Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
If holiday shopping is on your to-do list, we’d like to make a suggestion. Starlight Indoors shows fit everyone! What do you get for the parent or grandparent who has everything? We suggest a gift of live entertainment mixed with lots of laughter at Dixie’s Tupperware Party or Late Nite Catechism. How about the teen or twentysomething who … Continued
Josh Groban: On Stage – Tuesday, Aug. 16 The sultry sounds of recording artist and entertainer Josh Groban will resonate from the Starlight stage on Aug. 16. Groban recently announced a 20-city U.S. tour in 2016 in support of his latest album, Stages, which was released last April and features memorable songs from several Broadway musicals. … Continued
On occasion, Rich Baker, Starlight president and CEO, likes to provide information and insights on topics related to our Broadway season, venue, industry trends and more. This issue’s topic addresses content advisories for Broadway shows. This seems like a good time to talk to Starlight patrons about show content, especially in light of some survey … Continued
Hearty congratulations go out to longtime supporters of Starlight Theatre who won National Philanthropy Day Awards on November 18. The awards are sponsored annually by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Mid-America Chapter. Starlight Board member Jean Deramus Wagner and her twin sister, Jill Deramus Dean, received the group’s Outstanding Fundraiser Volunteer award. The Deramus sisters … Continued
In issues of “On The Spot” in 2015, we have shared selected highlights from each decade of Starlight Theatre. This is the final installment of the series. We hope you have enjoyed the look back at our theatre’s history and are ready to be part of our 66th year! The flurry of capital construction that … Continued
Helen Negretti has been answering box office calls across Kansas City for more than 30 years, and she’s lent her talents to Starlight Theatre for the past year and a half. From the Kansas City Ballet to the Lyric Opera, Renaissance Festival, Sandstone Amphitheatre, Benjamin Ranch Rodeo and many more, Helen has spent countless hours … Continued
As the song “When I Grow Up” from the 2016 Starlight Broadway production of Matilda The Musical describes, every child dreams of what they want to be. Kaitlyn Davidson was no exception. Kaitlyn caught the bug for performing early, at age 5 in a dance class. Then, Starlight entered the picture: “While studying dance, I remember seeing … Continued
Multi-platinum-selling recording artist and entertainer Josh Groban will travel to Starlight Theatre on Tuesday, Aug. 16, as part of his newly announced “JOSH GROBAN: ON STAGE” U.S. tour. Starlight is among the more than 20 venues Groban will visit in summer 2016 in support of his latest album, Stages. Released in April and already certified … Continued
Last month, English rock band The Cure announced they’re hitting the road in the United States and Canada for the first time since 2008. Tickets for shows in the cities the group revealed in October — three performances at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, two shows at Chicago’s U.I.C. Pavilion, and three dates at New York City’s Madison … Continued
With five new musicals making their Kansas City debuts at Starlight in 2016, the upcoming Broadway season is one you won’t want to miss! Starlight season ticket holders began the process of renewing their subscriptions for 2016 in late October. Now, advance season tickets for the 2016 Broadway season are on sale to the general public. Those … Continued
As the holiday season approaches, the Starlight STARS of Tomorrow are once again ready to stage several festive performances for Kansas City audiences. Starlight Theatre’s musical theatre performance troupe showcases the talents of two dozen students from middle and high schools across the metro. After entertaining Broadway audiences all summer long from Starlight’s Spotlight Stage, … Continued
Forty years after it took home seven Tony Awards® on Broadway, including Best Musical, The Wiz will sing and dance its way into the homes of millions on Thursday night, Dec. 3. The Wiz LIVE! is the third live event production from NBC. It follows 2014’s Peter Pan LIVE!, starring Allison Williams, and 2013’s The Sound of Music LIVE!, which … Continued
When the calendar turns to January, Starlight Theatre will have plenty of options to chase away the winter doldrums. We encourage you to gather a group of friends, colleagues or family members and head to the warm, comfy, indoor spaces and stages at Starlight! Starlight Indoors is our new live, interactive theatre series, and January … Continued
With its staging of Hairspray on Halloween weekend, Shawnee Mission South High School officially launched the 14th year of the Blue Star Awards at Starlight Theatre. The school is one of 52 Kansas City area high schools participating during the 2015-16 school year. Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, Starlight’s Blue Star Awards annually recognize outstanding achievement and … Continued
We try not to do it too often, but occasionally we like to brag about the awards that fans of Starlight bestow upon our venue. In 2015, Starlight took home several local honors, including: 2015 Certificate of Excellence – TripAdvisor.com Silver Awards: Best Theater & Best Performing Arts Venue – Ingram’s 2015 Best of Business Kansas City … Continued
This time of year, legends and lore are at the ready with tales of mysterious figures, flickering lights and slamming doors. The theatre community is no different. Great theatres such as the Sondheim Theatre, Eugene O’Neill, Belasco Theatre and New Amsterdam theatre are among a few mentioned in the latest PLAYBILL story, “Scandals and Secrets of … Continued
Leave the parkas at home, or at least drop them at our free coat-check! Starlight Theatre is moving Indoors in January – into heated, comfortable, intimate spaces! After a successful trial run with a musical production (50 Shades! The Musical Parody) inside our expansive Cohen Community Stage House last February, we’ve decided to make good use … Continued
In issues of “On The Spot” in 2015, we are sharing selected highlights from each decade of Starlight Theatre. Portions of this article are excerpted from Making Memories for 50 Years, a Starlight commemorative magazine published in 2000. As the century turned and the new millennium dawned, Starlight was ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a … Continued
In the spirit of the holiday season, Starlight Theatre is sharing our ideas for “12 Days of Giving.” We hope you will enjoy our suggestions for giving your loved ones – or yourself – some special musical-related treats this month. At Starlight, we obviously love great music! Next September, we’ll hear lots of songs that … Continued
If Starlight Theatre runs like a well-oiled machine on summer nights, it’s due in large part to the many Starlight Ambassadors who volunteer their time and talents all year long. So, on the evening of Oct. 6, Starlight gave its generous volunteers a big round of applause, awards, prizes and a tasty meal at the … Continued
Starlight Theatre staff rolled up their sleeves for a great cause this week. Participating in the United Way’s Care4KC campaign, we made and served dinner to families staying at the local Ronald McDonald House. Mashed potato bowls and warm apple crisp were on the menu on a cool fall night. We chopped, peeled, sliced, diced, … Continued
A decade of selflessness and support for Kansas City youth was honored Saturday night, Sept. 26, when Greg and Rebecca Reid were presented the 2015 Star of Touring Broadway Award at Starlight’s Annual Benefit Gala. The Reids, benefactors of the now decade-old Vincent Legacy Scholarship program at Starlight, received the award from The Broadway League based on a … Continued
Starlight Theatre’s 29th Annual Benefit Gala, Prism: Reflecting Forward, was a record-breaking night in Starlight history. Thanks to the support of more than 100 generous donors, Starlight raised more than $705,000, all of which will help to fund construction of Starlight’s new education building and support 11 education programs. The previous Gala fundraising record of $700,800 … Continued
It has been a milestone year for Starlight’s Vincent Legacy Scholarship program. The scholarship program for ethnically diverse middle-school youth, established by benefactors Greg and Rebecca Reid, marked its 10th anniversary and awarded a record five scholarships in 2015. Since the program began in 2006, a total of 27 Vincent Legacy Scholarships have been provided … Continued
The 15 artists of Cirque Éloize iD fill the Starlight stage with eye-popping spectacle this week. Two of the show’s dancers – Forty N’Guyen of Canada and Maria Pandora of the U.S. – shared insights into their personal routines. The show plays at Starlight on Sept. 8-13 and is the final production of the 2015 … Continued
Starlight Theatre associates put their money where their mouths are when it comes to supporting Kansas City’s arts community. Recognizing that local arts organizations are stronger together than separate, each spring Starlight staff members financially support the arts by contributing to the citywide ArtsKC Fund through its employee giving campaign. At Starlight, ArtsKC Fund week … Continued
We went backstage to learn more about our two youngest stars of the show, Fiona Scott and Maddox Carter Bane who play the roles of Jane and Michael Banks! Take a look and discover more about some of these performers’ favorite things! Favorite movie Fiona: Inside Out Maddox: In to the Woods Favorite singer or band Fiona: Taylor … Continued
The Starlight STARS of Tomorrow are taking their show on the road. Starlight’s youth performance troupe will entertain audiences this Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Kansas City Ballet’s Fifth Annual KC Dance Day. The STARS take the stage at 10:10 a.m. to perform their 2015 Broadway season medley, including numbers from Cinderella, Pippin, Mary Poppins and more. … Continued
As the 1980s concluded, Starlight Theatre had returned to financial solvency. Determined to grow and thrive as a new decade dawned, the theatre’s leadership and Board of Directors undertook efforts to bring continued improvement and positive change to the Starlight venue and operations throughout the 1990s. Helping to fuel the activity was significant growth in … Continued
Parents, children and dolls experienced the magic of Starlight Theatre this summer at American Girl’s exclusive group outings to three Broadway shows (Annie, Cinderella and Mary Poppins). Starlight, in turn, coordinated a number of activities for these special guests. Working with Starlight’s Group Sales department, American Girl Kansas City offered its customers a unique theatrical experience, including … Continued