RSS 2.0 FeedOctober 2008, City Stage
Musical Theater Highs
George Harter saps it out with Lion King and waxes sentimental over The Rockettes. It ain't nothin' but love, so open your hearts.
Rhapsody in Gershwin
Through October 26
Quality Hill Playhouse
For tickets call 816.421.1700
online at www.qualityhillplayhouse.com
Who doesn't love the songs of George Gershwin? And, no one in Kansas City can give those songs the intimate setting, the class and sophistication they need and deserve except J. Kent Barnhart at The Quality Hill Playhouse. A three piece combo, Lateesha McDonald Jackson, Melinda McDonald, James Wright and, of course J. Kent Barnhart, will bring to life such Gershwin Brothers classics asSomeone to Watch Over Me and The Man I Love.
There will be an unusual addition to Mr. Barnhart's usual formula of his tried and true, 'cabaret style revue'. Mr. Barnhart will perform Gershwin's 1926 Rhapsody in Blue, now in the realm of classical music; but the piece that Oscar Levant said, "made an honest woman out of Jazz."
The Lion King
October 2nd through November 16th
The Music Hall
Various ticket sellers - check the internet for availability
The most exciting theatrical news to hit Kansas City since Ethel Merman played the Folly is, at long last, the arrival of The Lion King to The Music Hall.
This is that once in a generation theater event that parents will clamor to take their children to; so children can grow up with a happy memory of family, theater and that ancient venue, The Music Hall downtown.
The first four minutes of The Lion King are nearly worth the admission price alone. The Circle of Life, when the procession of half- animal and half-puppet humans, followed by a full-size wicker elephant, gracefully move down the aisles and up onto the stage, as the African rhythms and the chant swells... why it's enough to bring tears of joy to the eyes.
The songs by Elton John and Tim Rice such as Be Prepared, They Live In You and the opening number, The Circle of Life, provide wonderful moments. But, it will be Hakuna Matata ("No Worries") that the kids will be singing in the glowing days after the show is over.
However, Julie Taymor should get most of the credit for all the fuss over The Lion King. She borrowed elements of Asian and African theater arts to blend with her own genius and give us the cleverest, most elegant and simple staging ever seen in a Broadway show.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
December 19th - 21st
Sprint Center
For tickets call (816) 931-3330 or online at sprintcenter.com
Nothing says Christmas like New York's Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Even when it is at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, (when it just goes by the name: Radio City Christmas Spectacular). The reason, is that this show is so unapologetically Christmas, which is tricky these days. For example, the name of Jesus is never uttered. But a tableau of the wise men, complete with camels, sheep and donkeys talks of "a man, born 2000 years ago that has changed the hearts of men and women like no other" - no one can argue with that approach.
This is a Christmas show like something you would have seen in the 1950s; it's quite square, with loads of cheese factor and corn, and just wonderful. And, I don't care how hip you are - your age or your religion or politics - you cannot take your eyes off the high-kicking line of The Rockettes. Wait till you see them dressed as toy soldiers marching in formation to something that sounds a bit like Hayden's Toy Symphony.
If you are not in the Christmas spirit when you leave the theater, then no one can help you.
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