A Stage for
Every Story

Find what the Folly has in store.

Now On Stage

Bernadette Peters

Monday, November 21 at 8:00pm

Throughout her illustrious career, Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage, film and television, in concert, and on recordings. She has garnered numerous accolades including three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, four Emmy and four Grammy Award nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Programs and partners

Folly Jazz Series logo
The longest running Jazz Series in Kansas City. Support this tradition and become a season subscriber with savings and flexible packaging, or purchase individual show tickets to our robust lineup.
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Folly Theater Americana Series Logo
A series centering on Americana and other musical genre performances. The Folly Theater Americana Series showcases exceptional live performances from artists whose music reflects the spirit, stories, and evolving sounds of American culture.
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Folly Kids Series logo
The stage awaits those who wander. The Folly Kids’ series is designed to teach, inspire, and entertain children, parents, grandparents, and school groups alike.
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KC Jazz Orchestra logo
Welcome to one of the nation’s preeminent big bands. The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra is a proud representative of Kansas City’s jazz tradition. The ensemble currently boasts a Signature Series, Riff Generation, and an ever-growing education program, JazzWorks.
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Heartland Mens Chorus KC logo
Recently known for its musical documentary format, which uses music, narration, and multimedia to illustrate social issues, the chorus regularly performs with as many as 150 singers, covering jazz, Broadway, popular, and classical works.
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The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City logo
The Friends of Chamber Music's history, with the introduction of new artists, new art forms, and new literature. The series has grown to include The International Chamber Music Series, The Master Pianists Series, and The Early Music Series.
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The Harriman Jewell Series logo
The Harriman-Jewell Series continues to carve out an enviable legacy as a performing arts presenter of international importance, offering well-known artists as well as up-and-coming performers as part of their Discovery Series.
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The next generation of dance. The Folly Theater has been home to the Ailey II Dance Company for many years. Folly patrons can experience this incredible group of rising stars on the stage of Kansas City’s oldest historic theater.
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over a century in the making

About The Folly

Where history lets loose.
Folly Theater first opened its doors in 1900 as the Standard Theater, a modern take on venue design. At opening, the theater housed burlesque and vaudeville performances—a little cheeky addition to Kansas City’s downtown at the time. Let’s just say it’s rumored that only five women sat in the audience on opening night, hoping not to be offended. Past opening, passersby could hear crowds of laughter at the comedy troupe Marx Brothers, cheers for burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and comedian Fanny Brice, and thunderous applause for actor Pinky Lee. After the success and survival of the roaring ‘20s and the depression years of the ‘30s, the theater was under threat of permanent closure in 1973. Scheduled for demolition and set to become a new parking lot, the beloved theater was valiantly saved by Joan Kent Dillon and William Deramus III of the Performing Arts Foundation. Today, the Folly remains a beloved stage for live entertainment, inviting audiences to experience its rich history with every performance.
Folly Theater Home
An image of people cheering in a theater

support the folly

The Folly has always been more than a stage; it’s a shared legacy, sustained by the people who believe in its magic. Whether through a donation or by lending your time as a volunteer, your support helps preserve this historic space, uplift the arts, and keep the spirit of live performance thriving for generations to come.

Come visit the Grand Lady of 12th Street

Rent the folly

An Unforgettable Space for Your Next Event

The Folly is where Kansas City comes to play. With its stunning architecture and unmatched character, the space transforms weddings, performances, meetings, and more into unforgettable, yet intimate experiences.

available rooms

Artist Thomas Hart Benton City Activities with Dance Hall

Art at
The Folly

A Stage for Visual Art

Folly’s walls tell stories of creativity, culture, and time, inviting guests to slow down and take it all in. Guests can view ornate design elements and thoughtfully curated works at the Folly, a reflection of the theater’s support beyond the performative arts and deep connection to the visual arts and its role as a living canvas within Kansas City.

Among these treasures, guests can discover works by Thomas Hart Benton, whose legacy adds to the theater’s Midwest significance. As you explore, let your eyes wander; there’s artistry woven into every corner, waiting to be noticed. Whether you’re arriving for a performance or simply passing through, the Folly rewards those who look a little closer.