Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026
Around the BroadwayWorld is our monthly snapshot of the biggest stories making waves across the global theatre community.
Kansas City Theater Newsroom
The latest news on live theater in Kansas City from Broadway shows on tour to regional theater.
BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game
BroadwayWorld's new Producer Fantasy Game lets fans draft six Broadway shows and earn points from real box office grosses, awards, and weekly predictions.
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra to Launch MILESTONES Signature Series 2026-2027
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra announced its 2026-2027 Signature Series, titled Milestones, featuring five performances across venues including the Gem Theater, Folly Theater, and Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center.
Starlight to Mark 75 Years of Broadway at Kansas City Public Library Missouri Valley Sundays
Starlight President and C.
Bob Dylan Live at Starlight to Feature Post-Show Fireworks Display
Starlight Theater in Kansas City announced a complimentary fireworks show following its July 4 Bob Dylan concert, inviting attendees to stay after the performance to mark the holiday.
Starlight Theatre to Offer 75 Tickets for $75 to Mark 75th Anniversary
Kansas City's Starlight Theatre is marking its 75th anniversary by offering 75 tickets priced at $75 to each Broadway performance, available for a limited 75-hour window.
A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour
A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS announced a 39-city U.
MRS. CHRISTIE to Make Kansas City Premiere at KCAT
Kansas City Actors Theatre will present the Kansas City premiere of Heidi Armbruster's comedy-mystery MRS.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY at Ozark Actors Theatre To Be Directed By Tony-Nominee Taylor Louderman
Ozark Actors Theatre will present THE ADDAMS FAMILY as part of its 2026 professional season, with Tony Award nominee Taylor Louderman making her directorial debut.
HADESTOWN to Open Starlight's 75th Broadway Season
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical HADESTOWN is set to kick off Starlight's 75th Broadway season as part of the AdventHealth Broadway Series in Kansas City.
SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres
Senbla and SEGA announced Sonic Live In Concert, a new concert experience celebrating 35 years of the franchise, with US and UK premieres featuring a live orchestra, rock musicians, and vocalists performing music from across the Sonic universe.
SOUND MANDALA to Return to Unicorn Theatre With Three New Immersive Audio Programs
Sound Mandala, a 100-speaker immersive audio experience, will return to the Jerome Stage at Kansas City's Unicorn Theatre this summer with three original programs, coinciding with the city's FIFA World Cup hosting.
Anna Lapwood, Samara Joy, and Pink Martini Will Come to the Kauffman Center
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has announced three new additions to the 2026-2027 Kauffman Center Presents series lineup.
LIKE SIX O'CLOCK Will Make World Premiere at KC Melting Pot Theatre
KC Melting Pot Theatre will present the world premiere of LIKE SIX O'CLOCK, a new play by Lewis Morrow directed by Harvey Williams, closing the company's 11th season at Just Off Broadway Theatre in Kansas City.
Starlight Celebrates Area High School Students with 2026 Blue Star Awards Ceremony
Starlight has announced the 2025-26 Blue Star Awards winners in a red-carpet ceremony at Starlight Theatre.
StageMag Launches Programmable PDF Editor for Digital Theater Programs
StageMag, the digital show program platform from BroadwayWorld, launched its new PDF Editor to all producers and stage managers using the service.
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Announces Retirement of General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler Kemper
Anthony Durone, president of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City Board of Trustees, has announced that Deborah Sandler Kemper, the company's General Director and Chief Executive Officer since 2012, will be retiring effective June 30, 2027, after 15 years of leadership.
BWW Q&A: Lacey Connell Talks SHREK The Musical at Theatre in the Park
Theatre in the Park continues its 2026 outdoor season with SHREK THE MUSICAL, running May 22 through May 30.
THE NOTEBOOK North American Tour Adds 26 Cities to 2026-27 Route
The North American Tour of THE NOTEBOOK announced 26 new cities for its upcoming season, including stops in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, and Houston, after welcoming over 500,000 patrons since its launch.
Interview: Marilu Henner of CACTUS FLOWER at New Theater & Restaurant
Marilu Henner is currently starring as Stephanie Dickinson in Cactus Flower at The New Theatre & Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas.
Authentic Berlin Wall Segments Arrive in Kansas City for North American Premiere of THE BERLIN WALL. A WORLD DIVIDED.
Six original Berlin Wall segments have arrived at Union Station Kansas City ahead of the North American premiere of THE BERLIN WALL.
Starlight's PERFORMANCES FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES Series Will Return This Fall
Starlight's Performances for Young Audiences series will return this fall, with all shows held in the climate-controlled Cohen Community Stage House in Kansas City.
Interview: Douglas Lyons of DON'T TOUCH MY HAIR at Unicorn Theatre
KANSAS CITY, Mo.
Kauffman Center to Host 2026 FUTURE STAGES FESTIVAL Featuring 35 Youth Performance Groups
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts announced performers and a full schedule for its annual FUTURE STAGES FESTIVAL, hosting over 30 youth performance groups across four stages.
Kauffman Center Will Present BAY OF LIFE: FROM WIND TO WHALES Talk
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will present BAY OF LIFE: From Wind to Whales on May 19, 2026 as part of its Trailblazing Talks series.
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TBC Truck, Trailer Repair & Diesel Performance TBC Truck, Trailer Repair & Diesel Performance (5/01-12/01) |
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Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (1/22-1/22) |
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The Ritz Unicorn Theartre (8/12-8/30) |
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'Burn the Floor presents Maks & Peta Live!' Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (4/03-4/03) |
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What iF Puppets presents 'How to Snag a Sea Monster' Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (10/07-10/10) |
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Owen/Cox Dance Group 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King' Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (12/10-12/13) |
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Come From Away Olathe Civic Theatre Assn (OCTA) (6/04-6/20) |
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Take3 'Where Bach Meets Rock' Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (11/21-11/21) |
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Clint Black & Midland Ozarks Amphitheater (10/10-10/10) |
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Blind Boys of Alabama Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (11/14-11/14) |