Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
Know the Show: Come From Away Come one, come all for Come From Away at Starlight August 6-11. See the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town that welcomed them. Come From Away is based on a true story of selflessness and compassion after the 9/11 attacks on New York City … Continued
Know the Show: Shrek the Musical Fall in love all ogre again! Your favorite ogre and his trusty sidekick will take the stage this summer at Starlight for the first time. Join us July 26-28 for Shrek the Musical, the hilarious stage spectacle based on the smash hit DreamWorks animated film. Show Synopsis Shrek … Continued
Enjoy Activities Before Broadway Shows This summer, you can have more fun when you arrive early for Broadway shows at Starlight! Special activities are being planned before Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Shrek the Musical. Before every show of Disney’s The Little Mermaid you’ll find: For Shrek the Musical, we’re planning to have themed lawn … Continued
Know The Show The 2024 AdventHealth Broadway Series celebrates those who dare to be different. Starlight has been bringing the community art and entertainment since 1951. For almost 75 years, Kansas Citians have been able to enjoy and embrace the arts in one of the most beautiful and unique venues in the country. So come, enjoy, … Continued
Starlight Celebrates Make Music Day Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as a way to spread music to the public and include musicians of all ages, genres, and abilities. The event happens every year on June 21. As the summer solstice, the day provides the longest amount of daylight to countries in the … Continued
Announcing the 2024 Star Award Honorees Each fall at the Annual Gala, Starlight presents the Star Award to an individual or couple with exceptional support of Starlight and its mission, civic leadership, and a commitment to bettering the Kansas City community. This year, we proudly announce our 2024 Star Award Honorees: Don and Jean Wagner. … Continued
Know the Show: STOMP The AdventHealth Broadway Series at Starlight Theatre is marching right on ahead with its second production of the season when STOMP brings their energetic and innovative show to Kansas City June 14-16. Plan Your Visit to Starlight There are a lot of changes this year at Starlight Theatre, including a new … Continued
Vote for Starlight in Best of KC Want to show your love for Starlight? Vote in Kansas City Magazine’s 2024 Best of KC Awards! Best of KC is a way for the people of Kansas City to celebrate and show love to their favorite restaurants, shopping areas, entertainment venues, and more. A way you can … Continued
Important Updates for Tom Segura There are some important things to know BEFORE you come to the Tom Segura performance Friday, June 7. Please review the following information before you arrive. Cell Phone Policy No cell phone usage is allowed during this performance. Talking, texting, taking photos/videos or social media of any kind is prohibited … Continued
Congratulations to the 2024 Blue Star Award Winners Starlight is pleased to share the 2023-24 Blue Star Awards winners, who were just announced in a red-carpet ceremony at Starlight Theatre Thursday, May 16. Thirty five winners took home the top prizes in 30 categories, and $10,000 in scholarships were awarded to deserving high school students. … Continued
Donor Spotlight Community America Credit Union As a Corporate Charitable Partner, CommunityAmerica Credit Union, generously supports Starlight’s Blue Star Awards program, as well as other charitable and community development investments across the Kansas City area. This year, CommunityAmerica is also the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Starlight Gala. The event will be co-chaired by Whitney … Continued
Know the Show: The Cher Show The first show the 2024 AdventHealth Broadway Series at Starlight Theatre is The Cher Show, May 28-June 2. Plan Your Visit to Starlight There are a lot of changes this year at Starlight Theatre, including a new clear bag policy, new dining + concessions, and new parking signs. Please … Continued
Important Changes at Starlight The 2024 Season at Starlight is right around the corner! We want to make sure you’re informed and prepared before heading out to Starlight this summer. Here are the highlights of some changes happening in and around the venue. Please call Ticketing Services at (816) 363-7827 to address specific questions. NEW … Continued
Congratulations to the 2024 Blue Star Award Nominees Each year, thousands of high school students across the Kansas City metro wait in anticipation for the announcement of the annual Blue Star Awards nominations. On Thursday, April 25, Starlight leadership, staff, and board members revealed this year’s nominees via in school presentations and in a premiere … Continued
Broadway and the Stars Today is the “Great North American Eclipse,” in which Earth’s Moon will pass between the Sun and the Earth. Areas of Mexico, the United States and Canada will experience a total eclipse during part of the day. Kansas City will experience 89.3% of the eclipse at approximately 1:54 p.m. CDT. One … Continued
Women’s History Month at Starlight Since 1982, women have been celebrated in the US during the month of March. This focus is meant to commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Starlight has had a long line of women who have made an impact in … Continued
Starlight’s Recycling Heroes On March 18, the world celebrates Global Recycling Day. Globalrecyclingday.com describes the day and its importance: “Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognize and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet. It is a day for the world … Continued
New Broadway 3-Packs Available! Starlight has exciting new options for the 2024 Broadway season this summer. With new 3-packs you can see three Broadway shows at discounted prices. Packages start at $31.50 per person and includes general parking. Plus, if your schedule changes, you can exchange tickets for a different show night. Please give 24 … Continued
Starlight Remembers Bob Rohlf It is with great sadness that we share the passing of former President + CEO Bob Rohlf, who died peacefully on the afternoon of March 4 in Phoenix, AZ. Bob joined the Starlight family in 1980 and the impact of his leadership for 29 years at Starlight and Kansas City is … Continued
JE Dunn Builds It Forward at Starlight Most people know Starlight for its exterior spaces – the outdoor dining, seating, and the iconic towers of the stage house. But a theatre can’t function without all the back-of-house spots such as rehearsal spaces and dressing rooms. Over time, these spaces can become worn down. Recently, a … Continued
Donor Spotlight Denton Williams Denton Williams understands the importance of philanthropy. As the Special Events Manager at The Children’s Place, he raises hundreds of thousands of dollars alongside his fellow team members each year. That’s why he believes it’s vital to support the nonprofit organizations he cares about and ensure they have the resources they … Continued
Starlight Stories: The 2010s The flurry of capital construction that defined much of the 2000s at Starlight Theatre (new stage, restrooms, concessions, indoor rehearsal spaces and more) set the stage for an international honor and program expansion in the 2010s. While Kansas Citians have long considered Starlight a world-class venue, their beliefs were confirmed in … Continued
New Arts Bridge Program Brings Ailey Trio to Starlight One of the first events of Starlight’s new Arts Bridge program was a free performance by the Ailey Trio on January 10, 2024. Three dancers with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) brought their talent to Starlight to introduce Alvin Ailey’s vision and legacy to students, … Continued
New Family Series Brings Theatre to Young Audiences The New Year brings a new family series to Starlight. Beginning in March, the Performances for Young Audiences and Families Series will feature international theater companies putting their own twists on classic tales such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Snow White, Hansel & Gretel, and more. … Continued
Apply for a 2024 Starlight Summer Internship Theatre has the power to change lives. Whether it’s a musical that lingers long after the curtain closes or it’s a comedy that keeps you laughing for years. Another way is through Starlight’s Bob Rohlf Summer Internship program. Applications are now available online for college students seeking a … Continued
Starlight Stories: The 2000s The year 2000 was the time of flip phones and the introduction of online banking. It was also the 50th anniversary of Starlight and time for a shiny new stage! That summer heralded the opening of the $10 million Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage, named in honor of the generous … Continued
Broadway Veteran Baayork Lee to Direct West Side Story in 2024 Starlight will produce West Side Story August 20-25 as part of the AdventHealth Broadway Series. Starlight is pleased to announce that renowned director, choreographer, and Tony Award recipient Baayork Lee will return to Kansas City’s historic stage to direct the classic Broadway musical West … Continued
Starlight Stories: The 1990s 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 … Continued
Starlight Announces Series for Young Audiences As part of Starlight’s $40 million capital campaign, Uniquely KC, the historic theatre is piloting five new programs to enhance the Starlight tradition and extend it to new, diverse participants of all ages. One of the first programs is a Performance Series for Young Audiences to launch in Spring … Continued
Starlight Stories: The 1980s Continuing our history of Starlight, this time we look at the decade of the 1980s. Following several troublesome seasons of financial struggles, the 1980s brought continued challenges, operational changes and, by the middle of the decade, a hopeful outlook to Starlight Theatre. The 1980 Broadway season struggled through one of Kansas … Continued