Starlight designs: Theater announces return of these Broadway shows next summer

If Starlight Theatre has its way — and the COVID-19 pandemic allows it — Broadway hits will return to the venerable Kansas City venue next summer.

Starlight has announced a 2021 lineup that consists of five weeklong engagements and two weekend specials, with several of the shows rebooked from this past summer. “Escape to Margaritaville,” the musical comedy featuring Jimmy Buffett classics and some original songs, is scheduled to open the season June 8-13.

Also slated: “Waitress,” with music by Sara Bareilles, June 22-27; “Anastasia,” July 6-11; “Sister Act,” Aug. 10-15; and “The Prom,” Sept. 7-12. The weekend specials are “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” July 23-25, and Blue Man Group, Aug. 27-29, both of which were postponed from 2020.

Starlight’s 2020 slate of six major productions plus appearances by Riverdance and Blue Man Group were wiped out by COVID-19.

There have been no large-scale theater productions in Kansas City since COVID-19 took hold in March. The Kansas City Broadway Series is scheduled to return with “Tootsie” Feb. 16-21 at the Music Hall, preceded by the add-on shows “Orfeh & Andy Karl: Legally Bound” Jan. 21 and “Stomp” Feb. 13-14, both at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Of course, the pandemic could change everything.

Starlight’s news release said “policies and procedures will continue to evolve dependent on COVID-19 status at the time of each event.”

Season ticket holders have first access to renewing their seats at kcstarlight.com or 816-363-7827.

Starlight already has a loaded schedule of 2021 concerts that were postponed from 2020, starting with the Barenaked Ladies with Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket on June 30 and including Alicia Keys on Aug. 25 and the Doobie Brothers on Sept. 14.

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 11:35 AM.