“War Horse” will bring the story of Joey the Horse and his owner, Albert Narracott, to the Music Hall as part of the 2013-14 Kansas City Broadway Series. (Photo courtesy of Kansas City Broadway Series)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Theater lovers gathered at the Music Hall for a taste of the 2013-14 Kansas City Broadway Series season.
NBC Action News’ Valissa Smith emceed the evening that kicked off with a video presentation and several surprises that highlighted the seven shows that will grace Kansas City.
Something Wicked Returns to KC
One of the most requested Broadway productions returns to the Music Hall starting October 9. Wicked has won multiple awards including three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy for its production about the Witches of Oz’s lives before a certain Kansas girl landed there. The production will run for three weeks.
Sister Act takes center stage
The celebrated 1992 Whoopi Goldberg comedy comes to life on the Music Hall stage. Sister Act finds wannabe diva Deloris Van Cartier wanting a record career. However, once she finds out about her gangster boyfriend’s misdeeds, she goes into hiding at a convent: The Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith. Will she get along with the nuns? Find out starting January 21, 2014!
Cheerleaders take over the Kauffman Center
Bring It On: The Musical takes cheerleading to new heights. Both the Jackson High School and Truman High School cheerleading squads bring their rivalry onto the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts stage for a week of astonishing performances. Come find out why the New York Times called the show: “Impossible to resist!” The performances start on February 11, 2014 and end on February 15, 2014.
War House gallops into KC
One of the most celebrated plays of the decade will trot onto the Music Hall stage. War Horse tells the story about the relationship between Albert Narracott and his beloved horse, Joey. Their relationship is challenged when World War I breaks out and Albert’s father sells the horse to the British cavalry. You can find out if Albert and Joey reunite when the five-time Tony award-winning play starts April 1, 2014.
Legends live again at the Kauffman Center
Frank Sinatra. Sammy Davis, Jr. Dean Martin. Joey Bishop. These four men entertained audiences for years in Las Vegas with their cabaret-style act. Starting May 27, 2014, the legends will “visit” Kansas City as they perform some of the greatest songs of all-time. Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show starts on May 27 and conclude the season on June 1.
In addition to all of the excitement of the regular season, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (December 10-15, 2013) and Green Day’s American Idiot (January 11-13, 2014) will drop in town for special engagements.
Besides the announcements of all seven shows, the audience was treated to a special performance from Beauty and the Beast’s Emily Behny (Belle) plus an appearance from War Horse’s own Joey, which concluded the night.
To learn more about the Kansas City Broadway Series, visit the Theater League’s website: http://theaterleague.com/kansascity/
