With more than 65 performing arts organizations, Kansas City’s stages are rarely dark. And now with new and renovated venues, catching a performance in KC is better than ever. Below are some of the city’s newest stages.

Off Center Theatre

This new Off Center Theatre theater located on the third level of the Crown Center Shops is already booked for more than 220 nights of shows and rehearsals in 2008. The theater showcases edgy and innovative productions by some of the area's finest theatre troupes. Groups scheduled to perform include Actors Theatre KC, Eubank Productions, Musical Theater Heritage, the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre and Right Between The Ears, an improv group based in Lawrence.  
Learn More

Unicorn Theatre

The Unicorn Theatre in Midtown Kansas City is in its 34^th season of presenting provocative and thought-provoking off-Broadway-style productions. This year, the Unicorn debuted a second performance space—the Jerome Stage. The stage is part of a makeover that includes a new entrance, a new box office, new bathrooms, and additional space for rehearsals, classes, receptions and more performances—all in the same building as the Main Stage and administrative offices.   
Learn More

Kansas City Music Hall

Last year, this Art Deco landmark, which hosts an annual series of touring Broadway musicals, underwent a $13 million renovation. The 1935 theatre received a larger stage to accommodate today’s top traveling shows, as well as new main floor seating, improved lobby lighting and other patron amenities. The theater will welcome Wicked May 7-25. The 2008-2009 season includes The Lion King (Oct. 2-Nov. 9), Annie (Dec. 30-Jan. 4), Phantom of the Opera (Mar. 25-Apr. 19), The Color Purple (Apr. 28-May 3, 2009) and other performances, as well as the Kansas City Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker (Dec. 6-28). 

• Music Hall
• Broadway Across America
• Kansas City Ballet

Copaken Stage

In the heart of the new Kansas City Power & Light District, the new Copaken Stageis the second home for Kansas City Repertory Theatre. The $4.8 million, 320-seat theatre is located in the new H&R Block world headquarters building and hosted its first performance in February 2007. Now in its 44th season, Kansas City Repertory Theatre is the region’s only member of the prestigious national League of Resident Theatres and serves as the professional theatre-in-residence at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). The company produces plays and events at Spencer Theatre, its main stage theatre on the UMKC campus, and at the new Copaken Stage.
Learn More

Starlight Theatre

Last summer, this outdoor venue in Swope Park debuted a number of improvements, starting with brand new seats.The new, wider seats are offset to afford better views of the stage. Other improvements include two outdoor group party pavilions, a new west gate entrance, more green space in the theatre’s north courtyard and lawn and a bigger community stage for local performances prior to each evening’s show. This season includes Kansas City premieres of The Drowsy Chaperone (June 17-22) and High School Musical (July 15-20) as well as favorites like The Music Man (July 28-Aug. 3), Fiddler On The Roof (Aug. 11-17) and Les Miserables (Sept. 10-16).
Learn More