W♥M

Parade (Broadway Touring musical) at The Kauffman Center, Kansas City MO (2025-01-28 through 02-02)

(Parade playbill from The Kauffman Center, Kansas City, MO)   KANSAS CITY SHOWTIMES   Tuesday, January 28: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 29: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30: 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 31: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1: 2 p.m. Saturday, February 1: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 2: 1 p.m. Sunday, February 2: 6:30 p.m.   PARADE TOUR DATES   February 4-23 Cleveland, OH Playhouse Square February 25 - March 9 Detroit, MI Fisher Theatre March 11-23 Boston, MA Emerson Colonial Theatre March 25-30 Charlotte, NC Belk Theater April 1-6 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre April 16 - May 4 Seattle, WA The 5th Avenue Theatre May 6-11 Sacramento, CA Safe Credit Union PAC May 13 - June 8 San Francisco, CA Curran Theatre June 10-15 Las Vegas, NV The Smith Center June 17 - July 12 Los Angeles, CA Ahmanson Theatre July 15-20 Houston, TX Hobby Center July 29 - August 3 Des Moines, IA Des Moines Civic Center August 5 - 17 Chicago, IL CIBC Theatre August 19 - September 7 Washington, DC The Kennedy Center Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album.... …

Maybe the most unlikely story for a musical--

After technical rehearsals in NY and a tour debut in Minneapolis, the Broadway touring version of Parade plays in Kansas City, now through Sunday at the Kauffman Center and we were in attendance to take in opening night. This production was nominated for six Tony Awards®, including a winner for Best Revival.

Parade tells the true story of Leo Frank, a college-educated Brooklyn Jewish man who lives with the Atlanta area with his Southern wife, Lucille, and works as a superintendent in a pencil factory, trying to fit in and adapt to life in the pre-WWI South. He becomes accused of an unspeakable crime, which tests the couple’s faith, devotion, humanity and faith in justice itself.

It’s directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown and was initially co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince, so the collective resume should speak for itself.

88-year-old Urhy is himself a Jewish writer form the South and one of the most decorated playwrights alive. For Parade, he won both a Tony Award® for Best Book of a Musical in 1999, and another for Best Revival in 2023. He won his Pulitzer for 1988’s Driving Miss Daisy (and an Oscar for the film adaptation, which he also wrote) and also previously won the Tony for Best Play for 1997’s The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Those three works comprise Uhry’s “Atlanta Trilogy” and each examines a different social aspect of Uhry’s hometown. His real-life connection to Parade is that his great-uncle owned the actual pencil factory where much of this production is set.

The production originally opened in 1998, receiving nine Tony Award® nominations and this current production is based on many of the revisions of its influential 2007 London run. Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer lead the cast as Leo and Lucille Frank, with Chernin taking on the role full-time after serving as an understudy during the Broadway run, and Suskauer has previously had the plum on-stage role of Elphaba in “Wicked”.

Many from the Broadway company including Prentiss E. Mouton, Danielle Lee Greaves, Emily Rose DeMartino, Bailee Endebrock, Caroline Fairweather, and Sophia Manicone, have decided to help take the show on the road. It’s their collective talent and experience, along with the sheer size of the company and their ability to make powerful songs seem more powerful in numbers, that is one of the production’s key strengths.

The stage features a large centered elevated platform on which most of the story occurs and the set design utilizes complex projections (via projection designer Sven Ortel), to set the scene, state the date and location, and also often projects a photo of the actual person being portrayed. The full orchestra is located behind the translucent projection screen but was easily and clearly heard within the pristine confines of the Kauffman.

Current Georgia Senator and Reverend Raphael Warnock begins the evening with a taped introduction, which not only reminds patrons to silence their phones, but helps bring the story’s themes immediately into current times.

The tale unfolds in 1863 as a young man leaves his sweetheart to defend his homeland during the Civil War, then fast-forwards fifty years later, as that same war wounded and now aged soldier, prepares to march in a Memorial Day parade.

A discovery is soon found in the nearby pencil factory and the tale unfolds with a trial, verdict and eventual sentence with the audience emotionally invested and along for the ride. We see familiar themes of witness coaching, misinformation, antisemitism, and the limits of justice, embellished by melodic songs that range from folk to gospel, and even blues in a stirring second act chain gang performance.

Chernin and Suskauer play the couple as very relatable and sympathetic, and the audience effortlessly becomes immersed in their predicament, despite the seeming melancholy that almost everyone is against them. The cast was all in good voice and the staging was so smooth in transitioning between scenes, it often left no moment for even short applause but that was integral in keeping the story moving forward.

The subject matter is tough, and it’s maybe the most unlikely idea for a musical we’ve seen, but the execution of the show is so professional and well done, it’s stirring both in its emotions and the history lesson most of us were likely unaware of. That makes this show one Parade worth marching towards to see.

Parade plays in Kansas City at The Kauffman Center through Sunday, February 2 with tickets available here: Parade | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

  (National Tour Photos by Joan Marcus / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

We♥KC! February 1-8, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO, Lawrence KS)

Read More Chvrches It’s good to hear that Chvrches will be releasing their fourth studio album Screen Violence in the Summer. We’ve already got a sneak peek with their single, “How Not to Drow”, featuring legendary The Cure ...

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A chilly February already-

The area is still digging out from the record snowfall of three weeks ago (about the amount for a whole typical season) but once again, Super Bowl plans and watch parties are being made, in pursuit of a history-making three-peat, and the town seems be awash in Chiefs Red.

What’s no fun is shivering on an upper-deck seat at an outdoor stadium (been there), so we’re grateful to have a handful of indoor shows for this first week of the month, to keep entertained.

The month looks a bit slow, and the year locally as a whole is a little ‘off’, as there aren’t as many touring events, KC keeps losing shows to other markets due to less overall support (venues/booking agents, no influential radio station like The Buzz (r.i.p.), and newer competition like the Steelhouse in Omaha) but there is hope on the horizon in 2026 with the FIFA World Cup coming and other high-profile events.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from February 1st-8th:

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1

Parade (Broadway Touring), Through Feb 2, Kauffman Center, $61-$131

Landing in Kansas City is one of the most anticipated recent Broadway productions and the winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical. Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Parade reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.

The New York Times said, “this revival, filled with deft flourishes by director Michael Arden, recalls an era of big casts, big stories, and big talent–a time when musicals actually felt like events. ”Entertainment Weekly called it “the most gorgeous production on Broadway. ”Time Out New York stated that “Parade will echo for a long time to come.”

Parade is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince. Look for our review soon!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2

Lauren Maybury (Chvrches) Feb 2, Granada-Lawrence, $30-$35

The Chvrches singer just released her debut solo album ‘Vicious Creature’ on December 6 via EMI Records, and is out with her latest single, ‘Crocodile Tears’. She first played a series of six headline shows around the UK and is hitting the US with more dates over the winter, including one in Lawrence.

Her blossoming solo career is self-described as “fun, freaky, sad, weird, joyful” and a change from the overt electro-pop sound Chvrches is known for (though Mayberry’s lyrics remain as, or more personal), and the band is simply on an extended hiatus we’re told. In concert, she’s of course concentrating on the new record, so don’t expect Chvrches hits, but has been playing covers of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and Spice Girls’ “Viva Forever” in her own distinct and imitable voice.

We, of course, remain big fans of all things Chvrches, having covered them pretty regularly for the last decade plus.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 3

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5

The Dirty Nil, Feb 5, recordBar, $16

The longtime Ontario Canada punk trio is out on a two-month tour and come to KC along with openers Grumpster, House & Home. Though their latest album is “Free Rein To Passions“ released in 2023, they’ve recently released two new songs- “True Devotion” and I Hate the Internet”. Both are available digitally via Dine Alone Records.

Appropriate for the new year, “I Hate The Internet” compares Wi-Fi to God and predicts how the future has no meaning except for next-day shipping...very “2025”.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8

DRUMline Live, Feb 8, Kauffman Center, SOLD OUT

This international tour is based on the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band tradition. With rhythms, beats and ear-grabbing energy, this stage show is a synchronized musical showcase of the HBCU experience. Incorporating original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of top 40 hits, group performances range from choreographed routines to heavy doses of drum riffs and cadences.

The show was created by the musical team behind the hit movies, “Drumline” and “Drumline: A New Beat,” and is described as “a high-octane musical roller coaster ride that is guaranteed to touch every emotion and is for the entire family”.

Tyler the Creator, Feb 8, T-Mobile Center, $190-$2500

The enigmatic rapper/producer Tyler, the Creator will spend most of 2025 on the road touring his upcoming "Chromakopia" album and KC gets an early date, following the tour kickoff in St Paul, MN on Feb 4, and he’s bringing along openers Lil Yachty and hip-hop duo Paris Texas. Most major cities geet a stop, including a three-night Los Angeles stand at the Crypto.com Arena.

The new record came out last Oct. 28 along with first single "Noid" (with music video featuring Ayo Edebiri) and "St. Chroma," the leading track and introduction to the album. He’ll head to Europe in April and May, and the tour will also hit Australia and New Zealand in August and September.

Tech N9ne, Feb 8, VooDoo Lounge- Harrah’s Kansas City, $93+

Call this an early Super Bowl party with the area’s premier rapper and media mogul, and diehard Chiefs fan. Tech has been well-loved in KC for over three decades and the fact that he can always announce a random local show and have it sell out or close-to, speaks volumes for his continued popularity.

Latest album was 2023’s “Bliss” but he’s released and collaborated on a handful singles since, most on his own Strange Music label, the industry’s largest independent hip-hop label.

National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity?  Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

We♥KC! January 22-31, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO)

Read More Natalie Jane ‘Natalie Jane’s first-ever North American headline run – is completely sold-out. She will be stopping by St Paul, at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, on March 23, 2024. Jane recently shared her new single, “Tattoos”, a song... …

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It’s those dog days of winter, when you think it can’t get any colder and it seems easier to stay in, with a bowl of soup.

But streets have been cleared and more people staying in, means less traffic outside and hopefully better parking for any show. It also means the best NFL games of the season and playoff football in full effect, with the Chiefs hosting the AFC Championship on their quest for a historic three-peat. Good days to be a local sports fan.

As January ends, the current Broadway season continues with a recent Tony Award winner for Best Revival and a handful of interesting other shows. And anyone’s dry January concludes- cheers!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from January 22^nd to 31st:

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

 

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22

THURSDAY JANUARY 23

FRIDAY JANUARY 24

David Ramirez / Dylan LeBlanc, Jan 24, Knuckleheads, $25

Singer/songwriter David Ramirez has announced the March 21st release of All The Not So Gentle Reminders (Blue Corn Music), his most ambitious album to date, and is currently on a co-headlining US and UK/European tour. The twelve-song album, his sixth LP, is a creative revelation. “I love all the records I’ve made in the past,” says Ramirez. “But in making them, there was always the thought in the back of my mind of where and what it could get me… this time it was all about just the joy of making it, about having fun with it.”

Jan 24 Ramirez LeBlanc

Meanwhile, fellow singer/songwriter Dylan LeBlanc drew from his experience growing up as a poor kid in Louisiana on his fifth LP, Coyote (released last October on ATO Records). LeBlanc left his fans with a cliffhanger on the 2023 album’s final song, “The Outside,” which found Coyote and his girlfriend driving a stolen Camaro toward the Mexican border only to be stopped by a police roadblock. The song ends with our anti-hero grabbing his gun, unsure of his next move, his fate up in the air.

A deluxe version of the album including four additional songs, now picks up where the original LP left off. “I kind of [knew] this was going to be part of the plan,” LeBlanc says. “Just put out the rest of it and sort of tidy things up.”

The singer-guitarist grew up poor in Shreveport, LA, where he fell in with a tough crowd during his teenage years. LeBlanc himself could have easily drifted down a troubled path, but his love of music helped him avoid that. By age 20, LeBlanc had released his debut album, Pauper’s Dream. Then came two more albums and a move to ATO Records with the release of his 2019 album, Renegade.

Jan 24 Nat Jane

Natalie Jane, Jan 24, The Truman, $25

Continuing her 'Sick To My Stomach' Tour' which is named after her recent EP, released last September via Capitol Music Group/ 10K Projects. Her set will showcase everything fans have come to love about the New Jersey-raised, Los Angeles-based artist - her exhilarating vocal range, her evocative music choices, and her gift for making complex feelings feel relatable.

Natalie was one of 2023’s most viewed artists on TikTok in the U.S., landing at #2 on “The Hitmakers” year-end list. She’s racked up over 500 million combined global streams to date with hits like “AVA,” “Seven,” “Mentally Cheating,” “Do or Die,” and “Intrusive Thoughts” — all found on her debut EP, Where Am I?

 

SATURDAY JANUARY 25

Aerosmith w The Black Crowes, Jan 25 T-Mobile Center, CANCELED

SUNDAY JANUARY 26

MONDAY JANUARY 27

TUESDAY JANUARY 28

Parade (Broadway Touring), Jan 28-Feb 2, Kauffman Center, $61-$131

Jan 28 Parade

Landing in Kansas City is one of the most anticipated recent Broadway productions and the winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade. Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Parade reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.

The New York Times said, “this revival, filled with deft flourishes by director Michael Arden, recalls an era of big casts, big stories, and big talent–a time when musicals actually felt like events.  Entertainment Weekly called it “the most gorgeous production on Broadway. ” Time Out New York stated that “Parade will echo for a long time to come.”

Parade is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29

THURSDAY JANUARY 30

FRIDAY JANUARY 31

Wayne Newton, Jan 31, Ameristar, $60-$80

Away from the desert and out on his “Up Close And Personal Tour”, Newton, a.k.a “The Midnight Idol,” a.k.a “Mr. Entertainment” has been entertaining folks for 60 years, earning his musical fame in 1963 with what would become his signature song, “Danke Schoen.” (Remember it in “Ferris Bueller” too?

Jan 31 Newton

Newton has released an amazing 165 albums and had several other hits across his career, including “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast,” “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” “At This Moment,” “The Letter,” and “Summer Wind.”

Fun fact is that he also plays 13 different instruments and has performed more than 25,000 shows in Las Vegas earning him the title of “Mr. Las Vegas”. Newton’s acting career has seen him appear in scores of tv shows and movies, including “Bonanza” and “The Lucy Show”, “Vegas Vacation,” “License to Kill,” “Sharknado: The 4th Awakens,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and most recently the comedy series “Hacks.”

National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity?  Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

Chicago (Broadway Touring musical) at The Kauffman Center, Kansas City MO (2025-01-07 through 01-12)

(Chicago playbill from The Kauffman Center, Kansas City, MO)   KANSAS CITY SHOWTIMES   Wednesday, January 8 7:30 PM Thursday, January 9 7:30 PM Friday, January 10 7:30 PM Saturday, January 11 2:00 PM Saturday, January 11 7:30 PM Sunday, January 12 1:00 PM Sunday, January 12 6:30 PM   CHICAGO TOUR DATES   Jan 14 - Jan 19 Milwaukee, WI Marcus Center Jan 21 - Jan 21 Duluth, MN DECC Symphony Hall Jan 23 - Jan 26 Toledo, OH Stranahan Theatre Jan 28 - Feb 2 Nashville, TN Tennessee Perf. Arts Center Feb 4 - Feb 9 Dayton, OH Benjamin & Marian Schuster PAC Feb 11 - Feb 16 Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre Feb 18 - Feb 19 College Station, TX Rudder Theatre Complex Feb 20 - Feb 20 Orange, TX Lutcher Theater Feb 22 - Feb 23 Stillwater, OK The McKnight Center Feb 25 - Feb 25 Great Falls, MT Mansfield Center  Feb 26 - Feb 26 Bozeman, MT Brick Breeden Fieldhouse Feb 28 - Mar 2 Eugene, OR Hult Center Mar 4 - Mar 9 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate Theatre Mar 11 - Mar 12 Logan, UT Cache Valley For the Arts Mar 14 - Mar 16 Cerritos, CA Cerritos Center Mar 17 - Mar 17 Bakersfield, CA Mechanics Bank Arena Mar 18 - Mar 19 Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center Mar 21 - Mar 23 El Paso, TX Plaza Theatre Mar 24 - Mar 24 Midland, TX Wagner Noël PAC Mar 27 - Mar 29 Sioux Falls, SD Washington Pavilion Mar 30 - Mar 30 Grand Forks, MT Chester Fritz PAC Apr 3 - Apr 3 West Lafayette, IN Elliot Hall of Music Apr 4 - Apr 6 South Bend, IN Morris Auditorium Apr 8 - Apr 13 East Lansing, MI Wharton Center Apr 22 - Apr 22 Hamilton, ON FirstOntario Concert Hall Apr 23 - Apr 23 London, ON Budweiser Gardens Apr 25 - Apr 27 Moncton, New Brunswick Avenir Centre May 2 - May 4 Providence, RI Providence PAC May 5 - May 6 Binghamton, NY Broome County Forum  May 8 - May 8 Charleston, WV Clay Center May 9 - May 11 Richmond, VA Altria Theater May 13 - May 13 Columbus, GA RiverCenter May 14 - May 14 Evans, GA Columbia County PAC May 16 - May 18 Lubbock, TX Buddy Holly Hall May 21 - May 25 Monterrey, MX ShowCenter Complex May 29 - May 29 Shippensburg, PA Luhrs Theatre May 30 - Jun 1 Tysons, VA Capital One Hall Jun 2 - Jun 2 Roanoke, VA Berglund Center Jun 3 - Jun 8 Baltimore, MD Hippodrome Theatre Jun 10 - Jun 15 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre Jun 17 - Jun 22 Miami, FL Adrienne Arsht Center  Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

Set a century ago, in Prohibition-era Windy City (aka the city of big shoulders), it’s a satirical story that invokes questions around the power of publicity (good or bad), sensationalistic grandstanding despite the committing of a serious crime, and attempting to be above the law while undermining the judicial system (waitaminute?!- are we still talking about Chicago in the late 1920’s?).

It must mean the classic musical Chicago is back in town - “A story of greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery” (to quote the opening prologue) ...and Kansas City couldn’t be happier!

It’s playing through the weekend at the Kauffman Center as part of the current PNC Broadway in Kansas City series (via The American Theatre Guild), and we braved the aftermath of the snow blizzard, to take in opening night.

Based on a 1926 play, the production hit the live stage starting in 1975, and with its 1996 revival, has become the longest-running musical in Broadway history. It began with dancer Gwen Verdon first suggesting to her husband, choreographer and director Bob Fosse, that the play might be a good source to become a musical. Fosse was riding high from the success of Cabaret a few years prior, and that work and this one, has become the timeless personification of his very distinct contribution to American theater.

Many who don’t follow the theater, are still familiar with the work, thanks to the 2002 six-time Oscar-winning film that starred Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere.

The two leading ladies, Roxie Hart (played by Ellie Roddy) and Velma Kelly (played by Taylor Lane) are very competing women both accused of murder, each vying for attention and the spotlight, as they hope to be acquitted (in both the court, and court of public opinion) with the help of cocky, smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn (played by Connor Sullivan, who proved without a doubt during a solo song, he can hold a very long note).

Minimally staged, the emphasis of the show thus leans on the choreography, the lighting, and the songs, which also means very few costume changes (most of the ensemble is in frilly black garments throughout), a ‘non-set’ (the ten-piece band with conductor positioned on a multi-level grandstand dominates the stage) and a storyline just enough to move the narrative forward, without getting too emotionally invested.

That said, those core parts here are strong enough, and the underlying themes equating to our current world of 'social likes', 'fake news', and 'alternative facts' remain in the back of our mind as the tale unfolds. The ensemble members stay openly seated on both sides of the stage, reacting from their chairs and awaiting their next cue to spring into action.

The original music by John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, and book by Fosse and Ebb have all become a part of modern theater’s cultural zeitgeist and still have audiences clapping and nodding along with the more familiar numbers.

The production wastes no time and begins with the always impressive “All That Jazz” (set in the cleanest Cook County Jail you’ll ever see) with the company deftly and fluidly moving about, as they only can, as part of this trademark Fosse production (nicely updated by Ann Reinking for the 1996 revival with additional new re-creation by Gregory Butler and David Hyslop).

Illy Kirven rightfully commands the stage halfway through the first act as sassy Matron “Mama” Morton and Brad Weatherford’s supporting Fred Casely character starts with some one-handed push-ups at stage right, then follows with a vertical maneuver that requires near Olympic-level focus.

Andrew Metzger’s naive, sad sack husband to Roxie, Amos Hart, gets a compelling turn on his “Mr. Cellophane” solo in the second act, and the operatic falsetto of D. Fillinger’s character, the gossip reporter Mary Sunshine was enhanced and carried upward, by the fine acoustics of the intimate theater. And Sullivan’s Billy Flynn, who we don’t meet until halfway into the first act, is the right amount of over-confidence and slick assuredness (in addition to his previously mentioned vocal skills), to deliver a raucous “Razzle Dazzle” at the story’s apex.

As the show concludes, the two protagonist murderesses realize their own individual returns to vaudeville success would multiply exponentially if they joined forces. So, they do so, despite a continued mutual resentment, in a show-stopping feverishly frantic end number, performed in matching glittered suits that constantly catch the light.

Chicago rides off into the sunset triumphantly, but our own two rival political parties haven’t fully learned the lesson of combining forces for the greater good. We still have a few lessons to learn from these former jailbirds.

Chicago plays in Kansas City at The Kauffman Center through Sunday, January 12 with tickets available here: Chicago | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

  (National Tour Photos by Jeremy Daniel / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

We♥KC! January 5-13, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence KS)

Read More Bad Bad Hats ‘SPIN Magazine’s “Artist To Watch” for July 2015, Minneapolis-based Bad Bad Hats recently announced their tour with Saddle Creek’s Mynabirds, in support of …

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Happy 2025!

It’s the Chinese Year of the Snake and while we’re pessimistic about the upcoming year in some ways, we remain eternally optimistic about music and where it can take us. The year typically starts slow in terms of national touring acts, and this year is no exception, but by March, the calendar gets very full.

The KC metro still lags as a concert market, now without a leading alternative radio station, has a need for more networked booking agents, and is still losing shows to nearby Omaha, Springfield, and of course, St. Louis (will acts like Khruangbin ever play KC?!).

But, the metro is on the national map, thanks to success of the sports teams including the Chiefs (and all the related Tay-Tay/Travis gossip) and has the World Cup coming in just over a year, so that additional exposure should equate to slightly more and better shows.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from January 5th-13th:

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

SUNDAY JANUARY 5

Bad Bad Hats w/ Party Nails, Jan 5, recordBar, $17-$22.10

The Twin Cities indie rock favorites have made their way down I-35 to our parts, in support of their self-titled fourth album (out last April via Don Giovanni Records), having previously toured with the likes of The Beths, Margaret Glaspy, The Front Bottoms, Hippo Campus, Third Eye Blind, and Michelle Branch, among many others.

The band consists of Kerry Alexander, Chris Hoge, and Connor Davison and were originally named for a trouble-making character from the Madeline children’s books. Alexander and Hoge met while attending Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. Their 2015 debut album Psychic Reader caught the attention of outlets including The New Yorker, NPR, Pitchfork, and Paste.

Arrive early for Party Nails, aka Elana Carroll, who's awaited third album Pillow Talk is out this month (via Eye Knee Records). The indie rocker debuted in 2015, toured in 2017 (with PVRIS and Lights), and produced and wrote with feminist rock duo and WHM faves, Deap Vally.

MONDAY JANUARY 6

TUESDAY JANUARY 7

Chicago (Broadway Touring) Jan 7-12, Kauffman, $66-$141

Yes, the year is early, but the Broadway season is already in full swing and now brings All That Jazz and this winner of six 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical as well as 2 Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award. It’s the familiar and universal tale of fame, fortune, (and yes, all that jazz!), with one showstopping song after another and the most incredible choreography seen on the modern stage.

In the whirlwind and decadence of 1920’s Chicago’s Jazz Age, its the story of two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses—vaudeville star Velma Kelly and housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart, who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. They become fierce rivals as Hart hires a slick criminal lawyer to transform her crime into a barrage of sensational headlines and the pair compete for headlines, amidst a media frenzy.

The live show is celebrating its 28th anniversary with a storied book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, and is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8

THURSDAY JANUARY 9

FRIDAY JANUARY 10

SATURDAY JANUARY 11

SUNDAY JANUARY 12

MONDAY JANUARY 13

National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity?  Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

Funny Girl (Broadway Touring) at The Music Hall, Kansas City MO (2024-12-03 through 12-08)

(Funny Girl Playbill from The Music Hall Kansas City, MO)   KANSAS CITY SHOWTIMES   Wednesday, December 4: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 5: 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 6: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 7: 2 p.m. Saturday, December 7: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 8: 1 p.m. Sunday, December 8: 6:30 p.m.   FUNNY GIRL TOUR DATES   Dec 3-8 Kansas City, MO Music Hall Dec 10-22 Denver, CO Buell Theatre Dec 31-Jan 5 Madison, WI Overture Center Jan 7-12 Pittsburgh, PA Benedum Center Jan 14-19 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Perf Arts Hall Jan 21-26 Ft. Myers, FL Mann Performing Arts Hall Jan 28-Feb 2 West Palm Beach, FL Kravis Center Feb 4-16 Boston, MA Citizens Opera House Feb 25-Mar 2 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theater Mar 4-9 Austin, TX Bass Concert Hall Mar 11-16 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre Mar 18-23 Fayetteville, AR Walton Arts Center Mar 25-30 Columbus, OH Ohio Theatre Apr 1-6 Schenectady, NY Proctors Theatre Apr 8-13 Rochester, NY West Herr Auditorium Theatre Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

“Hello (again) Gorgeous!”

Featuring one of the most iconic scores of all time by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill and a revised book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, the anticipated revival of the Broadway classic, Funny Girl has made a tour stop in downtown Kansas City. It's playing now through Sunday at The Music Hall, and we were fortunate enough to catch opening night.

First staged in 1964, it’s rightfully best-known as the star launching pad for a young Barbra Streisand, who made her film debut in the William Wyler directed 1968 version, after her successful run in the original Broadway cast, and then taking it to London’s West End.

This bittersweet comedy is the story of plucky Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage, eventually becoming one of the stage’s beloved performers, and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein.

This revival originated on Broadway in 2022 starring Beanie Feldstein and later Lea Michelle and is out on its first nationwide tour starring Hannah Shankman as Fanny Brice, Stephen Mark Lukas as Nicky, Grammy Award-winner Melissa Manchester as Fanny’s mother, and Izaiah Montaque Harris as friend Eddie.

Harris is stunning in an Act I tap dance, with tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, and there’s another fun tap routine in Act II along with several cast dance numbers, courtesy of choreography by Ellenore Scott, with direction from Michael Mayer.

Shankman was unfortunately called away on short notice on opening night, so the role fell effortlessly to NYC-based Leah Platt, who typically plays Emma, and also understudies and takes on the lead role on most Thursday performances. Platt’s voice proved her range by the first few numbers, and seemed to grow stronger and slightly more confident as the show continued.

The songs themselves should have at least a few familiar to most, with several becoming modern stage standards - “People,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” “Sadie, Sadie Married Lady,” “You are Woman,” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade” are among the just over two-dozen selections.

At 71 years young, Bronx native Manchester (who really leans into that NYC accent) showed she still has plenty of lung power left on “Who Taught Her Everything?” sung by her Mrs. Brice and the Eddie Ryan character.

Kansas City’s own Walter Coppage as Flo Zeigfield (of Follies fame) is another welcome addition to the cast, featuring a booming speaking voice that is part Giancarlo Esposito, part James Earl Jones. The other 20 or so members of the company get involved in several of the full cast song and dance routines that embody that of timeless and classic Broadway performances.

Costumes by Susan Hilferty are often lush, especially as Brice’s star rises and pay homage not only to the now 1924-set year the musical inhabits but also are a slight nod to the designs from the late 60’s film, that many will recognize. Lighting by Kevin Adams stays effective throughout without trying to be obtrusive or extreme, and thanks to the many backdrops, scenes moved quickly and without a hitch.

The weakest part may be in the narrative itself and trying to get every little part of the story in during the run time. Brice is a struggling up-and-comer as the musical begins, but within some 20min, she becomes a lead performer and is in deep as a couple with entrepreneur Nicky, quickly getting rich and famous. The Follies numbers could be bigger in scale as well but is likely limited by the size of the company.

All said, those are minor quibbles for a classic musical that’s taken sixty years to have a revival. Funny Girl has been away too long; but now’s your chance, to again say “Hello Gorgeous!” to this timeless production.

Funny Girl plays in Kansas City at The Music Hall through Sunday, December 8 with Tickets available here: Funny Girl (Touring) Tickets | Event Dates & Schedule | Ticketmaster

  (National Tour Photos by Matthew Murphy and provided by their website) / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

Peter Pan (Broadway musical) at Starlight Theatre, Kansas City MO (September 17-22, 2024)

(Peter Pan Playbill from Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO)   PETER PAN SHOWTIMES Ticket Link: Peter Pan | Kansas City Starlight Theatre (kcstarlight.com)   Tue 09/17/2024 8:00PM Wed 09/18/2024 8:00PM Thu 09/19/2024 8:00PM Fri 09/20/2024 8:00PM Sat 09/21/2024 8:00PM Sun 09/22/2024 8:00PM   PETER PAN TOUR DATES 9/24/2024 - 9/29/2024 Fayetteville, AR Walton Arts Center 10/1/2024 - 10/6/2024 Houston, TX The Hobby Center 10/29/2024 - 11/3/2024 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate Theatre 11/5/2024 - 11/10/2024 Salt Lake City, UT Eccles Theater 11/13/2024 - 11/24/2024 St. Louis, MO The Fabulous Fox Theatre 11/26/2024 - 12/1/2024 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre 12/10/2024 - 12/15/2024 Austin, TX Bass Concert Hall 12/17/2024 - 12/22/2024 San Antonio, TX The Majestic Theatre 12/25/2024 - 1/5/2025 Dallas, TX Music Hall at Fair Park 1/7/2025 - 1/12/2025 Nashville, TN Tennessee Performing Arts Center 1/14/2025 - 1/19/2025 Columbus, OH Ohio Theatre 1/21/2025 - 2/2/2025 Boston, MA Citizens Opera House 2/4/2025 - 2/9/2025 Hartford, CT The Bushnell 2/12/2025 - 2/16/2025 West Palm Beach, FL Kravis Center 2/18/2025 - 2/23/2025 Jacksonville, FL Center for the Performing Arts 2/26/2025 - 3/2/2025 Dayton, OH Schuster Center 3/11/2025 - 3/16/2025 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre 3/18/2025 - 3/23/2025 Oklahoma City, OK Civic Center Music Hall 3/25/2025 - 3/30/2025 Louisville, KY The Kentucky Center 4/1/2025 - 4/6/2025 Pittsburgh, PA Benedum Center 4/8/2025 - 4/13/2025 Cleveland, OH Connor Palace 4/22/2025 - 4/27/2025 Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center 4/29/2025 - 5/4/2025 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre 5/6/2025 - 5/18/2025 Fort Lauderdale, FL Broward Center   Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

Under a harvest moon, the ageless boy flies again!

For over one hundred years, the classic tale of Peter Pan, the free-spirited leader of the Lost Boys that flies to and from Neverland, has enchanted audiences in books, films, on television, and of course, on the live stage; and now, the production breathes anew!

For the final show of this year’s AdventHealth Broadway Season, the musical version that has been thrilling crowds for almost 70 years, and is again brought back to life in a new adaptation by Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse, who thrilled Broadway last year with her “The Thanksgiving Party.” We took in opening night- outdoors under the night sky at Starlight Theatre, in Kansas City.

The adventure begins when Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinker Bell (well represented as just a fleeting dot of light), visit the children’s bedroom in Mary and George Darling’s home one night. Bursting forth with a sprinkle of pixie dust, they show the children how to fly themselves and all are taken on a magical and unforgettable journey.

The musical is full of familiar songs including “I’m Flying”, “I Gotta Crow”, “I Won’t Grow Up” and “Neverland”, many of which have become ingrained in popular culture, beyond the production itself. They meet the mysterious Tiger Lily and end up sparring with the comically villainous Captain Hook and his crew of pirates, and have to make the decision whether to stay in the magical far-off land, or return home to their parents.

Directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price with choreography by Lorin Latarro, this version keeps the timeless aspects of the original J.M. Barrie story, but keeps pacing brisk, and takes advantage of modern effects (like the large video screen backdrop) to tell its tale with more of a ‘wow factor’ than previously possible.

The actors are still in wire harnesses for their flying scenes, and some malfunction in one of those, may have been the cause for a brief delay mid-way through the first act on opening night. With ‘safety first’ in mind, the audience didn’t seem to be bothered- giving kids another chance to ask their parents for something from the concession or souvenir stands, and giving the crowd an uninterrupted opportunity to gaze skyward to catch a partial lunar eclipse happening, part of a stunning harvest super moon that was seen above stage right.

Once all was back on course, the curtain again rose, and Peter (Nolan Almeida) and Wendy (Hawa Kamara) continued their scene seamlessly and professionally, picking up right where they had left off. This kind of show very much hinges on the performance and likeability of the lead, and thankfully, Almeida plays Peter with a positive exuberance and sense of restless glee, that makes one want to join on their flight away.

Somewhat oddly, while everyone spoke in their normal American accent, Garcia’s Hook employed a deep Scottish brogue; perhaps for exaggerated comic relief, perhaps in tribute to Angus, Scotland native author Barrie.

In terms of staging, the sets were well detailed and transitioned effortlessly between scenes, and the lighting was effective but never intrusive, in helping define a moment. The ensemble seemed well rehearsed, especially in action parts with classic choreography that preserved the original work done by Jerome Robbins and the live orchestra’s soundtrack was lush and sweeping like the original score.

Most of us don’t want to have a care in the world, don’t want to ever fully grow up, and can dream of a utopia like Neverland; and with this updated version of Peter Pan, we can all do so, if only for a couple hours.

Peter Pan runs through Sunday, Sept 22 and offers a Buy 3 Get 1 ticket offer (no code needed). Use code FLYAWAY to save 20% on tickets, and Starlight’s standard parking is now always free.

 (photos courtesy of the touring website; Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

Once (musical) from KCRep- through September 22, 2024 at UMKC Spencer Theatre, Kansas City MO

Once Playbill from UMKC Spencer Theatre Kansas City, MO)   ONCE SHOWTIMES Ticket Link: Once | KCRep   September 4 7:00PM September 5 7:00PM September 6 8:00PM September 7 2:00PM September 7 8:00PM September 8 2:00PM September 10 7:00PM September 11 7:00PM September 12 7:00PM September 13 8:00PM September 14 2:00PM September 14 8:00PM September 15 2:00PM September 18 7:00PM September 19 7:00PM September 20 8:00PM September 21 2:00PM September 21 8:00PM September 22 2:00PM   Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

We’re falling quickly and all over again--

The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical, “Once,” based on the boy-meets-girl busking in Dublin film (written/directed by John Carney) with music and lyrics by The Swell Season (aka Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová) has found new life in Kansas City, as KCRep presents the production through September 22, at the Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus.

The modern classic tells the story of two seemingly wandering spirits brought together by music and circumstances, as he sings for donations and she peddles flowers on Grafton Street, a busy retail area of the city. Artistic dreams and unspoken emotions are both re-kindled and spur the pair to carry on in trying to realize their dreams, even though the true reality of the situation may not be as ideal as the potential fairy tale coupling, it’s been made out to be.

Featuring a Book by Enda Walsh and directed by Artistic Director Stuart Carden and heartfelt and poignant songs like the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly,” it’s the music that drives the narrative of this simple love story made fresh and appealing and entices the viewer to be emotionally invested in what happens next.

Our own history with ‘Once’ is lengthy; from pre-ordering the soundtrack ‘blind,’ only knowing it contained music written by the lead singer of The Frames, to seeing an early preview of the film, then catching The Swell Season live in Minneapolis in May 2008, not long after they won the Best Song Oscar, even having a chance to briefly speak with Glen and Mar following the show.

We caught the first national tour of the production as well, in 2014 when the stage was also a fully working bar and the audience was invited up before the show, and at intermission, to purchase a Guinness, and make some new friends as the band played.

This smaller production unfortunately did not have the onstage bar, but did feature the musical cast playing a few songs informally before the actual show got underway. Additionally, in the lobby pre-show (and on every upcoming Friday), Dublin-born area musician Eddie Delahunt entertained with his own songs, all getting the audience ready for the production.

The actors playing Guy (Ben Ferguson) and Girl (Tiffany Topol) both are affable and very relatable in their lead roles (she somewhat more confident and less sheltered than Irglova’s part in the film), and both are expressive in showing two characters trying to realize their creative aspirations while not sure whether to follow their heads, or their hearts.

The supporting cast is solid- most also play an instrument and the transitions between scenes especially worked well, as all of those had a short musical interlude while cast members organically moved to new spots and replaced set furniture. The company’s collective harmonies are showcased late in the second act, to a honed perfection which kept the crowd absolutely silent and in awe.

Dan Weschler is the production’s music director and also plays Billy, the owner of a small shop they rehearse in, and who provides enough comic relief and lightheartedness, he often steals the scene (in a good way). The venue works well for this seemingly simplistic tale as well, taking advantage of its size to bring the audience in closer, with many of songs becoming interactive clap-a-longs as well.

We liked just about everything in KCRep’s production of “Once”, a quietly stirring story of human emotions and the overwhelming power of music, all driven with honest and memorable Irish folk songs at its core. KCRep’s production runs through September 22.

 (photos by KCRep- Don Ipock; Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

West Side Story (musical) August 20-25, 2024 at Starlight Theatre, Kansas City MO

West Side Story Playbill from Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO)   KANSAS CITY SHOWTIMES   Tue      08/20/2024 8:00PM Wed     08/21/2024 8:00PM Thu      08/22/2024 8:00PM Fri        08/23/2024 8:00PM Sat       08/24/2024 8:00PM Sun      08/25/2024 8:00PM     UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS AND PERFORMANCES WORLDWIDE   Sep 5-7* Nottingham, UK Duchess Theatre Sep 8* Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse Sep 25-Oct 11 Vienna, Austria Volksoper Wien Oct 3-6* Lynchburg, VA The Academy Center Of The Arts Oct 10-27* Rochester, NY OFC Creations Theatre Center Dec 7-29* Il Sistina, Rome, Italy Dec 31 Nantes, France Cité des Congrès (Film with Live Orchestra) Jan 1 Angers, France Centre de Congrès (Film with Live Orchestra) Jan 16-19* Florence, Italy Teatro Verdi Jan 31* Houston, TX Brown Theatre, Wortham Theater Center (w/orchestra and chorus) Feb 13-15 Nashville, TN Schermerhorn Symphony Center (Film with Live Orchestra) Feb 13-16* Columbus, OH Ohio Theatre (Opera with ballet) Feb 27-Apr 13* Fort Atkinson, WI, The Fireside Dinner Theatre May 9-11* Indianapolis, IN ​The Indianapolis Zoo (w/Indianapolis Opera) Jun 5-Jul 6* Dexter, MI Maas Encore Theatre Jul 29-31 Barcelona, Spain Gran Teatre del Liceu (Concert Version)   *= Full Production Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

The metro’s east side becomes the location again for West Side Story--

For the ninth time in the venue’s history and first since 2007, West Side Story, the modern classic re-telling of the Romeo and Juliet doomed love story, has returned to the live stage in Kansas City, playing at Starlight Theatre through this Sunday. We were fortunate to take in the opening night, on a picture-perfect evening under the stars and a near-full moon.

The NYC-set tale of two young, idealistic lovers who find themselves caught between warring street gangs, is still universal, and the underlying themes of senseless violence, unfounded fear of immigrants, and the toxicity of racism, are unfortunately as seemingly urgent as ever.

The tale of the two rival gangs- the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks is set in the era of the play’s beginnings, roughly mid-50's Upper Western Side of Manhattan and exposes the struggle to survive in a world that can hate, be prejudiced, and be deadly, as a young couple (Tony and Maria) in their blossoming love, strives to rise above it all.

As a production, West Side Story has had a bit of a recent rebirth, with a Broadway revival directed by Ivo van Hove opened in late February 2020 (unfortunately closing just weeks later due to the pandemic) followed by the Academy Award-winning 2021 film written by Tony Kushner and directed by Steven Spielberg.

This version remains primarily faithful to the original (1957 stage play and resulting 1961 film), not trying to modernize any facet or make it more politically correct for the times (all of which is a good thing).

Like the Jerome Robbins original, it is carefully choreographed as much or more than traditionally acted, with expressive half-dance/half-mime ballets representing the battles and gang rumbles. The lush and dramatic Leonard Bernstein score (with Stephen Sondheim lyrics) still accentuates the action in this distinctively unique pairing.

The songs themselves, have been part of the cultural ether for more than six decades, so at least a couple are familiar to even the most non-theater going attendee. Additionally, its overall influence in terms of the choreography, songwriting, and storytelling, have influenced numerous productions since, and continue to do so.

The other unique characteristic of this particular staging is that a great deal of local talent is being utilized – from Musical Director Anthony Edwards who deftly interprets the Bernstein score with an all-local orchestra, to the supporting characters and the Teen Ensemble, made up of youth from Starlight’s Community Engagement program, all in their best form and visibly excited to be a part of this run.

As far as we can tell, the show is indeed touring, but just the principal roles, not the entire production, which is very different from most Broadway road shows. In some markets, there is an orchestra and chorus (presumably local); in others, only the classic film is playing with a live music soundtrack. So, while it’s a little confusing, rest assured the property is circulating through the US and Europe, though what form it may take, depends on where, and its resources.

Speaking of the primary players, the standout lead was of course, the role of Maria, played by Sabina Collazo, herself a native of Puerto Rico, and who brings a multi-octave, operatic voice to the character that soars with every song. Spencer Larue in the role of Tony, brings a common man empathy to his young man in love, blinded and somewhat idealistic that love itself can change the neighborhood cultures enough and as much as it changed himself.

Stage sets were several in number and gave the look of 1950’s NYC, aimed spotlights heightened the drama of the rumble and solo performances, and the venue’s video screens helped to better see the emotions on the actor’s faces, in greater detail as the story unfolded.

West Side Story is a modern classic that's almost always worth catching, and the opportunity to also see the quality of so much local talent- in the production, playing the music, and behind the scenes, is an extra and appreciated reason to see this version of the timeless show.

 (Photos of the German production provided by Johan Persson via their website) / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

Shrek The Musical (Broadway Touring) at Starlight Theatre, Kansas City MO (2024-07-26 through 07-28)

(Shrek Playbill from Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO)   KANSAS CITY SHOWTIMES   Fri 07/26, 8:00PM Sat 07/27, 8:00PM Sun 07/28, 8:00PM   SHREK THE MUSICAL TOUR DATES July 30-31 Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre August 2-4 Detroit, MI Fisher Theatre August 6-18 Toronto, ON Princess of Wales Theatre September 4-5 Pensacola, FL Saenger Theatre September 6-8 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre September 9 Conway, AR Reynolds Performance Hall September 12 Bangor, ME Cross Insurance Center September 13-15 Boston, MA Emerson Colonial Theatre September 19 Roanoke, VA Berglund Performing Arts Theatre September 20-22 Tysons, VA Capital One Hall September 24-25 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall September 26 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall September 27-29 West Palm Beach, FL Kravis Center for the Performing Arts October 1 Baton Rouge, LA Riverside Centroplex October 2 Senatobia, MS Heindl Center for the Performing Arts October 3 Athens, GA Classic Center in Athens October 4 Evans, GA Columbia County Performing Arts Center October 5 Jacksonville, FL Center for the Performing Arts October 6 Spartanburg, SC Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium October 8 Oxford, AL Oxford Performing Arts Center October 10 Davenport, IA River Center Adler Theatre October 11-12 Madison, WI Overture Center for the Arts October 13 Lima, OH Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center October 15 Evansville, IN National Events Plaza October 16 St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre October 17 Portsmouth, OH Riffe Center for the Arts October 20 Ames, IA Stephens Auditorium October 23 Grand Forks, ND Chester Fritz Auditorium October 24-26 Sioux Falls, SD Washington Pavilion October 28 Grand Rapids, MI Forest Hills Fine Arts Center October 29 Cedar Rapids, IA Paramount Theatre October 30 Champaign, IL State Farm Center November 2 Waukegan, IL The Genesee Theatre November 12-13 Yakima, WA Capitol Theatre November 15-16 Spokane, WA First Interstate Center for the Arts November 17 Bellingham, WA Mount Baker Theatre November 22-24 Costa Mesa, CA Segerstrom Center for the Arts Nov. 26 – Dec. 1 Las Vegas, NV Smith Center for the Performing Arts December 17-22 San Jose, CA San Jose Performing Arts Center December 27-29 Salt Lake City, UT Eccles Theatre Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

It’s good to be green--

The successful film franchise about the big green ogre with an even bigger heart comes to life for Shrek The Musical, a national tour production which plays Starlight Theatre in Kansas City for the weekend.

The musical is based on the first Oscar®-winning Dreamworks animated film (from 2001, which in turn was based on the 1990 children’s book from ex-New Yorker cartoonist William Steig) and tells of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey, alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty Princess Fiona who resists her rescue.

This musical adaptation first opened on Broadway in 2008 and ran through early 2010, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and a book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. The Broadway production received eight Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical and won the award for Best Costume Design for Tim Hatley.

This touring show has become recently refreshed by the creative team, with all-new original direction and choreography by Danny Mefford, and is filled with new orchestrations. This re-imagined production brings the show closer to its roots of showcasing an unexpected antihero who realizes his self-worth and shows the real value of love, friendship, and acceptance.

The show added a framing device to narrate the story, a group of people who have gathered together to present the story, and the swamp setting, fairytale characters and familiar scenes from the film unfolds. Favorite songs from the original production remain like "I Know It's Today" and "Who I'd Be", but pacing is also improved to avoid the show from dragging at non-musical points.

Like the film, the story, setting and dialogue appeals to all ages, with some humor purposely very childlike, and other jokes having a more adult context. The actors in their bright colored costumes delighted the children, who were also amazed to see characters read to them at bedtime like Little Bo Peep, the Gingerbread Man, and The Three Blind Mice, all come to life.

The second act began with a dance routine by a group of rats (with the Pied Piper) followed by a burp-off between Shrek and Fiona… which of course, the kids loved.

The lead trio of actors (Nicholas Hambruch, Cecily Dionne Davis, and Naphtali Yaakov Curry as Shrek, Fiona, & Donkey respectively) were all very entertaining and lived up to embodying the characteristics of the characters that we know from the animated films, with Hambruch doing a respectable “if it’s not Scottish, it’s crap” accent a la Mike Myers, and Curry mirroring the needed comic relief and attitude that Eddie Murphy made so memorable in the films.

The six-piece band, mostly hidden in a corner of stage left played well, even working in an instrumental of Counting Crows’ “Accidentally in Love”, but I’ll write something I never thought I would- I kind of missed that annoying Smash Mouth song (and maybe “I’m a Believer” too)  And while Timmy Lewis played Lord Farquaad in the over-the-top, campy, primadonna way we expected, we still imagine him as overly short, like in the films.

An extra nod to the merchandising choices, as numerous in the crowd were wearing their green ear headbands, there was a full-size Gingerbread Man puppet (could maybe double as an oven mitt?) and even a fluid-filled pen that has Donkey running back and forth.

With a recent official announcement that a new Shrek film will hit movie theaters on July 1, 2026 (with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz returning as voices, and Murphy has also hinted at a Donkey standalone film as well) this is an ideal time to re-acquaint yourself with the franchise, and the Broadway touring version of Shrek The Musical is one to bring the entire family to.

 (National Tour Photos provided by their website) / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com