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Starlight Theatre

4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO, USA
Seats (approximate)
7860

ABOUT THIS THEATRE

Description
Starlight Theatre's story dates back to 1925, the year Rumania’s Queen Marie paid a visit to Kansas City. To celebrate her arrival, the Kansas City Federation of Music organized a showcase of local talent for the Queen that was also open to the public. While Kansas Citians had toyed with the idea of building an outdoor theatre before, the $7,000 that the showcase raised made it clear that Kansas City had an audience for such performances and that outdoor theatre could one day become a Kansas City tradition. After 15 years of proposals, the need for a venue to house celebrations commemorating Kansas City's 100th birthday sped up the process. A committee was quickly chosen, Swope Park was deemed the location, and construction began on a cold December day in 1949. While the theatre was still unfinished for the city’s 1950 centennial anniversary, the show went on, and thousands of Kansas Citians flocked to see the historical revue of their city, Thrills of a Century. The show's success then proved to be the perfect spark of motivation for completing Starlight and beginning the tradition of bringing Broadway to Kansas City. Community volunteers helped raise money and establish theatre policy; local craftsmen donated their time to finishing construction, and Starlight Theatre as we know it was born. In 1958, Starlight Theatre received a generous boost from Jerry Lewis. During an opening night performance, Lewis found the distance between performer and audience limiting. He then proposed to theatre personnel that they extend the stage so it covered the orchestra pit. When Starlight officials explained they could not finance the project, Lewis himself paid the cost! Although the extension was temporary for Lewis' show only, the idea was a good one. In the early 1980's the stage was permanently extended over the orchestra pit, bringing on stage action closer to the audience. This extension lasted until the building of the 10-story, climate controlled Jeannette and Jerome Community Stage in 2000. Another highlight in the history of Starlight Theatre came in a 1960s production of Mr. President. Starlight's producer, Richard Berger, who always had a knack for adding pizzazz to his shows, swayed President Harry Truman to make a guest appearance in the opening night show. Berger's casting of Truman was a sensation, although an attack of appendicitis forced Truman to leave Starlight by ambulance during the intermission. Since then, Starlight Theatre has steadily remained a staple of Kansas City's performing arts community and a favorite for those looking for summer-time family-oriented entertainment. And while there were once 38 other self-producing outdoor theatres in the U.S., today only three remain, making Starlight a landmark not just for Kansas City, but also the whole country.
Jagged Little Pill
Aug 01, 2023 - Aug 06, 2023
Musical Original
1776
Jul 25, 2023 - Jul 30, 2023
Music by Sherman Edwards; Book by Peter Stone; Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Musical Original Comedy History
The Prom
Sep 13, 2022 - Sep 18, 2022
Music by Matthew Sklar; Book by Bob Martin, Chad Beguelin; Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Musical Original Comedy
Oklahoma!
May 13, 2022 - May 15, 2022
Musical Revival Comedy
Hello, Dolly!
Sep 25, 2019 - Sep 29, 2019
Music by Jerry Herman; Book by Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Musical Revival Comedy
A Bronx Tale The Musical
Jul 30, 2019 - Aug 04, 2019
Music by Alan Menken; Book by Chazz Palminteri; Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Musical Original Drama
Cats
Jul 09, 2019 - Jul 14, 2019
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by T.S. Eliot
Musical Revival
The Illusionists
Sep 28, 2018 - Sep 30, 2018
Music by Evan Jolly
Special Original Magic
Chicago
Sep 14, 2018 - Sep 16, 2018
Music by John Kander; Book by Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Musical Revival Comedy
Musical Original Drama
The King and I
Jun 12, 2018 - Jun 17, 2018
Musical Revival ComedyDrama
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan
May 22, 2018 - May 27, 2018
Featuring Music Produced and Recorded by Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine; Book by Alexander Dinelaris
Musical Original
Motown The Musical
Aug 22, 2017 - Aug 27, 2017
Musical Original Drama
The Bodyguard
Aug 08, 2017 - Aug 13, 2017
Musical Original
Musical Original Comedy
An American in Paris
Jul 11, 2017 - Jul 16, 2017
Musical Original
Jersey Boys
Jun 27, 2017 - Jul 02, 2017
Music by Bob Gaudio; Book by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice; Lyrics by Bob Crewe
Musical Original
Musical Original Comedy
If/Then
Jul 26, 2016 - Jul 31, 2016
Music by Tom Kitt; Book by Brian Yorkey; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Musical Original
The Bridges of Madison County
Jun 14, 2016 - Jun 19, 2016
Music by Jason Robert Brown; Book by Marsha Norman; Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Musical Original
Matilda The Musical
May 24, 2016 - May 29, 2016
Music by Tim Minchin; Book by Dennis Kelly; Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Musical Original
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Jul 07, 2015 - Jul 12, 2015
Music by Richard Rodgers; New Book by Douglas Carter Beane; Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Musical Original
Pippin
Jun 30, 2015 - Jul 05, 2015
Music by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Roger O. Hirson; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Musical Revival Comedy
Million Dollar Quartet
May 22, 2015 - May 24, 2015
Musical Original
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Jul 08, 2014 - Jul 13, 2014
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Revival Comedy
Flashdance The Musical
Jul 09, 2013 - Jul 14, 2013
Music by Robbie Roth; Book by Robert Cary, Tom Hedley; Lyrics by Robbie Roth, Robert Cary
Musical Original
La Cage Aux Folles
Aug 28, 2012 - Sep 02, 2012
Music by Jerry Herman; Book by Harvey Fierstein; Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Musical Revival Comedy
Peter Pan
Jul 24, 2012 - Jul 29, 2012
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Musical Revival Comedy
Memphis
Jul 11, 2012 - Jul 15, 2012
Music by David Bryan; Book by Joe DiPietro; Lyrics by David Bryan, Joe DiPietro
Musical Original
The Addams Family
Jul 03, 2012 - Jul 08, 2012
Music by Andrew Lippa; Book by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice; Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Musical Original
Musical Original Comedy
Guys and Dolls
Jul 12, 2011 - Jul 17, 2011
Music by Frank Loesser; Book by Abe Burrows, Jo Swerling; Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Musical Revival Comedy
9 to 5
Jun 21, 2011 - Jun 26, 2011
Music by Dolly Parton; Book by Patricia Resnick; Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Musical Original Comedy
Dreamgirls
Jul 20, 2010 - Jul 25, 2010
Music by Henry Krieger; Book by Tom Eyen; Lyrics by Tom Eyen
Musical Revival
Little House on the Prairie
Jun 22, 2010 - Jun 27, 2010
Music by Rachel Portman; Book by Rachel Sheinkin; Lyrics by Donna Di Novelli
Musical Original
Musical Original Comedy
Chicago
Aug 11, 2009 - Aug 16, 2009
Music by John Kander; Book by Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Musical Revival Comedy
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Jul 28, 2009 - Aug 02, 2009
Music by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman; Adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams; Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Musical Original Comedy
Legally Blonde
Jun 30, 2009 - Jul 05, 2009
Music by Laurence O'Keefe, Nell Benjamin; Book by Heather Hach; Based upon the film by MGM; Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, Nell Benjamin
Musical Original Comedy
The Drowsy Chaperone
Jun 17, 2008 - Jun 22, 2008
Musical Original Comedy
Sweet Charity
Jul 10, 2007 - Jul 15, 2007
Music by Cy Coleman; Book by Neil Simon; Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Musical Revival Comedy
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Jun 26, 2007 - Jul 01, 2007
Music by David Yazbek; Book by Jeffrey Lane; Lyrics by David Yazbek
Musical Original Comedy
Doctor Dolittle - 2006
Jul 11, 2006 - Jul 16, 2006
Music by Leslie Bricusse; Book by Lee Tannen; Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Musical Revival Comedy
On The Record
Jun 14, 2005 - Jun 19, 2005
Scenarist: Chad Beguelin
Musical Original
Chicago
Aug 17, 2004 - Aug 22, 2004
Music by John Kander; Book by Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Musical Revival Comedy
The King and I - 2004
Jul 12, 2004 - Jul 18, 2004
Musical Revival ComedyDrama
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Jul 15, 2003 - Jul 20, 2003
New Music by Jeanine Tesori; Book by Dick Scanlan, Richard Morris; New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
Musical Original Comedy
Beauty & the Beast
Jul 07, 2003 - Jul 13, 2003
Music by Alan Menken; Book by Linda Woolverton; Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice
Musical Original Comedy
Musical Original Drama
42nd Street
Jul 23, 2002 - Aug 11, 2002
Music by Harry Warren; Book by Mark Bramble, Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Al Dubin
Musical Revival Comedy
Some Like It Hot
Jul 08, 2002 - Jul 14, 2002
Music by Jule Styne; Book by Peter Stone; Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Musical Original Comedy
Musical Original Drama
The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas
Jul 10, 2001 - Jul 15, 2001
Music by Carol Hall; Book by Larry L. King, Peter Masterson; Lyrics by Carol Hall
Musical Revival Comedy
Aida
Jun 27, 2001 - Jul 08, 2001
Musical Original Drama
Fosse
Aug 22, 2000 - Aug 27, 2000
Musical Original Revue Dance
Musical Original Drama
Peter Pan
Jul 21, 1998 - Jul 26, 1998
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Musical Revival Comedy
Cats - Fourth National
Aug 09, 1994 - Aug 14, 1994
Musical Original
The Sound of Music
Jun 22, 1994 - Jun 26, 1994
Musical Revival Drama
Annie Get Your Gun
Aug 03, 1993 - Aug 08, 1993
Musical Revival Comedy
A Chorus Line
Jun 24, 1991 - Jun 30, 1991
Musical Revival Drama
Fiddler on the Roof
Aug 15, 1989 - Aug 20, 1989
Music by Jerry Bock; Book by Joseph Stein; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Musical Revival ComedyDrama
Big River
Aug 19, 1987 - Aug 23, 1987
Music by Roger Miller; Book by William Hauptman; Lyrics by Roger Miller
Musical Original Comedy
Porgy and Bess
Aug 22, 1977 - Aug 28, 1977
Music by George Gershwin; Libretto by DuBose Heyward; Lyrics by DuBose Heyward, Ira Gershwin
Musical Revival Opera
Hello, Dolly!
Jul 19, 1977 - Jul 24, 1977
Music by Jerry Herman; Book by Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Musical Revival Comedy
The King and I
Aug 17, 1976 - Aug 22, 1976
Musical Revival ComedyDrama