‘Broadway in Kansas City’ announces 2024-2025 season, including Funny Girl, Chicago, Parade, and Back to the Future

Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

The 2024 to 2025 year for Broadway in KC really does seem like hit after hit. In order of show-days, we have, Funny Girl, Chicago, Parade, Beetlejuice, Judy Collins, Back to the Future: the Musical, Disney’s the Lion King, and The Wiz. Each and every one of these is a critically acclaimed show, many of which have a long history.

Most of these shows have never touched Kansas City soil before, in fact outside The Lion King, and Chicago everything is new. While they are technically old shows, “the beautiful thing about live theater in general is that you never get to think twice,” Craig Aikman, the Director of Programming, says.

The Lion King in particular is one many have seen, as it’s been going since 1997, but for many it’s been so long that you may want to revisit it or take someone new to see it. Either way it’s a unique experience you won’t get from the movie.

“You can’t miss the animal parade at the beginning of Lion King, that first five minutes is just awe-inspiring. It’s different from seeing even the live action version of it, seeing that puppetry come down but down the aisles and next to you, and you’re that close to that action and what’s happening is just It’s awe-inspiring.” says Aikman.

Judy Collins is the odd one out here. As it isn’t a musical per se, “Judy Collins is not a Broadway title, but she is a perennial favorite, and a folk singer and artists from the 70s from the Stephen Sondheim song called was “Send in the Clowns” which is from A Little Night Music was a Broadway show. It’s kind of like the game of Kevin Bacon. You know, how far removed is Judy Collins from Broadway, and she’s not very far removed,” says Aikman.

Beetlejuice is one that will likely be a big deal for a lot of people. It’s been a breakout hit since release and really hasn’t slowed down since. While it is technically a movie adaptation a lot of tweaks have been made to the show to bring more energy to the musical rendition.

While it might sound a bit odd at first, Back to the Future actually does seem like it makes for a good musical. It’s “the hottest show in New York right now. And it’s everything that you would expect to see. It’s got a lot of music from the film, but it’s got a new original score that goes along with it,” Aikman says.

For those interested in seeing shows, you’re going to have to wait a bit. At the moment, they are sorting out things with current season tickets owners. Which is great for those that have them already, but for those that don’t you’ll be waiting till sometime later in spring.

There is a waiting list on their website that you can be added to, those on the waitlist will be given first chance before everyone else can buy in. If you’re wanting to only see one show then you’ll be waiting until late summer to early fall for your tickets, there is a waitlist for these as well.