Kit recommendations for indoor stage

I'm looking for a good kit for shooting indoor dance acts from the audience w/ stage lighting. Thinking along the lines of either a 40D or 50D w/ 70-200/2.8 (sans IS).

Any suggestions?

you're not gonna find a "kit" thats gonna have what you need from what it sounds like. i'd just buy a body and match it with the appropriate lens. i found myself in a similar predicament after buying my 40D/28-135 kit and realizing that i shoot mostly indoor and action.. now im trying to get rid of the 28-135 and get a faster lens.. primes rule for indoor/low light

I usually use the 70-200 2.8 IS L for dance but it depends on the venue (how large an auditorium and stage) and where you will be shooting from. If it's a smaller venue, a 24-70 2.8 L may be a better choice.

I am not the biggest fan of using primes for dance unless the lighting gets REAL bad or I don't want to be running around with a big white lens .

As for the body, I decided to go with a used 1D MK II instead of the 40D/50D due to the better AF and speed.

Good luck!

70-200 f2.8 IS would probably be the best option, other than a bag of primes and a couple of bodies. The latter option so you don't miss shots switching lenses. If no IS, then use a monopod.

As for a body... I am quite happy using a 5D. Used a 40D before and the 5D has a more reliable center focus point, imo. Differences in AF speed is moot, when you are not racking the lens between 3 feet and infinity, for example. I shoot shows in AI Servo. More important is higher ISO noise performance since you'll probably be shootin ISO 800 and higher.