Behind the choice to film Second Change Stage in KC: ‘The show reflects the city- authenticity’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City has had a major showing in the entertainment industry this year, and some big names in show business agree that it isn’t by accident.
In March, the Magnolia Network’s new talent show “Second Chance Stage” was filmed in Kansas City’s Midland Theatre. It was the first of several major moments for KC’s film and television industry in 2024.
A crew from California visited Hallmark chose Kansas City as both the set and inspiration for a Chiefs-themed romance movie.
RELATED READING: Independence family’s home becomes set for new Hallmark Chiefs movie: ‘It felt so joyful’
“Second Chance Stage” was Kansas City’s first major television break since it served as the backdrop for seasons three and four of Netflix’s “Queer Eye” in 2019 and an episode of Max’s “The Last of Us” in 2023.
Kansas City’s own Heidi Gardner, best known as an SNL cast member, was one of the show’s celebrity judges. She said that Kansas City seemed like a natural choice for a show centered on warmth and authenticity.
“Kansas City just feels like a big hug. Anytime something comes to Kansas City, I feel like we as a community show up. We’re excited, we just embrace the really special things happening in our city,” she said.
RELATED READING: Roll the credits: Show MO Act renews filmmaking push in Missouri
The premise of “Second Chance Stage” is to give people who had to put their dreams aside another shot at success. A wide range of talents from singing to dancing to stand-up comedy were featured, and the contestants came from all walks of life.
“I just heard the concept of the show and I was in,” judge and country musician Martina McBride said.
“This is a show of authenticity,” the show’s host and former NFL linebacker, Emmanuel Acho, agreed. “There are no imposters. Nobody’s trying to act like they haven’t made it just to try and smuggle a quick $100,000. This is a show of real people: janitors, grocery store clerks, waiters and waitresses.”
“Everybody is here because they have ability, they have creativity, they have ‘it,’” he continued.
McBride said that despite all their conversations, meetings and preparations ahead of the show, none of them knew just how impactful it would be.
“I wasn’t prepared for [how] enriching of an experience it was going to be. It’s so inspiring and it’s so human. There’s so much gratitude and so much emotion and then there’s all that talent, and we get to be a part of it,” she said.
As a performer himself, actor and third judge on the show Taye Diggs agreed that seeing the contestants put themselves out there after, in some cases, decades of waiting was inspirational.
“Seeing how humble and brave and exciting and different these contestants are, and then adding a whole level of talent, plus the personal story — it makes me look at them differently. It makes me reevaluate my own life. It’s been a journey,” he said.
Acho said other, more lavish cities could have been chosen for the show, but Kansas City’s down-to-earth feeling best matched the idea that kindness and community are the best foundations for success. The show’s creators told McBride something similar:
“They told me the reason that they chose [Kansas City] is because they’ve done production here before and they loved the people, that it really felt warm and easy and people were excited to have production here. I do feel like there’s a realness and a kindness about the Midwest or the Heartland that I think people recognize and want more of,” she said.
“Second Chance Stage” premieres on Max on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. The show has eight episodes and will be released as two episodes each week until the series finale on Dec. 19.
ALSO READ: Ray-Pec School District makes commitment to the arts with brand-new performance center
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
