The Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center is thrilled to host hundreds of artists in our beautiful black box theatre. We hope you'll visit OFTEN and experience great theatre produced by our three resident companies: Theatre in the Park, The Barn Players and Spinning Tree Theatre Company! We'll be VERY glad to see you!

The Barn Players - May 19-28 FIRST DATE What does a person expect out of a blind date? The 2012 musical First Date takes the audience through the first meeting of Casey and Aaron, two 30-ish New York City singles set up by friends and family. The two have nothing in common: Aaron is a conservative banker, Jewish, and looking for a meaningful relationship, while Casey is an artist, a shiksa, and a little too funky for Wall Street. With the influences of their friends and family (played out in their imaginations) as well as the effects of social media (Google, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube personified), this first date seems to be doomed. But with the help of a meddling but well-meaning waiter, Casey and Aaron might make a connection after all. With a contemporary rock score, First Date gleefully pokes fun at the mishaps and mistakes of blind dates and gives hope that there could be that one perfect moment.  Read all the details and buy tickets.

TIP - September 30 - October 16, 2022

ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE

Always…Patsy Cline is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963.  The show is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death.

The musical play, complete with down home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation, includes many of Patsy’ unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Walking After Midnight…27 songs in all.  The show’s title was inspired by Cline’s letters to Seger, which were consistently signed “Love ALWAYS… Patsy Cline.” Read full details here. ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE

The Barn Players - October 21-30 NEXT TO NORMAL Next to Normal is the story of Diana Goodman and her family. Traumatized by the death of her infant son from an undiagnosed intestinal obstruction, Diana has lived with bipolar depressive disorder and delusional episodes for the past seventeen years. The illness has affected everyone in her life, and has nearly torn her family apart on several occasions. With subject matter rendered achingly recognizable by Brian Yorkey, and a dynamic, energetic pop-rock score by Tom Kitt, Next to Normal is a show that enables a small group of actors to showcase powerhouse vocals while exploring pressing contemporary issues of trauma, loss, mental health treatment, and the meaning of family.  Read all the details and buy tickets.

The Barn Players - November 18-29 6X10 PLAY FESTIVAL Six local playwrights, six original plays, six directors, one fantastic weekend of theatre! Bringing back our long-running tradition after a year off, we are proud to present the 6 x 10 Play Festival, a one-weekend celebration of original work from playwrights in the midwest and particularly the Kansas City Metro area. Out of many submissions, we picked six ten-minute plays to bring to the stage, and each has its own director and cast. This December, come see something new, something that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you think, and showcase the vast array of talent in Kansas City theatre. Read all the details and buy tickets.

TIP - December 9 - 24, 2022

SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Seussical is fun for the whole family! Performers of all ages will be excited to portray the characters from the familiar Dr. Seuss fables. This musical provides wonderful creative opportunities for set, lighting and costume design.  Read full details here SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL.