Wichita State University

As I sat in the audience, waiting for the performance of War Horse In Concert, a Pops presentation for the Wichita Symphony, I overhead several audience members discussing their expectations for what they were about to experience. “Is this a play?”  “It looks like there are narrators!” “Is this different from a regular concert?” Most “In Concert” performances are based on well known musicals, but War Horse In Concert is based on War Horse Suite 2022, a symphonic work derived from the score of the play with the same name. The play is based on the original story written by Michael Morpurgo. War Horse: The Story in Concert premiered at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2016, with music composed by Adrian Sutton, and the narration was adapted from the play script written in 1982 by Nick Stafford. The performance consisted of a very simple staged version of the piece, with multiple actors playing multiple roles, supplying dialogue at the important points in the story. There was also a main singer and a chorus to help convey the emotions that the spoken word can fail to supply. This allows the orchestra to feature the score so the story to be told by both the music and the word. A concert version is usually a scaled down production, sans sets, props, elaborate costumes, and in the case of War Horse, the puppets used to portray the horses. The audience is asked to use their imaginations, and their mind’s eye, to fill in the remainder of the story.

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced initial casting to the 2024 – 2025 season, which begins November 13 with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Broadway actress and Beautiful veteran, Julia Knitel will lead the cast as Carole King.

The Downtown Urban Arts Festival celebrated its 22nd season with a diverse lineup of performances, including works by Savion Glover and Reg E. Gaines, and a special event for James Earl Hardy's B-Boy Blues. Learn more about the winners!

Kechi Playhouse’s third play in their 42nd season is a new adaptation of the romantic classic “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand. Misty Maynard will be directing this new version penned by Joseph Urick, a new professor at Wichita State University. Urick adapted Rostand’s classic specifically for an intimate space, focusing specifically on the words of the story, rather than on the fancy lights, lavish sets, or extravagant costumes.

WAM and Tallgrass Film Association present a summer film series featuring a diverse selection of films. Enjoy screenings and discussions at the Wichita Art Museum throughout the summer.

The Downtown Urban Arts Festival returns for its 22nd season from June 12-29 at Theatre Row.

WaterTower Theatre is continuing its dedication to the development of new works with a reading of the winning play from WTT’s recent local playwright competion; HELIOS 24/7 by Natalie Gaupp. 

After an international search, Detroit Opera has revealed the five singers who will train in Detroit Opera's Resident Artist Program during the 2024–25 season.

Always... Patsy Cline will open at the Tada Theatre in April.

Guild Hall Players is pleased to present The Last Lifeboat by Luke Yankee. The play was first performed in 2014 and has had over 65 performances since. This captivating and interesting play will be performed at St. James Episcopal Church located at 3750 E. Douglas in Wichita, KS.

Broadway’s Hit Musical Sweeney Todd is at the Forum Theatre in Wichita, and is currently running until October 8. 

Which RuPaul's Drag Race stars have been on Broadway? Which drag queens have dreams of making in big in musical theatre? BroadwayWorld chatted with many of them about their big Broadway dreams!

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, City Theatre Company, and DEMASKUS Theater Collective will co-present the story of voting-rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer in the Pittsburgh premiere of FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer by Cheryl L. West.

General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced the selection of the artists for the Resident Artist Program for the 2022-2023 season.

Drury Lane Theatre announces the cast for its production of the empowering story of love and friendship, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller. Due to demand, Steel Magnolias has been extended and now runs June 10 – August 7, 2022, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.