlight Theatre’s 65th year of producing and presenting live Broadway entertainment under the stars. In celebration of this important milestone, each issue of “On the Spot” from now through September will share selected highlights from each decade. We invite newsletter readers and Starlight guests to share their own memories of special … Continued

Carolyn Watley, who serves as President of CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of Kansas City, has added an important new title to her civic leadership résumé – Chair of the Starlight Theatre Board of Directors. Watley joined the Starlight board in 2012 and served as Vice Chair of Strategic Planning in 2013-14. She succeeds Russ … Continued

Starlight recently bid farewell to three of its board members and thanked them for their dedicated volunteer service to the theatre. The members whose board terms expired in December were: W. Russell Welsh. Russ joined the board in 2007, served as Chairman from 2011 through 2014, and provided key legal advice to Starlight on an ongoing … Continued

Starlight Theatre is pleased to welcome Staci Shute as our new Group Sales Coordinator. Newly relocated from Las Vegas to the heart of the Midwest, Staci calls Starlight home during work hours and Lawrence, Kan., home the rest of the time. “Moving to the Midwest has been a bit of a culture shock, especially with … Continued

Each summer we love to welcome families to Starlight, and apparently families love the entertainment and experience we deliver. In KC Parent magazine’s 2014 Family Faves award competition, Starlight took home two top honors. From among the 60,000 votes that readers cast in 30 award categories, Starlight emerged as Favorite Live Show and Favorite Parents’ Night Out. … Continued

Starlight Theatre, along with Theater League and Broadway Across America, recently had the honor of hosting The Broadway League’s 18th Annual Road Marketing Forum. Nearly 80 marketing representatives from theatres across the country and press agents associated with Broadway touring productions came together in Kansas City on Oct. 22-23 to discuss topics ranging from publicity … Continued

Runners will traverse the open spaces around Starlight Theatre and throughout Swope Park on Saturday morning, Dec. 13, for the 2014 Candy Cane Course Run organized by Bodies Health and Fitness. A portion of proceeds from the run will support Starlight’s education programs.Participants can also bring new toys to donate to Toys for Tots. As the … Continued

Everywhere you turned around town this weekend, people and places were decked out in blue to support the Kansas City Royals’ playoff run. Starlight Theatre was no exception. In rolling out the (blue) carpet for Ringo Starr, His All Starr Band and 5,000+ concert fans on Saturday night, Oct. 4, Starlight dyed its signature fountains … Continued

At Starlight Theatre, we congratulate lifetime Starlight Board member and supporter Anita Gorman on an important honor that will soon come her way! Gorman has been selected as this year’s Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer by the Mid-America Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She will receive the prestigious award from the chapter during its National … Continued

It’s been a busy year for Starlight Theatre’s event-focused subsidiary. First, the company updated its name to EPIC Events, Inc. (formerly EPIC Entertainment, Inc.) to better represent the comprehensive services it provides in creating and managing live events, conferences and meetings. When EPIC was founded in 2002, the name EPIC Entertainment was appropriate because the … Continued

If you are a fan of Starlight Theatre who lives outside of the five-county Kansas City metro area, we invite you to share your love of our outdoor theatre by voting for Starlight in the 2014 Visitors’ Choice Awards. This annual awards competition is sponsored by Visit KC (formerly the Kansas City Convention & Visitors … Continued

Closing night of Blue Man Group gave Starlight Theatre more to celebrate than bald heads, blue faces and pulsing drumbeats. Sunday night, Sept. 14 also marked the arrival of Starlight’s 250,000th guest of the season! When Dee Hilsinger of Lenexa, Kan., had her ticket scanned at Gate 3 at 7:15 p.m., she became the quarter-millionth person to … Continued

At Starlight Theatre, we’ve gotten a lot of love from the compilers of Top 10 lists this summer. While not intending to appear boastful, we can’t help but share our pride in this good news from external sources: Green Label The most recent accolade came in early August from Green Label, which placed Starlight as … Continued

Less than 24 hours after being challenged by their staff, the executive management of Starlight Theatre accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and went feet first into the Shirley Bush Helzberg Fountain and Garden of the Stars on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 20. Starlight President and CEO Rich Baker was joined in the fountain by Brenda … Continued

Starlight’s summer of national accolades continues with our latest inclusion in a Top 10 list. Just last week, Green Label placed Starlight as No. 1 on its list of “The 10 Most Amazing Outdoor Music Venues in the Country.” Green Label, which bills itself as a Mountain Dew online venture, credited Starlight’s “castle-like façade that … Continued

The 2014 Starlight Broadway season has been one of our most popular in recent years. Among the new faces that audience members may have seen this summer are four new leaders in the Starlight organization. Rich Baker, President and CEO Rich is steering the ship at Starlight this summer, having joined our crew as President … Continued

Earlier this summer, online entertainment network E! featured the 10 most unique music venues across the country. A familiar site – our very own Starlight Theatre – made the list! Named one of the best places to see a concert this summer, Starlight joined such prestigious company as The Hollywood Bowl, the Beacon Theatre (New … Continued

Did you know you can be a permanent part of Starlight Theatre history? Consider adopting one of Starlight’s nearly 8,000 seats and you’ll make your mark on this historic outdoor venue. When participating in our Adopt a Seat program, patrons can personalize a seat with a dedication plaque that captures their Starlight memories. Whether you … Continued

At Starlight, we’re embracing the power of the sun! Starlight partnered with the City of Kansas City, Mo., and KCP&L in April to have 200 solar panels installed on our administration and backstage building rooftops. The solar energy generated from the installations ties directly back into Starlight’s electrical grid. We are pleased to help KCMO … Continued

All of us associated with Starlight Theatre send hearty congratulations and best wishes to Jane Chu in her new role as chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Jane has long been a leader and innovator in Kansas City’s arts and philanthropic communities – and a friend to Starlight. We are proud that her … Continued

Starlight Theatre is among 30 Kansas City-area attractions that will be showcased May 20 at the 2014 Greater Kansas City Attractions Association’s Tourism Day at The K. The event at Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 4:30-9:30 p.m. before and during the Royals game against the Chicago White Sox. The first 10,000 fans will receive a … Continued