The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at The J unveiled its 2023-2024 season schedule, which includes popular musicals, original works and lively concerts. The theatre’s 19th season comprises a Theatre Series, Concert Series and Special Engagements, all produced by The J’s Arts + Culture Department and presented in the 500-seat state-of-the-art Lewis & Shirley White Theatre.
Season tickets go on sale early this summer. More information about season tickets and the season lineup can be found at TheWhiteTheatre.org.
Fairy tale classics will come to life this season at The White Theatre, as James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods” and “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” hit the stage as part of the theatre season. The White Theatre’s partnership with The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City enters its third year, with a co-production of the musical revue “Blues In The Night,” and the theatre’s New Works Initiative brings local playwright Victor Wishna’s work, “Tree of Life” to Kansas City for the first time.
“We are so excited about this, our 19th season,” said Keith Wiedenkeller, Director of Arts + Culture and Managing Artistic Director of The White Theatre. “Once again, we were able to craft a season with something for everyone, from farce to drama, from serious to family fare. We are especially happy to continue our successful partnership with The Black Rep, as well as a new partnership with Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. We’re also very excited to be presenting the next installment of our New Works Initiative.”
The 2023-2024 season features entertainment for all ages.
The Theatre Series includes four locally produced shows with some of the region’s top talent. With matinee and evening performances available for the duration of each show, it includes:
Into The Woods (Oct. 28-Nov. 19, 2023) – James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant piece. Follow a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
The Prom (Jan. 27-Feb.18, 2024) – Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. When they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens, resulting in love that brings them all together.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (March 9-24, 2024) – A distant heir to a family fortune sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm… and a dash of murder. Can the low-born Monty Navarro knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst?
Disney’s The Little Mermaid (July 6-28, 2024) – Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her friends, Flounder, Scuttle and Sebastian to restore order under the sea.
The White Theatre’s Concert Series includes local favorites Kinnor Philharmonic as well as blues and jazz:
Jammin’ at The J (Sept. 10, 2023) – Kick off the season with an afternoon of Jazz by some of Kansas City’s finest musicians. Co-produced with Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors.
Kinnor Philharmonic (Jan. 1, 2024 + June 2, 2024) – The White Theatre’s artists-in-residence will present two special concerts. On New Year’s Day, this symphonic concert will kick off the New Year with a post-performance champagne reception. Then start your summer in style with Kinnor’s June 4 concert, as it performs incredible music “with a Jewish soul.”
Blues in the Night (April 13-21, 2024) – This co-production with The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City brings the soul of the blues to The White Theatre. It tells of the sweet, sexy and sorrowful experiences three women have with the lying, cheating snake of a man who does them wrong, and it will leave you energized, inspired and ready to wail.
Finally, The White Theatre’s Special Engagements include:
The Jewish Nutcracker (Dec. 3, 2023) – “The Jewish Nutcracker” returns for its third year and follows Rebecca and the Nutcracker on their magical journey from Bubbe’s house to the Land of Nosh, encountering everything from mice to dancing dreidels! Featuring our Encore students, experience this must-see tradition.
The Life and Times of A. Einstein (April 27-28, 2024) – “The Life and Times of A. Einstein” is a hilarious and touching portrait of this Einstein “loyalist” as well as a humanizing look into the “great thinker’s” life, as seen through the people around him.
Tree of Life (Sept. 14-22, 2024) – Inspired by real events, shifting between continents and across centuries, “Tree of Life,” a new play by Victor Wishna, encourages us to examine the foundations of our own identities. How do we define who we are? Do we belong to our past, or does it belong to us? What do we hold onto, and when should we let go?
Full details and performance times can be found at TheWhiteTheatre.org. Auditions for various musicals and plays produced by The White Theatre will be announced on the website as well as on Facebook.
The White Theatre 2023-2024 season is still underway. Fans can enjoy Kinnor Philharmonic’s second performance of the season – “Cowboychik,” featuring music from Aaron Copland on June 4. The season wraps up with “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” running from July 1-23.
About The J
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City – The J – opened in 1914 in midtown Kansas City, Missouri and has grown and adapted to serve the changing needs of Greater Kansas City’s Jewish and secular communities. Our mission is to build a strong, vibrant and inclusive community that enhances wellness, meaning, and joy, based on Jewish values, heritage, and culture. We are a welcoming community that embodies Jewish values in a safe and respectful environment. People of all ages and backgrounds learn and grow at our ‘home away from home.’ For more information, visit TheJKC.org.
About The White Theatre
The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre, built in 2005, is a 500 seat, state-of-the-art venue that hosts a wide variety of performances throughout the year. Its annual theatre and concert series continues a 90+ year community theatre tradition, established in 1932, with The Resident Theatre, the region’s first and longest-running community theatre. Ample free parking is available, and the theatre is entirely accessible for those of all abilities. The theatre is available for private rentals for area non-profit groups.
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