Woven into this unique and interactive play: early suffrage movement as well as the formation of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment (the first African American regiment in U.S. history) and Harriet Tubman. The play examines a variety of complex issues for the many reasons why over 250 women chose to enlist in the Civil War.

Paula Vogel’s moving play inspired by the true events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of God of Vengeance—a play seen by some as a seminal work of Jewish culture, and as obscenity by others. Featuring live klezmer music, this love-letter to theatre charts one of the most fascinating scandals in theater history.

A co-presentation with Arena Stage and Baltimore Center Stage

It’s up to Sister to save the souls of those assembled – aka the audience! Beginning with an overview of heaven and hell as a Catholic version of Chutes and Ladders and moving onto her proclamation of new sins for the new millennium, Sister is never hesitant to tell us where we’ve gone wrong. (Needless to say, excessive tattooing and piercing are right up there with pornographic websites and dining at Hooters). And never doubt that she can provide a list of every celebrity currently sharing digs with the devil. No one is excused from Sister’s firm belief that ‘sometimes we feel guilty because we are guilty.’

Suitable for all audiences.

Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues) adapts her bestselling book subtitled The Secret Life of Girls Around the World into a unique theatrical experience: a fierce collage of monologues, chat sessions, songs (original music by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder) and dance. A call, a reckoning, an act of empowerment for women and teen girls…and potentially a wake-up call for men and teen boys.

Emotional Creature features six incredibly talented Kansas City-based triple threat performers.

Poet Rod McKuen captured it perfectly when he quipped, "1939-1945 was a terrible time for the world, but it was a glorious time for songs and fighter pilots." A country battling the effects of war and its aftermath took solace in hundreds of songs of all types, from big band to romantic ballads to novelty songs, many of which are still standards today. Join us for a sentimental journey through America’s songbook of the 1940s, featuring hits made popular by the likes of Bing Crosby, Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters, and Dinah Shore.

by Carla Ching

On the not-so-sunny side of California, teenage Alix bounces between motel rooms while taking care of her brothers for her absent mother. Her classmate, Mason, is a budding songwriter sent to America for high school by his father in Hong Kong. Together, they must learn to scrape by without giving up their dreams. This Rolling World Premiere is a coming-of-age tale about motel kids and parachute kids making something out of nothing in the land of plenty.

Musicians and music fans can sit in on a fascinating encounter as virtuoso pianist Alon Goldstein shares musical insights with two area piano students on stage in Helzberg Hall. Goldstein is in town to perform with the Kansas City Symphony, and this is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the most dynamic pianists on the classical music scene. Find student nomination forms, more details and reserve free tickets at kcsymphony.org.

Matt Hopper is a jazz guitarist based in Kansas City. Hopper started playing guitar at 12 years old. At 17 he began studying jazz guitar under Danny Embrey. He studied jazz guitar with Rod Fleeman and classical guitar with Doug Neidt at The University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music 2001 – 2005. Hopper is now a  mainstay of the Kansas City jazz scene. As the featured musician at Green Lady Lounge, he plays there weekly with The Matt Hopper Trio, The Brett Jackson Quartet, and Boogaloo 7. His debut album, First Love, is currently being played nationally over 70 radio stations.

The Pražák Quartet—one of today's leading international chamber music ensembles—was established in 1972 while its members were students at the Prague Conservatory. Since then, the quartet has gained attention for its place in the unique Czech quartet tradition, and for its musical virtuosity. About the Zemlinsky Quartet The Zemlinsky Quartet is named after the Austrian composer, conductor and teacher Alexander Zemlinsky (1871-1942), whose enormous contribution to Czech, German and Jewish culture during his 16-year residence in Prague had been underrated until recently. His four string quartets (the second one being dedicated to his student and brother-in-law Arnold Schoenberg) belong to the basic repertoire of the ensemble. Since 2005, the quartet has maintained a special relationship with the Alexander Zemlinsky Foundation in Vienna.

Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Concerto highlights the composer’s trademarks — lingering melodies, rich textures and piano pyrotechnics. With exotic harmonies and bewitching tunes, Nielsen’s Aladdin Suite is an adventurous romp in a faraway land. The White Peacock is one of Griffes’ best-known Impressionist works. Tickets for this Kansas City Symphony concert start at $25.

NIELSEN Aladdin Suite

RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 1

GRIFFES The White Peacock

STRAVINSKY Firebird Suite (1919)

Michael Stern, conductor

Alon Goldstein, piano

Molly Hammer has been performing in the Kansas City area since 2005. With an eclectic vocal background, she has found her home in the world of jazz and blues, drawing inspiration from the likes of Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, Sara Vaughn, and many others. She has had the privilege of performing with some of the finest jazz musicians in the Kansas City area. You can hear her regularly at The Green Lady Lounge. She can also be seen and heard at one of the many Unity Churches in the area nearly every Sunday. Molly is a graduate of the Artist INC program and has also had the honor of singing the National Anthem for both The Royals and The Chiefs.

Marty Stuart has been called "one of the last remaining links to traditional country, roots music, and the generation of greats like George Jones and Hank Williams" by Rolling Stone. The five-time Grammy winner is coming to KC with his Fabulous Superlatives.

The James Ward Band was formed January of 1997 at The Blue Room located on 18th and Vine in Kansas City, MO. The James Ward Band (The JWB) is a Contemporary Jazz/Smooth Jazz Band, whose show consists of a combination of Latin, R&B, Fusion, Funk, Jazz, and Gospel.  On May 12, 2007, they released their debut album entitled “In Perspective”, which debuted on the Smooth Jazz Indie Charts at #42 and quickly soared to the top 20 and stayed for a number of weeks.

PRESENTED BY BRIGHT STAR TOURING THEATRE

RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN TO 5TH

A wonderful introduction to the life and work of one of America’s most influential men, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This show is perfect for younger audiences and serves to introduce students to major concepts of Black History like freedom, integration, and equality.

Jason Seber, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Journey back to 1977 and a galaxy far, far away for the classic first film of the original “Star Wars” trilogy, written and directed by George Lucas and starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. You’ll watch the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the Death Star on a huge screen in Helzberg Hall while your Kansas City Symphony performs the thrilling John Williams score live. Tickets start at $40 for adults and $25 for youth/children.

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. © All rights reserved. In association with 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm and Warner/Chappell Music. © 2017 and TM LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © Disney

Please join City in Motion Dance Theater on Saturday, February 2nd, at 8pm for our sixteenth annual presentation of “A Modern Night at the Folly”. As always, this showcase will be held at the C. Stephen Metzler Hall at the newly renovated Folly Theater, located at 300 W. 12th St, in Downtown Kansas City. Kansas City’s first adjudicated choreographers’ showcase will celebrate contemporary and modern dance in KC by featuring ten new works from 11 of the region’s most talented choreographers.The choreographers presenting works this season are: Hannah Anderson, Sarah Frangenberg, AJ Hopes-Pflumm, Tracie Jensen, Jordan Kaya & Jeremy Finney, Prince Lyons, Allison McKinzie, Leigh Murray, Cathy Patterson and Suzanne Ryanstrati. Each choreographer has set their work on seasoned dance professionals from all over the region making, “A Modern Night at the Folly” a unique opportunity for audience members to see a variety of dance styles and dance professionals all on the same evening.

This event is partially funded by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Metzler Copaken Initiative; The Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund; The Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts; the Arts KC Regional Arts Council; Francis Family Foundation and a grant from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Since 1985, City in Motion Dance Theater has worked to promote modern dance in Kansas City. Its mission is to foster the development of high-quality contemporary dance programming and expand the dance audience in the Kansas City metropolitan region. This 501c(3) nonprofit organization has utilized a three-pronged approach—a professional dance company; a dance school offering affordable classes for children, youth and adults; and contemporary dance programming and presentations—to achieve awareness and appreciation for modern dance. The organization is perhaps best known for its high-quality annual dance concerts at the Gem Theater, Folly Theater, Roanoke Park, H & R Block City Stage Theater at Union Station and other locations throughout the metropolitan area

This Kansas City Symphony event is perfect for performers and non-performers alike. Visit kcsymphony.org for nomination forms, more information and free tickets.

The songs of Kansas City jazz icon Pat Metheny are showcased in Imaginary Day, a brilliant concerto for vibes and marimba, spotlighting Kansas City Symphony Principal Percussionist Christopher McLaurin and Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Percussionist Christopher Deviney. While living in the U.S. in the 1890s, Dvořák’s study of American folk melodies resulted in an affectionate tribute to this remarkable “New World.” Tickets from $25.

GERSHWIN Cuban Overture

PAT METHENY Imaginary Day, Duo Concerto for Vibraphone, Marimba and Orchestra

DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”

Michael Stern, conductor

Christopher Deviney, vibraphone
Christopher McLaurin, marimba

Enjoy Romantic-era selections from Verdi’s String Quartet, Puccini’s Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums) and Korngold’s String Sextet. Cash bars open at 5 p.m. and the casual concert begins at 6 p.m. Reserve your free general admission tickets in advance starting December 1 at kcsymphony.org. Sponsored by Lead Bank.

Jason Seber, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Watch all of the drama unfold on the huge screen in Helzberg Hall as your Kansas City Symphony performs Max Steiner’s moving score live. Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Picture and lauded as one of the greatest movies of all times by the American Film Institute, get swept up in the romance and struggle between Rick (Humphrey Bogart) and his long-lost love Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman). Tickets from $40.