Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
Last month, Starlight leaders, supporters and staff honored the four most recent Vincent Legacy Scholarship recipients prior to the Friday evening performance of On Your Feet!. Each student earned a $2,500 scholarship to use toward their future arts training and enjoyed dinner and a reception with their families prior to the on-stage recognition. Kalen Allen, … Continued
With crowd-pleasing musicals and hit stage favorites, Starlight is excited to announce another fantastic line up of productions coming straight from Broadway to Kansas City in 2022. And, if a few shows look familiar, it’s because Starlight leadership was able to re-book a number of productions that were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to … Continued
On this week’s episode, Starry Night at Starlight occurs during On Your Feet!, a musical adaptation of “The Karate Kid” is in development, a concert celebration of Wicked comes to PBS and tap dance stamps are created for the US Postal Service. Starry Night at Starlight During On Your Feet!
Young Friends of Starlight will host a newly reimagined fundraiser event—Starry Night at Starlight on Saturday, September 11. This year’s event highlights an inaugural class of All-Stars—20 of Kansas City’s most dynamic charitable movers and shakers. Joining this year’s group is Honorary All-Star Kalen Allen, an actor and digital creator best known for “OMKalen” on Ellentube from “The Ellen Show.” Kalen … Continued
The 2021 Capitol Federal Concert Series continues with some incredible artists this fall! Don’t miss your chance to see a thrilling live concert or hilarious comedy performance under the stars. This month, celebrate 50 years of The Doobie Brothers as they deliver mind-blowing, roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll. The Doobie Brothers and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band come to Starlight Tuesday, September 14, as part of The Doobie … Continued
This past August, 10 college students completed summer-long training at Starlight through the Bob Rohlf Internships Program. These students participated in full-time, paid internship opportunities focused in departments including accounting, community engagement, donor relations, information systems, marketing/sales, multimedia, operations, production management and PR/communications. The students gained hands-on, real-world experience as they learned about roles in nonprofit arts administration and contributed to Starlight’s daily success, learning alongside … Continued
Please consider joining us for Shine On, Starlight’s 34th Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday, October 2, 2021. The gala is Starlight’s largest fundraising event of the year, and donations from the event will support Starlight’s operations, programming and preservation of our historic venue. Shine On will commence at 6 p.m. at Starlight and is slated to include cocktails and … Continued
Set your mind to island time, and join us for Escape to Margaritaville, an entertaining jukebox musical that comes to Starlight September 21-26. Margaritaville is a place where people come to get away from it all—and stay to find something they never expected. In Margaritaville, a part-time bartender, part-time singer and full-time charmer thinks he’s got life all figured out until a … Continued
2014 Vincent Legacy Scholar Zachery Garner recently had the opportunity to attend a prestigious puppetry training initiative with the Jim Henson Company in Los Angeles, California. The Jim Henson Company is best known for creating the Muppets franchise, making this “a lifetime opportunity” for Zachery, who is a puppeteer and actor from the Kansas City area. Starlight is proud of this Vincent Legacy Scholar for shining in a very unique performance art. To … Continued
Starlight has a newly reimagined fundraiser - Starry Night at Starlight on Saturday, September 11. This year’s event highlights an inaugural class of All-Stars – 20 of Kansas City’s most dynamic charitable movers and shakers. Learn more about them below! Donation levels start at $100 and include: Tickets to the Saturday evening performance of Starlight’s … Continued
Starlight strives to provide accessible arts experiences to as many Kansas Citians as possible. Since its inception more than 70 years ago, the theatre has consistently given away thousands of tickets per year and has served organizations diverse in size and services, ranging anywhere from focused behavioral health service to community centers. "As an important … Continued
One of Kansas City’s most anticipated fundraising events returns Saturday, October 2nd at Starlight! Join Gala Chairs Kelly and Joe Privitera in celebrating the enduring power of the arts and the promise of brighter days to come at Kansas City’s foremost outdoor performing arts landmark. The evening is slated to include: 6 p.m. Cocktails and … Continued
Where did you first get your passion for live entertainment? We both have always loved live entertainment, but our passion was doubly ignited when two of our daughters showed an interest, one on the performing side and the other in stage management. We were blessed to have organizations like Starlight where they could learn and … Continued
Thank you to all who voted! Kansas City Magazine recently announced the winners of its 2021 Best of KC readers poll and we’re thrilled to announce that Starlight made the cut. Our historic venue won in five categories and was awarded “runner up” in two additional categories. BEST LIVE THEATER VENUE Winner: Starlight Theatre Runner … Continued
Each summer, Starlight selects a new group of Starlight Stars and Starlight Stars of Tomorrow, representing some of the most ambitious and talented high school and middle school performers in the Kansas City region. These young stars participate in exciting educational workshops and have performance opportunities throughout the year. “We know how eager community students … Continued
There’s nothing quite like live performances under the stars. The 2021 Capitol Federal Concert Series continues with a variety of upcoming shows, featuring energetic musical artists and even a comedian. In August, audiences can look forward to soulful melodies with Jason Mraz and his reggae band. Mraz will perform as part of the Look for … Continued
On Saturday, July 10, 2021, community members from the Swope Park area came together for a free movie night at Starlight. In partnership with Community Builders of Kansas City, and with support from Kansas City Parks and Recreation and Straub Construction, attendees experienced a fun and welcoming atmosphere while enjoying a screening of Disney’s live-action … Continued
The 12th annual JIMMY AWARDS® was presented by the Broadway League Foundation virtually on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Competing in this national awards ceremony recognizing the best of high school musical talent were Justin Cooley and Ava Wolesky, Starlight’s Blue Star Awards winners for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role and Outstanding Actress in a … Continued
Coming to Starlight this fall from our friends at the St. Louis Muny is On Your Feet!, an energetic musical that tells the inspiring true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Guests will be delighted to experience this sensational show at Starlight September 7-12. Featuring chart-topping hits from Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, … Continued
On this week’s episode, Young Friends of Starlight prepares for Starry Night at Starlight, “Cinderella” comes to the screens in a new movie musical, the Broadway Cruise prepares to set sail next April and Rachel Zegler is announced as Snow White in Disney’s new live-action movie. Young Friends of Starlight (YFS) Hosts Starry Night at … Continued
On this week’s episode, The Illusionists come to Starlight, two winners from Starlight’s Blue Star Awards compete in the Jimmy Awards hosted by Corbin Bleu, “Thelma & Louise'' is adapted into a musical and “Schmigadoon!” becomes available on Apple TV+. The Illusionists Come to Starlight July 20-25
During Starlight’s six performances of Godspell June 22-27, Starlight hosted a food drive organized by the Theatre Community Fund of Kansas City (TCF). Starlight employees and guests were encouraged to donate nonperishables and basic hygiene items, which benefited local theatre professionals experiencing financial hardship. Starlight was proud to partner with another nonprofit that serves Kansas … Continued
Young Friends of Starlight (YFS) officially adopted the stretch of Meyer Boulevard right outside the entrance to Swope Park on Saturday, May 22, in partnership with Kansas City Parks and Recreation. The group took over cleaning duties from Ms. Jackson, a local resident who had generously been tending to the area solo for 38 years. … Continued
You won’t believe it even when you see it! The Illusionists come to Starlight July 20-25 as part of a national tour for some incredible nights under the stars. The Illusionists – Direct from Broadway™ features the mind-bending talents of six of the most impressive and charismatic performers in the world. Audiences of all ages … Continued
Come experience the exciting rush of a live concert under the stars at Starlight. The 2021 Capitol Federal Concert Series includes a variety of concerts and even a comedy show, featuring an abundance of talent across genres that will energize and entertain all audiences. It all started Saturday, July 3, 2021, with electronic music impresario, … Continued
The Starlight and Variety KC partnership has resulted in ADA parking signage in the A Lot and Zebra Lot. These innovative parking signs feature pictures of Variety KC kids as a reminder to keep disabled parking spots open for those who need them. This project has also brought improved communication services to Starlight, including communication … Continued
It’s time for the 2021 Jimmy Awards! This year, two winners from Starlight’s Blue Star Awards will represent the Kansas City region and compete nationally in the 12th annual Jimmy Awards. These exceptional performers are Justin Cooley from Olathe East High School, Starlight’s Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role, and Ava Wolesky from Liberty North … Continued
On this week’s episode, learn about Starlight’s Vincent Legacy Scholarship, Van Gogh Alive comes to life at Starlight, Disney purchases film rights for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Timothée Chalamet is announced to be the new Willy Wonka in an upcoming musical film! Vincent Legacy Scholarship Application
The moment Cinderella loses her shoe on the steps of the palace...the Wicked Witch of the West flying over the heads of audience members...these are unforgettable moments in live musical theatre that many of us have shared here at Starlight. However, these moments wouldn’t be as vivid or memorable for all of Starlight’s patrons without … Continued
As a Corporate Charitable Partner, CommunityAmerica Credit Union has generously supported Starlight’s Blue Star Awards Program for the past two years, and countless other charitable organizations. We recently sat down with Kathryn Harvel, Executive Director of the CommunityAmerica Foundation, to discuss their philanthropic approach. How would you describe the values that guide CommunityAmerica Credit … Continued