Daria LeGrand

One of the annual challenges inherent to creating an absolutely new “Spectacular Christmas Show” at Musical l Theater Heritage is how to differentiate this year’s production from the thirteen editions that preceded it. I have been privileged to see eight of the fourteen iterations and can promise you that each production is professional, well performed, entertaining and very different from earlier versions. Sure, you will recognize some of the music, but it is unlikely that the key will be one you are pre-programed to have heard before or that the various harmonies will be hackneyed.

The MTH Theater at Crown Center has announced casting for its annual Christmas revue A Spectacular Christmas Show. The production is directed and choreographed by Mandy Morris and the company features some of the finest singers and dancers in the area.

It is a first ever production of a new play simply titled 'Bastard' by Kansas City playwright and artist Tyson Schroeder presented at the tiny studio theater on the third level of The Living Room Theatre in the Crossroads area. Directed by Living Room co-founder Shawnna Jouragan, 'Bastard' is a screed on the tyranny of making art and the superficiality of those who pretend to appreciate it.

This cathodically dark and surreal piece combines theatre with visual art as it tells the tale of an artist torn by two defining parts of himself.

Grease is the word at Starlight Theatre now through Thursday, Sept. 14. The beloved musical that features 1950s' high school romance and rock 'n' roll will cruise across the Starlight stage like Greased Lightnin' for six performances, opening on Friday night, Sept. 8 and continuing through Sept. 14.

Difficult to watch, but worth the effort

?MacArthur Genius Grant winner Samuel D. Hunter's drama The Whale has taken home Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel and GLAAD Media awards for its powerful story. In a small town in Idaho, Charlie is a six hundred pound man who teaches writing online and sits alone devouring junk food. Determined to reconnect with his long estranged daughter, he discovers a spitfire teen with an acerbic tongue. Savagely funny and deeply touching, this first production of Hunter's work in Kansas City will show you beauty in the unexpected.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Barbara Fields and directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Producing Director Jerry Genochio. Performances run November 20 through December 24 at the NEWLY RENOVATED Spencer Theatre. Kansas City's favorite holiday tradition is back for its 35th season, and the magnificent new Spencer Theatre promises an experience that's more magical than ever. Come share the joy of the holiday season, as our theatre transforms into a page right out of the classic tale by Charles Dickens. Richly textured sets, ornate costumes and spectacular special effects will transport the entire family into the tale of the grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge, who requires the intervention of a few ghostly guides to find the true meaning of Christmas - and life itself. Opening night is Saturday, November 28th at 8:00 pm. Past production high resolution photos can be found here .

Nationally-recognized Coterie Theatre opens its 37th season of live theatre for young audiences with THE MIRACLE WORKER, a contemporary restaging of the classic American drama.

Nationally-recognized Coterie Theatre opens its 37th season of live theatre for young audiences with THE MIRACLE WORKER, a contemporary restaging of the classic American drama.

Gang violence erupts at the Arts Asylum in Kansas City and the audience erupts with a thunderous standing ovation for WEST SIDE STORY on opening night Saturday August 22. Michael Grayman and Andrew Parkhurst direct WEST SIDE STORY, which opens the fifth season of Spinning Tree Theatre, recreating the choreography of Jerome Robbins who directed and choreographed the entire original production.

Eurydice, the story of love lost, found, and lost again currently plays at the Living Room Theatre in Kansas City, MO. Written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Natalie Liccardello it is the retelling from Greek mythology of Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus and her travels into the Underworld following an early death. There she finds her father and faces a decision, whether to stay in Hade or leave with her husband Orpheus.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 50th anniversary celebration with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, directed by Jerry Genochio. Performances run November 21 through December 26 at UMKC's Spencer Theatre.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 50th anniversary celebration with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, directed by Jerry Genochio. Performances run tonight, November 21 through December 26 at UMKC's Spencer Theatre.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 50th anniversary celebration with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, directed by Jerry Genochio. Performances run November 21 through December 26 at UMKC's Spencer Theatre. Since 1981, more than half a million audience members have fallen in love with Dicken's ageless story of the ghostly experiences of the hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical Christmas Eve. Press night is Saturday, November 29th, 8pm curtain.

After the tremendous success of Hatched: Fresh Work. Freshmen (2013), Hatched: New Work in New York (2012) and Rated RSO: College Edition (2011), Ryan Scott Oliver and Pace University's Musical Theater Class of 2017 will present the annual freshmen cabaret HATCHED. The show Hatched is a presentation of brand new work performed by brand new singers tonight, May 14th at 9:30pm and 11:30pm at 54 Below. Scroll down to meet the performers!

After the tremendous success of Hatched: Fresh Work. Freshmen (2013), Hatched: New Work in New York (2012) and Rated RSO: College Edition (2011), Ryan Scott Oliver and Pace University's Musical Theater Class of 2017 will present the annual freshmen cabaret HATCHED. The show Hatched is a presentation of brand new work performed by brand new singers on May 14th at 9:30pm and 11:30pm at 54 Below. Scroll down to meet the performers!

After the tremendous success of Hatched: Fresh Work. Freshmen (2013), Hatched: New Work in New York (2012) and Rated RSO: College Edition (2011), Ryan Scott Oliver and Pace University's Musical Theater Class of 2017 will present the annual freshmen cabaret HATCHED. The show Hatched is a presentation of brand new work performed by brand new singers on May 14th at 9:30pm and 11:30pm at 54 Below.