Kansas City Broadway series to showcase Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, more

Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner and Atticus Finch are coming to Kansas City.

The four American icons will be featured during the 2023-24 season announced Thursday by PNC Broadway in Kansas City. The seven-show slate will begin with a classic: “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Aaron Sorkin’s new stage version of the classic book and movie that was a smash on Broadway.

Also on the schedule are “MJ: The Musical” about Jackson, “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” and “Girl From the North Country” with Dylan’s music. Rounding out the season will be “Clue,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.”

In a departure from the norm, the season will include two non-musicals, the drama “Mockingbird” and the mystery/comedy “Clue.” The Broadway series has presented all musicals the past four seasons, with “The Play That Goes Wrong” in April 2019 being the last non-musical.

Amy Hamm, executive director of the American Theatre Guild in Kansas City, said “Mockingbird” and “Clue” are exceptions to the musical rule.

“They were just two really great titles that had appeal more in the line with a musical,” she said. “The majority of the time, plays just aren’t as popular as musicals. It’s really a rarity when you get a play that performs saleswise on the level of a musical. And that’s certainly what we saw with ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’”

Season-ticket renewals are now available. New season tickets will go on sale in the spring (an online wait list is available), and single ticket sales will open in late summer or early fall.

Broadway in KC 2023-24 season

“To Kill a Mockingbird,” Oct. 24-29, Music Hall: Sorkin’s stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s 1960 novel was a sensation after opening on Broadway in 2018 with Jeff Daniels as Atticus Finch. Richard Thomas (John-Boy in “The Waltons”) has played Atticus during the national tour, but he hasn’t been confirmed for the KC stop.

Hamm: “It’s just a special show. It’s so relevant to what is going on in the world now, too.”

“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” Dec. 5-10, Music Hall: This jukebox musical tells the story of the singer from her humble beginnings in Tennessee to her relationship with husband Ike to her rise to rock ’n’ roll legend. Songs include “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and many more.

Hamm: “It does kind of use the soundtrack of her life to tell her story.”

“Girl From the North Country,” Jan. 23-28, Kauffman Center: Set in Dylan’s hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, in 1934, this tale of travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse incorporates 20 Dylan songs. The musical opened on Broadway in March 2020, earning seven Tony nominations and winning one.

Hamm: “It’s got a very strong story through it. It’s dealing with some heavier material. And then they really beautifully weave in the Bob Dylan songs in it.”

“Mamma Mia!,” March 5-10, 2024, Music Hall: The beloved musical, which has spawned two hit movies, will return with the songs of the Swedish group ABBA and the story of a soon-to-be-wed young woman sorting through her mother’s past.

Hamm: “It’s such a crowd-pleaser and such a fun night out.”

“Clue,” April 2-7, 2024, Kauffman Center: From board game to movie to stage play, “Clue” has established itself as a classic. This is a new comedy version with six guests assembled at Boddy Manor, leading to at least one mysterious murder.

Hamm: “It’s a really fun whodunit, a nice, light, funny entertaining evening.”

“MJ: The Musical,” May 7-12, 2024, Music Hall: Barely a year after opening on Broadway and the winner of four Tony Awards, the Michael Jackson musical is on the road. The storyline focuses on the making of the King of Pop’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

Hamm: “It’s different than some (musicals) that show from childhood through death. The songs are really built in more to the development of that tour.”

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” July 23-Aug. 4, 2024, Music Hall: The stage version of the 2001 movie about Paris at the turn of the 20th century features original songs as well as popular music from Adele, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Beyoncé and others. It won 10 Tony Awards in 2021, including for best musical.

Hamm: “There are way more songs in the musical than in the movie. It’s just song after song after song that you’ve heard on the radio.”