Starlight Theatre (Kansas City)

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Starlight Theatre
nickname =


location = 4600 Starlight Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64132
broke_ground = 1925
opened = June 25, 1951
closed =
demolished =
owner = City of Kansas City, Missouri
operator = Starlight Theatre Association
surface =
construction_cost = $1.5 million
architect = Edward Buehler Delk
seating_capacity = 8,105
former_names =
tenants = Broadway Shows
Concerts

Starlight Theatre is a 8,105-seat [Numbers vary on reports. The 8,105 number is on the [http://www.kcstarlight.com/FileUploads/Starlight%20Tech%20Pack.pdf official starlight] site. [http://www.experiencekc.com/parks.html Experincekc.com] reports it is 7,795] outdoor theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, United States that stages touring Broadway shows and concerts.

History

Plans for a large outdoor theatre had been considered for Kansas City in various places since 1925 when Romania's Queen Marie attended an ad hoc outdoor concert in the city. An area by the Kansas City Art Institute and parkland just north of the University of Missouri–Kansas City were among the places considered.

After much deliberation, a hillside in Swope Park was selected and site plans were designed by Edward Buehler Delk. The cost of construction was $1.5 million. [Crowd and a Clear Sky - Kansas City Times - June 26, 1951] The unfinished Starlight Theatre opened in 1950 with a production of "Thrills of a Century", a review that celebrated the 100th anniversary of Kansas City. It officially opened on June 25, 1951, with "The Desert Song" with composer Sigmund Romberg making a cameo appearance directing the orchestra. During the performance, he reportedly told the crowd:

:"I’ve seen theaters all over the country and I’ve never seen one more beautiful than this."

The Starlight Theatre stage has been legendary for being subject to the whims of weather, train whistles and animal noises from the nearby Kansas City Zoological Park. In 1956, Jeanette MacDonald collapsed in a production of "The King and I". Initial reports said she experienced heat prostration in the 90-degree heat but it was later determined to be a heart seizure. [ [http://www.jeanetteandnelson.net/offscreen/jeanette/jm-theater.htm Musical Theatre and Night Clubs - Jeanetteandnelson.net] ] A passing freight on nearby tracks blows about 9:20 p.m. each night [ [http://www.kcstarlight.com/FileUploads/starlight.pdf Starlight Annual Report - 2005] ] In 2000 the stage itself was enclosed in the 10-story, climate controlled Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage.

In 1964, President Harry S. Truman made a cameo appearance in "Mr. President" on opening night although he had to leave by ambulance at intermission because of an appendicitis attack. [ [http://www.kcstarlight.com/starlight2.aspx?pgID=938 Starlight Theatre History] ]

ee also

* List of contemporary amphitheatres

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.kcstarlight.com/ Official Website]