Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
On this week’s episode, a number of British Stage Legends star in a virtual fundraiser, the Broadway Podcast Network launches its first digital soap opera, and a stage manager launches a new project. Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, and Maggie Smith Set for Virtual Fundraiser For One Knight Only
On this week’s episode, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is set to premiere on Netflix, Leslie Odom Jr. releases a Christmas album, and Laura Bell Bundy launches a new podcast. Watch Chadwick Boseman in Netflix’s First Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Trailer
Thanks to all who voted for Starlight in The Pitch’s Best of KC! We’re proud to have been awarded Best Live Music Venue (1000K+), Best Live Theater and Best Outdoor venue. This is the third year in a row that Starlight has been honored with Best Live Theater and Best Outdoor venue. The Pitch’s Best … Continued
For the first time ever, KC Parks and Recreation will host Winter Magic—the longest animated light tunnel in the Midwest—right in the heart of Kansas City in Swope Park. This socially distanced holiday event is perfect for the whole family and runs November 2-January 2, 5-11 p.m. nightly. The drive is approximately one mile long … Continued
Starlight’s latest performance in our Raise Our Voices video series features Chase Chancy—a Multimedia Intern and student from the 2020 Bob Rohlf Internship Program. In his internship at Starlight earlier this year, he played a key role in video production and editing—he was actually on the other side of the camera in previous Raise Our … Continued
For 70 years, Starlight has been a Kansas City tradition. Since our gates first opened in 1950, millions of audience members have enjoyed a show under the stars. Much of the success of our historic venue has been thanks to the loyal support of our donors and patrons! To ensure the road ahead is paved … Continued
On this week’s episode, the 2020 Tony Award nominations are announced, a virtual reading benefits the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and Cameron Mackintosh releases two live recordings. 2020 Tony Award Nominations Announced October 15
On this week’s episode, Starlight announces its 2021 Season, a critically acclaimed play will stream on Amazon, and The Prom announces its star-studded cast. Just Announced – Your 2021 AdventHealth Broadway Season!
In Starlight’s most recent Raise Our Voices performance, professional performer and 2011 Blue Star Awards Rising Star Scholarship recipient Talya Groves takes the stage for a powerful rendition of “Freedom” by Beyoncé. The empowering song comes from Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, which Talya fondly refers to as a love letter to black people—specifically, black women. Talya … Continued
Entertainment venues, including Starlight, were some of the first to close when the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year—and they’ll be some of the last to reopen. Starlight alone has projected a loss of more than $4 million dollars this year. However, the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, sponsored in part by U.S. Missouri Senator … Continued
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Starlight joined a number of venues across the state in evaluating and improving its cleaning procedures and adapting to new protocols to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Specifically, the Missouri Arts Council and the Missouri Arts Safety Alliance together launched a certification program as a standard for venues from … Continued
For 32 years, Ingram’s has conducted their “Best of Business” Awards in Kansas City. Starlight has had the honor of winning a number of awards—including a Gold for Best Theater, Silvers for Best Concert Venue and Best Performing Arts Venue, and Bronze for Best Charitable Event in 2019. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the publication … Continued
Traditionally, Starlight hosts an annual fundraiser that helps us to close the gap between ticket revenue and operation costs in addition to providing valuable arts education and community engagement programs to Kansas Citians. Even in a “normal” year, ticket sales only cover part of Starlight’s operating costs, and this year our historic venue projects a … Continued
On September 17th, Starlight hosted its first ever virtual donor event and it was a major success! Approximately 60 donors and patrons like you came together to speak with members of the Starlight staff, Board of Directors, Blue Star Awards participants and program sponsors. Highlights included: A behind-the-scenes look at Starlight’s New Donor Lounge, which was constructed earlier this year, thanks to a new gift from the Morgan Charitable Foundation. A performance from talented Blue Star Awards students and the opportunity to … Continued
A lifelong patron of the performing arts, Doug Jones’ passion for theatre was ignited after attending his first show at Starlight as a little boy. Motivated by a desire to ensure underserved children in Kansas City have the opportunity to experience the magic of live theatre, Doug joined Starlight’s Legacy Society in 2015. Find out more about his story below: Where did you first get your passion for … Continued
Starlight recently made the difficult decision to move away from a traditional in-person benefit gala for 2020. But the show must go on...so we’re bringing it to you! This year, we’re excited to announce an online event, FREE and open the public, featuring performances and appearances by Tony Award-winning Broadway stars, an original Hamilton cast member, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, The Vi Tran Band, a number of local artists, and a few extra special surprises! Please join us for: … Continued
In Starlight’s newest Raise Our Voices performance, Vincent Legacy Scholar Courtney Germany takes the stage for the series’ first dance piece to “I Can’t Breathe” by the artist H.E.R. Her brother suggested the song to Courtney, and she found that her feelings toward violence and police brutality filtered through every powerful and honest lyric of … Continued
On this week’s episode, Hocus Pocus may get a Broadway bow, we invite you to join us for An Evening With Starlight, and The Color Purple is set to become a musical film. Director Kenny Ortega Says He Would Love to Bring Hocus Pocus to Broadway
Soon, Starlight will announce the 2021 AdventHealth Broadway Season, and with Broadway classics, sensational new hits and some seriously catchy jukebox musicals, it’s sure to be a summer to please. When patrons return to Starlight in 2021, they may notice a few changes throughout the venue. In our “off” season, Starlight leadership and staff have … Continued
Starlight is Like, Totally KC! Nearly 12,000 Kansas Citians cast more than 63,500 nominations for The Pitch’s Best of Kansas City 2020. The finalists have been announced and now is your chance to vote in more than 450 categories for your Kansas City favorites. Starlight was lucky enough to be nominated for two categories—and we’d … Continued
On this week’s episode, Alan Menken reaches EGOT status, a number of artists collaborate for A Killer Party - A Murder Mystery Musical, and Once on This Island heads to Disney plus. With Daytime Emmy, Alan Menken Joins the Elite EGOT Club
On Tuesday, September 1 Starlight joined more than 2,000 landmarks, buildings and other iconic structures across the country in lighting red for the #RedAlertRESTART. The nationwide event raised awareness on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the live entertainment industry. It also encouraged a call to action for Congress to vote for the RESTART … Continued
After the success of the first Swope Park Community Blood Drive in July, the Community Blood Center (CBC) and Starlight are excited to collaborate again! The second Swope Park Community Blood Drive will be held in Starlight’s Applause Club on Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. … Continued
Starlight’s Bob Rohlf Internship program provides real-world experience in the entertainment industry, networking opportunities with other young professionals and chances to learn from a number of Kansas City institutions through lunch-and-learns, site visits and more. And—did you know—the program also encourages interns to give back to their community! In mid-July, several Starlight interns volunteered their … Continued
In our newest filmed performance of Raise Our Voices, Starlight Star Danielle Woods chose to share John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change.” She hopes the song helps to lift others’ spirits, as it does for her and her family. When asked why she chose the song, she said that waiting for change is … Continued
Last month, Starlight launched a new video initiative titled “Raise Our Voices” in hopes of offering Starlight’s platform to share diverse voices. The title is two-fold—Starlight recognizes the need, now more than ever, to Raise Our Voices against racial injustice, and wants everyone to have the opportunity to do the same. Through “Raise Our Voices,” … Continued
In case you missed it—Starlight’s President & CEO, Rich Baker, appeared on KCPT’s “Kansas City Week in Review” in May. Joined by Randy Wistoff of the Kansas City Zoo, Bob Kendrick of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and Brenda Tinnen of the Sprint Center, KCPT’s Nick Haines interviewed the group regarding how each of them … Continued
Inspired by so many Broadway stars sharing songs from their living rooms, our 2019 Starlight Stars recently took to Zoom to create a rendition of “Found/Tonight”—a mashup of two popular songs from Broadway’s hit musicals Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. Released in 2018, “Found/Tonight” combines “The Story of Tonight” from Hamilton with Dear Evan Hansen’s … Continued
A Message From Starlight's President & CEO, Rich Baker Dear friends, First, thank you so much for your support of Starlight. Much has changed in the entertainment industry in the past eight weeks, but I feel lucky to be surrounded by people like you who are just as dedicated as I am to making sure our historic venue … Continued
On this week’s episode, the Drama League holds the Gratitude Awards, a variety of new Broadway cast recordings have been released, and Playbill searches for a star. The Drama League's Gratitude Awards Stream April 30