Starlight Theatre turns 75 with renovations, packed concert list & more musicals
Work began last fall on Starlight Theatre’s $40 million renovation project, with construction scheduled to be completed by April 2026.
But first, the historic outdoor amphitheater in Swope Park will celebrate its 75th anniversary season, which begins May 17 with a concert by Alison Krauss & Union Station. “Mean Girls,” a musical comedy adapted from the hit 2004 movie, will open Starlight’s AdventHealth Broadway Series on May 20.
Perhaps it’s appropriate that Starlight is in the midst of construction, which has been suspended for the summer and will resume in October.
The 7,800-seat venue was not fully complete when it debuted June 3, 1950, with “Thrills of a Century,” a rousing review featuring a cast of 1,200 that was part of a citywide celebration of Kansas City’s 100th anniversary.
That opening night, which included actress Gloria Swanson crowning the queen of the centennial, was chilly and attracted only about 4,000 spectators. Perhaps the ticket prices were too high: $1.22 general admission for adults, 61 cents for children.
After a reduction to 75 cents for adults for half the theater’s seats, attendance improved, ultimately averaging nearly 5,000 for the 30-show run through July 10, with several sellouts. That was enough for plans to move ahead to complete Starlight, and in 1951 the theater mounted its 10-show inaugural season.
Starlight renovations update
Starlight has undergone numerous improvements since, but nothing as bold as the current Uniquely KC Capital Campaign.
The highlight will be an arching, opaque canopy connected to two towers and spanning the theater’s front 3,200 seats. The canopy is designed to protect the audience from the elements and allow more programming such as summer matinee events.
The project, which also will include video screens and updated restrooms, was broken into two phases to avoid interrupting Starlight’s summer seasons.
The first phase, which focused on building the two towers that will support the canopy and a new lighting system, ran from October 2024 through April. The second phase is scheduled to begin after this season.
Starlight Theatre’s 75th anniversary season
Concerts:
- Alison Krauss & Union Station, May 17
- Whiskey Myers, June 20
- “Weird Al” Yankovic, June 26; Chicago, June 28
- The Driver Era, June 29
- Styx and Kevin Cronin, July 2
- Incubus, July 8
- Collective Soul and +Live+, July 16
- Earth, Wind & Fire, July 18
- Big Time Rush, Aug. 13
- Kidz Bop Live, Aug. 16
- Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls, Aug. 21
- Goo Goo Dolls, Aug. 22
- Teddy Swims, Aug. 23
- Alabama Shakes, Aug. 24
- Rob Thomas, Aug. 27
- The Black Keys, Sept. 7
- Lake Street Dive with Lawrence, Sept. 13
Broadway season:
- “Mean Girls,” May 20-25
- “School of Rock,” June 3-8
- “Ain’t Too Proud,” July 22-27
- “Disney’s Frozen,” Aug. 5-10
- “Life of Pi,” Sept. 16-21
Tickets and more information: kcstarlight.com
This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
