Starlight Theatre opened on June 25, 1951, with Sigmund Romberg's musical, "Desert Song." The area was used in 1950 for the Kansas City Centennial production, "Thrills of a Century." The theater was designed by architect Edward Buehler Delk. It cost $1,750,000 and covers 14 acres. It has 7,600 permanent arena seats, a 90 foot stage, and room for 1,534 cars in the parking lot. It is owned by the city, and leased for $1.00 a year to the Starlight Association.