‘Back to the Future,’ ‘Beetlejuice’ coming to KC in Broadway series offering new, old
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Kansas City theater goers will be treated to popular new shows and favorite revivals during PNC Broadway in Kansas City’s just-announced 2024-25 season.
“If you walk the streets of Broadway, you’re seeing the marquees for shows that we’re bringing directly to Kansas City,” said Amy Hamm, president and executive director of the American Theatre Guild. “I’m really excited. It’s really like bringing a slice of Broadway in New York right to Kansas City.”
Highlighting the seven-musical season (plus one add-on show) will be “Back to the Future: The Musical,” which premiered on Broadway in August, and “Beetlejuice,” which opened in 2019 before becoming a victim of the pandemic that shut down Broadway. It returned in 2022, then closed last year and joined the national touring circuit.
“‘Beetlejuice’ might be the hottest title on the road right now,” Hamm said.
Also on the schedule are two of three longest-running shows in Broadway history — both of which are still going strong there. “Chicago” is the second-longest-running musical in Broadway history (behind “The Phantom of the Opera”), and “The Lion King” is No. 3 on the list.
“Chicago” last came to Kansas City for the Broadway series in 2015, and “The Lion King” in 2018. The other 2024-25 shows will make their local touring premieres.
Rounding out the schedule are three shows that, like “Chicago,” are recent Broadway revivals.
“The Wiz” is scheduled to open next month at the Marquis Theatre, and “Parade” and “Funny Girl” ended their Broadway runs in the past six months.
“Many musical theater buffs know that ‘The Wiz’ and ‘Parade’ and ‘Funny Girl’ have been around a while and are revivals, but they feel fresh and new,” Hamm said.
“Parade” won the Tony for best revival of a musical in 2023, when it starred Ben Platt (“Dear Evan Hansen”).
The latest reincarnation of “Funny Girl” became a hot ticket when Lea Michele (“Glee”) took over the role of Fanny Brice in 2022.
Kansas City acting icon Walter Coppage joined the cast in the role of Florenz Ziegfeld when the national tour hit the road in September. He is committed to “Funny Girl” only through Aug. 25, but Hamm didn’t rule out the possibility of Coppage rejoining the cast for the show that will open Kansas City’s 2024-25 season.
“The Lion King” will have a two-week stay at the Music Hall; the rest of the schedule consists of one-week runs except for the series add-on, “Judy Collins,” which is a one-night offering at the Kauffman Center.
Season-ticket renewals are now available, as is a waiting list for new season tickets. Single ticket sales will open in late summer or early fall.
PNC Broadway in Kansas City 2024-25 season
“Funny Girl,” Dec. 3-8, Music Hall: Classic songs such as “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People” help tell the story of singer Fanny Brice.
“Chicago,” Jan. 7-12, Kauffman Center: Written by Kansas City native John Kander and Fred Ebb, the tale from the Jazz Age debuted in 1975, and this revival has run on Broadway since 1996.
“Parade,” Jan. 28-Feb. 2, Kauffman Center: A newlywed Jewish couple struggles to make a life in Georgia in this musical that won two Tonys when it premiered on Broadway in 1998.
“Beetlejuice,” Feb. 18-23, Music Hall: Based on Tim Burton’s 1988 movie, the eight-time Tony-nominated musical comedy involves an unusual teenager, a recently deceased couple and a demon.
“Judy Collins,” March 15, 2025, Kauffman Center: This show, an add-on to the season series, celebrates the music of the singer-songwriter known for “Both Sides Now” and “Send in the Clowns.”
“Back to the Future: The Musical,” April 1-6, 2025, Music Hall: The 2022 Olivier Award winner for best new musical, adapted for the stage by the creators of the 1985 movie, includes a flying DeLorean, original songs and hits from the film such as “Johnny B. Goode” and “Earth Angel.”
“The Lion King,” May 22-June 1, 2025, Music Hall: With music by Elton John and Tim Rice, “The Lion King” became a Broadway sensation after its translation from the big screen, winning the Tony Award for best musical in 1998 and playing continuously since (except for a pandemic hiatus).
“The Wiz,” July 8-13, 2025, Music Hall: This is the first North American tour in 40 years for the 1975 Tony winner for best musical, which adds a soul/gospel/funk score to Dorothy’s journey in “The Wizard of Oz.”
