One of my favorite summer activities growing up in Kansas City was seeing Broadway shows at Starlight Theatre. Each year, my parents would take us kids to two or three shows, plus buy the cast album, and for weeks we would act out the shows at home.
Back then, the cheapest tickets were $1, and that low price was what enabled our parents to expose six children to Broadway musicals.
Tickets aren’t $1 any more, but today’s lowest ticket price of $22.40 (fees included) means Starlight musicals are still a bargain for theater lovers of all ages.
Three Broadway shows remain in this year’s season:
Monty Python’s Spamalot, which runs August 4-9, 2026. A takeoff on the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot “has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre (pun courtesy of the Starlight PR staff).” Which means, it includes flying cows, killer rabbits, British royalty, French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery and, of course, the Lady of the Lake.
Newsies, which runs September 8-13, 2026. Newsies is the story of a turn-of-the-century teenage newspaper vendor in New York City, who rallies his fellow “newsies” to fight against unfair treatment. This production includes Kansas City performers plus 33 local high school students from the Blue Star Awards teen ensembles.
Beetlejuice, which runs October 2-4, 2026. This is based on the Tim Burton film of the same name. But the musical comedy version is a wonderful reminder to make the most of every “Day-O.” (Editor’s Note: This is a surprisingly heartwarming show.)
Tickets prices are $22.40 to $148.90. Parking is free. Premium parking is available for $35 and must be purchased in advance.
Starlight also offers these discounts on summer Broadway shows:
- Children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older get 20% off single tickets in price levels 2-6. (Children 2 and younger are free.) Available online, by phone or at the box office.
- Military Rush tickets are 50% off in price levels 2-6, with a limit of four. Must show military ID. This offer is available at the box office on the day of the show.
- Student Rush tickets are 50% off in price levels 2-6. Must show student ID. This offer is available at the box office on the day of the show.
- The Drop deals. Member of The Drop program may be able to get $10 tickets.
Starlight is also a venue for concerts. Prices vary by artist. You can find the concert schedule here.
