LIGHTING THE PATH FORWARD
The nation’s youth are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis.
More than 15 million children need mental health services, but in the Kansas City region, 40-50 percent are going untreated.
This holiday season, donations to Children’s Mercy will light the path forward for Illuminate, a comprehensive initiative to address the mental health needs of children and teens in the community – four strategies, 14 projects, impacting more than 80,000 kids – the largest of its kind in the region.
Join us today to light the path forward for kids like Elizabeth: childrensmercy.org/folly .
Elizabeth, age 14
Children’s Mercy patient, diagnosed with ADHD and depression
Thank You
The Folly Jazz Series is made possible through generous support from:
THE ESTATE OF JOAN HUBBARD
RICHARD J. STERN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS, COMMERCE BANK, TRUSTEE
The Folly Americana Series is made possible through generous support from:
THE ESTATE OF JOAN HUBBARD
DONATIONS TO THE FOLLY are greatly appreciated, and help preserve the historic structure for future generations, as well as supporting the nonprofit theater. To make a pledge, or for information, please contact President and CEO, Rick Truman, or Director of Development, Brian Williams by calling 816.768.6886 or visit follytheater.org/support.
This project* is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
This project* is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
DEAR FOLLY FRIEND,
GOOD EVENING! It’s my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the historic Folly Theater.
Opened in 1900, this iconic building has been through a lot in her 124 years, including almost being torn down in 1974 to make way for a parking lot. But thanks to the foresight and leadership of Joan Kent Dillon and William Deramus III, and generous community corporations, foundations, and individuals, the Grand Lady of 12th Street stands proudly today as a beautiful showplace where our past, present, and future converge to be a home for amazing arts experiences.
At the Folly, we believe that no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your story is, you should find yourself represented in this space, both in the seats and on this stage. We make deliberate efforts to present performances that reflect our community, celebrate the richness inherent in our diversity, and expand our cultural knowledge.
That ideal starts with our youngest visitors to our Folly Kids’ Series, runs through our Jazz Series and Americana Series programming, and beyond to the many community partnerships in which we engage. The Folly is a home for everyone.
As we prepare for our 125th anniversary in fall 2025, the Folly Theater Board and Staff have engaged in strategic planning and visioning work, preparing to set the stage for our next 125 years. We are excited to grow into our future, working to foster a world where creativity flourishes, barriers to arts access are dismantled, and cultural experiences enrich all lives.
We could not do this work without the generous support of our subscribers and donors. Thank you for helping us live into our future where all people are welcomed and all people belong. If you haven’t already, I invite you to add your name to the Folly story by making a contribution. The Folly Theater is a 501(c)3 organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A gift in any amount will have tremendous impact.
Thanks again for joining us tonight. We’re honored you’ve chosen to enjoy great music with us in this special place. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
With appreciation,
RICK TRUMAN (he/him) President and CEO
The Folly Theater
Craig Richards
Grant Huck
2024/2025 Season
KARRIN ALLYSON – JAZZ
SEPTEMBER 21 AT 7:30PM
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN – AMERICANA
OCTOBER 2 AT 7PM
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING – JAZZ
FEATURING BENNY BENACK III, STELLA COLE, AND JABU GRAYBEAL
OCTOBER 26 AT 7:30PM
GANGSTAGRASS – AMERICANA
NOVEMBER 15 AT 7:30PM
YELLOWJACKETS – JAZZ
JANUARY 25 AT 7:30PM
SÄJE – JAZZ
FEBRUARY 28 AT 7:30PM
AN EVENING WITH BRANFORD MARSALIS – JAZZ
MARCH 15 AT 7:30PM
HELEN SUNG MEETS BACH ARIA SOLOISTS – JAZZ
APRIL 5 AT 7:30PM
CHECK BACK AT FOLLYTHEATER.ORG FOR FUTURE SHOW BOOKINGS.
Jazz Talk
Starts at 6:30pm
Please join us for our special pre-concert discussion series, Jazz Talk: The Artist in Context. This intimate conversation starts one hour prior to each Jazz Series performance. A special guest interviewer will chat with the evening’s featured artist about their inspiration, career journey, and life in jazz.
JA Z Z
KARRIN ALLYSON
SEPTEMBER 21 at 7:30pm
A RENOWNED VOCALIST, pianist, and composer, Karrin Allyson’s new album A Kiss for Brazil (released May 17 by Origin Records) continues her love affair with Brazilian music. Following her previous Brazilian-themed albums From Paris to Rio (1999) and Imagina: Songs of Brasil (2008), this latest work adds a vibrant new dimension. Brazilian singer Rosa Passos joins Allyson on two tracks, alongside a stellar lineup of musicians: Vitor Gonçalves (piano, Rhodes, accordion), Yotam Silberstein (guitar), Harvie S (bass), and Rafael Barata (drums).
The collaboration with Passos was pivotal in shaping the album. Allyson, a long-time admirer of Brazilian music, first showcased this influence with Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Insensatez” on her 1993 debut I Didn’t Know About You. When Passos visited New York in March 2023, Allyson seized the opportunity to record with her. What began as a simple recording session evolved into a full album, enriched by the band’s exceptional chemistry.
Highlights of A Kiss for Brazil include the nuanced performance of “The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova),” where Allyson’s effortless vocal delivery shines, and her flawless renditions of “Flor de Lis” and “Manhã de Carnaval.” The album’s centerpiece is the duets with Passos, especially the ballad “O Grande Amor” and the rhythmically engaging “Month of March in Salvador (Dunas).”
Born in Great Bend, Kansas, on July 27, 1962, Allyson’s musical journey began with classical piano and church singing. After studying at the University of Nebraska Omaha and performing in various musical settings, she found her true calling in jazz, recording her debut album in Kansas City. Her career has flourished with collaborations and recordings in both Kansas City and New York. Karrin Allyson’s commitment to Brazilian music continues with A Kiss for Brazil, showcasing her remarkable artistry and longstanding dedication.
AN EVENING WITH
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
OCTOBER 2 at 7pm
IN A CAREER that has spanned more than three decades, Steven Curtis Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history. With 59 Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards, five GRAMMY® Awards, an American Music Award, and a historic 50 No. 1 singles, he has sold more than seventeen million albums with ten RIAA-Certified® Gold or Platinum albums to his credit.
He has collaborated with and had his songs recorded by other renowned artists in the Christian music world including Amy Grant, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, CeCe Winans, and others. His songs of hope have also crossed genres, seeing collaborations with Glenn Campbell, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, Lauren Alaina, Mitchell Tenpenny and more. In 2017, Chapman also became a best-selling author with his memoir Between Heaven and the Real World: My Story.
His new album, Still, is filled with entirely fresh, life-giving songs for the masses, including his 50th #1 hit “Don’t Lose Heart”.
He is also the recent recipient of the BMI Icon Award. Given to him in June 2022, Chapman is the first Christian music songwriter to receive the honor, joining an elite list that includes Dolly Parton, Sting, Paul Simon, Carole King, and Stevie Nicks.
Along with touring the world, Steven Curtis Chapman has appeared on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, CBS Sunday Morning and This Morning, CNN, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, E! Entertainment, The Today Show, Fox & Friends among others, along with appearing in the pages of People Magazine, Billboard, Parents Magazine, and more. As a vocal supporter of adoption, Chapman along with his wife Mary Beth founded Show Hope in 2003, a nonprofit organization that helps restore the hope of a family to orphans.
JA Z Z
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
FEATURING BENNY BENACK III, STELLA COLE, AND JABU GRAYBEAL
OCTOBER 26 at 7:30pm
A TRIO of exceptionally talented artists, all renowned veterans of the popular musical collective Postmodern Jukebox, on their national tour with their new concert, Some Enchanted Evening
This show features Emmy®-nominated trumpeter, Benny Benack III, and internet sensation vocalist, Stella Cole. They are joined by tap dance prodigy Jabu Graybeal and a five-piece band, promising an exhilarating blend of jazz and Broadway. The concert will showcase timeless hits from the Great American Songbook, spanning from the Golden Age of Broadway to contemporary favorites. Audiences can expect to hear classics from iconic shows like The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Guys & Dolls, Hamilton, Oliver!, and South Pacific.
Some Enchanted Evening celebrates a century of Broadway music, combining jazzinfused renditions of beloved classics such as “Over the Rainbow” and “The Sound of Music” with energetic takes on modern hits like “My Shot.” This show is more than just a performance; it's a vibrant homage to the enduring legacy of Broadway, merging music and dance into an unforgettable experience for all ages.
Benny Benack III is enthusiastic about this tour, saying, “Our concert is the perfect marriage between the majesty of musical theatre, with the spontaneity of Swing! So many songs from the Golden Era of Broadway have become part of the jazz canon, so it’s a perfect fusion. Stella Cole is a modern-day starlet of stage and screen, and Jabu is the most exciting and show-stopping tap dancer in the world right now. Combining all of these talents together feels like we just assembled the Avengers of showbiz – get your popcorn ready!”
Stella Cole adds, “I’m excited to perform alongside Benny and Jabu because we’re all such different artists, and we’ll all have really different takes on this repertoire. It’s going to feel like a night out at an old school variety show, where they had lots of musicians, singers, and dancers. Seriously, I can’t wait!”
The band features Liya Grigoryan (Piano), Russell Hall (Bass), Joe Peri (Drums), and Jarien Jamanila (Saxophone).
GANSTAGRASS
NOVEMBER 15 at 7:30pm
GANSTAGRASS exemplifies the belief that we are stronger together by fusing the great American traditions of bluegrass and hip-hop into a groundbreaking musical genre that transcends its individual components. This multi-racial collective defies stereotypes of both country and hip-hop music, creating a cultural melting pot where dialogue and connection thrive between groups that often remain separate. Gangstagrass shatters conventional boundaries, proving that their unique blend not only works but resonates deeply with listeners.
The integration of banjo and fiddle with hip-hop beats and rapping is more than a musical experiment for Gangstagrass; it's a powerful statement against historical divisions and cultural barriers. By merging seemingly disparate genres, they craft a rollicking, cohesive sound that unites people who might otherwise never find common ground. When Gangstagrass performs, preconceptions about cultural divides are set aside. The banjo and fiddle seamlessly interact with dynamic MCs, while high lonesome harmonies flow over compelling beats.
Mastermind Rench, a seasoned Brooklyn producer and singer/songwriter known for his work in both country and hip-hop, leads the band. He has witnessed firsthand how Gangstagrass brings together audiences across the country and around the world, delivering electrifying performances. Initially recognized for the Emmy-nominated theme song of the hit FX show “Justified,” the band has since become a formidable live act, touring extensively in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
Their fifth studio album, No Time For Enemies, released in 2020, was celebrated by Americana Highways as “America’s Band” for their ability to capture the nation’s spirit of innovation, creativity, and unity. The album reached #1 on the Billboard bluegrass chart, marking a historic first for hip-hop artists. With recent appearances on America’s Got Talent and PBS’s The Caverns Sessions, and a feature in the New York Times, Gangstagrass continues to captivate audiences.
JA Z Z
YELLOWJACKETS
JANUARY 25 at 7:30pm
THROUGHOUT THEIR STORIED 35+ year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 22 albums, received 17 GRAMMY® nominations – won 2 – performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success.
The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly after that recording, however, Ford decided to part ways and go in a different musical direction. As a result, the modern day Yellowjackets were formed — a trio with Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson. Since then, and with the addition of Bob Mintzer, the Yellowjackets have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz’s most influential and loved groups.
Over the years the band has undergone numerous lineup changes. Never failing to rise to the inevitable challenges of adjustment, the Yellowjackets – Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy, Bob Mintzer – have maintained an extraordinarily high quality of musicianship that is the rival of many but a surprise to no one who knows and appreciates the band and their music.
The most recent addition to the band adds Australian bass player Dane Alderson into the mix. With his exceptional rhythmic sensibility and natural disposition toward groove, Dane brings a new energy to the band and adds a youthful approach to the music.
The Yellowjackets newest album, Raising Our Voice was released on Mack Avenue Records in Fall 2018 and features special guest vocalist Luciana Souza.
SÄJE
FEBRUARY 28 at 7:30pm
THE GRAMMY AWARD® WINNING, winning vocal supergroup, säje (rhymes with “beige”), is the brainchild of vocalist/composers Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Born out of close friendship and deep admiration, these world-renowned artists, composers, and arrangers have come together to explore, create, and celebrate the music that moves them. As individuals, each artist has crafted their own notable solo career, and now are delighted to bring their collective voices to this union, traversing a vast array of compelling original material, beloved jazz standards, and contemporary re-imaginings (The Bad Plus, YEBBA, Björk, etc).
After debuting an inspiring and energized set at the 2020 Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans, säje went on to tour multiple jazz festivals and clubs from January to March. During quarantine, säje received their first GRAMMY® nomination, for their composition “Desert Song” in the Best Arrangement Instruments and Vocals category. They were awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, as well as their first Jazz Journalists Association Award Nomination for “Best Vocal Jazz Group”. The collective also recently received gracious support for their continued work through the Chamber Music of America New Jazz Works grant, the Super Patron Grant, the Jazz Road Creative Residencies grant, and the USC Visions + Voices grant.
Their highly anticipated debut album was released in August of 2023, featuring new original work and compelling covers, highlighting collaborations with artists Jacob Collier, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ambrose Akinmusire, and more. The album was received to critical acclaim, and wide reception, landing a #2 spot on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart, and peaking at #4 on the iTunes Jazz Chart. The group won their first GRAMMY Award® for their arrangement of “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” in collaboration with their friend Jacob Collier. The union of säje is rooted in the tradition of joy, curiosity, lush harmony, heart-felt expression, and profound sisterhood.
JA Z Z
AN EVENING WITH
BRANFORD MARSALIS
MARCH 15 at 7:30pm
NEW ORLEANS-BORN Branford Marsalis is an award-winning saxophonist, band leader, featured classical soloist, and a film and Broadway composer. In the process, he has become a multi award-winning artist with three Grammys, a citation by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master and an avatar of contemporary artistic excellence.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, remains his primary means of expression. In its virtually uninterrupted three-plus decades of existence, the Quartet has established a rare breadth of stylistic range as demonstrated on the band’s latest release: The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul. But Branford has not confined his music to the jazz quartet context. A frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford has become increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with acclaimed orchestras around the world, performing works by composers such as Copeland, Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem, Vaughan Williams and Villa-Lobos. And his legendary guest performances with the Grateful Dead and collaborations with Sting have made him a fan favorite in the pop arena.
His work on Broadway has garnered a Drama Desk Award and Tony nominations for the acclaimed revivals of Children of a Lesser God, Fences, and A Raisin in the Sun. He received an EMMY nomination for composing the music for the History Channel's documentary, Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre His screen credits further include original music composed for: Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks starring Oprah Winfrey, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, and Rustin starring Chadwick Boseman.
HELEN SUNG
MEETS BACH ARIA SOLOISTS
APRIL 5 at 7:30pm
Acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Helen Sung meets Kansas City’s own Bach Aria Soloists for a world premiere performance! Bach Aria Soloists commissioned Sung to compose a work celebrating Bach as the original improviser, the foundations of jazz.
ABOUT HELEN SUNG
Helen Sung is an acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, and a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow. She eschewed her classical piano upbringing after a jazz epiphany during undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Helen went on to become part of the inaugural class of the Thelonious Monk Institute (now the Herbie Hancock Institute) at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her newest album Quartet+ (Sunnyside Records), garnered a 4.5 star DownBeat review and inclusion in its “Best of 2021 Albums” list, and a JazzTimes cover story.
Recently, Asian American Artists Out Loud (made possible by a Chamber Music America Digital Residency grant): provoked by anti-Asian violence, Helen teamed her quartet with a poet, a hip-hop artist/rapper, and an installation artist in a series of interdisciplinary events to celebrate the range and diversity of Asian American artistry.
ABOUT BACH ARIA SOLOISTS
Hailed for producing “the most surprising and brilliantly innovative collaborations,” Bach Aria Soloists curates and delivers their critically-acclaimed concert series presenting the genius and relevance of Johann Sebastian Bach, his contemporaries, and those he inspired to today for our community, through exhilarating, multi-genre collaborations and BAS’ FREE BachReach education in the schools and for seniors.
Bach Aria Soloists is led by Artistic Director-Founder-violinist Elizabeth Suh Lane. The Soloists include sparkling soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson and multi-talented Elisa Williams Bickers, harpsichord-organ-piano. and numerous guest artists. In 2022 and 2016, Bach Aria Soloists was awarded the USArtists International grant from the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and the Mellon Foundation.
OUR HISTORY
The Grand Lady of Twelfth Street
STANDARD THEATRE
Opened in 1900 as a vaudeville and burlesque house, the theater was a showpiece of architect Louis Curtiss’ work. Built by Colonel Edward Butler for $250,000, audiences cheered for chorus lines of girls, acrobats, comedians, jugglers, singers and vaudeville acts. Many marveled at the beauty of the building and the use of electric lights, introduced to Kansas City only one year before.
CENTURY THEATRE
On January 31, 1901 Kansas City’s Coates Opera House suffered extensive damage from fire. Before the flames were doused, Coates’ performances were transferred to the Standard. Due to the switch, the Standards’ name changed to the Century Theatre.
SHUBERT’S MISSOURI THEATER
The Shuberts, a prominent family who ran a large theater conglomerate, acquired a lease on the Century. Renamed the Shubert’s Missouri, it became an island of legitimacy in the midst of the chaos of Twelfth- Street girlie shows and bars. Five years later, however, the theater was sublet to a burlesque troupe. On the Missouri’s stage in 1929, Gypsy Rose Lee debuted her burlesque act.
THE DEPRESSION YEARS
The advent of the talkie seriously impacted the popularity of live theater and by the 1930s, many venues could no longer afford to operate. Out of several well-known Kansas City theaters, only the Missouri was spared from the wrecking ball.
FOLLY BURLESQUE
After a decade of darkness, the theater opened in 1941 as Folly Burlesque. Shows featured male comics, skits, a lead showgirl and of course, strippers. Over the years, the acts transitioned into adult films, which played until January 23, 1974, when she died a quiet death. It was then sold to a property management company that intended to build a parking lot in the name of “progress”.
Continued on the next page
OUR HISTORY
The Grand Lady of Twelfth Street
RESTORATION OF THE FOLLY THEATER
Rubble and trash filled the interior and nine and- a-half tons of pigeon droppings rested in the attic. Despite this, an effort led by Joan Kent Dillon and William Deramus III rallied around the theater. The Performing Arts Foundation of Kansas City, a dormant non-profit organization, was resurrected to generate income for the facility and placed it on the National Register of Historic Places. The Folly re-opened to great fanfare in 1981 with a committee chaired by Walter Cronkite.
C. STEPHEN METZLER HALL AT THE FOLLY THEATER
On September 16, 2017, The Folly Theater recognized longtime supporter C. Stephen Metzler by dedicating the hall in his honor. Steve’s legacy was to build a healthier, stronger, and more diverse community through the transformative power of the arts in the theater he loved so passionately.
LOBBY AND JOAN KENT DILLON LOUNGE RENOVATIONS
After an extensive fundraising campaign for Capital Funds in support of the Folly Theater, a new HVAC system was installed (the first since 1981). The Lobby spaces and Joan Kent Dillon Lounge were also renovated to create a better and more functional patron experience, while still maintaining the historic integrity of the Folly Theater.
FOLLY 2020 CAMPAIGN PHASE II
After reopening following disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Folly began the most consequential, impactful, and transformational revitalization project since 1981. New theater seating, orchestra flooring, carpet, upgraded lobby areas, refreshed dressing rooms, new stage curtains, beautiful art installations, and technology upgrades create an improved Folly Experience combining historical aesthetics with modern performance elements.
Won “2023 Outstanding Historic Theatre” Award from the League of Historic American Theatres.
H ere’s to many more years!
THE FOLLY’S IMPERFECT HISTORY
AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY, Colonel Edward Butler, a Saint Louis businessman, commissioned the design and construction of the Standard Theater, a project of generosity inspired by his son’s love for vaudeville. During its first 74 years, private ownership of the theater passed through several hands under different names. The Performing Arts Foundation of Kansas City, an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit, acquired the building in 1974 and has operated it under the Folly Theater name since then.
From the beginning, the Grand Lady of 12th Street served a multitude of audiences seeking culture and catharsis through entertaining song and story. Any faithful recounting of her-stories must begin with the recognition of our culpability in the complicated growth and development of Kansas City. Ours is not an exhaustive account of the theater’s past, but a continual self-critical gaze on the Grand Lady’s very foundation.
The Folly Theater acknowledges this theater was constructed on the traditional land and ancestral home of many different Indigenous people. We acknowledge this theater was built in the Midwest during the height of the “Jim Crow” era, a period deeply marked by laws of prejudice and exclusion. For many years, prior theater operators implemented racist practices, including segregated seating, and presented entertainers who engaged in racist stereotyping. We acknowledge that, during its first 74 years, the theater routinely presented both live programs and movies that were degrading and demeaning to women. We do not recount these unjust and disreputable practices to shame or discredit our predecessors.
We simply accept ownership of the flaws and errors of our imperfect past and commit ourselves to pursuing a better path that honors and respects the humanity in each of us.
AS WE CONTINUE serving our increasingly diverse audiences in the 21 st century, the Folly Theater strives to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in all aspects of our programming, governance, and operations. We model these objectives by booking extraordinary artists in our Folly Performance Series, with an emphasis on artists who are women, persons of color, and/or LGBTQ; creating authentic outreach with diverse community-based groups to ensure we hear and respond to our community’s artistic needs; securing grants to underwrite ticket and transportation costs to inspire students from Title I schools with Folly Kids’ Series performances; and allowing smaller arts organizations to perform at the Folly through the Metzler-Copaken Initiative. We believe embodying inclusion and equity in our vision and mission as a world-class theater will make our communities stronger.
Remembered histories are often the ones written by those like Edward Butler who have the means and resources to invest in reshaping architectural and cultural landscapes. Those of us who sit under the Grand Lady’s chandeliers and who gaze at the stage lights n ow have the responsibility to recount the alternative narratives of our artists, audiences, and performance artistry. We invite you to uncover the untold stories of our conscious past. Engage with new performances reflecting our lived histories.
Come experience the Folly of our times.
FACILITIES
No smoking
The Folly Theater is a smoke-free facility, including vapes and electronic cigarettes.
Assisted listening technology is available via a hearing loop. Switch your hearing aid or cochlear implant to t-coil or request headphones at the box office.
Parking passes providing free parking in the Block 89 Garage next door to the Folly are issued to patrons making a charitable contribution of $200 or more to the Folly Theater. For information about becoming a Folly supporter, please call 816-768-6886.
ADA and companion seating is available on the orchestra level. Look for the icon when ordering online or notify box office personnel of requirements when ordering tickets.
Restrooms are available on the mezzanine and lobby levels. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are available on the first floor. The Folly also welcomes guests to use the restroom that aligns with your gender identity.
Please be sure to switch off all cell phones and other sound-emitting devices during performances.
Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager.
Box Office Tickets for most events at the Folly Theater are available by calling 816-474-4444, visiting FollyTheater.org, or visiting The Folly Office at 1020 Central St., Ste 200, Kanas City, MO 64105. The office is generally open Monday through Friday 10am - 5pm apart from major holidays and seasonal schedules.
Tickets are required for all patrons regardless of age.
Lost and Found articles should be given to an usher. To claim an item, call 816-474-444 during business hours.
Professional photography or recording devices of any kind are prohibited in the theater by artist contracts. Offenders are subject to removal from the theater.
Folly Ushers are volunteers who devote their dedicated services to the Folly theater. For more information about becoming an usher, please call 816-768-6883 or visit follytheater.org/ volunteer.
Rental information can be found at FollyTheater.org/rent or by reaching out to the events manager at 816-768-6880
Donations to the Folly are greatly appreciated and help preserve the historic structure for future generations. To make a pledge, or for more information, please contact the Development Director at 816-7686886 or visit follytheater.org/support.
For More Information on upcoming performances at the Folly Theater, please refer to our website at FollyTheater.org or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, or TikTok @TheFollyTheater
LEADERSHIP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hoang-Anh Tran, Chairperson
UMB Financial
Stacy Purvis, Vice Chairperson
CHES, Inc.
Richard Starks, Treasurer
Waddell & Reed (ret.)
Sara Welch, Secretary Stinson LLP
Anna Bazan-Munguia
Big Brothers Big Sisters
David Bock
JE Dunn Construction
Mark Carlson M.D.
Covanos, Inc.
Melanie Clark
Kansas City Business Journal
William Coughlin
George K. Baum & Co. (ret.)
Mark Eagleton
Southern Bank
Michael Gonzales
NE&E Consulting, Diversity Inclusion Consortium
John Fitzgerald Hudson
Metropolitan Community College
Josue Montes
1 Dapper Latino
Steve Paddock
Nokia (ret.)
Patrick Pribyl
Lockton Companies, LLC
Jasmine Thompson
Café Sofrito and Senorita Margarita
Megan Whitman
BRR Architecture, Inc.
Debbie Scott Williams
Community Volunteer
John Wood
City of Kansas City, Missouri (ret.)
Karenbeth Zacharias
The University of St. Mary
MANAGEMENT AND STAFF
Ayron Hyatt, Finance Manager
Cassidy Manetta, Marketing Manager
Guy Martin, Accountant
Jennifer Smart, Ticketing and Administration Manager
Stephanie Spatz-Ornburn, Events Manager
Melissa Stan, Grants & Community Engagement Manager
Rick Truman, President and CEO
Mike Warren, Volunteer Coordinator
Brian Williams, Development Director
TECHNICAL
Simon Huntley, Lighting Director
Travis Ives, Sound Engineer
Lee Saylor, Technical Director
HOUSE MANAGERS
Angie Blaisdell
Matthew Briggs
Regina Bugarin
Brandy Hersch
Rob Holland
Khalid Johnson
Cassidy Manetta
Kathy Stipek
Bill Sundahl
Vi Tran
VOLUNTEER COUNCIL
Bob Martinez, President
Chris Elkins, Secretary
Andy McDonald, Treasurer
Dee Swindler, Vice President of Special Events
Carolyn Barnhart
Jean Hatfield
Joe Hoffman
Jeannie Pike
Gene Wayenberg
Steve Wilhelm
GIVING REPORT
The Folly deeply appreciates each of these donors for their generosity and support.
The following gifts were gratefully received between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, in support of the Folly's general operations and capital improvement projects.
INDIVIDUALS
MAJOR BENEFACTORS
($10,000-$24,999)
Anonymous
Bonnie and Herb Buchbinder
Sally Firestone*
Tim and Libby Metzler*
Gregory Porter
Randell Sedlacek and Mary Ventura
BENEFACTORS ($5,000-$9,999)
Anonymous
Pete Browne and Julie Walker Browne
Bill and Jill Coughlin
Angela and Cole Dimond
Stephen Hills and C.J. DiMarco
Mark Seely and Ross Haynes
William and Jo Ann Sullivan
Don and Jean Wagner
PATRONS ($2,500-$4,999)
Anonymous
Mike and Debra Gerken
Joan J. Horan
Kim Jones and Shelly Freeman
Stephen and Alison Paddock
Ken and Roswitha Schaffer
Rick and Aimee Starks
Sara E. Welch
Brian D. Williams
SPONSORS ($1,000-$2,499)
Anonymous
Perry and Kathryn Atha
Emily and Richard O. Ballentine
David and Beth B. Bock
Clifford and Jordan Brazen
Kay and John Callison
Mark and Susan Carlson
Robert Claassen
Robert J. Cody
Carrie and Jonathan Cohn
Don and Pat Dagenais
Joe and Sue Fahey
Mark Garrett
Michael and Carol Gonzales
Nathan Haley
Donald J. Hall
Bill and Paula Hankins
Shirley and Barnett Helzberg, Jr.
Dan Hubbard and Ron Smith
Carol and Tom Hynek
Steve Joss
Richard Keller and Michael C. Glennon
Julie and Mike Kirk
June Land
Beth and Brian Madden
Andrew McDonald
Edward Milbank
William and Julie Miller
Ann and Chad Milton
Josh Montes and Kyle Scott
Barbara Koval Nelson
Chuck and Jane Olsen
Stephen Peters
Chris Porter and Rorik Peterson
Patrick and Jamie Pribyl
Danny Ramón and Kane Hosmer
Philip and Nancy Reicher
J. Michael Sigler and Greg Oborny
GIVING REPORT
TJ and Willard Snyder
Hoang-Anh Tran and Frank Diez
Rick Truman and Jerry Pope
Angela and John Walker
James and Sarah Weitzel
Helen and Frank Wewers
Elizabeth and Ronald Wheeler
Suzanne and William Whitaker
Megan Whitman
Lisa Williams
Karenbeth Zacharias
ADVOCATES ($500-$999)
Anonymous
Ann Abercrombie and Genny Nicholas
Charley Aldridge
James W. Allen
Marcia H. Bailey
Diane Botwin and Mike Vessels
Darrel Brenneke and Lance Orozco
Richard and Jane Bruening
Lee and Kristina Brumitt
Chris Coffey and Chuck Michel
Cheryl Dillard and Pat Titterington
Rick Dodderidge and Vicki Johnson
Steve and Cathy Doyal
Kathy and Jim Dunn
Trask Engel and Jake Phelps
Michael D. Fields
Paul Fingersh and Brenda Althouse
Richard Fox and William Bruning
Pam and Gary Gradinger
Kelly Hart
George Helmkamp
Georgina Herrera
Lisa Hickok
Sharon and John Hoffman
Cathy Jambrosic and Michele Stauffer
Brad Johnson
Mark and Vicki Johnson
Kay Johnson and Bill Koenigsdorf
Courtney and Peggy Jones
Newton Jones and James Corrick
James C. Kogel
Bill and Regina Kort
Nathan Ladd
Lisa Leonard
David and Janet Loftus
Linda and Mike Lyon
Bill and Peggy Lyons
Madeline McDonough and Cyd Slayton
Jacob McMillian
Ryan and Josie Metzler
Emily Moriarty
Jerry Moye
Bob Myers and Larry Burks
Fred O. Nelson
Steve and Kim Nelson
Sue and Lewis Nerman
Kevin O'Brien and Eddie Gladbach
Dave and Sara O'Connell
Bob Pauly
George and Wendy Powell
Merry Quackenbush
John Readey
Palle and Dennis Rilinger
Mark Sappington and David McGee
Lisa and Charles Schellhorn
Sandy Schermerhorn and Martha Boyd
Steve and Terry Schrantz
Debbie Scott Williams and Jerry Williams
Lonnie Shalton and Rita Leifhelm
Stuart and Julie Shaw
Edward H. Stratemeier
Kaye Summers and Dan Carpenter
Ursula Terrasi and Jim Miller
Kathleen Tritsch
Gene Wayenberg
Clyde and Katie Wendel
Don White and Greg Thurman
GIVING REPORT
Elizabeth Williams
Michael J. and Cindy S. Wurm
SHAREHOLDERS ($250-$499)
Anonymous
Andrea Allison-Putman
Carolyn Barnhart
Sarah and Jon Baum
Irv Belzer and Sue McCord-Belzer
Tom Bertoncin and Todd Hesher
Larry Braddy
Maureen Brown and Steve Sullivan
Thomas Brusnahan
G. Wayne Burge
Wendy and Troy Burgess
Donald and Sue Canfield
Julie Conn
David A. Cooley
Suzanne Crandall
Doug and Terri Curran
Jeremy Dean
Nathan Dubose
Ann M. Duer
Mark and Linda Eagleton
Ann Fitzpatrick and Robert Garcia
Craig Gaskill and Greg Tobey
Mike Goff
Lona and Neil Harris
Shannon Hennessy and Peg
Prendergast
Donna Henry
Alyssa Bell Jackson
Shawn and John Keller
Nancy Lee and Jonathan Kemper
Patricia Konopka
Carl Lange
Trudy Longest
Andrew Mann
Stephan and Terrell Mann
Patricia Cleary Miller
Ann and Dan Musser
Arthur and Nancy Parks
Steve Paul
Thomas Prazak
Stacy Purvis
Ann and Bill Rainey
Norma Riedel
Sarah Rowland
Robin and Doris Royals
Lee Saylor
Allison and James Schwindeman*
Dale and Andrea Smith
Stewart Smith and Matthew Stretz
Dennis Sondker
Donna Thomason
Jasmine Thompson
Anne and Keith Wiedenkeller
Tanya Wilcox
David Wiley
M and John Wood
Sheri and Bob Wood
Karen J. Wulfkuhle
Mary Wurtz and Robert Thompson
Eric Youngberg and Gary Krogh
Rick and Annie Zander
FRIENDS ($100-$249)
Anonymous
Matt and Kristina Aberle
Dennis J. Aguiar
Milca Aguirre
Carl and Janice Myers
Chris Anderson and Lyn Buckley
Nathan Anderson and Patty Hayden
David and Debbie Angotti
Alison Baker
Debby and Gary Ballard
Douglas Bartel
David Basse
Irene Bettinger
Casey and Anna Birmingham
Pat Boston and Joan Albright
William L. Brown, Jr.
GIVING REPORT
Mary Jo Browne
Theresa Browning
Peter Cajina
Danny Carmichael and Theresa Ryan
Karen and Jim Carns
Melanie Carter
Lorece Chanelle
Bob C. Corbett
Betty Ann Cortelyou
Cindy Craft
Wesley Crosby
Tom and Margaret Cummings
Terry and Tara Cupps
Russ Derringer and Dave Hilton
Paul Elo and Steve Dodge
Martin and Cynthia English
Jon and Avis Erickson
Shera Farnham
Rodney Fleming
Jennifer Fox
Clint Frazee
Sandi and Ed Fried
Betse Gage and Bill Chase
Debbie Geraghty
Douglas and Ann Ghertner
Ile Haggins
Donald J. Hall, Jr.
Laurie J. Hamilton
Ann Hauser
Shelley and Scott Hecht
Dee Henry
Chris Hernandez and Paul Monteil
Amy Highfill
Anne Edwards Hlasney
Debra and Keith Hohly
David Howe
John Hudson
Sandra Lee Irving
Bill Jennings and Richard Triggs
Mary Jordahl
Alice Kitchen
Douglas Krebs
Jody Ladd Craig and Bill Craig
Torrence Leathers
Christopher Leitch and Stuart Hinds
Wayne Lonngren
Sharon M. Lundy
John and Rudena Mallory
Cassidy Manetta
John B. Martin
Bob Martinez
Kent Maughan
Joan Maxwell
P. Alan McDermott
Linda McShann Gerber
Ann Mesle
JoZach Miller and Peter Bali
Susan Moehl, Athena Heironimus and Penni Johnson
Ann Mowery and Allan Powers
Anna Bazan Munguia
Sharlyne Narr
Heidi and Nelson Nast
Gregory Nichols
Kate Nielsen
Dan Nilsen
Susan Palmer
Mark Persson
James Ralstin
Beverly Rehkop
Jeff Remaley
Louis and Ruth Rephlo
Terrence Ricci
Damon Roberts and Jim Pimentel
Charlotte and Bob Ronan
Matthew E. Rowland
Sally Ryan
Georgia and Terry Sandlin
Philip Scaglia
Matt Schulte
GIVING REPORT
E. Crichton Singleton
Craig Sole
Joy Stevenson
Gaye McCarty Stevick
Lisa Stickler
Dee Swindler
Linda Sybrant
Gale Tallis and Robert Hellweg
Tom and Nancy Thornhill
Mark Thornhill and Maria Donigan
Jill Truitt
Stephanie Ulsh and Sarah Morris
Irene Varenhorst
Marjorie W. Vermillion
Curt Watkins
Ronald Williams
Teresa Woody
Marty Yadrick and Eric Chapman
Bonnie Zimmerman
Beth and Bill Zollars
SUPPORTERS (UP TO $100)
Anonymous
Robert S. Adams
Greg Aldridge
Chris Almvig and Jan Winters
Terry Anderson and Michael Henry
Lisa Ann Bailey
Suzie Aron and Joseph Levin
Lisa Bailey
Jacques Bredius
Megan Buck
Laura Burkhart
Kay B. Bush
Marlee Carroll
Scott K. Colebank
Ethel J. Davis
Suzanne Dell St. Clair
Anita and William D. Dixon
Patrick Donnelly
Shay Elder
Thomas Fields
Michelle Fox
Jeffrey French
Karen Garrett and Kevin Hennessy
Danielle Gatapia
Marianne and Ralph Getchell
Char Gould
Carla Grant and Sharon McNulty
David Gunter
Frank and Virginia Hawk
Aaron Henton
Charles Jenkins
David and Lisa Klose
Judy Lanes
Michelle Lapointe
Phyllis G. Leach
Gary Lefever
Janet Long
James Maiden
Brett Malone
Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley
C. Michel Minor
Alan Myers
Kara Newbanks
Lynn Norton and Tina Hacker
Doug Obermann and Roger Dawson
Kelli Ott
Michael Penner and Bob Slothower
Timothy Peters
Toni Piper
Nancy Prantl
Juan Ramos
Hector Roman
Bernard Shondell
Melissa Stan
Kenneth Stewart
Anna Strong
Eileen and Jim Terril
J. Travis Fischer and Scott Heffley
GIVING REPORT
Katie van Luchene
Myron and Nicole Wang
Courtney Wasson
Stuart Woody and Brian Partlow ORGANIZATIONS
IMPRESARIOS
($25,000-$49,000)
Anonymous
John W. and Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Lockton Companies, LLC
Missouri Arts Council
City of Kansas City, Missouri, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
Stephen Metzler and Brian D. Williams Fund
Theater League, Inc.
MAJOR BENEFACTORS ($10,000$24,999)
Anonymous
City of Kansas City, Missouri*
Feist Charitable Foundation
Kirk Foundation*
Kissick Construction Company
Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts - Commerce Bank Trustee
Spencer Fane LLP
The Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation
BENEFACTORS ($5,000-$9,999)
Anonymous
ArtsKC-Regional Arts Council
Children's Mercy Hospital
J.B. Reynolds Foundation
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation
Lon Lane's Inspired Occasions
Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee
PGAV Architects
PNC Bank
Stinson LLC
The Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation Inc.
UMB Financial Corporation
PATRONS ($2,500-$4,999)
Anonymous
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City
BRR Architecture
G. Kenneth and Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund
Imperial PFS
J.E. Dunn Construction Co.
Jackson County Legislature
Kansas City Winwater Company
Lincoln Financial Group
Palacana 4 LLC
Richards Financial Services, Inc.
Southern Bank
SPONSORS ($1,000-$2,499)
Anonymous
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Delta Dental of Kansas
Ann and Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation
Evergy, Inc.
Folly Volunteer Council
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Infinitas
Kansas City Testing and Engineering LLC
KC Scaffold
Keller & Associates
Lewer Foundation
Liberty Mutual Surety
Mazuma Credit Union
McCownGordon Construction
GIVING REPORT
Merriman Foundation
Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation
Next Page, Inc
Pride Charitable Fund
Road Builders Machinery & Supply Co., Inc.
Sherman Family Foundation
Solorio & Avila Law Firm, LLC
Star Signs, LLC
The Ingram Family Foundation
Twin Financial, Inc.
University of Saint Mary Lawrence D.
Starr Center for Peace & Justice
ADVOCATES ($500-$999)
Anonymous
21c Museum Hotel
Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City
Christensen Group Insurance
Culver Family Foundation
El Centro, Inc.
Grandma's Office Catering
Harriman-Jewell Series
Jeffrey Y. Bennett Law
Kitchen Studio: Kansas City
Lighton Fund
Miller-Mellor Association
Missouri Humanities Council
NE&E Consulting
Oracle
Park University
Skyline Downtown Salon
Stretch Zone
The Greensman, Inc.
The Lewer Agency, Inc.
Weber Wenzl Family Foundation
SHAREHOLDERS ($250-$499)
Anonymous
Aspis, LLC
Black & Veatch
CBIZ MHM, LLC
City Market Coffee
Craig Sole Designs
Dutzel's Catering
ECCO Select Corporation
Gates & Son's Bar-B-Q
Guadalupe Centers
Guardian Business Solutions
Harry S. Truman Library Institute
Heartland Estate Law, LLC
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Knotty Rug
Missie B's
Modern Horizons Wealth Advisors
Moderna Therapeutics
NAAP-KC
Studio Dan Meiners
The Better Cheddar
The Green Door Antiques
FRIENDS ($100-$249)
Anonymous
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Bank of America
Bruce Hoffman Fund
T-Mobile
MEMORIAL GIFTS
In Memory of Joan Kent Dillon
Jody Ladd Craig and Bill Craig
In Memory of Darren English
Martin and Cynthia English
In Memory of Sally Firestone
Kathy and Jim Dunn
In Memory of Jane Flynn
Jody Ladd Craig and Bill Craig
In Memory of Stanley A. Hamilton
Laurie J. Hamilton
In Memory of Caroline Helmkamp
George Helmkamp
GIVING REPORT
In Memory of Joan Hubbard
Donna Henry
Allison and James Schwindeman
In Memory of Hans Johannson
Dennis J. Aguiar
In Memory of Stephen Metzler
Robert S. Adams
Chris Almvig and Jan Winters
Darrel Brenneke and Lance Orozco
Thomas Brusahan
Donald and Sue Canfield
Robert Claassen
Wesley Crosby
Russ Derringer and Dave Hilton
Jim and Kathy Dunn
Joe and Sue Fahey
J. Travis Fischer and Scott Heffley
Richard Fox and William Bruning
Clint Frazee
Nathan Haley
Dee Henry
Chris Hernandez and Paul Monteil
Dan Hubbard and Ron Smith
Bill Jennings and Richard Triggs
Dr. Newton Jones and James Corrick
Richard Keller and Michael C.
Glennon
Christopher Leitch and Stuart Hinds
Linda and Mike Lyon
Ryan and Josie Metzler
JoZach Miller
Susan Moehl
Ann and Dan Musser
Bob Myers and Larry Burks
Kate Nielsen
Doug Obermann and Roger Dawson
Bob Pauly
Michael Penner and Bob Slothower
Jim Pimentel and Damon Roberts
Danny Ramón and Kane Hosmer
Jeff Remaley
Matthew E. Rowland
Mark Sappington and David McGee
Philip Scaglia
Steve and Terry Schrantz
Matthew Schulte
Bernard Shondell
J. Michael Sigler and Greg Oborny
Stewart Smith and Matthew Stretz
Dennis Sondker
Kenneth Stewart
Tom and Nancy Thornhill
David Wiley
Brian D. Williams
Ronald Williams
Stuart Woody and Brian Partlow
In Memory of Rocky Mountain
Bob Pauly
In Memory of Erin Orth
Bruce Hoffman Fund
In Memory of Deceased Folly
Volunteers
Richards Financial Services, Inc.
HONORARY GIFTS
In Honor of William M. Deramus
Don and Jean Wagner
In Honor of June Land
Ann M. Duer
In Honor of Mark Seely and Ross
Haynes
Susan Palmer
In Honor of Hoang-Anh Tran
Kay B. Bush
In Honor of Mary Ventura
Randell Sedlacek
In Honor of Michael Warren
Frank and Virginia Hawk
In Honor of Brian Williams
Shay Elder
Linda and Mike Lyon
J. Michael Sigler and Greg Oborny
DONATIONS TO THE FOLLY are greatly appreciated, and help preserve the historic structure for future generations, as well as supporting the non-profit theater. To make a pledge, or for information, please contact President and CEO, Rick Truman, or Director of Development, Brian Williams by calling 816.768.6886 or visit follytheater.org/support.
*Includes gifts to the Endowment and Folly 2020 Capital Campaign.
The newly restyled Kansas City Marriott Downtown offers sleek conveniences like onsite parking, superb food and beverage offerings, and luxurious guest rooms –just steps away from the area’s prominent destinations and theaters. Extend your evening and be uniquely entertained by Kansas City’s largest indoor video wall in BarCentral or at the new VOO Lounge+Piano Bar.
The
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Presents Experiences
Fri. Oct. 11th, 7pm
UNFORGETTABLE
ft. Sachal Vascandani
Sat., Nov. 16th, 7pm
BRIGHT SIZE LIFE
ft. Rod Fleeman
Tues., Dec. 10th, 7pm
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Selections from Charlie Brown
Sat., March 1st, 7pm
ALWAYS & FOREVER
ft. Lucy and Bram Wijnands
Sat., April 5th, 7pm
LEVEL UP!
Selections from Classic Video Games
Sat., May 31st, 7pm
GLAMOUR OF OLD
HOLLYWOOD
ft. Brenna Whitaker
*follow us for more information on our Glamour of Hollywood Gala*
Providing care to people is a privilege. I never forget that.”
- Becky N. Lowry, MD Physician Internal Medicine
For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than the meaningful connections I make with my patients. Maybe it’s growing up in a small town where those personal values remain strong. Or maybe it’s the belief, shared with all of my co-workers, that people come first. Whatever it is, the opportunity to provide care is a privilege I never forget. To schedule an appointment, call 913-588-1227 or visit KansasHealthSystem.com/Appointments.
