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The list of free summer entertainment in Gladstone has increased.

The 2010 schedule for the Gladstone Amphitheater has been finalized and to it has been added a new music series and an opera to go with the traditional favorites.

The amphitheater schedule, which runs from May through October, will kick off with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Opera performing a children’s theater production of “Hansel and Gretel.” The opera is one of the new additions to the list of summer programming.

According to Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Lillis, the city has been working with the UMKC Conservatory to bring quality shows to the amphitheater.

Along with the children’s opera performance, a concert series has been added to the list, which now includes 15 amphitheater events.

The concert series will be called June Tunes. The concerts will be held each Tuesday night of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and feature a different group each night.

“I’m very pleased to see a concert series come into play,” City Manager Kirk Davis said.

Lillis said Davis had been pushing for a concert series at the amphitheater.

“We’re very excited about them,” Lillis said about the concerts. “And hopefully it will be a way to garner more interest and bring more groups to Gladstone.”

The long-standing tradition of Theater in the Park will return for its 23rd season on July 9 to 11 with “Annie Get Your Gun.” The second production will be a first-time production of “South Pacific” on Aug. 6 to 8.

Family-friendly movies will return to the venue. “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” and “Planet 51” will be shown on a large screen at the theater.

“The movies have gained popularity, and that’s something we’ve had to work at, so after four or five years they have finally caught on, and they are very fun for the young people,” Lillis said.

The amphitheater is in Oak Grove Park at Northeast 76th Street and Troost Avenue. Admission is free to all programs, and visitors are

free to bring chairs and blankets.

“Hopefully we’ll bring some more fun — some more consistent fun — up there,” Lillis said.

2010 Gladstone Amphitheater schedule

- Saturday, May 15 — UMKC Opera, “Hansel and Gretel”

- Tuesday, June 1 — Steve Lenhert Jazz Trio

- Tuesday, June 8 — Northwinds Jazz Band

- Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12 — Bluesfest

- Tuesday, June 15 — Uncle Ezra’s Chiropractic Brass

- Friday, June 18 — Movie in the Park, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”

- Tuesday, June 22 — UMKC Jazz Quintet

- Tuesday, June 29 — Cherry Bomb

- Sunday, July 4 — July 4 celebration

- Friday to Sunday, July 9 to 11 — Theater in the Park, “Annie Get Your Gun”

- Friday, July 23 — Movie in the Park, Planet 51

- Saturday, July 31 — Night Out Against Crime

- Friday to Sunday, Aug. 6 to 8 — Theater in the Park, “South Pacific”

- Sunday, Aug. 29 — Sweet Adelines

- Friday, Oct. 29 — Friday Fright Night

Staff writer Meagan O’Donnell can be reached at 389-6606 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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