Emily Shackelford

BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL Sets Cast and Creative Team at Music Theater Heritage
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 16, 2026

Music Theater Heritage has revealed the cast and creative team for Bat Boy: The Musical, starring Bryson Kendall as Edgar and directed by Ernie Nolan. The production will run October 8-November 1 at MTH's MainStage Theater in Kansas City.

Review: MOBY DICK
by Alan Portner - Mar 30, 2026

MTH’s World Premiere production of “Moby Dick a sea shanty” should not be missed. This “Moby Dick” is a remarkable, boiled-down, reinterpretation of Herman Melville’s massive dark 1851 tome. MTH manages to somehow transform this dark mid-nineteenth century novel into an engaging and engrossing musical entertainment. 

Review: THE FANTASTICKS at Music Theater Heritage
by Alan Portner - Feb 8, 2026

Now “playing” at Music Theatre Heritage inside Crown Center through February 22 is the latest iteration of the most produced modern musical play in history. It is called “The Fantasticks.” If “Fantasticks” is new to you, you are past due for a treat. If you are one of the thousands of performers who have slipped into one of these character’s costumes, revel in the warm memory. If you have witnessed “Fantasticks” as an audience member, enjoy the pleasure of revisiting an old friend. hat did our critic think of THE FANTASTICKS at Music Theater Heritage?

Photos: THE FANTASTICKS At Music Theater Heritage
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 6, 2026

Music Theater Heritage, the professional theater in residence at Crown Center, has released a first look at photos from its production of The Fantasticks.

Flamenco Guitarist Nilko Andreas to Star in THE FANTASTICKS at Music Theater Heritage
by Gillian Blum - Jan 24, 2026

Music Theater Heritage, the professional theater in residence at Crown Center, has announced the cast and creative team for The Fantasticks, starring internationally awarded classical guitarist Nilko Andreas in the role of El Gallo.

Music Theater Heritage Will Stage THE FANTASTICKS This January
by Stephi Wild - Jan 14, 2026

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creative team for The Fantasticks, starring internationally awarded classical guitarist Nilko Andreas in the role of El Gallo.

Cast and Creatives Set For A RUBY ROOM CHRISTMAS at Music Theater Heritage
by Stephi Wild - Nov 26, 2025

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creative team for A Ruby Room Christmas. Directed by Artistic Director Tim Scott. Learn more about the show here!

Cast & Creatives Announced For CATS At Music Theater Heritage
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 10, 2025

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of Cats, running August 7–31, 2025. The musical will be staged in MTH’s Grand Theater for a 16-performance run, directed by Chief Executive and Artistic Director Tim Scott.

Music Theater Heritage Reveals Cast & Creatives for GUYS & DOLLS At The Hot Box
by A.A. Cristi - May 8, 2025

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast of GUYS & DOLLS at The Hot Box. Directed by Artistic Director Tim Scott, GUYS & DOLLS at The Hot Box will play for 17 performances, June 5 -29 in MTH's Grand Theater, located on the 4th floor of Crown Center.

Review: PORGY AND BESS at Music Theater Heritage
by Alan Portner - Jun 10, 2024

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
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2024

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
by Stephi Wild - Dec 8, 2023

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
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 18, 2023

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
by Stephi Wild - Aug 29, 2023

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
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 9, 2023

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
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 1, 2023

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
by Alan Portner - Jun 19, 2023

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
by Stephi Wild - May 25, 2023

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
by Stephi Wild - Mar 16, 2023

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
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 27, 2022

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.