Based on the contemporary American classic novel by Steve Kluger, LAST DAYS OF SUMMER is the story of Joey Margolis, an imaginative and tenacious boy being raised by his mother and aunt in early 1940s Brooklyn. He and his best friend Craig Nakamura write letters to their hero, Charlie Banks, the all-star third basemen for the New York Giants, in hopes of his helping them impress and suppress the neighborhood bullies. An unlikely friendship is formed between the two boys and Charlie, and as the turbulent events of the dawn of the Second World War unfold, bonds are formed that will last forever. With music by Grammy winner Jason Howland (Broadway’s LITTLE WOMEN), directed by two-time Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (last year’s BETWEEN THE LINES), this new musical is a poignant and hilarious tale of baseball, hero worship, and the gift of true friendship.

This world premiere centers on the mentorship Martin Luther King, Jr., receives when he enters Morehouse College at age 15. Through debate over civil disobedience concepts, Morehouse College President, Dr. Benjamin Mays, sets young MLK on a path towards fighting for civil rights.

Keep your friends close, and your enemy's sister closer.

When opposites inevitably attract, and when the unlikely new couple tries to reconcile their worlds, the more their dream of finding a place of their own is torn apart. This award-winning work by Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, and Stephen Sondheim transports Romeo & Juliet to the streets of New York City. And from the first cigarette to the final “te adoro,” watching is such sweet sorrow.

*Photos by Lynn Lane for Houston Grand Opera

UK Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Play

Connie and Tristan are magnetically drawn to each other. Racing hearts, sleepless nights - they’ve fallen head over heels. But is their infatuation love or just a symptom of the new antidepressant they’re taking in a clinical trial? As two supervising doctors try to untangle the ethical quandaries of this illicit relationship, Connie and Tristan risk it all to be together. Consequences be damned.

When Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady opened on Broadway, it collected six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, while the film version took home eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, My Fair Lady is that rare musical by which all others are measured. Lerner and Loewe’s award-winning story of Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady, is widely considered one of the greatest musicals of all time.

The Conservatory Wind Symphony is comprised of the very finest wind and percussion students at the Conservatory and is guided by a philosophy that seeks to expose its students and its audiences to the highest quality of music written for wind instruments.

Through the rehearsal and performance of this diverse repertoire, students are exposed to a wide variety of compositional techniques, rehearsal processes and expressive possibilities that challenge students to develop their individual musicianship. This wide range of experiences affords the members of the ensemble an opportunity to receive a comprehensive musical education through a demanding and rigorous process of both rehearsals and performances.

The Conservatory Wind Symphony has a rich history of creative programming and collaboration – a hallmark of its existence. Numerous compositions have been written for this esteemed ensemble by some of the world’s leading composers. In addition, the ensemble regularly collaborates with select student composers found within the Conservatory’s 80 composition majors. The Conservatory Wind Symphony is under the direction of Steven D. Davis.

Rock sensation Ben Folds is back by popular demand after several sold-out appearances with your Kansas City Symphony. Hear this one-of-a-kind performance packed with fan favorites like “Brick” plus Folds’ latest orchestral arrangements. Tickets from $50.

Jason Seber, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Yannick Nézet-Séguin's career as a conductor has been meteoric, but that can happen when you're a natural-born genius. In short order, the 42-year-old has been selected as music director of both the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and The Philadelphia Orchestra. Nézet-Séguin will conduct the fabulous Philadelphians in Helzberg Hall when he makes his Harriman-Jewell Series debut. Georgian violinist Lisa Batiashvili will perform as soloist for Tchaikovsky's popular Violin Concerto.

The 36th Annual Folly Jazz Series presents: Ramsey Lewis and Urban Knights

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS GO ON SALE AUGUST 13TH.

The iconic Ramsey Lewis opens the Folly Theater’s 36th season of the Folly Jazz Series. After “trying out retirement“, Lewis was bored and wanted to get back to performing. Join us in welcoming him and the Urban Knights to the Folly Theater for our season kick-off concert! Lewis is best known as an icon in the contemporary jazz scene, performing on the piano for over 50 years with cross over into the pop & R&B charts.

The Urban Knights is an all-star jazz, R&B and funk band. The band’s current lineup consists of Grammy-nominated guitarist Henry Johnson who has toured the world with Hank Crawford, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Williams, and Nancy Wilson. Drummer Charles Heath who has played with Donald Byrd and McCoy Tyner. Bassist Joshua Ramos who has played with Philip Bailey, Marquis Hill, Willie Pickens and Ann Hampton Callaway. Keyboardist Tim Gant has toured with George Howard, Art Porter, Will Downing, Rick Braun, En Vogue and The Back Street Boys.

BAND LINE-UP

RAMSEY LEWIS – PIANO

HENRY JOHNSON – GUITAR

CHARLES HEATH – DRUMS

JOSHUA RAMOS – BASS

TIM GANT – KEYBOARDS

Conservatory alumni Molly Wagner, Bráulio Bosi, Jim Mair, Sora Park, and Maria Kanyova present a special night of music and dance on the White Recital Hall stage.

From the ridiculous to the sublime to the breadlines, American popular culture rode a roller coaster of epic proportions in the 1920s and 30s. Throughout it all, the founders of the Great American Songbook – George and Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern – produced timeless songs for jazz clubs and Broadway stages. With songs like “Love Is Here To Stay,” “Get Happy,” and “Fascinating Rhythm,” plus favorites from PORGY AND BESS and SHOWBOAT, this cabaret revue sets the foundation for our season through the foundations of American popular song.

The mind-blowing spectacular of THE ILLUSIONISTS – LIVE FROM BROADWAY™ showcases the jaw-dropping talents of five of the most incredible illusionists on earth. This magical production has shattered box office records across the globe as it dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. A non-stop show, THE ILLUSIONISTS is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions!

Suitable for all audiences.

Bob Bowman learned to play the piano and clarinet before beginning bass lessons at age 12. He quickly became an award-winning performer. He won a scholarship to the Stan Kenton Jazz Clinic as a high school freshman, followed by study at North Texas State University.

In 1976, he joined the famous Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, touring and recording several albums, including the Grammy award-winning “Live at Munich.” Bob continued his performing and recording career by joining the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabakin Big Band in Los Angeles in 1979. He recorded numerous albums as a member of this band, many of which were nominated for Grammy Awards.

While based in Los Angeles, Bob toured with the legendary Carmen McRae and performed with Freddie Hubbard, Bud Shank and others. Bob moved to Kansas City in 1988 where he has been a vibrant part of the jazz scene there. He is a member of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Faculty Jazztet, and leads the Interstring Quartet. Bob continues to tour and record with jazz artist Karrin Allyson and teaches many workshops.

The immensely talented multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird delights legions of fans with a distinct indie rock style, blending swing, gypsy, calypso and folk ­— all delivered with astonishing virtuosity. A classically trained violinist and an expert whistler (for real!), the Los Angeles-based Bird teams up with your Kansas City Symphony for an incredibly fun evening with seating in the round at Helzberg Hall. Tickets from $35.

Jason Seber, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

There’s a quiet storm in Kansas City. And it swirls around the captivating, elegant, mystifying and delightful music of singer Ida McBeth.

Ida’s musical style is so unique that it is hard to classify. Over the years, her repertoire has included pop-style ballads, jazz and blues, show tunes, funk, R&B, gospel and well-known standards.

Critics have described her as “a jazz singer,” “a blues singer,” “a pop singer” and “a cabaret singer.” Others have referred to her as “a storyteller," "professor emeritus of body language,” “a consummate actress” and “the complete entertainer.” A song stylist is the title Ida prefers.

By the age of five, Ida McBeth knew she wanted to be a singer. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Ida was provided early exposure to a variety of talented vocalists by her mother. These singers included such greats as Nancy Wilson, Arthur Prysock, Nat King Cole, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight and Sarah Vaughan.

Dr. Courtney Miller is the oboe professor at the University of Iowa where she teaches private oboe lessons, reed classes, master classes and chamber music. Prior to her position at the University of Iowa, Dr. Miller served on faculty at Boston College and Ashland University.

Dr. Miller made her solo debut with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at age 17, and continues to be a devoted performer traveling throughout the United States and abroad as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician.  Dr. Miller’s recently album Modern Fairy Tales released on Centaur Records is readily available on ITunes, Amazon and Spotify. Fanfare Magazine hails Courtney Miller as “a performer of considerable skill, with an unfailingly lovely sound, abundant technical ability, and a special gift for turning notes into poetry.” In addition to her solo pursuits, she is a core member of the prestigious international chamber ensemble, Virtuoso Soloists of New York.

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance proudly presents faculty recitals to the Kansas City community each semester, showcasing the breadth of talent our faculty brings to the arts.

28-year-old American pianist Sean Chen has performed worldwide in concerto, solo, and chamber music performances. He was the third prize winner at the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, recipient of the DeHaan Classical Fellowship as the winner of the 2013 American Pianists Awards, and fellow of the 2015 Leonore Annenberg Fellowship Fund for the Performing Arts.

Throughout his performances, Mr. Chen has been able to collaborate with esteemed conductors Leonard Slatkin, Gerard Schwarz, and Nicholas McGegan, and work with ensembles including the Brentano Quartet. As a result of his ability to connect with both orchestral musicians and audience members, Mr. Chen is particularly in demand for residencies that combine performances with master classes, school concerts, and artist conversations, at institutions including the Cleveland School of Music, Indiana University, University of British Columbia, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Spotlight Awards at the Los Angeles Music Center, Young Artist World Piano Festival, and several Music Teachers’ Associations throughout the country.

Prepare to unwind as our certified Relax and Renew® trainer Anita Bailey coaches you through various breathing and meditation techniques. Kansas City Symphony musicians will perform soft, mellow music to deepen your relaxation. Try it once and you’ll be hooked. Tickets are $15, including all fees.

Black Violin returns to the Kauffman Center after their sold-out fall 2016 performance. The duo combines classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that resonates with music lovers of all ages. Violist Wil B. and violinist Kev Marcus have crafted a style that’s often described as “classical boom,” aiming to change perceptions of classical and hip-hop music.

“Blues fills my soul and jazz inspires me. KC is where jazz & blues hold hands.”- John Paul Drum

As a thirty year veteran of the Kansas City blues scene, John Paul Drum stands out. Influenced by Eddie Vinson to Miles Davis, to Sonny Boy Williamson to Big Walter Horton, he draws on all his favorite mentors. He studied under Provine “Little” Hatch and Grammy Award winning Sugar Blue. A Keith Richards of harmonica, leading a ferocious band of players, including Bill Dye on guitar, Jim Beisman, keys; Ricardo Quintero, bass, and Allen Fishell, drums.