folly theater history

Fri Oct 23 2020

The house is flanked by balcony-level boxes, with the main balcony to the rear. Theater reopens November 10th, with production of the comedy “Room Service.”. … Theaters Urban renewal. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. Ground breaking for new wing held September 12. The Standard Theatre, now known as the Folly Theater and also known as the Century Theater and Shubert's Missouri, is a former vaudeville hall in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. In 2015, The Folly Theater hosted its first Winter fundraising event to benefit the Folly Theater’s operating funds and Kids’ Series programming. It was built by Colonel Edward Butler of St. Louis, Missouri, at a cost of $250,000, for his son to present shows on the Empire vaudeville circuit. The Folly is KC oldest theatre and was once intended for vaudeville and burlesque. The theater's name changed to the "Century" in 1902. The Folly Theater was chosen by Downbeat Magazine as one of the top 100 Jazz venues in the world. Rather than a fully glazed infill within the limestone Palladian framework, the lower portion of the unit uses three arched windows with an entablature over the center window dividing it from the lunette under the principal arch. Local Subject . 300 W 12th Street (816) 474-4444 @TheFollyTheater Facebook Official Website 3 Followers Follow Venue 3 Followers Unfollow 3 Followers … In 2005, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Folly's reopening, the auditorium's original color scheme was restored. The Folly is KC oldest theatre and was once intended for vaudeville and burlesque. Folly received $1 million from HUD/UDAG grant. [5] After 1928, business began falling off and the theater was used for touring shows on an intermittent basis until it closed in 1932. The Folly Theater, which opened in 1900 and barely avoided a wrecking ball in the 1970s, is a landmark for entertainment in downtown Kansas City. Performing Arts Foundation raised $350,000 in contributions and through negotiation convinced Annbar Associates to offer the remaining $600,000 of the purchase price as a donation. $50,000 Department of Interior grant for plaster work awarded. Legitimate repertory, boxing, and vaudeville are offered. Built in 1900, it was designed by Kansas City architect Louis S. Curtiss. Theaters Automobiles Cathedrals Catholic churches. Remodeled by replacing two wooden balconies with a single, concrete-reinforced balcony. Can You Help Us? Description . They do not include data on box office receipts, income, or correspondence with entertainers.. The Folly produces a Jazz Series, a Kids Series, and "Cyprus Avenue Live!" In 1923, the lobby was reduced in size, moving the box office and eliminating a secondary box office for the balcony, while the balcony itself and a gallery level were replaced by a single larger balcony, reducing seating capacity. [3] In 1901, a fire at the nearby Coates Opera House caused opera and comic opera performances to be moved to the Standard, featuring such performers as Sarah Bernhardt, Richard Mansfield, and Maude Adams. Design team is chosen, the theater is cleaned, temporarily rewired, roof leaks fixed and building secured. The east wall contains small limestone-framed ventilation openings near the top, as well as emergency exits and a 19-foot (5.8 m) high opening for stage scenery. Cars parked along Central Street can be seen. Theater closed in May for remodeling and renovation including a decorative paint treatment in the theater, expanded lobby space, additional restrooms, and new sound and light systems. There is a basement under the stage, housing mechanical systems and backstage service spaces. Business records for the theater when it operated primarily as a burlesque house. The Folly Theater was built in 1915 as The Standard. My love of broadway theater and my stint as the marketing VP of another historic theatre in Memphis, TN, years ago definitely makes me appreciate the splendor that these old theaters offer. [2] It was built by Colonel Edward Butler of St. Louis, Missouri, at a cost of $250,000, for his son to present shows on the Empire vaudeville circuit. After a tax sale it eventually reopened in 1941 as "The Folly", featuring striptease. Name of … [9], The Folly Theater in 1973 as a burlesque house, For the 19th-century theater in London, see, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, "Standard Theatre (September 1900-August 1901)", "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination: Standard Theatre", "Shubert's Missouri Theater (September 1923-September 1932)", "Restoration/Renovation (1974-November 1981)", Standard Theatre, 300 West Twelfth Street, Kansas City, Jackson County, MO, History of the National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Folly_Theater&oldid=1014901284, Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Missouri, Historic American Buildings Survey in Missouri, National Register of Historic Places in Kansas City, Missouri, Articles using NRISref without a reference number, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 29 March 2021, at 17:57. Palladian windows restored and dedicated. To share in the giving is to share in keeping the Folly a world-class venue for the performing arts. And all the big names took a turn on the Folly stage including Tempest Storm, Ann Corio, and the indomitable Gypsy Rose Lee. In the 1970s the Folly Theater was hitting tough times and in 1973 the theater was closed "for good". The burlesque tradition still continues with regular performances on our stage by the New Century Follies. TGM Subject . Beginning in 1900, The Folly Theater became the premier showplaces for for performing arts in Kansas City, packing in a wide variety of entertainment filled with stunning appearances by Marx Bros., Humphrey Bogart, and Shirley Booth among others. Date . Local Subject . The Folly Theater is a beautiful historic theater which first opened September 23, 1900 and has an amazing history! Vaudeville and burlesque returned as main attractions. The building is 125 feet (38 m) deep, 70 feet (21 m) wide and 65 feet (20 m) high. Mortgage burning March 15. After seven years a full renovation was completed in 1981, including the construction of an annex on the site of the former Edward Hotel.[8]. The Folly foyer has recently undergone a renovation which makes the interior walk in space modern, open and functional, … It was built by Sanderson Miller for George, Lord Lyttelton in the middle of the 18th century to look like a small ruined medieval castle. The theater was associated with the adjoining Ed [4], The interior structure mixes steel and wood construction. We're available to help Monday through Friday, 10AM-5PM at the Folly Theater Business Office located at 1020 Central, Suite 200, KCMO. Local Subject . 1900 Following an extensive restoration program, The Folly is now the premier showplace for Kansas City audiences to see the best touring entertainment the world has to offer. The theater is reopened as the Folly Theater featuring burlesque. Public attends open house in June. Your Name * Your Email Address * Address Pictured . The Neo-Palladian facade uses Carthage limestone and red pressed brick, with an adapted Palladian window centered in the facade. The Folly Theater. 10007853. Reopened on September 23rd, the Folly’s 100th anniversary, with Gala and performance by Gregory Hines. The Folly hosts League of Historic American Theatres. In 2016, we brought the world-renowned Karrin Allyson to the Folly Theater stage. Folly Theater is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. “Folly Alive!” media campaign. The building was purchased and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Johnson stayed in the manager's apartment, as hotels refused to rent him a room. Hagley Castle is in the grounds of Hagley Hall. Folly Theater Standard Theatre Curtiss, Louis. TGM Subject . Neighborhood Pictured . Full frontal and side view; also shows Edward Hotel attached to west side of theater. Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri. Live theater, features world class jazz series, national touring shows for children and a variety of programming. The theater is closed and slated for demolition. The Folly Theater is a beautiful historic theater which first opened September 23, 1900, and has an amazing history! Her exterior is a marvel, her interior comfortable and elegant. The Folly Theater, Kansas City, MO. Designed by the prominent Kansas City architect Louis S. Curtiss, it is an important example of turn-of-the-century architecture in the downtown area. A million-dollar grant was secured, and a piece of history was saved. Date . [4], Current seating capacity is 1,078 seats. The Marx Brothers, Gypsy Rose Lee, Fanny Brice and Al Jolson all appeared there. If you're ever in downtown Kansas City consider attending a performance at the historic Folly Theatre. We were joined by the Celtic Tenors in 2015 for our inaugural event, raising approximately $56,000. The stage is provided with a fly loft, fly balconies, a scenery workshop, and ten dressing rooms. The Folly possesses an intimate performance space with world-class acoustics and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, all of which serve to … [4], The exterior is largely unaltered, but the interior has been substantially renovated. 1915. 1990 ca. Her lively sounds and captivating vocals grabbed audiences … Information on salaries paid, utilities costs, commissions paid for securing entertainers, advertising expenses, and general operating expenses is included in the files. The Folly Theater is Kansas City's oldest standing theater. Featured quality legitimate theater until subleased to a burlesque troupe in 1928. Stand Redevelopment Corp. formed in September and merged with the non-profit Performing Arts Foundation (PAF). [7] Following the Folly's listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974,[1] a "Strip the Folly" fundraiser was held featuring Sally Rand, who had performed at the Folly. Historypin Explore Historypin Browse All Collections Meet Our Members Folly Theater. Folly Theater Source . Children, parents, and school groups can enjoy programs that inspire and entertain, all from the stage of Kansas City’s most historic arts venue. Plasterwork in the upper levels was replaced at this time, and a manager's apartment was removed. “Chorus Line” benefit presented in April. The Historic Folly Theatre. Beginning in 1900, The Folly Theater became the premier showplaces for for performing arts in Kansas City, packing in a wide variety of entertainment filled with stunning appearances by Marx Bros., Humphrey Bogart, and Shirley Booth among others. Built in 1900, it was designed by Kansas City architect Louis S. Curtiss. Re-opened in 1981, the Folly is again a world-class theater. The Century featured acts from the Empire burlesque circuit, including Al Jolson, Fannie Brice, and Eddie Foy. Stripper Tempest Storm revisits the Folly. Street(s) Pictured . All Content © 2020 The Folly Theater Unless Otherwise Noted, RECAST DATE TBA - Johan Dalene, Violinst in Free Discovery Concert. Fund-raising for renovation begins in late fall. If you're ever in downtown Kansas City consider attending a performance at the historic Folly Theatre. As a lover of old historic theaters, I will tell you that the Folly is truly a historic gem in downtown KC. “Shareholder” membership campaign launched in September. performances by artists ranging from blues to rock and country. Each year, tens of thousands of guests discover the wonder of the Folly and all that she has to offer, from the wail of a jazz saxophone to heart-stopping drama to breathtaking dance performances. The house contains three sections of seats facing a highly decorated proscenium arch. Folly Theater. The theatre at its largest, after reconstruction in 1881–82, had a capacity of between 650 and 700. General Collection (P1), Theaters--Folly, Number3. BNIM was involved in grant writing, presentation and Plans are now under way, and approval has been granted by the Kansas City Landmarks Commission, to install a marquee sign that closely mimics the original Folly signage. Lively sounds and captivating vocals grabbed audiences … Folly theater stage the Conception. 2015 for our inaugural event, raising approximately $ 56,000 her lively sounds and vocals! A fly loft, fly balconies, a new lobby, restrooms, and dressing... 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