Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
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
Since 1951, Starlight Theatre has strived to serve as one of Kansas City’s finest performance venues for audiences of all ages. We’re honored that voters in KC Parent’s Family Favorite competition resoundingly agree! Starlight was recently lauded as one of the KC Parent’s “Favorite Live Show” attractions in the publication’s 2018 Family Favorite awards. A previous winner of … Continued
Performing on a Broadway stage in New York City is an experience most young thespians can only dream about. However, that dream is becoming reality for Starlight Theatre Blue Star Award winners Lauryn Hurley and Sam Aubuchon as they travel to the Big Apple for the 2018 Jimmy® Awards. Hurley and Aubuchon took home honors … Continued
On this week’s episode, Bandstand swings into movie theaters, the 2018 Tony winners are announced, Half Time hip-hops onto the Paper Mill stage and Mayor Sly James hosts a read-aloud at Starlight! Bandstand Swinging to the Big Screen The original Broadway production of Bandstand will screen in movie theaters nationwide June 25 and 28, including at numerous locations in the Kansas … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with leading actor Jose Llana, who plays the title role of The King in the national Broadway tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’sThe King and I. Find out when Jose first became intrigued by musicals and specifically Rodgers and Hammerstein, what resonates about this classic musical today, … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Kansas City native Aaron Patrick Craven, who plays the leading role of Johnny Castle in the national touring production of Dirty Dancing. Find out what Aaron loves most about touring the country, how he tackles this iconic role each night, and of course – we … Continued
Kansas City Mayor Sly James is known for his bow ties – and for his love of all things Kansas City, including Starlight Theatre! Mark your calendars for Saturday night, June 30 because just prior to that evening’s performance of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Mayor Sly will read aloud from the new children’s book “Mayor Sly … Continued
Mark your calendars – it’s almost time for the Tony Awards! The 2018 Tony Awards will be hosted by Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS June 10 starting at 7 p.m. CST. Mean Girls and Spongebob Squarepants lead the night in nominations, both having … Continued
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rock band Steely Dan hits the stage with The Doobie Brothers on their Living Dangerously Tour Monday, June 18, at Starlight Theatre. Dan Steely, considered one of the 100 greatest artists of all time by VH1, has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. Hit songs include “Reelin’ in … Continued
Get your dancing shoes on, Kansas City! Three Broadway shows are coming to Starlight Theatre in June that are guaranteed to impress you with their incredible choreography—and may even make YOU want to get up and dance! Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage is mamboing its way to Starlight, now- June 10! Exploding with heart-pounding … Continued
On this week’s episode, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical makes its world premiere in London, Starlight’s Blue Star award winners shine bright, Spamalot is headed to the big screen, and Turner Classic Movies is MAD About Musicals! Tina Turner Musical Opens in West End at Aldwych Theatre Tina: The Musical opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre on … Continued
Have you been searching for a comprehensive source for news stories about Starlight and Broadway theatre? Look no further than Starlight’s new web series: Broadway Beat. On each episode, Starlight’s staff will bring you the latest stories from the theatre world—from news right here at Starlight in Kansas City, all the way to the bright lights … Continued
When the Broadway national tour of On Your Feet! opened May 22 at Starlight Theatre, performing on Starlight’s expansive, open-air stage was an exciting first for most of the cast. For principal actress Debra Cardona, however, it was a welcome return to a place that helped to shape her career. Prior to taking the Starlight stage in … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Christie Prades, who plays the leading role of Gloria Estefan in the national Broadway tour of On Your Feet! Find out what made Christie follow her dream of performing, what she has in common with Gloria Estefan, and why you should see the show while … Continued
On this week’s episode, the new musical Jagged Little Pill debuts at the American Repertory Theatre, Starlight's horticulture team steals the show, new details emerge on the royal Diana musical and On Your Feet! opens our Broadway season under the stars. You, You, You Oughta Know: Alanis Morissette’s 'Jagged Little Pill' Is Now A Musical
The red carpet was rolled out, the seats were filled, and the stage was brimming with song and dance as Starlight Theatre recognized high achievers in Kansas City high school musical theatre at the annual Blue Star Awards Ceremony on May 17. Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, Starlight’s Blue Star Awards celebrate the talented students and … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with President and CEO of Starlight Theatre, Rich Baker, to discuss the upcoming Tony® Awards, the role Rich plays in the Awards, and how the Tony’s affect the shows that he books for the Starlight stage. Held annually since 1947, the Tony Awards celebrates … Continued
It’s officially summertime at Starlight! Starlight Theatre’s 2018 concert season is underway this Friday with rock band Modest Mouse. Modest Mouse formed in Issaquah, Wash., in 1993 and has since released six studio albums, most recently Strangers to Ourselves in 2015, with the hit single “Lampshades of Fire.” The rock band reached mainstream success in 2004 with Good … Continued
In its first national tour, the exhilarating original production On Your Feet! arrives at Starlight in just a few short weeks. An inspiring story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent–and each other–On Your Feet! is sure to inspire audiences in Kansas City for six performances, May 22-27. Based on the life story of … Continued
On this week’s episode, a sponge that lives in a pineapple tops the Tony Nominations, Idina Menzel goes undercover, Starlight honors the best in high school musicals in the Kansas City area and Summer works hard for the money on the Today Show. 2018 Tony Award Nominations: SpongeBob SquarePants and Mean Girls Lead the Pack
Some exciting updates are happening here at Starlight Theatre! Patron’s safety is our number one priority, so we’ve incorporated non-invasive magnetometers as an additional security measure. Now, when patrons enter the venue, they will walk through the magnetometers before being shown to their seat. With this additional screening, we recommend allowing a little extra time … Continued
Earlier this spring, current board members had an opportunity to mingle with former board members at Starlight’s Board Annual Reunion. In its fourth year, the Board Reunion recognizes and celebrates the dedication of Starlight’s board members, both past and present. The evening included a short program with remarks from John Murphy, Chair of the Starlight … Continued
Young Friends of Starlight celebrated its most successful year yet of After Hours at the Towers on Friday, April 27 under the stars. With a 1907 Coney Island theme based off of Love Never Dies, the spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, patrons donned their period attire and entered through the big top for … Continued
This year’s Tony Award nominations have been announced! Broadway alums Katharine McPhee and Leslie Odom, Jr. announced the 72nd annual Tony Award nominations this morning at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center. Mean Girls and SpongBob SquarePants tied for the lead in number of nominations with twelve each. This year’s Best Musical nominations … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, we sit down with Tyler Eisenreich – a Kansas City native making his return to Starlight Theatre in the national Broadway tour of CINDERELLA. Eisenreich won the 2012 Blue Star Award for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role for his performance as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Blue … Continued
On April 26, 2018, high school theatre students and instructors across metropolitan Kansas City and in neighboring communities received the good news that they had received nominations for Starlight Theatre’s Blue Star Awards. Starlight representatives personally delivered 132 nominations to 30 area high schools. On Thursday, May 17, the Blue Star Award winners will be announced … Continued
On this week’s Broadway Beat, Broadway finds its Cher, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend may be coming to an end, Starlight transports event guests to 1907 Coney Island and the ghost with the most is heading to Broadway. Stephanie J. Block Will Play Cher in the Upcoming Cher Show The new Broadway-bound bio-musical The Cher Show has found its star! Two-time Tony nominee Stephanie … Continued