Emily Shackelford

Review: PORGY AND BESS at Music Theater Heritage

Now playing in the Grand Theater at Crown Center is Music Theater Heritage’s production of Gershwin’s “PORGY AND BESS.”  This is an example of MTH going “all in” on a very challenging show and producing an extremely credible final product. 

Cast and Creative Team Set For GODSPELL at Music Theater Heritage

Music Theater Heritage, the professional theater in residence at Crown Center, has announced the cast and creative team for Stephen Schwartz’s GODSPELL. This is the first time a Stephen Schwartz musical has been presented in the theater’s 22 seasons.

Photos: First Look at IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Music Theater Heritage

All new photos have been released from IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: a live radio play at Music Theater Heritage.

Full Cast and Creatives Announced For IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE at Music Theatre Heritage

Music Theater Heritage, the professional theater in residence at Crown Center, has announced casting for its holiday production It's A Wonderful Life: a live radio play. The production is directed by MTH Artistic Associate Emily Shackelford.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC Comes to Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Kansas City Repertory Theatre opens its 60th Anniversary 2023-24 season with the timeless passionate tour-de-force, Cyrano de Bergerac, written by Edmond Rostand, freely adapted by Martin Crimp and directed by Associate Artistic Director Nelson T. Eusebio III. Performances run September 5 through 24, 2023, at Spencer Theatre.   

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Reveals Cast For CYRANO DE BERGERAC

Kansas City Repertory Theatre kicks off its 60th Anniversary Season with the timeless classic Cyrano de Bergerac. Get all the details on the cast and performance dates here.

Music Theater Heritage Announces SWEENEY TODD, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, And More For 22nd Season

In perhaps its most ambitious season to date, Music Theater Heritage has announced bold and imaginative programming for its 2024 season. Utilizing three different venues, MTH's 22nd Season highlights stories that orbit around the power of love and the lengths we take to protect it. The season includes Tony Award winners, re-imaginings, original concert productions, and represents some of the most celebrated dramatists, composers, and songwriters of the 20th century. 

Review: GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Music Theater Heritage

Part of the fun of live theater is revisiting favorite materials and seeing how new directors and new actors re-interpret the material.  Often, the resulting production is only peripherally connected to the original show.  One example of this phenomenon is “Gypsy: A Musical Fable,” often called the greatest musical play of all time. 

GYPSY Comes to Music Theater Heritage in June

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creatives for its summer production of Gypsy. Famously one of Stephen Sondheim’s earliest works, Gypsy features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sondheim. It is based on the memoirs of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee.

Music Theater Heritage Presents the Kansas City Professional Premiere of THE SECRET GARDEN

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creatives for its upcoming production of The Secret Garden. Based on the classic novel, The Secret Garden is a compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal, with haunting melodies and a glorious score.

Music Theatre Heritage Announces Casting for A SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS SHOW Next Month

The production is directed and choreographed by MTH Artistic Associate Emily Shackelford, making her professional directing debut. The talented six-person ensemble features Chelcie Abercrombie, Taylor Avazpour, Valerie Chamberlain, Arthur Clifford, Catera Combs, and Douglass Walker.

SD Junior Theatre Presents THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL in October

San Diego Junior Theatre, the nation's longest-running youth theatre program, opens its 75th Anniversary Season with The SpongeBob Musical!

Photos: Inside Look at Music Theater Heritage's Production of SONG AND DANCE

Music Theater Heritage has released the first look at its regional premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SONG & DANCE. The production is led by Emily Shackelford and directed by Jessalyn Kincaid with choreography by Caroline Dahm. The elusive musical features one act told entirely through “Song” and the other told entirely through “Dance.”

Music Theater Heritage Presents Regional Premiere Of Andrew Lloyd Webber's SONG & DANCE

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creative team for the second production of its 2022 Season, the regional premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's SONG & DANCE. The production is led by Emily Shackelford, who last appeared at MTH in its record-setting production of CATS in 2018. SONG & DANCE is directed by Jessalyn Kincaid and Linnaia McKenzie with choreography by Caroline Dahm.

BWW Review: LIFE SUCKS at Cygnet Theatre is Uncle Vanya with a comedic twist

LIFE SUCKS now playing at Cygnet Theatre through Feb 27th is a new take on a theatre classic; it's Uncle Vanya with a modern comedic twist.

San Diego Junior Theatre to Present A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD

San Diego Junior Theatre will present A Year with Frog and Toad, the first show of its 74th Season. A Year with Frog and Toad is the touching story of two unlikely friends, the cheerful Frog, and curmudgeonly Toad.

BWW Review: Syracuse Stage Presents THE WOLVES at the Storch Theater

Syracuse Stage along with the Syracuse Department of Drama brings a captivating and raw production of Sarah DeLappe's The Wolves under the impressive direction of Melissa Rain Anderson. The production features numerous Syracuse University student actors along with members of the Actors' Equity Association as they bring the Pulitzer Prize nominated drama about nine young women soccer players to life with such immense intensity and talent. The production is intense, chilling, and brilliant.

Syracuse Stage Presents THE WOLVES

The Syracuse Stage season continues with the critically acclaimed 'The Wolves,' Sarah DeLappe's Pulitzer Prize nominated drama about nine young women soccer players. Co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama and directed by Melissa Rain Anderson, 'The Wolves' runs Jan. 22 - Feb. 16 in the Storch Theatre at the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

BWW Review: BUDDY...THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at New Theatre Restaurant

Most Midwesterners older than a certain age have heard the name and may even know how young Buddy Holly died.  Some fans know exactly where they were and from whom they heard the news.  Many fewer know much about Buddy's backstory.   That hole in the history in early Rock and Roll is plugged by the new production of "Buddy … The Buddy Holly Story" at New Theater Restaurant in Overland Park now through July 7.

BWW Review: Dazzling and Uplifting INDECENT at Center Stage

Indecent is about the power of theater to dazzle and uplift. Playwright Vogel has discussed plays that make the hair stand up on her neck. That is exactly what Indecent does: makes the hairs stand up on the back of the neck, and we may be at a loss to explain.