KCMETROPOLIS.org
Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Coterie Theatre
For tickets, call 816- 474-6552 

Lucky Duck
March 6–8 (at the Folly Theatre)

What happens once the Ugly Duckling comes out of her shell?  She becomes a singing swan superstar! Homely songbird Serena is viewed as an odd duck by her family, but escapes barnyard mockery to seek her special destiny. From her journey, she discovers that beauty is only feather deep, and she must find her own voice to succeed. Hear great numbers like “Average, Simple Mega Superstar” and “Wipe the Egg Off Your Face” by the composer of Dreamgirls!

The White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center of Kansas City
For tickets, call 913-327-8054.

The Who's Tommy
February 11–26

Pete Townshend’s tale of a young boy’s journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying evening of rock and roll ever to play in the theatre. After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother’s lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he’s discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar

Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College
For tickets, call 913-469-4445

Fiddler on the Roof
January 7–8 at Carlsen Center's Yardley Hall

Fiddler on the Roof, the Broadway smash and Tony Award-winning musical that has captured the hearts of people all over the world, will be on stage two nights in January at Johnson County Community College. Audiences will see Jerome Robbins' original Broadway direction and choreography, starring veteran actor John Preece in the role of Tevye.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre
For tickets, call 816-235-2700.

Little Shop of Horrors
April 20–May 20 (on the Copaken Stage)

Long before Bill Gates made nerds trendy, there was Seymour Krelborn, a hapless florist searching for love, aided by a bizarre plant with an insatiable appetite for human blood. With Motown-style music and true to its original roots – Roger Corman’s 1960s black comedy film and the subsequent Off-Broadway show – Little Shop of Horrors is a love story about what happens when botany goes horribly wrong. Set in the intimate Copaken Stage in downtown’s P&L District, Little Shop of Horrors promises to become a Kansas City cult favorite. 

Leawood Stage Company
For tickets, call 913-339-6700, ext. 157

Titanic: The Musical
April 13–15

Leawood Stage Company presents a staged reading of the Broadway musical Titanic to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship.  The event is free to the public and will be held in the Lodge at Ironwoods Park, 14701 Mission Road, Leawood, KS 66224.

Lied Center of Kansas
For tickets, call 785-864-2787 

Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific
January 18, 7:30 p.m.

Tony Award-winning revival of the Broadway classic: Set on a tropical island during World War II, South Pacific is an epic musical romance. A young Navy nurse falls for a French plantation owner, while a Marine begins a passionate affair with an island girl. Pulitzer Prize-winning South Pacific follows the two couples as their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and their own prejudices. This beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical revival won seven Tony Awards in 2008 including Best Musical Revival and features the classic songs “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” and “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.”

Elvis Lives! The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event
February 2, 7:30 p.m.

This multimedia Elvis extravaganza features a talented group of performers representing four of the King’s memorable eras: the 1950s, 1960s, the concert years and his movie career. Starring the winner and finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ Worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, as well as an Ann-Margret tribute artist, ELVIS LIVES is a pulse-racing musical journey through the rock’n’roll icon’s life and career. With a live band, movie footage and images straight from the Graceland archives, audiences Can’t Help Falling in Love with this phenomenal concert experience.

Mamma Mia!
February 14, 7:30 p.m.

A mother, a daughter, three possible dads and a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Over 45 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! is the World’s No.1 Show!

Quality Hill Playhouse
For tickets, call 816-421-1700.

My Romance: The Songs of Rodgers and Hart
January 20–February 19

The lush melodies of Richard Rodgers combined with the clever lyrics of Lorenz Hart have made their partnership one of the greatest in the Great American Songbook, producing songs that are at times frivolous and playful, at times sad and wistful. This cabaret tribute celebrates the best of the best, with soul-stirring renditions of timeless classics “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “Blue Moon,” “Isn’t It Romantic?” and, of course, “My Romance.” 

Make Someone Happy: The Songs of Comden and Green
March 2–April 1

Betty Comden and Adolf Green knew how to make people happy. Their writing partnership produced songs and screenplays for some of the most beloved Broadway and Hollywood musicals of the twentieth century–On the Town, Singin’ in the Rain, Bells Are Ringing, Wonderful Town. Celebrate the comedic genius of Comden and Green through their songs “Just In Time,” “I Can Cook Too,” “One Hundred Easy Ways,” “New York, New York (It’s a Helluva Town),” “Make Someone Happy” and more.

Life Is a Cabaret: The Songs of Kander and Ebb
April 20–May 20

Put down your knitting, your books and your brooms, and come hear the music of Kansas City native John Kander and songwriting partner Fred Ebb. Their smart, sassy and sexy style has excited audiences for the past five decades–on Broadway (Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman), in film (New York, New York, Funny Lady), and on the concert stage (Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera). You’ll love the razzle dazzle magic of Kander and Ebb in this sizzling revue.

Starlight Theatre
For tickets, call 816-363-STAR.

Disney’s Aladdin
Theatre For Young Audiences Version
February 1–5 (at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts)

Welcome to Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! All of your favorite characters are here in this stage adaptation of the Disney hit, including Aladdin, Jasmine, and of course, the Genie. Filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides, audiences' spirits will soar with excitement. Most of all, the tuneful, Academy award-winning score with songs including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me" will certainly make this musical a favorite for many years to come.

Narnia, The Musical
April 6–8 (at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts)

This stage version based on the first and most famous of the Narnia stories, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," transports audiences to an enchanted world of mytical creatures and spirits. Audiences leave richer for the lessons of courage, selflessness and wisdom they've learned.

By Sarah Young

Classical and Musical Theatre Contributor

Sarah Young is a freelance writer and performer in opera, theatre, choral and musical theatre. She has been seen locally with Wichita Grand Opera, Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Kansas City Civic Opera, Lawrence Community Theatre, Chestnut Fine Arts Center and in other local venues.  She studied voice at the University of Kansas, and has been trained in artist programs at Indiana University, Aspen Opera Theatre and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.