Kansas City is kicking off 2025 with these 12 shows, from ‘Chicago’ to ‘Mean Girls’
As the annual onslaught of holiday-themed music and theater concludes, Kansas City’s arts and entertainment world moves into 2025 with a varied array of offerings.
The new year kicks off with the national tour of a classic Broadway musical and a rare local appearance by an iconic comedian before the big three of the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City swing into action. Another early 2025 highlight will be the return of a play written by a Kansas City, Kansas, native.
Most classical music, dance and theater companies have yet to announce their 2025-26 seasons, so we don’t know what fall 2025 will have to offer. But the schedule through Memorial Day is set.
Here are a dozen things to do that will satisfy arts and entertainment cravings until summer arrives.
‘Chicago’
PNC Broadway in Kansas City presents the classic 1975 musical written by Kansas City native John Kander and Fred Ebb. This revival has been running on Broadway since 1996. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7-10, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Kauffman Center ($66-$141). broadwayinkc.com
Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan
Kansas City is one of only 10 stops on the 2025 arena tour of the star and co-creator of TV’s “Seinfeld,” who hasn’t appeared here since Jan. 19, 2018, at the Midland. Both he and the three-time Emmy-winning Gaffigan are known for their clean, observational humor. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18, T-Mobile Center ($84.50-$511). t-mobilecenter.com
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ in Concert
The magical 2001 film plays on a big screen as the Kansas City Symphony, with guest conductor Justin Freer, performs John Williams’ score live. 7 p.m. Jan. 29-31, 2 p.m. Feb. 1; Kauffman Center ($55-$108.90). kcsymphony.org
‘Broke-ology’
Kansas City Repertory Theatre originally produced this play by Kansas City, Kansas, playwright Nathan Louis Jackson 15 years ago. Jackson died in 2023 at the age of 44. Opens 7 p.m. Feb. 11, runs through March 2; Copaken Stage ($44-$70). kcrep.org
‘Cruzar la Cara de la Luna’
The Grammy Award-winning band Mariachi Los Camperos will perform with Lyric Opera of Kansas City in the first-ever mariachi opera, which premiered in 2010 at Houston Grand Opera. 7:30 p.m. March 7-8, 2 p.m. March 9; Kauffman Center ($40-$213). kcopera.org
‘Don Quixote’
Miguel de Cervantes’ story of the chivalrous Don Quixote and his loyal squire Sancho Panza comes to life in this production by the Kansas City Ballet. 7:30 p.m. March 21-22, 1:30 p.m. March 23, 7:30 p.m. March 28-29, 1:30 p.m. March 30; Kauffman Center ($34-$149). kcballet.org
‘Swan Lake’
The touring State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine will perform the world’s most popular ballet. Some proceeds from ticket sales will go toward building bomb shelters for Ukrainian schools. 7:30 p.m. March 29, Music Hall ($48-$183). kcconvention.com
‘Carousel’
MTH’s production of the classic Richard Rodgers-Oscar Hammerstein II musical, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025, will incorporate street musicians and instrumentalists who would have populated seaside boardwalks. Opens 7:30 p.m. April 3; runs through April 27, MTH Theater at Crown Center ($39-$65). musictheaterheritage.com
‘Jersey Boys’
Coby and Chris Oram, identical twins from Utah, will star in this popular musical about four New Jersey boys who hit it big as The Four Seasons. Opens 6:30 p.m. April 17; runs through June 22, New Theatre and Restaurant ($56.50-$73). newtheatre.com
Riverdance
The Irish folk music and dance show is celebrating its 30th year with a North American tour that includes a stop in Kansas City. 7:30 p.m. May 6-8, Music Hall ($28-$178). kcconvention.com
‘The Lion King’
From PNC Broadway in Kansas City, the Tony Award winner for best musical in 1998 — with music by Elton John and Tim Rice — became an immediate Broadway sensation after its translation from the big screen. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 22, 7:30 p.m. May 23, 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 24, 1 and 6:30 p.m. May 25, 7:30 p.m. May 27-28, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 29, 7:30 p.m. May 30, 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 31, 1 and 6:30 p.m. June 1; Music Hall ($40-$179). broadwayinkc.com
‘Mean Girls’
Starlight Theatre opens its 2025 Broadway season with Tina Fey’s musical about high school friends and enemies that was nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 2018. 8 p.m. May 20-25, Starlight (tickets on sale April 1). kcstarlight.com
