Kansas City’s theater scene is buzzing with excitement this fall and winter, offering a wide range of performances that will satisfy fans of musicals, dramas, and everything in between. From the heartwarming romance of Once to the thrilling twists of Dial M for Murder and the timeless charm of A Christmas Carol, these upcoming shows highlight the creativity of local theaters.
Once
Once is your classic guy-meets-girl story. Two musicians named Guy and Girl bond over their love for music and learn important lessons about love along the way. Based on the 2007 film by John Carney and directed by Stuart Carden, this performance at the Spencer Theater includes songs like the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly” along with a heartfelt message about love and music.
September 3–22 | 4949 Cherry St., KCMO
Dial M for Murder
If you’re looking for a live murder-mystery with plenty of tension and twists, just pick up your phone and Dial M for Murder. Originally written by Frederick Knott, the show was adapted by Jeffery Hatcher to provide a more modern and fast-paced energy to the thrilling story. Presented by Kansas City Actors Theatre, which employs and supports the local professional theater community, the performance will come to City Stage in Union Station this fall.
September 11-29 | 30 W. Pershing Road, KCMO
Merrily We Roll Along
Don’t get it backwards! With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a recent Broadway revival in 2023, the show Merrily We Roll Along is not one you want to miss. The show will run at B&B Live, a movie theater complex that doubles as a live theater. Presented by MTKC Pro, the professional branch of Music Theater Kansas City, this musical tells the story of Franklin Shepard and his lifelong friends Mary and Charley in reverse chronological order as Frank’s dreams and character are corrupted.
September 13–16 & 19–22 | 16301 Midland Drive, Shawnee
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
Come experience the life and songs of Billie Holiday like never before in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. With classic songs like “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child” and scenes based off of many of her true life events, this play will be performed at KCRep’s Copaken Stage in the Power and Light District.
October 8–27 | 1 H and R Block Way, KCMO
Hotel Elsinore
If you’re checking into Hotel Elsinore in the Midwest Trust Center, don’t be surprised if you find any skulls or ghosts in the room. In this Hamlet-inspired play that won the Carol Tambor Incentive Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022, the playwright Susanna Hamnett and her son and daughter Joshua and Lily MacGregor star as the family of late actor Henry Elder, who was set to play Hamlet in the Elsinore Shakespeare Festival the next day and is struggling to find peace with his own absence.
October 16 & 17 | 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park
The Heart Sellers
While the difficulties of immigration and integration are not new social themes, The Heart Sellers asks the question: Just how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for a new home? The play introduces new Americans Jane and Luna, who contemplate their American dreams while celebrating Thanksgiving without their husbands, who are at work. Hosted by the Unicorn Theatre, who often host plays that tackle complicated and diverse social issues, The Heart Sellers will pull on your heartstrings.
October 23–November 10 | 3828 Main St., KCMO
The Music Man
Your favorite traveling salesman is on his way to Overland Park. The Jewish Community Center presents The Music Man at the Lewis & Shirley White Theatre. A con man with no musical knowledge convinces the people of River City, Iowa, he can organize a boys’ band. This Broadway classic will mark the beginning of the J’s 20th season.
Thursday, Saturdays & Sundays from October 26–November 175801 W. 115 St., Overland Park
Journey to Oz
Some shows figuratively pull the audience into the performance, but Journey to Oz really does bring them on stage. Presented by Children’s Mercy Kansas City at Starlight’s indoor theater, this show is catered toward children ages five to nine who wish they had followed Dorothy into that tornado and straight into Oz.
About 16 people will be chosen to perform individual roles on stage with the cast and the entire audience will be invited to interact by singing, making sound effects and playing collective roles like Munchkins and Flying Monkeys.
November 9, 11 am | 4600 Starlight Road, KCMO
The Real Barbee: Unmasked
Kansas City Public Theatre presents The Real Barbee: Unmasked, a cabaret performance starring Victoria Barbee and directed by Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman. In this free one-woman show at the Black Box, experience song, dance and more as Barbee brings the audience along on a journey of empowerment and self-discovery. Opening night will also include a dance party, called Come On Barbee, Let’s Go Party, immediately following the performance, featuring beverages, art, disco music and more.
November 17–19 | 1060 Union Ave., KCMO
A Christmas Carol
A Kansas City tradition for more than 40 years, this Charles Dickens classic is a cemented part of KCRep’s Christmas past, present and future. A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and a reminder of what the festivities are really about.
November 23–December 28 | 4949 Cherry St., KCMO
Ebenezer Scrooge’s
Big KC MO Christmas Show
Once you’ve enjoyed the classic Dickens story, you might consider checking out a less conventional retelling. Directed by Ernie Nolan, Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big KC MO Christmas Show at the Unicorn Theatre on the Levin Stage promises a performance full of music, laughter and fun. Watch five actors take on multiple characters, including Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the ghosts and more, in this family-friendly show personalized just for Kansas City.
November 26–December 22 | 3828 Main St., KCMO
Funny Girl
Originally performed on Broadway in 1964, this revival is coming to say “Hello Gorgeous! Hello Kansas City!” Based on the life of comedian Fanny Brice and the story of her rise to fame, Funny Girl will bring its vivacious energy and hit songs like “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People” to the Kansas City Music Hall for its North American Tour.
December 3–8 | 301 W. 13th St., KCMO
– Listings by Daniella Barzello
Did you know?
Character actor Ed Asner (1929–2021) was born in Kansas City and graduated from KCK’s Wyandotte High School. He is most famous for portraying character Lou Grant during the 1970s and early 1980s on both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off series, Lou Grant, making him one of the few actors to portray the same character in both a comedy and dramatic series. Asner is distinguished among his peers for winning the most Primetime Emmy Awards ever.
