Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Young Musicians Take The Stage At The Kansas City Symphony

Matthew Long-Middleton, Stephen Steigman and Claire McInerny — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:54:02 +0000

In the second part of Wednesday's Central Standard, we'll talk with Stephanie Brimhall, Education Manager at the Kansas City Symphony, about the Young Artist Competition.

This weekend, on stage at Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, young musicians will compete in the final round. Violinists Caleb Thill and Emily Shehi and vocalist Rudy Dibble also join us in the studio to discuss their musical backgrounds - and their hopes and fears about the competition.

The Touring Musical 'Hair' Performs In Kansas City

Brian Ellison, Matthew Long-Middleton and Claire McInerny — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:45:37 +0000

Back in the 1960s, long hair, political protests and nudity on stage were all taboo subjects to appear in the theater, but that changed when the musical Hair debuted. Over 40 years later the musical is still provocative to audiences in a contemporary way.

The show is currently on tour and opens in Kansas City tonight at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and runs through Sunday. Music Director Lilli Wosk and Noah Plomgren, who plays Claude, join Brian Ellison to talk about life on tour and how this ground-breaking musical is still relevant to today's audiences.

Mezzo-Soprano Joyce DiDonato Becomes A 'Drama Queen'

Stephen Steigman and Steve Kraske — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:07:44 +0000

Opera superstar Joyce DiDonato won a Grammy this year for Best Classical Vocal Solo.

The Prairie Village native and mezzo-soprano was the star of a TV special titled "Homecoming" produced by Kansas City's KCPT and PBS Arts. The concert with the Kansas City Symphony at the newly-opened Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts was broadcast nationally, and now, she has a new disc out titled "Drama Queens," which she recorded in Italy in July.

Broken Glass At The Kauffman Center: Who's To Blame?

Laura Spencer and Elana Gordon — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:47:40 +0000

It's been a year since the $413 million concrete-and-glass shell-shaped Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Mo. opened to the public.

Bernadette Peters: From NY's Broadway To KC's 16th & Broadway

Stephen Steigman — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:50:42 +0000

She's won Tony Awards. She's won Drama Desk Awards. She's starred on TV, on CD, in concert, and in the movies with Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood and Steve Martin.

Bernadette Peters is one of Broadway's brightest stars, and she performs at the Kauffman Center this weekend.

Rush For TEDxKC Tickets Overloads Kauffman Center

Laura Spencer — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:56:50 +0000

As of 12:35 pm the day tickets went on sale, TEDxKC was officially sold out. Ticket sales opened at 10 am Wednesday for TEDxKC's August 28th event called "The Long View."

A Small Victory For Fun: Hammocks Outside The Kauffman Center

Tomeka Weatherspoon — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:12:28 +0000

The Crown Center Fountains may be off limits, but there's a hammock with your name on it downtown.

Kansas City's Lyric Opera Changes Leadership

Stephen Steigman and Steve Kraske — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:25:43 +0000

Changes are happening at Kansas City’s Lyric Opera. Its general director, Evan Luskin, is retiring next month after 26 years with the company.

Million Dollar Quartet

Stephen Steigman and Steve Kraske — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:01:18 +0000

On December 4, 1956, a twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together.

Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history. It’s the story of the Broadway musical, "Million Dollar Quartet", on stage at the Kauffman Center through Sunday.

Mezzo Soprano Joyce DiDonato Returns Home After Grammy Win

Stephen Steigman and Steve Kraske — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:12:53 +0000

Prairie Village native Joyce DiDonato just won a Grammy for best classical vocal solo and travels the world performing in opera houses far and wide as one of this planet's best-loved mezzo sopranos.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Comes To Kansas City

Stephen Steigman and Steve Kraske — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:44:19 +0000

For more than forty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of the native South African musical traditions. The ten member vocal ensemble has recorded forty albums and sold more than six million records.