Starlight's PERFORMANCES FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES Series Will Return This Fall

Starlight Theatre has announced the return of its Performances for Young Audiences Series, featuring international, award-winning theater companies to inspire and engage elementary aged youth. This season, three beloved children's books come to life on the Starlight Indoors stage. 

Developed for young people ages 5-9 and designed for children and adults to enjoy together, this series provides young audiences the inspirational and developmental benefits of live theatre to community students and families. School matinee performances and weekend family shows ensure young people and their families have opportunities to experience the magic of Starlight.

“We believe a young person's first experience with live theatre can spark a lifelong sense of curiosity, creativity, and connection,” Alex Jones, Starlight's Chief Programming Officer, said. “This season's Performances for Young Audiences Series brings internationally acclaimed storytelling to Kansas City through productions that are imaginative, joyful, and heartfelt. It's a privilege to create opportunities for students and families to experience the wonder of live performance together at Starlight.”

PERFORMANCES FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES AT STARLIGHT

In chronological order, the Performances for Young Audiences Series at Starlight features:

The Snowy Day and Other Stories

October 24, 2026

The Invisible Boy

February 20, 2027

The Gruffalo

April 3, 2027

All performances are held inside the climate-controlled Cohen Community Stage House.

The Snowy Day and Other Stories celebrates the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall! Follow Peter and his friends as they romp and play, starting snowball fights and making snow angels in this imaginative musical play about the childhood joys and challenges of growing up. Using innovative shadow puppetry, Keats' treasured characters come to life in this humorous and fun adaptation of Whistle for Willie, Goggles!, A Letter to Amy, and The Snowy Day.

The Invisible Boy shows that the smallest gestures often have the biggest impact. Meet Brian. No one notices him. No one includes him. He just feels invisible. But everything suddenly changes when a new student named Justin arrives. A bit of creativity helps form a new friendship, unleashing Brian's lively personality and vivid imagination. This high-spirited musical, complete with fun songs and heartfelt humor, will help us all discover the possibilities that begin with a simple act of kindness.

The Gruffalo returns by popular demand, celebrating the show's 25th anniversary. On a daring adventure in search of hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl, and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the scary Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there's no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there? Songs, laughs, and mischievous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups, from Tall Stories, creators of imaginative storytelling theatre, where everything is possible.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Tickets for each show are on sale now and available online at kcstarlight.com, by calling (816) 363-7827, or by visiting the ticket office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City Mo., 64132. For more information, please visit kcstarlight.com.

New this year! Purchase tickets to all three shows in the Performances for Young Audiences Series and receive 20% off.

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