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Starlight Theatre (Kansas City, Missouri)

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Coordinates: 39°00′28″N 94°32′05″W / 39.007813°N 94.5348°W / 39.007813; -94.5348
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DefyingGravityForGood (talk | contribs) at 06:12, 3 January 2011 (→‎Broadway Show History). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Starlight Theatre
Map
Location4600 Starlight Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64132
Coordinates39°00′28″N 94°32′05″W / 39.007813°N 94.5348°W / 39.007813; -94.5348
OwnerCity of Kansas City, Missouri
OperatorStarlight Theatre Association
Capacity7,947
Construction
Broke ground1925
OpenedJune 25, 1951
Construction cost$1.5 million
ArchitectEdward Buehler Delk
Tenants
Broadway Shows
Concerts

Starlight Theatre is a 7,947-seat outdoor theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, United States that stages touring Broadway shows and concerts. It is one of three remaining self-producing outdoor theatres in the U.S.

History

Starlight Theatre stage.

Starlight Theatre’s story dates back to 1925, the year Romania’s Queen Marie paid a visit to Kansas City. To celebrate her arrival, the Kansas City Federation of Music organized a showcase of local talent for the Queen that was also open to the public. While Kansas Citians had toyed with the idea of building an outdoor theatre before, the $7,000 that the showcase raised made it clear that Kansas City had an audience for such performances and that outdoor theatre could one day become a Kansas City tradition.

Profits from the showcase were then placed in the city trust and proposals for the location of Kansas City’s outdoor theatre began. One suggested site was where Kansas City Art Institute now stands, but area residents disapproved of building such a large structure in their neighborhood. Another possible location was just north of University of Missouri–Kansas City, although these plans were also shelved because officials feared the theatre would give the newly completed Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City) too much competition.

After 15 years of proposals, the need for a venue to house celebrations commemorating Kansas City’s 100th birthday sped up the process. A committee was quickly chosen, Swope Park was deemed the location, and construction began on a cold December day in 1949. While the theatre was still unfinished for the city’s 1950 centennial anniversary, the show went on, and thousands of Kansas Citians flocked to see the historical revue of their city, Thrills of a Century. The show’s success then proved to be the perfect spark of motivation for completing Starlight and beginning the tradition of bringing Broadway to Kansas City. Community volunteers helped raise money and establish theatre policy; local craftsmen donated their time to finishing construction, and Starlight Theatre as we know it was born.

That same year (1950), the Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, Inc., was formed as a 501 (c)(3) not for profit corporation to operate, program and maintain professional theatre in our community.

In 1958, Starlight Theatre received a generous boost from Jerry Lewis. During an opening night performance, Lewis found the distance between performer and audience limiting. He then proposed to theatre personnel that they extend the stage so it covered the orchestra pit. When Starlight officials explained they could not finance the project, Lewis himself paid the cost! Although the extension was temporary for Lewis’ show only, the idea was a good one. In the early 1980’s the stage was permanently extended over the orchestra pit, bringing on stage action closer to the audience. This extension lasted until the building of the 10-story, climate controlled Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage in 2000.

Another highlight in the history of Starlight Theatre came in a 1960s production of Mr. President (musical). Starlight’s producer, Richard Berger, who always had a knack for adding pizzazz to his shows, swayed President Harry S. Truman to make a guest appearance in the opening night show. Berger’s casting of Truman was a sensation, although an attack of appendicitis forced Truman to leave Starlight by ambulance during the intermission.

Since then, Starlight Theatre has steadily remained a staple of Kansas City’s performing arts community and a favorite for those looking for summer-time family-oriented entertainment. There were once 38 other self-producing outdoor theatres in the U.S., today only three remain, making Starlight a landmark not just for Kansas City, but also the whole country.[1]

Mission

The mission of the Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, Inc, a not-for-profit corporation, is to present first quality professional entertainment and arts education to diverse audiences, while building an appreciation for the performing arts and preserving and enhancing the Starlight venue for future generations. As it carries out this mission, Starlight will remain committed to family-oriented entertainment at affordable prices, with a focus on musical theatre.[2]

Walk Of Stars

Though Starlight is half a country away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in 2001, Starlight Theatre proudly introduced its own Walk of Stars. Each night of our Broadway performances, you can see the Stars recognized with permanent markers throughout the theatre.

The latest Broadway great to be added to the Walk Stars is Tony Award-winning actor, director and choreographer Tommy Tune. Tune was recognized in a July 12, 2006, ceremony, while he was in town starring in Dr. Dolittle at Starlight.

The following beloved artists and performers who have entertained Starlight audiences through the years are inducted in the Walk of Stars:

Broadway Show History

1951 1952 1953 1954 1955
1956 1957 1958 1959 1960
1961 1962 1963 1964 1965
1966 1967 1968 1969 1970
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980
1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

[3]

2011 Season

See also

References and notes

  1. ^ Starlight Theatre History
  2. ^ http://kcstarlight.com/about_starlight/mission_and_vision_statement.aspx
  3. ^ Starlight Theatre Show History
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