Chris Owen News

From now through Sunday, February 22, The Royal Theatre invites audiences aboard a snowbound locomotive packed with secrets in Murder on the Orient Express, brought to the stage by Ken Ludwig from the legendary mystery by Agatha Christie.

The Royal Players will present Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie’s celebrated mystery adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, at The Royal Theatre in historic downtown Benton.

Welcome to 2026! To kick off the new year, I headed to The Royal Theatre in Benton for The Young Players’ production of DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL, directed by the amazing Justin A. Pike—and what a magical way to start the year.

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.

RAT PACK AT THE SPEAKEASY is conceived and directed by Layne Roate and is music directed by Charles Pridgen. The show is presented as a limited one-weekend engagement at the Atchison Event Center. Learn more!

Join the B. Iden Payne Awards Council at the Austin Scottish Rite Theatre to honor excellence in Austin theatre, recognizing achievements across various genres. Learn how to attend.

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.

Trouble Puppet Theatre Company continues its superb storytelling tradition with UNDARK: A Radioactive Puppet Play at the Vortex.

Experience the life and music of Hank Williams in Theatre Atchison PRO's latest production. Don't miss this limited one-weekend engagement at the Atchison Event Center.

Get to know the talented cast of Prejudice & Pride and hear from Chris Arnone about his experience and the exploration of gender in this unique adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. Discover how the characters and themes are brought to life in this captivating folk musical at 59E59 Theaters.

What did our critic think of HELLO, DOLLY! at The Royal Theatre?

Celebrate the season at the Historic Royal Theatre as The Royal Players present A Christmas Carol: The Musical, December 1st-4th and 8th-11th. The production is sponsored by Everett Buick GMC.

In conjunction with their performances of Elf the Musical, the Historic Royal Theatre will host a meet and greet pajama party with Buddy the Elf and Santa this Christmas season!  

The Coterie Theatre made a big splash with the opening of its world premiere of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES on November 4th at The Coterie Theatre located in Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. The new version of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES has never been seen before and is adapted from the animated series, which has entertained children for the last 17 years. Though entertaining for younger audiences I found the musical to be tedious and the constant screaming to be annoying. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had grown up during the SpongeBob era.

The Historic Royal Theatre will bring Elf The Musical to their stage this Christmas season!  Sponsored by Everett Buick GMC and performed by The Royal Players, Elf The Musical is a must-see, hilarious family favorite. 

The Coterie Theatre returns to indoor performances on its mainstage with the world premiere of a new version of The SpongeBob Musical never before seen. Adapted from the beloved animated series, The SpongeBob Musical for Young Audiences is a brand new, high-energy version of the Broadway hit featuring a fun, pop-infused musical score written by some of the biggest names in Top 40 music. Performed live on The Coterie's mainstage located in Crown Center, The SpongeBob Musical will run November 4, 2021-January 2, 2022.

Belinda lets her imagination take her away from her chores and into Cenicienta’s world. With its playful puppetry and poetic spark, Cenicienta is a perfect play for young children. 

Jason Momoa, who rocketed to superstardom in Justice League and Aquaman, Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, “Stranger Things 2”), Chris Kattan (“Saturday Night Live,” A Night at the Roxbury) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, “Desperate Housewives”) are among the top celebrities scheduled to attend the seventh annual Wizard World St.Louis, April 5-7, at America's Center. 

This morning The MTH Theater at Crown Center announced their 2017 production of A Spectacular Christmas Show has set a box office record as the highest-grossing, most attended Holiday show in the Theater's history.

Musical Theater Heritage at Crown Center offers its tenth-annual original Spectacular Christmas Show. Locally written and produced holiday shows are sometimes times prone to hyperbole. This particular performance is SPECTACULAR in almost every way a show can be outstanding. The 2017 MTH Spectacular Christmas Show shines.