Kauffman Center Announces New 'Best of Broadway Series'

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts-a new center for music, opera, theater, and dance opening in Kansas City, MO on September 16, 2011-has announced an unprecedented collaboration to dramatically expand Broadway productions presented in the greater Kansas City region. The Kauffman Center is collaborating with Kansas City's Music Hall, Theater League, and Broadway Across America to offer one five-show subscription package for performances at both venues, the "Kansas City Best of Broadway Series." The Kauffman Center's 1,800 seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre will enable the city host more intimate musicals and plays as part of a series of touring Broadway productions presented by Theater League. More information regarding the productions to be included in the Center's inaugural season of programming will be announced in early 2011.

When it opens next fall, the Kauffman Center will advance the role of the performing arts as a catalyst for Kansas City's civic, economic, and educational vitality. In addition to presenting a wide spectrum of entertainers and performances from around the world, three of the region's leading performing arts organizations-Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City-will be in residence at the Kauffman Center, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and the cross-fertilization of audiences.

Through this special cross-programming effort between the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Music Hall, operated by the Kansas City Convention Center, the two Broadway presenters, Theater League and Broadway Across America, will utilize the strengths and features of each performance hall, giving audiences a broader and richer range of Broadway programming, unique to a metropolitan area the size of Kansas City. The Kauffman Center's Muriel Kauffman Theatre which seats 1,800 is designed for more intimate productions that would not be possible in the Music Hall space. Conversly, the Music Hall's greater seating capacity of 2,363 seats will continue to make it ideal for the larger touring productions.