Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.
On our final episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor talks with the Broadway legend, Chita Rivera. Find out what it was like to play Starlight in the ‘60s, how outdoor theatres have changed throughout the years, and what's so special about performing at this historic venue. Chita Rivera is an accomplished actress, singer and dancer … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor talks with Carolee Carmello, who plays the title role in the national Broadway tour of Hello, Dolly!, playing under the stars September 25-29. Carmello is a stage veteran who has been seen in 14 Broadway shows, including Parade, Finding Neverland and The Addams Family. Now, she makes her Dolly debut … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor hits the road to talk with Brandon Michael Nase. Nase plays the wisest feline, Old Deuteronomy, in the national tour of CATS.Find out how parenthood prepared him for the role, what's been updated for modern audiences, and what Kansas Citians can expect at CATS. CATS is the iconic Broadway … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Sarah Bockel, who plays the title role in the national tour of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical. Find out what's changed in Sarah's life since landing the role, how she prepared to play Carole King, and what it was like to get the … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor sits down with two of Oz’s most iconic characters – The Wizard, played by Eddie Korbich, and The Cowardly Lion, played by Robert Hingula. Find out more about the history of The Wizard of Oz, how these two actors built their performance careers, and what audiences can … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Tyler Fromson, a Lee's Summit native who plays Ross in the national tour of Friends! The Musical Parody. Find out how Tyler characterizes the iconic sitcom character he plays in the show and what he's looking forward to most while being back in his home … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Alex Lanning, chair of this year's After Hours at the Towers event. Find out how Alex was first introduced to Starlight, what she's looking forward to most about After Hours at the Towers, and what patrons can expect at the event. Inspired by … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor sits down with long-time Starlight Theatre supporter Greg Reid. Fourteen years ago Greg and his wife Rebecca founded the Vincent Legacy Scholarship program, which provides scholarships to ethnically diverse middle school students to pursue training in the performing arts. Find out more about how Greg first … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Mary Beth Burns, who plays the title character in the one-nun show, Sister Strikes Again! Find out more about the show, what the proper name is for someone from Michigan, and what Sister is currently binge-watching on Netflix. Sister Strikes Again! is another hilarious installment in … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, we sit down with Mike Tyler - an Australian magician who took his career to a whole new level when he and his best mate, Christopher Wayne, decided to trade in their top hats and capes for a totally different kind of magic show. Get a sneak … Continued
On this week's episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Jeff Hobson, who joins the national tour of The Illusionists as "The Trickster" - playing now at Starlight Theatre. Find out how Jeff started his magic career, what it's like to open a show at the Sydney Opera House, and even get a sneak peek of The Illusionists when Jeff shows Taylor a trick. The Illusionists is the … Continued
On this week's special episode of Talkin' With Taylor, Taylor talks to Chicago The Musical's dance captain, Christophe Caballero, before learning a few iconic Bob Fosse steps himself. The longest-running American musical on Broadway, Chicago tells the tale of a group of merry murderesses who've landed in the Cook County Jail and features some of the most legendary choreography … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Regina LeVert, who brings the audiences to their feet each night in Hairspray as Motormouth Maybelle. Learn more about her musical roots and where she pulls inspiration for her role, as well as what she hopes audiences will take away from this incredible production. Set in … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with two-time Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar. Oscar plays the iconic role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, hitting the Starlight stage July 27-Aug. 2. Learn more about the roles he originated on Broadway, what led him to Hairspray and what he’s looking forward to most about performing … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with Hairspray lead actress, Jessica Alcorn, and director and choreographer, Jerry Jay Cranford. Set in 1960s Baltimore, Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, who’s determined to dance her way onto TV’s most popular dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” After auditioning and winning that coveted role, Tracy … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ With Taylor, Taylor sits down with our Blue Star Award winners for Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Lead Role – Sam Aubuchon and Lauryn Hurley. The pair just arrived back from New York City, where they represented Starlight Theatre at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, a.k.a. the … 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
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 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
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 this week’s episode of “Talkin’ With Taylor,” Taylor sits down with Chicago tour dance captain, Christophe Caballero, and Roxie Hart herself, played by Dylis Croman. Learn how this extraordinary cast brings the legacy of eight-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Bob Fosse to life on tour and what still personally connects Fosse to the cast so many years … Continued
On this week’s episode of Talkin’ with Taylor, Taylor chats with Beau Heyen, 2018 After Hours at the Towers Chair, to discuss the third annual fundraising event for young professionals at Starlight Theatre on Friday, April 27! This year’s After Hours at the Towers event, which is hosted by Young Friends of Starlight, is inspired … Continued
On this week’s episode of “Talkin’ With Taylor,” Taylor sits with 2016 Vincent Legacy Scholarship recipient Faith Andrews-O’Neal to talk about how the scholarship has changed her life and improved her dance skills. Starlight Theatre’s Vincent Legacy Scholarship program was founded in 2006. It has been changing the lives of Kansas City students ever since. … Continued
On this week’s episode of “Talkin’ With Taylor,” Taylor learns what’s like to interview a cast that has to constantly stay on their feet because the show they are in is being made up on the spot! Deb Rabbai and Rob Schiffmann, co-producers and performers in Broadway’s Next H!T Musical (playing Starlight Indoors Now-March 4), share the challenges and enjoyment … Continued
In the second episode of “Talkin’ With Taylor,” Taylor sits down with the fast-talking, honky-tonking Dixie Longate to discuss her new show, Dixie’s Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull and 16 Other Things I Learned While I Was Drinking Last Thursday. On the heels of her acclaimed one-woman show, Dixie’s Tupperware Party, Dixie returns to Starlight Indoors this … Continued
Starlight Theatre is pleased to introduce our new video series “Talkin’ With Taylor,” hosted by Taylor Smith of Starlight’s marketing team. In this inaugural episode, Taylor sits down with Broadway veteran actress (and KC native!) Valerie Fagan, one of the stars of Forbidden Broadway. This fall-down-funny roast of hit Broadway musicals opens the 2018 Starlight Indoors … Continued