2024/2025 Season
Season of Live Theatre
ALL TICKETS & GROUP RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE NOW!
Horse Power: Tom Bass' American Story
Horse Power:
Tom Bass’ American Story
A Coterie World Premiere
in co-production with American Royal
featuring puppets by What If Puppets
Written by Michelle Tyrene Johnson
Directed by Teresa Leggard
September 11 – October 6, 2024
Tom Bass, a Missourian born in slavery, became the greatest horseman of his time. Internationally known for being a horse whisperer, among his many accolades, he started the American Royal’s first horse show. In contemporary times, Natalia (“Nate”) Edmonds loves horses, especially the one her parents bought her for her birthday. As a Black teenager, she learns about and is inspired by the legacy of Tom Bass as she grapples with what modern day racism looks like. Horse Power is written by Michelle Tyrene Johnson, the award-winning playwright behind The Coterie’s Only One Day a Year, and is produced as part of the American Royal’s 125th Anniversary.
Electric Poe (at Union Cemetery)
Electric Poe
A co-produced special event with Union Cemetery Historical Society
by Edgar Allan Poe
Adapted by R.H. Wilhoit
Directed by Amanda Kibler
October 17 – November 3, 2024
Performed outdoors in one of Kansas City’s hidden gems! Just in time for Halloween, Electric Poe returns to Union Cemetery to showcase R.H. Wilhoit once again captivating audiences as the master of the macabre. This year, Wilhoit looks at Poe through the eyes of Poe’s rival writer, Rufus Griswold. Written as an obituary by Griswold for Poe, highlighted stories include “The Raven” and “William Wilson”.
Finding Nemo TYA
Disney and Pixar’s
Finding Nemo TYA
A co-production with What If Puppets
Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Book Adapted by Lindsay Anderson
Music and Orchestrations Adapted & Arranged by Myrna Conn
Based on the 2003 Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo written by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds & directed by Andrew Stanton
Directed by Khalia Davis
November 6 – December 30, 2024
The beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo comes to life on stage, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen). Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid, Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Just Ask!
Just Ask!
A Coterie World Premiere
in co-production with What If Puppets
Book by Fran Sillau
Music and Lyrics by Mark Kurtz
Based on the book by Sonia Sotomayor
Directed by Fran Sillau
January 29 – February 23, 2025
As they work to create a garden, young people with different abilities are getting to know one another. Young Sonia is new, and there is something she hasn’t told the others about herself. Will they accept her? With multicultural music and joyful choreography, this world premiere musical illustrates how to “just ask” about what makes each of us unique. Just Ask! is based on The New York Times best-selling book by Sonia Sotomayor.
Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale
Cinderella:
A Salsa Fairy Tale
Book and lyrics by Karen Zacarías
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Directed by Vanessa Severo
March 19 – May 4, 2025
What will happen to Cinderella at the ball … game? That’s the surprising climactic question in this contemporary Latin-American Cinderella musical, which delightfully turns the classic fairy tale on its head, telling the story from both Cinderella and the “stepsister’s” perspective. Cinderella, a newcomer from Puerto Rico, comes to visit her “stepsister,” Rosa, in the United States. The catch … Cinderella only speaks Spanish and Rosa only speaks English. Will these two girls be able to reach an understanding at the (basket) ball game? With a fairy godfather and other delightful twists to the original story, Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale crosses language and gender barriers, weaving a subtle lesson on empathy, sportsmanship and respect. Boys and girls will be cheering in their seats. Lauded by audiences, theaters, schools and academics, Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale is a groundbreaking bilingual children’s musical from the award-winning team of playwright Karen Zacarías and composer Deborah Wicks La Puma.
A Year with Frog and Toad
A Year with Frog and Toad
Book & lyrics by Willie Reale
Music by Robert Reale
Based on the books by Arnold Lobel
Directed by Khalia Davis
June 11 – August 3, 2025
Well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in A Year with Frog and Toad, the Tony Award-nominated musical following two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four, fun-filled seasons. Part vaudeville, part make-believe, all charm, A Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures, weathering all seasons. The jazzy upbeat score bubbles with melody and wit; an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting musical for the whole family.
