Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
Chicago hits the stage at Starlight soon—this time, with a little hometown pride. Born and raised in Overland Park, Kan., Angel Reda made her professional debut at age nine in Brigadoon on the Starlight stage. Now, she will return to portray the lead role of Roxie Hart September 14-16. Direct from Broadway, Reda is intricately familiar with all … Continued
The employees and volunteers of Starlight Theatre recently joined with their Swope Park neighbors – the employees of the Kansas City Zoo and KC Parks – to host a Dignity Drive in support of the Kansas City nonprofit organization Giving the Basics. During the two-week drive, those working for the three Swope Park entities were … Continued
On this week's episode, In the Heights is headed to the silver screen, A Bronx Tale's time on Broadway comes to an end, Shaina Taub joins The Devil Wears Prada creative team and Starlight's Indoor series is fast approaching! Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'In the Heights' Sets Summer 2020 Release These days, Lin Manuel Miranda is best known for his acting, composing and … Continued
At Starlight Theatre during the week of Love Never Dies, current and past Starlight staff and Starlight Ambassadors took time to cheer more than the show. They kicked off the week by celebrating one dedicated individual – Jan Morevitska of Overland Park, Kan. – who has volunteered at Starlight for half a century. That’s right, 50 … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Sean Thompson, who plays Raoul in Love Never Dies–playing now at Starlight Theatre. Find out what audiences can expect from Love Never Dies, how Sean transitions into this character each night, and what it’s like to share a Broadway stage with Glenn Close. Love Never … Continued
On this week’s episode, Love Never Dies may soon make its Broadway debut, a Michael Jackson biomusical is in the works, Jukebox Hero: The Musical makes its rocking premiere and the Vincent Legacy Scholarship recipients shine bright at Starlight! Could ‘Love Never Dies’ Live Again on Broadway? Rumors are swirling that Love Never Dies may make its … Continued
As summer draws to a close, we say goodbye to the college students from the 2018 Bob Rohlf Internship Program, who joined our team to experience and assist with many aspects of Starlight Theatre’s busy summer season. A total of 15 interns worked closely with Starlight leadership and staff in accounting, development/fundraising, education, group sales, … Continued
Prepare to be transported to New York’s iconic Coney Island where the masked Phantom of the Opera is eagerly awaiting your arrival! Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, plays under the stars for six performances, Aug. 14–19. Set 10 years after the Phantom’s disappearance from the Paris Opera House, Love Never … Continued
Summer may be winding down, but many fun concerts are still ahead at Starlight! Here’s who to catch this month under the stars. Charlie Puth, a multi-platinum artist, musician and producer will be joined by fellow multi-platinum recording artist Hailee Steinfeld at Starlight Theatre on Thursday, Aug 9. The tour celebrates Puth’s new album, “VOICENOTES,” featuring … Continued
Starlight Theatre honored this year’s Vincent Legacy Scholarship winners—Erica Brown, Natalia Castaneda, James Hawkins and Tahraji Milsap—prior to July 28’s performance of Hairspray. The evening included dinner in Starlight’s Education Pavilion, a private backstage tour, and public recognition and presentation of the scholars on stage by Starlight president & CEO Rich Baker and director of outreach … Continued
We’ll be there for you… this winter! As the weather cools off, the stage heats up with the fourth season of Starlight Indoors! Our Indoors season takes place on our climate-controlled stage house in an intimate, 460-seat theatre setting – there’s not a bad seat in the house! Season tickets to three shows are on … Continued
As Starlight’s 68th season under the stars draws to a close, another successful summer of Broadway and concert entertainment will apex with the theatre’s largest annual fundraising event next month. Mark your calendars for Saturday night, Sept. 22 to attend Starlight Theatre’s 32nd Annual Benefit Gala. Under the guidance of co-chairs Don and Jean Wagner … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Regina LeVert, who brings the audiences to their feet each night in Hairspray as Motormouth Maybelle. Learn more about her musical roots and where she pulls inspiration for her role, as well as what she hopes audiences will take away from this incredible production. Set in … Continued
With our 2018 Shawnee Mission Health Broadway Series soon coming to a close, there are only two more opportunities to see the Starlight STARS perform on our Spotlight Stage! Don’t miss the STARS’ final performances on Starlight’s Spotlight Stage (inside Gate 4) before Love Never Dies at 7 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18 and … Continued
On this week’s episode, Gettin’ the Band Back Together rocks its Broadway debut, Dave premieres in D.C., Pretty Woman struts onto the Broadway scene and Hairspray shakes and shimmies to Starlight! First Look at Gettin’ the Band Back Together Gettin’ the Band Back Together, a new musical that tells the story of how a recently-fired banker reunites with his old bandmates to save his … Continued
Broadway star and two-time Tony nominee Brad Oscar will lead the cast of the musical comedy phenomenon Hairspray, playing Starlight Theatre July 27 – Aug. 2. Hairspray’s director, principal and ensemble cast will also include a number of performers with Kansas City roots, many of whom are making their return to the Starlight Theatre stage! Oscar stars … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with two-time Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar. Oscar plays the iconic role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, hitting the Starlight stage July 27-Aug. 2. Learn more about the roles he originated on Broadway, what led him to Hairspray and what he’s looking forward to most about performing … Continued
BRAD OSCAR (Edna Turnblad) Broadway: Something Rotten! (Tony Award nomination), Big Fish, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Addams Family, Spamalot, The Producers (Tony Award nomination), Jekyll & Hyde, Aspects of Love. National tour: The Phantom of the Opera, Young Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde. West End: The Producers. Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Barrow Street), Forbidden Broadway. Encores! Annie Get Your Gun, Bells Are Ringing and Do Re Mi. Regional: The Squirrels (La Jolla Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof (Barrington Stage), Barnum (Asolo Rep/Maltz … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Hairspray lead actress, Jessica Alcorn, and director and choreographer, Jerry Jay Cranford. Set in 1960s Baltimore, Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, who’s determined to dance her way onto TV’s most popular dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” After auditioning and winning that coveted role, Tracy … Continued
On this week’s episode, Supergirl lands on Broadway, The Cher Show is off to the Big Apple, CATS claws closer to the big screen and the Starlight STARS are shining bright! Feel the Earth Move! Melissa Benoist Takes Her First Broadway Bow in Beautiful It’s a bird, it’s a plane...no it’s Supergirl star Melissa Benoist making her Broadway debut in Beautiful: … Continued
Welcome to the ’60s, Kansas City! Hairspray, Broadway’s musical comedy phenomenon, plays under the stars for six performances, Friday, July 27 – Thursday, Aug. 2, and Starlight is pleased to announce that Tony Award® nominee Brad Oscar recently joined the cast. Oscar will portray the iconic role of Edna Turnblad, 16-year-old Tracy’s mother who hasn’t left … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with our Blue Star Award winners for Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Lead Role – Sam Aubuchon and Lauryn Hurley. The pair just arrived back from New York City, where they represented Starlight Theatre at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, a.k.a. the … Continued
We asked Vincent Legacy Scholars to share their recent accomplishments and here’s what we learned: NEW HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Congratulations to the following scholars who graduated from high school in May: Zachery Garner (2014 Scholar) graduated from J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, Kan. He will attend Columbia College Chicago where he intends to major … Continued
Calling all Starlight Theatre fans—we need your help! The Pitch’s annual “Best of KC,” a contest in which Kansas Citians cast their votes for the most loved people, tastes, sounds, sights and businesses from all around the city, recently began accepting nominations. This will be the biggest year yet with more than 370 categories to choose … Continued
There will be plenty to see and hear this month at Starlight! A line-up of seven concerts in July ensures entertainment and fun for all audiences throughout the summer. Kicking the month off is two-time Grammy Award-winning rock band Evanescence and Billboard Award-winning electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling. They premiere their co-headlining 2018 North American tour at Starlight on Friday, … Continued
On this week’s episode, Heartbreak Hotel prepares to rock-and-roll in Chicago, Moulin Rouge! is brought to life on stage, young stars shine at the 2018 Jimmy Awards and Head Over Heels “Go-Go’s” to Broadway! 'Million Dollar Quartet' prequel 'Heartbreak Hotel' makes Chicago debut Heartbreak Hotel, a new musical that follows the story of Elvis Presley’s rise to fame, begins its run … Continued
After a whirlwind week in the Big Apple full of intense rehearsals, a dazzling Broadway show and memorable sightseeing, Blue Star Award winners Lauryn Hurley and Sam Auchbuchon have returned to Kansas City following the 2018 Jimmy® Awards. Shortly after arriving in New York City on Monday, June 18, Hurley and Auchbuchon joined their fellow … Continued
Prepare to be transported to New York’s iconic Coney Island where the masked Phantom of the Opera is eagerly awaiting your arrival! Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, plays Starlight Theatre for six performances, Aug. 14–19. Set 10 years after the Phantom of the Opera’s disappearance from the … Continued
Summer is in full swing and so are the Starlight STARS! Catch their performances this month on the Spotlight Stage at Starlight and throughout the metro. This year, 14 talented Kansas City students in grades 8 through 11 were selected to join the Starlight STARS. They receive intensive training in acting, singing and dance throughout … Continued
In years past, one would have to travel to New York City’s Minskoff Theatre to see theatre’s brightest young stars showcase their talents at the annual Jimmy® Awards. But this year you can witness all the dazzling performances, award presentations and acceptance speeches in the comfort of your own home! For the first time in … Continued