KC Starlight Theatre
When Kansas City celebrated its centennial in 1950, it set out to do so in style!
On June 4, 1950, in a facility not yet fully complete, the historical revue Thrills of a Century opened at Starlight Theatre in celebration of the city’s 100th birthday. The show played to thousands each night for five weeks, and hundreds of local citizens participated in the pageant.
By the following summer, the iconic designs of architect Edward Buehler Delk were fully realized in Starlight’s stage, sloped seating area, light pylons and iconic light bridge. When Starlight opened, nearly 40 professional self-producing outdoor theatres operated across the country. Today, only two – Starlight and St. Louis’ MUNY – remain.
The largest and oldest performing arts organization in Kansas City, Starlight presents and produces Broadway musicals and concerts each summer and offers an indoors theatre series during the winter months. Starlight seats nearly 8,000 people, and the expansive venue includes a restaurant open on show nights, gift shop and several rehearsal and private event. Pre-show entertainment and venue tours are also provided.
In addition to live entertainment, Starlight offers extensive community outreach and educational programming, including the Blue Star Awards for high school musical theatre students. Through its community ticket program, Starlight donates more than 11,000 free tickets to area nonprofit organizations each season.