In this charming musical adaptation of the beloved book, Mr. and Mrs. Popper’s lives take an adventurous turn when a mysterious box arrives on their doorstep with a penguin inside. Not long after, the local aquarium sends over a female penguin and soon, the Poppers are hearing the patter of 20 little feet. What starts for Mr. Popper as a giant bill for canned shrimp leads to an imaginative journey across America – one that ends in the Antarctic to place the penguin colony in a “life they were meant to lead.”

Perhaps no decade had more personalities to its music than the 1950s. From the crooners who dominated the early years (Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Perry Como) to the rise of rock-and-roll and pop stars (Buddy Holly, Connie Francis, Jerry Lee Lewis), and from the heyday of many jazz legends (Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, Billie Holiday) to classic musicals such as GUYS AND DOLLS, MY FAIR LADY, and WEST SIDE STORY, this decade had it all – and so will this dynamite cabaret revue!

by Stephen Karam

Breaking with tradition, the Blake clan gathers for Thanksgiving dinner in lower Manhattan at their daughter’s new apartment. As darkness falls outside the ramshackle duplex, family tensions reach a boiling point and the secrets that bubble up threaten to change this modern American family forever.

LOVE IS NEVER A SURE THING.

With a name that practically screams “master manipulator,” the cynical Don Alfonso goads two friends into making a wager. Its outcome will either defend the virtue of the two sisters they love, or expose a duplicitous streak supposedly inherent in all women. Unknown to their brides-to-be, a battle of the sexes has begun, and the two men set out to test the faithfulness of their fiancées, but end up tempting Fate in the process.

*Photos by Cory Weaver for San Francisco Opera

In the wonderfully indulgent Carmina burana, you’ll hear an irresistible, nonstop and thunderous celebration of life, love and the philosophy of carpe diem performed by your Kansas City Symphony and Chorus. One of the most popular classical works of all time, Carmina burana appears in countless movies, TV shows, commercials and sporting events. This musical extravaganza begins with a kaleidoscope of sound in pieces by two prominent American composers, Sarah Kirkland Snider and Augusta Read Thomas. Tickets from $30.

SARAH KIRKLAND SNIDER Something for the Dark

AUGUSTA READ THOMAS EOS: Goddess of the Dawn 

ORFF Carmina burana

Ryan McAdams, guest conductor

Jennifer Zetlan, soprano

Nicholas Phan, tenor

Hugh Russell, baritone
Kansas City Symphony Chorus
Charles Bruffy, chorus director

New Moves, one of Kansas City Ballet’s most popular performances, showcases contemporary ballet in an intimate setting. This limited-run production gives audiences a chance to see tomorrow’s sought after choreographers today! It is a very up close and visceral experience for audience and dancer alike, with all performances held in the Bolender Center’s Michael and Ginger Frost Studio Theater. Come see our Kansas City Ballet artists and emerging choreographers discover bold new ways of expression and feel the athleticism, beauty, power and passion of never before seen dance creations!

About the Morgenstern Trio: After only two short years of working together, the Morgenstern Trio emerged on the German Music Scene by being awarded top prizes and awards, such as the prestigious US Kalichstein–Laredo-Robinson Trio Award in 2010. For the prize concerts, the Morgenstern Trio has received superlative reviews and immediate re-invitations for following seasons. This prize catapulted them onto the music scene in the USA with performances in Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center and at Carnegie Hall and other venues in NY, followed by concerts in such cities as Chicago, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Carmel, Louisville, Lexington, and Palm Beach. The Washington Post wrote: “the group displayed a unanimity, polished technique and musical imagination that I thought had vanished from the scene with the demise of the Beaux Arts Trio”. About the program: Martin was inspired by the Irish countryside and folk music, while Jalbert’s trio by the “desolate and calm” Texan desert landscape at night and the Houston skyscape by day. Schubert’s trio is one of the most beautiful and uplifting works ever written. It is one of life’s greatest testimonials and one of Schubert’s most profound creations.

Creativity thrives in The Coterie's theatre classes. Acting builds confidence, empathy, cooperation, and listening skills that last a lifetime. Each class is a new adventure, inspired by the students themselves and letting imagination lead the way. Our classes use creative, process-based education to encourage growth in imaginative storytelling, on-the-spot thinking, and confident movement. Students will be challenged to grow as actors and creative thinkers while learning collaboration and self-assurance, tools that will remain valuable throughout their lives.

SPRING 2019 CLASSES:

• BUGS AND BUTTERFLIES for Ages 3-5 (Pre-K)
• IMAGINATIVE INVENTORS for Grades K-1
• LEGENDS AND MYTHMAKERS for Grades 2-4
• ROCK 'N' ROLL ROADSHOW for Grades 4-6
• AUDITION LAB for Grades 5-7 and Grades 8-12

SPRING 2019 LOCATIONS:

• Midtown - The Coterie in Crown Center
• Lee's Summit - MCC-Longview Campus
• Overland Park - Miller-Marley School of Dance & Voice
• Northland - MCC-Maple Woods Campus

All Coterie Teaching Artists are theatre professionals and experienced theatre teachers under the direction of Jeff Church, Producing Artistic Director, and Amanda Kibler, Education Director. Many instructors have extensive professional acting credits; others work professionally as directors, choreographers, designers or in other aspects of theatre.

We are delighted to present accomplished tenor Nicholas Phan in this special vocal workshop with two area music students on stage in Helzberg Hall. Phan is in town to perform with the Kansas City Symphony. This event is perfect for all vocal students and performers. Visit kcsymphony.org for student nomination forms, more information and free tickets.

The Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 in The Summit, a thrilling musical collaboration that brings together two dynamic vocal groups with more than 20 combined GRAMMY Awards. These powerful ensembles will perform songs from their own catalogues, then join forces on more than a dozen numbers. Tickets for this event range from $49 to $99 plus applicable fees and go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13.

Celebrating their 45th anniversary in 2017, The Manhattan Transfer continues to set the standard as one of the world’s most innovative vocal groups with their blend of pop, jazz, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, swing and a cappella music. Founded by Tim Hauser in 1972, the current group features Janis Siegel (alto), Alan Paul (tenor), Cheryl Bentyne (soprano), and newcomer Trist Cureless (bass), who replaced Hauser following his passing in 2014.

Take 6 showcases six voices united in crystal clear harmony, placed against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop. Members Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley have been heralded by Quincy Jones as “the baddest vocal cats on the planet.”

Kansas City Symphony musicians shine in this free concert featuring Steve Reich’s hypnotic Mallet Quartet and Ravel’s gorgeous String Quartet, which film buffs will know from “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Presented by the Kansas City Symphony, cash bars open at 5 p.m. and the casual one-hour concert begins at 6 p.m. Reserve your FREE general admission tickets in advance starting February 1 by visiting kcsymphony.org. Sponsored by Lead Bank.

The Conservatory Choirs, directed by Robert Bode and Charles Robinson, perform For the Children, the annual choral concert to benefit Operation Breakthrough.

Glamour Profession is an 11 piece band made up of KC’s top studio and jazz musicians that plays the music of Steely Dan. The band plays faithful arrangements of the Dan’s songbook arranged by Music Director and keyboardist, Paul Roberts. A band highlight is the performance of the entire Aja album from front to back.

Elton John (music) and Lee Hall (book and lyrics) adapted the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film into the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Follow Billy’s journey from boxing ring to ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that unites his family, inspires his community and changes his life forever. Time Magazine’s Best Musical of the Decade.

Brimming with “fizzy spirit and breezy sophistication” (Chicago Sun-Times), the sensational Pink Martini joins your Kansas City Symphony for an evening of glitz and glamour, led by pianist Thomas Lauderdale and featuring vocalist China Forbes. Experience an alluring mix of Brazilian samba, ’30s Cuban dance and Parisian café music as “one of the world’s most elegant live bands” (The Times UK) mingles with your Symphony for an unforgettable party. Tickets from $40.

Jason Seber, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Charles Williams is a Kansas City musician, pianist, trombonist, band leader, private piano instructor, producer, writer, and clinician/educator. Charles is current pianist for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and has been since its beginning. As a performer, Charles plays at many local venues with his own trio, accompanying many local vocalist, and pianist for The Louis Neal Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Williams is very dedicated to supporting the American Jazz Museum & Blue Room.

Sharon Thompson has opened for various national acts, performed the National Anthem for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals, inaugural balls for former Mayors Emanuel Cleaver II and Kay Barnes along with continued private functions and benefits.

Max Groove is one of the pioneers of the smooth jazz style that has dominated the airways and captivated countless listeners for years. He has twelve internationally released CDs, three in the top twenty Billboard Jazz. His current release “Night Owl” has his signature urban smooth jazz sound while showcasing his innovative Funky jazz structures.

FRIENDS! The Musical Parody is the hilarious new musical that lovingly lampoons TV’s Friends — celebrating the wacky misadventures of your favorite group of 20-something pals as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan. It’s a seemingly typical day at New York’s only coffee shop, Central Perk, until an unexpected runaway bride with beautiful hair enters the picture and kicks the whole gang out of second gear!

This delightfully naughty confection plucks the best scenes from the show’s ten years and recreates the moments through an uncensored, fast-paced, music filled romp, winning over audiences everywhere. FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, not only keeps you laughing, but tugs at the heart strings drawing audiences into stories we know and love. Will Rachel and Ross get together or won’t they? Will Monica ever find love? Will Joey have an acting career? You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll Unagi!

Suitable for audiences born before the TV show’s finale in 2004 (ages 14+).

Kansas City Symphony Music Director Michael Stern hosts a special chamber music workshop featuring two student ensembles in Helzberg Hall. Throughout the session, Stern will share feedback and ideas with these young artists as well as the audience. The Symphony invites college and high school groups to apply. Visit kcsymphony.org for nomination forms, more information and free tickets.