What’s Up at Starlight?

ABOUT TOWN

Broadway 2012 Season

In The Heights June 5-10 What’s Up at StarlightThe Addams Family July 3-8

Memphis July 10-15 by Nancy Norton, Editor peter pan July 24-29 There is more going on at Starlight than ever before. If it’s been a while since you’ve been, Aida Aug. 3-12 it’s time for another visit. la Cage Aux Folles Aug. 28 - Sept 12 For ticket information visit www.kcstarlight.com or call 816.363.STAR (7827). I f you have lived around Kansas City all your life or just moved tional tours bring their own cast to Starlight, while auditions are held does it? Acting is a lot harder than it looks! While we are on the here, chances are you in New York and Kansas subject of hard work, know about Starlight Theatre. Starlight has been operating as an outdoor theatre since the summer of 1950, and is Kauffman Center for one of only three left in the Performing Arts the United States today. We thought it would be fun to take a peek behind the scenes at Starlight. Although productions are typically held during the summer, it might sur- Photos courtesy Starlight Theatre prise you to know that the schedule of Broadway shows is chosen and Starlight at night. Photos courtesy Starlight Theatre set long before summer City to cast parts in Star- keep in mind that the acarrives. Each year, Star- light’s own productions. tors work in all kinds of Narnia the Musical April 6-8, 2012 light audiences are surveyed to find out what they want to see in the Most Starlight productions get just over one week for rehearsal! The weather. While guests can exchange tickets within 24 hours of a show Friday, April 5 7:00 p.m. next few years. The staff exception in the 2012 if a weather forecast Saturday, April 7 Saturday, April 7 Saturday, April 7 Sunday, April 8 1:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. works hard to come up with a mix of Broadway show types, including season is Aida, Starlight’s only regular season show being performed looks bad, performers will keep working until seeing a lightening storm Sunday, April 8 4:30 p.m. everything from Tony at the Kauffman Center. or other dangerous conFor ticket information visit Award winners and clas- This will allow Aida to dition. The stage is cliwww.kcstarlight.com or call sic titles to family friend- get between 11 to 13 days mate controlled, which 816.363.STAR (7827). ly musicals. of rehearsal time. That helps when actors are in Starlight Theatre Academy The final list of Broad- doesn’t seem like much heavy costumes and it is Need information about way shows is ready by time when you consider 100 degrees outside. And Starlight Theatre summer classes and camps? Email October or November that most Broadway pro- if you are the Cowardly education@kcstarlight.com for the next summer. ductions are about two Lion, a little ice packed or call 816.997.1134. The musicals with na- and a half hours long, into your costume makes

Starlight Children’s Theatre production of Aladin at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

a big difference. Starlight is an outdoor theatre after all, and The Show Must Go On!

Starlight Theatre has its own ghost, known to actors and staff as Colonel Swope, for the man who once owned the property where the theatre now stands. He is the one who takes the heat when stage lights mysteriously turn on and off, and odd noises are heard at night. If nuts and bolts are missing from theatre seats, Colonel Swope is thought to be the one behind it. And when the public address system suddenly turns on while the security guard makes his rounds at night... well, you can guess who gets blamed for that, too.

Starlight is always a fun night out, and if you get there early you can take a free Backstage Tour before the show. The tours are at 6:30, 6:45 and 7:00 p.m., and you meet your Starlight Ambassador tour guide behind Terrace, Section 1, at the top of the hill. From there you will get to see the performers’ dressing rooms and the Green Room where they hang out between scenes, the stage, and the stairway to the historic light tower, as well as other back stage secrets.

When planning your family outings, keep in mind Narnia at the Kauffman Center as well as the other kid-friendly musicals, like Peter Pan, in this summer’s Starlight Theatre line-up. After all, there’s no business like show business! n

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This year, Starlight Theatre, one of Kansas City’s most loved performing arts organizations, is teaming up with the city’s newest star, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, to bring something new to theatre lovers of all ages. The result is Starlight Children’s Theatre, with two productions in its first series. After a big success in February with Disney’s Aladdin, their “next act” is set for April, with Narnia the Musical.

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