David Kiehl News

For two weeks only, The Coterie will present the return special engagement of Tell-Tale Electric Poe, a unique theatrical event for families with ages 10 and older that features R.H. Wilhoit delivering two of Edgar Allan Poe's best-known works with musical underscoring by guitarist Rex Hobart. Adapted and directed by Coterie producing artistic director, Jeff Church, Tell-Tale Electric Poe will be performed live on The Coterie’s mainstage located in Crown Center, October 20-October 30, 2022.

For two weeks only, The Coterie will present the return special engagement of Tell-Tale Electric Poe, a unique theatrical event for families with ages 10 and older that features R.H. Wilhoit delivering two of Edgar Allan Poe's best-known works with musical underscoring by guitarist Rex Hobart.

This summer, The Coterie will produce the world premiere of the new family musical, Alice’s Wonderland, adapted from Lewis Carroll’s classic story and featuring an original score with book, music and lyrics by J. Quinton Johnson and Julia Riew -- based on a treatment by Linda Chichester and David Coffman.

This spring, The Coterie returns to indoor performances with the charming family musical, Pete the Cat, based on the best-selling book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Transforming the fabulous blue feline from the book to the stage, Pete the Cat brings the ever-adventurous but always mellow, Pete, to life on stage with toe-tapping, pop-inspired tunes featuring book & lyrics by Sarah Hammond and music by Will Aronson. Directed by Heidi Van with musical direction by Anthony T. Edwards and choreography by Marc Wayne, Pete the Cat will be performed live on The Coterie’s mainstage located in Crown Center, April 1-May 22, 2022.

This spring, The Coterie returns to indoor performances with the charming family musical, Pete the Cat, based on the best-selling book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Transforming the fabulous blue feline from the book to the stage, Pete the Cat brings the ever-adventurous but always mellow, Pete, to life on stage with toe-tapping, pop-inspired tunes featuring book & lyrics by Sarah Hammond and music by Will Aronson.

The Coterie Theatre returns to indoor performances on its mainstage with the world premiere of a new version of The SpongeBob Musical never before seen. Adapted from the beloved animated series, The SpongeBob Musical for Young Audiences is a brand new, high-energy version of the Broadway hit featuring a fun, pop-infused musical score written by some of the biggest names in Top 40 music. Performed live on The Coterie's mainstage located in Crown Center, The SpongeBob Musical will run November 4, 2021-January 2, 2022.

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting and will soon begin rehearsals for its production of Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize-winning a?oe'night, Mother,a?? which will run from January 8th to January 26th, 2020 at the City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by Sidonie Garrett, who last directed a?oeA Streetcar Named Desirea?? for Kansas City Actors Theatre in 2016. The production will feature Jan Rogge (a?oeA Lie of the Mind,a?? a?oeMy Old Ladya??) and Cinnamon Schultz (a?oeA Streetcar Named Desire,a?? a?oeSea Marksa??) and will feature scenic design by Ken Martin, costume design by Mary Traylor, lighting design by Shane Rowse, sound design by David Kiehl, properties design by Deb Morgan, and technical direction by Kyle Dyck.

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting for its production of Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House," which will run from August 7 to August 25, 2019 at the City Stage in Union Station. The production will be adapted and directed by Darren Sextro, who recently directed "Skylight" and "My Old Lady" for Kansas City Actors Theatre. This production will feature Hillary Clemens, Todd Lanker, Christina Schafer, Tyler Alan Rowe, Brian Paulette, Carla Noack, Aria Smith, and Drew Squire. The production will also feature set design by Kelli Harrod, costumes by Sarah M. Oliver, lighting design by Shane Rowse, sound design by David Kiehl, properties design by Bill Christie, and technical direction by Kyle Dyck.

Unicorn Theatre in collaboration with Mesner Puppet Theater - will produce the full-length World Premiere of Logan Black's Bond, opening April 27, 2019. Black is a veteran of the Iraq war, and now works in Kansas City as a performer, playwright and fight choreographer.

'The Humans' by Stephen Karam continues through March 31, 2019, and tickets may be purchased by phone at (816) 531-7529, in person at the Unicorn box office, or via The Unicorn website. www.unicorntheatre.org 

Breaking with tradition, the Blake clan gathers for Thanksgiving dinner in lower Manhattan at their daughter's new apartment. As darkness falls outside the ramshackle duplex, family tensions reach a boiling point and the secrets that bubble up threaten to change this modern American family forever.

Rediscover RUDOLPH The Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Musical, now on stage at the Coterie Theatre in Kansas City. Relive the nostalgia of childhood while introducing a new generation to one of the most joyous stories of the season with the rambunctious return of Rudolph. PARENTS: turn off the tv/computer and bring your kids to this show - they'll be happy you did! Showing through December 30th, 2018 at Crown Center in the Coterie Theatre.

The "most famous reindeer of all" from the longest-running and highest-rated holiday television special will be live on stage in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at The Coterie Theatre in Crown Center. Directed by William J. Christie, The Coterie's critically- acclaimed production features Rudolph and the entire holly jolly cast of iconic characters, including Sam the Snowman, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snow Monster, helping Santa save Christmas this holiday season, November 6 - December 30, 2018.

A group of close friends share everything: secrets, laughs, and drinks at the local watering hole in Reading, PA. But when layoffs begin at the factory where they work, friendships are shattered and loyalties are questioned in the fight for survival. This prize-winning play by Unicorn favorite Lynn Nottage (Ruined, By the Way Meet Vera Stark) explores the collapse of working class America and the impact on communities when Union workers are locked out and racial tensions run high.

A group of close friends share everything: secrets, laughs, and drinks at the local watering hole in Reading, PA. But when layoffs begin at the factory where they work, friendships are shattered and loyalties are questioned in the fight for survival. This prize-winning play by Unicorn favorite Lynn Nottage (Ruined, By the Way Meet Vera Stark) explores the collapse of working class America and the impact on communities when Union workers are locked out and racial tensions run high.

Coterie Theatre debuts 40th season with the Premier of Kevin Willmott's play Becoming Martin. More a coming of age story than history lesson, Willmotts' play is written with families with children ages 11 and older in mind. The show performs through October 21, 2018 (75 minute run time without intermission). Performances  are at the Coterie Theatre, level one of Crown Center, at 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO, June 19 through August 5th, 2018.  For tickets call the box office at (816) 474-6552 or online: www.thecoterie.org

'The Effect' award winning play by Lucy Prebble runs thru Sept. 30, 2018, on the Jerome Stage. Tickets at (816) 531-7529, at the Unicorn box office, or via www.unicorntheatre.org

The latest show at the Coterie Theatre is musically exciting and theatrically adventurous entertainment that is sure to give you goosebumps! The current show at the Coterie Theatre bounces along with the springy vitality of its energetic cast and a playfully exciting story. Everyone from age 4 to 104 will find this a tantalizing treat, without getting too scared. If you have elementary aged children, they will love it…and  SURPRISE. you will too.  A definite MUST SEE!

Chaos reigns supreme in this hilarious reinvention of the classic American family drama. When Isaac returns home from Afghanistan to help take care of his ailing father, he discovers a household in revolt. His mother, Paige, has been liberated from an oppressive marriage, and with the help of her newly "out" transgender teen is passionately dismantling the patriarchy. But in Taylor Mac's shocking and subversive comedy, even the most radical changes can't always free you from the past.

INFORMED CONSENT now showing at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City takes a startling look at the challenges society faces when science clashes with cultural pride and historical faith.