Balanchine paired the fiery beauty of precious gems with the incredible music of three very different composers to create a ballet in three unforgettable acts. Each is distinct in both music and mood. Emeralds, with music by Gabriel Fauré, evokes the elegance, comfort, couture, and perfume of the French Romantics’ 19th-century dances. Rubies, with music by Igor Stravinsky, is crisp, witty and jazzy, epitomizing the collaboration of Stravinsky and Balanchine. Diamonds, with music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky, recalls the essence of Imperial Russia, where Balanchine was trained.

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Jewels

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Are you ready for an epic musical journey? Richard Wagner's legendary four-opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung, based on ancient Norse mythology, is one of the most significant achievements in music and opera history. Our semi-staged concert, Journey to Valhalla, brings to life the best moments from the Ring of the Nibelung—an all-encompassing story of gods, dwarves, and humans in a world of magic, power, and greed. This breathtaking journey through Wagner's orchestrations and soaring vocal lines will transport you to a world of adventure and features the Kansas City Symphony alongside powerful Wagnerian singers.

Journey to Valhalla

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

Clue

How can you heighten the drama of Shakespeare's most famous play? By giving it the French grand opera treatment. Gounod's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet follows Shakespeare's centuries-old tale and brings this familiar tragedy to an epic crescendo. With an expansive score, gorgeous sets, and period costumes, you'll see Shakespeare’s tale as you've never experienced it before.

Roméo et Juliette

Pianist, composer and arranger John Beasley is one of those figures who have reached the mountaintop in the jazz world. A noted keyboardist with none other than Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard, leader of the renowned MONK’estra, and double GRAMMY award winner, Mr. Beasley represents all facets of the music. Join us as John brings his arrangements of Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Wayne Shorter and more to life alongside our vibrant big band.

Iconic Masters: Bird, Monk, Duke & More

The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine has long been one of the most distinguished European orchestras, achieving worldwide recognition through its many international tours which include Australia, the US, Europe and Asia.

Internationally renowned cellist, Natalia Khoma, has been hailed around the world as “technically dazzling”, “intense, brilliant, and with perfect structure”. Khoma solos with the returning NSO Ukraine who perform a program of Ukrainian composers and Sibelius’ Third Symphony. This tour is an important showcase of the ensemble’s artistry and war-torn perseverance through selections from occupied nations.

The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine & Natalia Khoma, Cello

It’s the classic family adventure for those who never want to grow up! Witness the magic of Peter Pan as he flies into the Darling family nursery, convincing Wendy, John, and Michael to join him for the adventure of a lifetime in Never Never Land, his enchanted home. The troublesome Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, their nemesis Captain Hook, and a hungry crocodile all help bring J.M. Barrie’s fantastical tale to life.

Peter Pan

The music never stops in Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience. Produced in collaboration with the Estate of Johnny Cash, this multi-media celebration is like nothing you’ve seen before. Using state-of-the-art technology, Johnny Cash’s rich, iconic baritone has been lifted from archival concert footage and recordings, enabling the “Man in Black” to perform his biggest hits – “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire” – with a live band again! In addition to never-before-seen footage and on-screen narration by Cash’s only son, John Carter Cash, male and female vocalists will split singing duties to perform even more Cash hits, as well as tunes by artists of the time including The Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins and June Carter Cash.

Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience

Girl From The North Country is the Tony Award-winning new musical that the Chicago Tribune declares is “a Broadway revelation!” 

Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From The North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” “Slow Train Coming,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.” 

Girl From the North Country

The renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns with soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason, who made her Kansas City recital debut in 2022 with the Series. The orchestra’s new music director Vasily Petrenko will conduct.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason, Piano

The grr-ific musical for little tigers and grown-ups alike is back! The hugely popular Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE, based on the #1 PBS KIDS TV and Emmy Award- winning series that has delighted live audiences on stages across the country is back. Daniel Tiger and all of his friends are hopping back on board Trolley and coming to your town with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King For A Day. Join Daniel, O the Owl, Miss Elaina, Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday and more familiar friends for a brand-new adventure in Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Daniel learns just what it takes to be King. The beloved characters come alive on stage to captivate you with new songs to sing along to, magical moments, and surprise guests along the way. It’s an event filled with tigertastic fun, teaching the valuable lessons of kindness, helping others, and being a friend. Don’t miss Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King for a Day... a royally great time!

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King for a Day

Composed in a mere 24 days, Handel’s Messiah has been in continuous performance since virtually the day of its premiere. From the excitement of For Unto Us a Child is Born to the magnificence of the Hallelujah Chorus, Messiah is one of the consummate masterpieces of the Baroque canon. Experience this holiday favorite in all its historical glory as the world-class musicians of the Spire Chamber Ensemble and Baroque Orchestra perform with period instruments in Helzberg Hall like you have never heard before!

Handel's Messiah Period Performance with Soloists from the Choir

For a lot of us, our entry into the jazz world came from the inexplicable world of a lovable boy and his beagle traversing the meaning of the season in an animated special. The timeless music of Vince Guaraldi has been played in more households than nearly any other artist, and we are so enthused to deliver a momentous arrangement of selections from A Charlie Brown Christmas for big band — for the first time ever! Join KCJO and guest vocalist Lee Langston as we create a new holiday tradition. Good Grief!

A Charlie Brown Christmas Feat. Lee Langston

Kansas City Ballet’s annual tradition, The Nutcracker continues to awe audiences year after year and is hailed as “positively oozing charm” by The Washington Post. The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman featuring Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Dr. Drosselmeier and the Sugar Plum Fairy is a magical theatrical experience wrapped with exquisite costumes, grand sets, and captivating choreography. Let your wonder ignite and feel the glimmer once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to IMAGINE AGAIN.

The Nutcracker

The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Hailed as the Empress of Soul, very few singers over the last 50 years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time Grammy Award winner has enjoyed #1 hits in pop, gospel, R&B and adult contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance. In her first effort since 2013’s Another Journey, this summer marked the release of Where My Heart Belongs, a new inspiration gospel album. Knight is a two-time Grammy winner in the gospel category, and Where My Heart Belongs dropped on Sept. 9 from Deseret Book, and recently won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Album.

Gladys Knight

The Screwtape Letters is a provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view.

The Screwtape Letters

The Look of Love is a production of Mark Morris Dance Group; BAM; BroadStage, Santa Monica; The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University; and Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth in association with Harriman-Jewell Series; Arizona Arts Live, University of Arizona; Cal Performances, UC Berkeley; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Modlin Center for the Arts at University of Richmond; Moss Arts Center; UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures; and Virginia Arts Festival.

Mark Morris Dance Group Performing the Look of Love

One of the most sought-after pianists in the world for generations, Sir András Schiff makes a triumphant return to Kansas City. Sir András needs no introduction as a performer, conductor, pedagogue, and lecturer. Having collaborated with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, he now focuses primarily on solo recitals, play-conducting appearances, and exclusive conducting projects. His Bach has become an annual highlight at BBC Proms and he is a musician whose refinement at the instrument is matched by the eloquence of his musical commentary. The evening’s selections will be announced directly from the stage – a unique and immediate experience inspired by the moment!

Sir András Schiff, Master Pianist

While she decides whether to become a nun, free-spirited Maria takes a job as governess to the seven children of widower and Austro-Hungarian Navy submarine captain Georg von Trapp. She quickly falls for the children and eventually Georg. Nazi Germany eventually annexes Austria, pressuring Georg to accept a commission in the German Navy. Maria and Georg are forced to make life-changing decisions and a daring escape to protect their values and love. Relive this heartwarming story of love, family, music, and triumph in a new large-scale production of a Broadway classic.

The Sound of Music

Kate Cosentino wowed audiences with her witty lyrics, quirky personality and engaging performance style during Season 23 of The Voice. Now, you can see the Kansas City native and Blue Valley West High School graduate perform in Helzberg Hall for this year’s free Fall Members Concert & Reception on Oct. 30.

Kansas City’s Kate Cosentino in Concert

Musical America’s 2019 Conductor of the Year Carlos Miguel Prieto makes a triumphant return to Kansas City stages with pianist Gabriela Montero and México City’s Minería [mee-neh-REE-ah] Symphony Orchestra of Mexico this season. The program includes Montero’s own piano concerto “The Latin Concerto,” Silvestre Revueltas’ massive work for expanded orchestra Night of the Mayas, a new piece by Gabriela Ortiz and Carlos Chávez’s Symphony No. 2.

Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico City Carlos Miguel Prieto, Conductor and Gabriela Montero, Piano

Witness the psychological torment and self-destruction of Henry Jekyll, a morally upright and well-mannered doctor, as he struggles against the vile urges of his alter ego Edward Hyde in Victorian England. This North American premiere of Val Caniparoli’s newest ballet focuses on the eternal struggle of good versus evil as it plays out within one man.

Jekyll & Hyde

The Foolers brings an evening of jaw-dropping illusions curated by Penn & Teller. Celebrating television’s #1 rated magic show, this interactive and irreverent evening presents the Fool Us alumni who share the distinction of being among the few who have impressed the pair with mystifying mind magic and hilarious comedic routines. In addition to bringing Vegas-caliber modern magic to cities across the US, master magicians Alex Ramon, Jessica Jane, Matt Donnelly and Vinny Grosso, collectively known as The Foolers pay homage to the classic magic of Penn & Teller. Don’t miss this chance to see TV’s trickiest magicians for an evening of unforgettable fun!

The Foolers, Curated by Penn & Teller

The Donegal based singer, who is one of the most prolific and successful recording artists on the UK charts, is the only artist in the world to score a hit on the UK album charts every year since 1988, an unprecedented and unbroken 35-year span. In doing so, he has outshone everyone from Michael Jackson and Madonna to U2 and the Rolling Stones.

Daniel O'Donnell

Join us as the Conservatory Wind Symphony kicks off our 2023-24 Artist Series season of performances.

Conservatory Wind Symphony

Through iconic music and drama, this double bill reveals the consequences of infidelity and the rage within all of us.

Cavalleria rusticana | Pagliacci

We are excited to kick off our 21st season with a brand new recording: In The Key of KC, and you’re invited to come celebrate the release with us! The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra is proud to reflect the great tradition of music from our city, and energized to present something you can’t hear anywhere else. Featuring new originals and swinging standards and the incredible talent of vocalist Eboni Fondren, KCJO is kicking off this year with a bang!

In the Key of KC Featuring Eboni Fondren

Here is your chance to see two legendary performers. Join music icon Herb Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, GRAMMY Award–winning vocalist and former lead singer of Brasil ’66 with Sérgio Mendes as they perform their classic recordings, "Más Que Nada," "Fool On The Hill," "Going Out Of My Head" and "Daytripper." Alpert is celebrating his 60th year since recording his first hit song, "The Lonely Bull" in 1962. Alpert, Hall and their incredible band present an eclectic mix of American standards, Brazilian jazz, some Beatles, some classic Tijuana Brass and Brasil ’66 songs as well as many surprises. Their shows are informal as Alpert loves to answer questions from the audience about his and Hall’s music careers, A&M Records and the many iconic artists they have both worked with over the past 50 years.

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

10 - 18 May, 2024

Jewels

3 - 5 May, 2024

Journey to Valhalla

2 - 8 Apr, 2024

Clue

9 - 17 Mar, 2024

Roméo et Juliette

Mar 9, 2024

Iconic Masters: Bird, Monk, Duke & More

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts