He’s the voice of God. Now Morgan Freeman is in Kansas City for unique show
Morgan Freeman wasn’t always considered the voice of God.
Three decades into his career, he was a simple, Oscar-nominated actor known for his wide range and the gravitas he brought to every role.
Then, he said, two movies changed things.
“I think it all sort of stems from ‘Shawshank Redemption,’” the 88-year-old actor said recently on a Zoom interview.
After memorably narrating and co-starring in that film, which became one of the most popular movies of the 20th century, he actually played God in “Bruce Almighty.”
“I don’t know, it developed out in the ether that this was the voice, the voice of God. And it’s just out of hand. I’m not the voice of God at all.”
Many would beg to differ. His voice has become a cottage industry all its own, with commercials, animated movies, narrations of documentaries (including “The Story of God” on National Geographic) and more.
His latest project is “Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience,” which will come to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 2 and 3. Freeman and seven musicians from the Delta area of Mississippi, where the actor owns the world-famous Ground Zero Blues Club, will appear with the Kansas City Symphony.
Along with Freeman’s live narration of a video telling the history and impact of blues music, the Delta musicians will perform classic blues songs with the backing of the symphony, producing “a much richer, bolder sound,” said Eric Meier, who co-owns Ground Zero and is the driving force behind “Symphonic Blues Experience.”
“You’re going to see a complete band that is paired up with the symphony,” Meier said. “You’re going to get a taste of the Delta from some world-class musicians.”
Meanwhile, Freeman will get his first taste of Kansas City, although it won’t be much of one.
How much time has he spent here during his long career?
“Literally none,” he said. “It’s kind of amazing because I’ve been so many places in my lifetime.”
And, while he’s here, will he take in the local sights? The American Jazz Museum perhaps? Or the National WWI Museum and Memorial?
“Probably not. I’m not going to be there for very long, and it’s hard for me to move around places because there’s that thing, ‘Oh, my god, it’s Morgan,’ and ‘Can I get a picture?’ That’s my drawback.”
Freeman has been traveling with “Symphonic Blues Experience” for just over a month. It debuted July 25 in San Francisco with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and has been presented three other times, including Aug. 27 in New York City’s Central Park.
Dates are scheduled into January around the country — the Kauffman Center is the only venue hosting the show for more than one night — although Freeman insists that “Symphonic Blues Experience” is not touring.
“We’re filling requests,” he said. “Anywhere we go is because we’ve been asked to come. So we were invited to come to Kansas City, and so Kansas City here we come.”
And, obviously, his voice will come as well.
When asked whether he had ever considered what his career might have looked like without that voice — if he sounded like Mike Tyson, perhaps — he laughed.
“No, no. Actually, I don’t really even think about my voice as something other than a tool,” he said.
But, unlike many people who can’t stand the sound of their own voices, he doesn’t hate his.
“I don’t hate it at all. I get tired of it sometimes though.”
‘Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience’
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, and Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Where: Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd.
What: A musical performance featuring authentic Delta blues with the backing of the Kansas City Symphony, led by music director and conductor Matthias Pintscher, and narration by Morgan Freeman.
Ticket prices: $73.50-$183.50.
More information: kcsymphony.org
7 things to do in Kansas City this week
“Symphonic Blues Experience” not only opens the KC Symphony’s season (although it’s not part of any season-ticket packages), it also kicks off a September to remember in Kansas City as theater companies begin their 2025-26 schedules and the festival season cranks up into high gear.
Here are seven other events in just the month’s first week that might pique your interest.
“The Color Purple”: Sept. 2-21, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Spencer Theatre. kcrep.org
“Designing Women”: Sept. 3-28, Unicorn Theatre. unicorntheatre.org.
Art Westport: Sept. 5-7, Westport district. westportkcmo.com.
“GloWild: Time Traveler”: Sept. 5-Dec. 28, Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium. kansascityzoo.org.
Kansas City Greek Festival: Sept. 5-7, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. annunciationkc.org.
Reggae Music and Jerk Festival: Sept. 5-7, Berkley Riverfront Park. friendsofreggae.com.
West Bottoms Beer Fest: Sept. 6, HyVee Arena. hy-veearena.com.
