Kansas City is about to experience the most culture-packed summer of its 168-year history. You heard it here first. With its dozens of ever-expanding theater companies, chamber ensembles, choral groups and dance companies; with a growing-like-Topsy Fringe Festival; with this summer’s massive National Convention of the American Guild of Organists; and with the new Open […]

Again our potpourri of intriguing events draws from all performance levels and all walks of life, a reflection of the burgeoning variety and cultural interest in this once-sleepy city on the Wide Missouri. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but is instead designed to invite your own explorations into the riches of […]

As holidays approach, let’s all agree to relax and just have blessed fun this year. We’ve earned it! We offer suggestions for some of the more intriguing, inspiring events of this year’s performing-arts lineup. NOVEMBER Through the 19th: Lyric Opera of Kansas City; Everest; What better opera to get you in the mood for subzero […]

By Paul Horsley These days the arts scene during KC’s summer is about as active as it is during the regular season. Plus you don’t have to dress up. Here are our some of our tips for the warm months. . MAY Through June 11: Kansas City Actors Theatre: The Realistic Joneses; Will Eno’s haunting […]

By Paul Horsley . FEBRUARY 8-19: Theater League/Kansas City Broadway Series; The Phantom of the Opera; Andrew Lloyd Webber’s multiple Tony Award-winning hit now tours in a new version by Cameron Mackintosh; ALSO: March 8-April 2: Beautiful; May 2-7: 42nd Street; May 30-June 4: Fun Home, which won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical. […]

By Paul Horsley . AUGUST Through August 21: Musical Theater Heritage; Next to Normal; The multiple Tony and Pulitzer-winning musical by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey stars Ashley Pankow and Ben Gulley, among others. Crown Center. 816-221-6987 or mthkc.com. Through August 28: Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral; Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; Summer Music at […]

By Paul Horsley Local organizations in music, theater and dance are bringing you the best that the world, and Kansas City, can offer. Here are some events to make a note of. JANUARY 29-February 21: Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Diary of Anne Frank; This Pulitzer Prize-winning adaptation incorporates some new information about the young […]

By Paul Horsley We may be a tad hidebound in our cultural tastes at times, but here in KC we do a lot of things right and we don’t put on airs about it. Here are some Fall highlights to watch for. AUGUST 20-September 5 Spinning Tree Theatre; West Side Story; This plucky young company […]

By Paul Horsley We selected some of the best KC summer events in music, dance and theater. JUNE Through 14: Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre; The Full Monty; The outrageous comedy concludes the group’s season. 816-569-3226 or metkc.org. Through 14: Moonshine Variety Co.; Mother Freaking Hood; This musical comedy celebrates the joys and challenges of being a […]