FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 15, 2024
Contact:
Ellen McDonald, Publicist
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
816.213.4355 | publicity@kauffmancenter.org
Karen Badgett, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
816.994.7229 | kbadgett@kauffmancenter.org
Kauffman Center Presents
Celtic Thunder
Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS ON SALE March 22, 2024
Kansas City, MO – Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce
the latest addition to the Kauffman Center Presents line-up, Celtic Thunder,
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m. in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Kauffman Center Presents promises to deliver extraordinary and diverse experiences
featuring internationally recognized artists and performers for Kansas City audiences.
High-resolution photos with IDs can be found here.
President and CEO Paul Schofer welcomes Celtic Thunder to the Kauffman Center.
“Who doesn’t enjoy an evening steeped in the gorgeous music and culture of Ireland
with these world-renowned artists? Prepare to get your feet a ‘thumping and your
hands a ‘clapping!”
Celtic Thunder
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Single Ticket On-Sale Date: March 22, 2024, at 10 a.m.
In 2007, producer Sharon Browne embarked on an innovative project by filming the
inaugural Celtic Thunder show at the Helix in Dublin, Ireland. The concept behind this
groundbreaking endeavor was to assemble a group of talented men from Ireland and
Scotland, spanning ages from 21 to 42, and curate a performance that celebrated their
shared Celtic heritage.
The resulting show presented a captivating blend of musical genres, ranging from
traditional Celtic tunes to international chart-toppers, interwoven with original compositions.
The current lineup of Celtic Thunder comprises a diverse ensemble of performers, including
Damian McGinty, Emmet Cahill, Neil Byrne and Ronan Scolard.
Each member of Celtic Thunder is a formidable talent, both in solo and ensemble
performances. Supported by the dynamic Celtic Thunder Band, their live shows are
renowned for their dramatic lighting effects, intricate choreography and a stage set
reminiscent of ancient Celtic pathways, evoking the legends of Celtic lore.
The Celtic Thunder ODYSSEY live theatrical production serves as a captivating exploration
of Irish music and culture, spanning traditional Irish rhythms, contemporary beats and
innovative arrangements that define the group’s distinctive sound.
Since 2008, Celtic Thunder has released 17 shows on CD and DVD. By the end of 2023,
they will have completed 15 coast-to-coast tours of the United States and Canada, as well
as four tours of Australia, performing over 1000 shows and captivating millions of fans.
Additionally, Celtic Thunder has ventured into the world of Entertainment Cruises, hosting
five Caribbean cruises, each accommodating over 4,000 fans for a four-day musical
extravaganza.
The impact of Celtic Thunder’s music has earned them prestigious recognition, including
being named BILLBOARD’s Top World Music Artist five times, along with accolades for Top
World Music Imprint and Top World Album in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2016. Their
official YouTube channel, “Thunder Tube,” has garnered over 300 million views since its
inception in 2008, boasting an active subscriber base of 325,000. Furthermore, Celtic
Thunder enjoys a dedicated following, with over a million followers on their official
Facebook page.
For more information, visit celticthunder.com.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets go on sale to the public March 22, 2024, at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available
through the Kauffman Center Ticket Office at 816.994.7222 or online at
tickets.kauffmancenter.org.
PARKING & DOWNTOWN MAPS
Find information and maps for Kauffman Center parking and street closure updates at
kauffmancenter.org/parking. The Arts District Garage is the primary parking garage for
patrons. The garage is directly attached to the Kauffman Center just south of the
building with multiple access points to surrounding streets. Purchasing event parking in
advance is highly recommended as it often will sell out. The garage is $13 per car in
advance or $16 upon arrival or valet is $22 in advance or $24 upon arrival.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Kauffman Center’s promise to bring artists and audiences together is reflected in
many ways, including removing barriers and providing access to our performing arts
experiences for all patrons. You can learn more by visiting
kauffmancenter.org/accessibility. To request services or receive additional information
that would make your visit more enjoyable, please contact our ticket office at
816.994.7222 or contact@kauffmancenter.org.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Receive updates by following our Facebook page at facebook.com/kauffmancenter,
Instagram page at instagram.com/kauffmancenter and Twitter page at
twitter.com/kauffmancenter. Watch videos at youtube.com/kauffmancenter and follow
our blog at kauffmancenter.org/news.
MEDIA
Visit the Kauffman Center’s online press room for media resources, multimedia library,
press release archive and more: kauffmancenter.org/about/press-room.
SPONSORS
The Kauffman Center Presents series is made possible by the John N. and Marilyn P.
McConnell Foundation, Premier Partner Saint Luke’s Health System and Building
Sponsor Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City.
ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Opening in 2011, the Kauffman Center serves as a cultural cornerstone for extraordinary
and diverse music, opera, theater and dance performances for Kansas City and the region.
Designed by internationally recognized architect Moshe Safdie, the Kauffman Center has
been honored as one of the World’s 15 Most Beautiful Concert Halls, which attracts some of
the world’s most renowned performers and entertainers. The 285,000-square-foot Center
includes two performance halls: the 1,800-seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre that hosts dance
performances, operas, plays, and musicals and the 1,600-seat Helzberg Hall, a venue for a
wide range of musical performances, from chamber music to full orchestral concerts, jazz
and pop, lectures and recitals.
The Kauffman Center is the performance home for three of the region’s leading performing
arts organizations – Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City
Symphony. In addition, the Kauffman Center Presents series brings in performing artists at
the top of their classes as well as Trailblazing Talks, a live speaker series. Since opening,
the Kauffman Center has offered over 3,100 performances and welcomed more than 4.5
million visitors.
By engaging the community and creating access to arts experiences, more than 415,000
students attended over 366 matinees offered by the Kauffman Center, its resident
companies and other arts organizations. More information about the Kauffman Center for
the Performing Arts can be found at kauffmancenter.org.
KAUFFMAN CENTER PRESENTS SCHEDULE*
The Kauffman Center Presents series features extraordinary and diverse artists from a
variety of musical genres and performance styles. Upcoming events include:
2024 Kauffman Center Presents
• Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 p.m. – The Irish Tenors
• Tuesday, March 12, 7:30 p.m. – Trailblazing Talks, From Sandlots to Stadium:
Inside America’s Favorite Pastime, Jean Fruth, Sports Photographer
• Thursday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. – Bruce Hornsby & yMusic present BrhyM
• Saturday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. – Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary
• Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. – Wheel of Fortune LIVE!
• Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. – Trailblazing Talks, The Blue Zones: Unlocking the
Secrets of Longevity, David McLain, Photographer
• Tuesday, May 21, 7:30 p.m. – Trailblazing Talks, Saving Our Blue Planet, One
Hope Spot at a Time, Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer
• Tuesday, June 11, 7:30 p.m. – Donny Osmond
• Tuesday, June 18, 7:30 p.m. – Punch Brothers
• Monday, June 24, 7:30 p.m. – Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs
• Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18, 12:30 & 3:30 p.m. – Bluey’s Big
Play – The Stage Show
• Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m. – Celtic Thunder
*Kauffman Center Presents events announced to date. Additional performances will be
announced throughout the year.
The Kauffman Center offers more than 300 performances annually. The complete
calendar of events is available at tickets.kauffmancenter.org.
