Entertainment

‘Water For Elephants’ to kick off Broadway in Wichita season Jan. 12 through 14

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The 2026 Broadway in Wichita season is mere weeks from kicking off, and this year’s opening show will be brand new to Wichita and its audiences.

The Broadway in Wichita season will kick off with "Water For Elephants," which will run from Jan. 12 through 14, 2026, with all performances at 7:30 p.m. at Century II Performing Arts Center at 225 W. Douglas Ave. in Wichita. The show follows Jacob Jankowski, who, after tragically losing his parents, jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life and love beyond his wildest dreams.

Return to Zootopia ends up well worth the wait

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Nearly a decade ago, Disney movie fans were introduced to the world of “Zootopia” and many of its inhabitants, namely sly fox Nick Wilde and energetic new bunny cop Judy Hopps. I remember seeing the movie at the theater here in town and absolutely loving it – so much so, I ended up later purchasing it on DVD.

Nearly a decade later, fans have the chance to return to the colorful world with the newly released “Zootopia 2,” which has already shattered multiple cinematic records, and for good reason. This outing reunites Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) as they find themselves on the twisting trail of Gary De’Snake (voiced by Ke Huy Quan), a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the city upside down. To crack the case, the duo must go undercover, and their growing partnership is tested.

Jon M. Chu and co. make magical return to Oz

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Some of you might remember around this time last year, I saw the first part of my favorite stage musical “Wicked” debut on the big screen and ended up being absolutely blown away by what director Jon M. Chu and the movie’s cast and crew were able to put together after what felt (to me) like FOREVER.

After what seemed like another eternity, the second part finally made its way into the theaters, and I ended up enjoying my return to Oz. For those who are unaware, “Wicked” explores the friendship between Elphaba (who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz”) and Galinda Upland (who becomes Glinda the Good). “For Good” picks up where the first half ended, with Elphaba more or less in exile and Glinda being the face of Oz’s Emerald City and seemingly exceedingly happy with her circumstances.

Kentucky explorers share paranormal stories and adventures in new book

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The spooky season might be over, but that does not stop people all over the country from exploring potential paranormal phenomena, including in Kentucky.

A new book, "Paranormal Kentucky: An Uncommon Wealth of Close Encounters with Aliens, Ghosts, and Cryptids," by Marie Mitchell and Mason Smith, sets out to tell some of those stories to readers. Smith and Mitchell said the genesis of the book was somewhat unusual.

Del Toro brings ‘Frankenstein’ to life on Netflix

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The “Frankenstein” story has been told in many different ways and been portrayed in many different movies throughout the decades (with my personal favorite being “Young Frankenstein”) and last week, director Guillermo Del Toro was able to release his take on the story on Netflix. Given Del Toro’s penchant for the weird and macabre, I was extremely interested in how he would bring the story to life, and I was ultimately not disappointed with what I saw.

For those who aren’t familiar, “Frankenstein” follows the life of egotistical scientist Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) whose experiment in creating new life results in dangerous consequences when his monstrous creation (Jacob Elordi) comes to life.