Wichita Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS at The Forum Theatre
by Paula Makar - December 15, 2024

If you’re looking for something family friendly to get you in the holiday spirit, I advise a trip to the Forum Theatre to indulge in a visually fun and entertaining production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The beloved musical has become a Christmas tradition in many communities across the Unit...

Review: BETWEEN THE LINES at Newman University
by John Dalton-White - November 10, 2024

What did our critic think of BETWEEN THE LINES at Newman University?...

Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at The Forum Theatre
by John Dalton-White - November 12, 2024

Being a fan of Alfred Hitchcock’s works, I was eager to see The Forum Theatre’s production of acclaimed Jeffrey Hatcher's new adaptation of Frederick Knott's Dial M for Murder.  Hatcher’s adaptation of the classic suspense thriller pays homage to the original and is a smart, tight, compelling update...

Review: WAR HORSE IN CONCERT at Century II Concert Hall
by Paula Makar - November 03, 2024

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 diff...

Review: DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE at Kechi Playhouse
by John Dalton-White - October 22, 2024

What did our critic think of DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE at Kechi Playhouse?...

Review: THE WHO'S TOMMY at The Forum Theatre
by Paula Makar - October 01, 2024

The Forum Theatre opened their 2024-2025 Season with a bang last week with the groundbreaking Rock Opera, The Who’s Tommy, based on the 1969 rock opera Tommy by The Who. If you have never seen this high-energy musical before, I highly recommend you see it before it closes. It is a unique piece of th...

Review: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at Guild Hall Players
by Susan Guntly - September 30, 2024

Guild Hall Players staged What the Constitution Means to Me, by playwright, screenwriter and actor, Heidi Schreck, the most produced show of 2023/2024. Nominated for a Tony and a Pulitzer, both in 2019, it’s a mini tour of the American Constitution, weaving personal accounts of how the seemingly dis...

Review: DRACULA, A COMEDY OF TERRORS at Roxy's Downtown
by John Dalton-White - September 26, 2024

Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors is a Bram-new comedy that Wichita audiences can really sink their teeth into. Mix a dosage of Rocky Horror, a generous helping of Mel Brooks and a splash of Monty Python and the results are an evening of hilarity....

Review: THINGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME at Kechi Playhouse
by Paula Makar - September 15, 2024

Things My Mother Taught Me is a sweet little situation comedy written by television writer Katherine DiSavino. DiSavino also wrote Seasonal Allergies and Nana’s Naughty Knickers. The play opens with Olivia and Gabe, both in their late 20s, moving from New York into their first apartment in Chicago t...

Review: THE MINUTES at Wichita Community Theatre
by Susan Guntly - September 10, 2024

What did our critic think of THE MINUTES at Wichita Community Theatre?...

Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Roxy's Downtown
by Susan Guntly - September 04, 2024

  The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a tale of longing, lust, discrimination, and abuse of power in 1547 Paris, is at Roxy’s for just one more weekend. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by Peter Parnell. Skillfully Directed by Rick Bumgardner with Music and Assistant Direction by ...

Review: BEAUTIFUL : THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Music Theatre Wichita
by Susan Guntly - August 26, 2024

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL : THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Music Theatre Wichita?...

Review: CYRANO DE BERGERAC at The Kechi Playhouse
by Paula Makar - August 19, 2024

If you’re looking for a swashbuckling good time, do yourself a favor and see the original RomCom, Cyrano de Bergerac, at The Kechi Playhouse. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets. ...

Review: MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Music Theatre Of Wichita
by Paula Makar - August 04, 2024

On July 31, 2024, I had the privilege of seeing an incredibly scintillating production of MatildaThe Musical, presented by Music Theatre Wichita in the Century II Concert Hall. I’m ashamed to say I knew next to nothing about the book, but I have seen myriad clips of the musical numbers. ...

Review: INTO THE WOODS at Roxy's Downtown
by Paula Makar - August 03, 2024

On July 24th, 2024, I had the great pleasure to see the storied musical Into the Woods at Roxy’s Downtown. This exceptional production runs until August 9, so hurry and get your tickets before they are completely sold out! I hear there are only a few select nights left. The piece moves at an engagin...

Review: TRAVESTIES at ICT Rep At The Welsbacher Theatre At The WSU Metroplex On Oliver & 29th
by Paula Makar - July 29, 2024

What did our critic think of TRAVESTIES at ICT Rep At The Welsbacher Theatre At The WSU Metroplex On Oliver & 29th? I had the unique pleasure of attending ICT Rep’s production of Tom Stoppard’s Travesties on its final performance. The comedy ran for one week, July 18-21st, at the Welsbacher Theatre...

Review: SLOW FOOD at Wichita Community Theatre
by Susan Guntly - July 24, 2024

What did our critic think of SLOW FOOD at Wichita Community Theatre?...

Review: DISNEY'S FROZEN at Music Theatre Of Wichita At Century II Concert Hall
by Paula Makar - July 11, 2024

In continuing with MTWichita’s 2024 Season Theme “The Year of the Woman,” I had the privilege of seeing Disney’s Frozen on the Century II Concert Hall Stage. MTWichita is one of the first indoor regional theatres to produce Disney’s Frozen after the show closed on Broadway. This can be a challenge b...

Review: THE SUNSHINE BOYS at Roxy's Downtown
by Susan Guntly - June 26, 2024

What did our critic think of THE SUNSHINE BOYS at Roxy's Downtown?...

Review: 9 TO 5 at Music Theatre of Wichita at Century II Concert Hall
by Paula Makar - June 16, 2024

What did our critic think of 9 TO 5 at Music Theatre Of Wichita At Century II Concert Hall?9 to 5 is one of my favorite shows - it’s entertaining, it’s full of comedic moments, and it has some great lessons in self love, trusting your instincts, and believing in yourself. It shows us not only how fa...

Review: GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Music Theatre Wichita At Century II Concert Hall
by Paula Makar - June 05, 2024

What did our critic think of GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Music Theatre Wichita At Century II Concert Hall? There is a reason the musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable is a Golden Age classic. The text, suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and written by Authur Laurents, is economical and succinct. Jule...

Review: LEGALLY BLONDE at Roxy's Downtown
by Susan Guntly - May 26, 2024

What did our critic think of LEGALLY BLONDE at Roxy's Downtown?...

Review: ON YOUR FEET! THE STORY OF EMILIO AND GLORIA ESTEFAN at Century II Concert Hall
by Susan Guntly - March 20, 2024

Imagine waiting to see a living legend in concert. Anticipation builds, the lights dim, and then you hear the familiar and timeless beginnings of “The Rhythm is Going to Get You,” and you absolutely want to get up and dance!  Starting strong, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, giv...

Review: JEKYLL & HYDE at Roxy's Downtown
by Susan Guntly - February 28, 2024

What did our critic think of JEKYLL & HYDE at Roxy's Downtown? Join Roxy’s for an ambitious and stunning production of Jekyll & Hyde. A dazzling cast of singer/actors, a layered and luxurious ten-piece orchestra, and a cat walk thrusting the action into the audience’s lap, the mood is set, and a dar...

Review: COME FROM AWAY at Century II Concert Hall
by Susan Guntly - January 31, 2024

What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at Century II Concert Hall? A Tuesday morning in September, a transatlantic flight from Paris to Dallas is unexpectedly rerouted, and the passengers aren’t told where they are landing. Parked on the tarmac for hours, the mini liquor bottles are exhausted, ...