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    Recommended Reviews - Folly Theater

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    Stage
    Kelly N.

    What a beautiful theater! I've been here a couple times for family friendly ballets and have enjoyed the beauty of both the theater and the ballet! It's nice that there is a parking garage right next door and it's super easy to get to the theater from. As you can imagine, traffic can get busy in front of the theater, especially because it's a one way street, but they had officers conducting traffic, which was so helpful! Traffic getting into the actual theater on the other hand could be better. They scan your ticket right when you walk in the door, so it's kind of chaotic at first with non clear lines of where to go or who is in line. Once that is over though and you're headed to your seat, it's smooth sailing. There's concessions that you can enjoy before/during the show, which is so nice! If you get a chance to see something at this theater, I would recommend it! It's also a plus that they have kid friendly events here!

    'Concerto', an Ed Dwight piece
    Tom V.

    If you are looking for the newest and most technologically tricked out theater that you can find, then pass on by. But if you are looking for an intimate, well-preserved, historical venue, then the Folly Theater is exactly what you need. The Folly is Kansas City's oldest theater and is one of the oldest west of the Mississippi, even appearing on the National Historic Places registry. The venue has been saved and refurbished and is used for anything from jazz concerts to business presentations. That is a far cry from its position as a burlesque house many decades ago, much of which is memorialized with fantastic photographs upstairs. But if you like arena rock or large venues for your entertainment, then this isn't going to work. But if you like to feel as if the entertainer or the speaker has invited you to a small gathering for a performance or a discussion, then this is the best place in town. The acoustics are just right, and the intimacy of the space is felt no matter who is performing. There is an outstanding Ed Dwight sculpture just up at the balcony level, a subtle yet poignant appreciation for Kansas City's jazz history. The annual Jazz Series of concerts always has some up-and-coming artists as well as some that are well-known in the music industry. We had an opportunity to see Jane Monheit as a replacement for Diane Schurr and we could not have been happier. The vocals fill the hall and deliver rather than overpower, allowing you to truly appreciate the performance. Parking may be a bit of a trick due to demand, but there is a garage nearby and plenty of other options. Concessions are welcome during the performances and are available pre-event or at intermission. Most of all, the seating can seem a touch crowded, but you need an appreciation for the history of the venue versus the convenience of accommodations today. The Folly IS Kansas City history - go live it!

    Jason G.

    I came here for the Booker T. Jones concert. It was the first time I ever been to the Folly. I can't believe how clean it was for being such an old theater for this type of music It was an ideal venue. The acoustics were spot on. I'll be checking their website more often because I do plan on coming back for more shows.

    Bobby Watson performing a solo
    Felicia W.

    This is a lovely and quaint theatre that is well maintained. Free parking is available adjacent to the theatre which is very convenient. There is a concession bar inside where you can purchase a beverage for the concert and bring it in with you. The volunteer ushers are friendly and helpful. The jazz offerings are my favorite and I wish there were more.

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    7 months ago

    Seating in the balcony has absolutely NO LEG ROOM. So if you are average height or taller, plan to be uncomfortably squished.

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    1 year ago

    The Folly is a unique fabulous venue. We find the lower balcony to be our desired seating. Incredible artists perform here.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Folly Theater

    Review Highlights - Folly Theater

    A leftover for the days of vaudeville and burlesque, this theatre dates back to 1900.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Sauer Castle

    4.5
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    Would be nice if this was passed down within the family of those that would take care of this…read moreplace. Being part of Sauer, sadly most of my mom's side of the family is still racist. Wasn't able to take part of both my grandparents funerals due to my race. Mostly the men in the family but regardless of the facts. This castle isn't being taken care of and up for sale with an ridiculous price. We also have a Castle located in Germany, along with family crest. Kind of unique to be apart of a family history but not really accepted.

    Sauer Castle is in the National Register of Historic Places, it's a Kansas City must-see if you've…read morenever taken the haunting trip to the top of the bluff where this mansion sits undisturbed for decades. In high school, from Miege to St. Teresa's Academy, crossing state lines, the rumors about Sauer were EPIC and very popular to tell around Halloween. Sauer castle is haunted, according to the ghostly experts and as the story goes... During the Civil War a man leaves his wife to go fight. She waits for him for years, longing for his return and reading his infrequent letters home. Towards wars end, she receives his final letter stating that he is coming home on a certain day on a certain ferry and requesting that she wait for him. When he never arrived, she believed he was dead and frenzied, she hung herself in the infamous bell tower. Her husband, alive, missed his ferry home and later arrived to find his wife dead. It is said that in the front yard he shot himself. Sauer Castle was built by the German immigrant Anton Sauer and has remained in the family for 5 generations - in which the castle has seen many more deaths of natural and unnatural causes. Legend has it that treasure is buried here (however sources say this rumor began from the original fact that the house was built over an antique storage of wine.) Other legends include there is a secret tunnel leading to the Kaw River (others distort this rumor to make it a slave tunnel), or that the ghost of Mary Sauer stands in the windows of the fourth floor looking out onto her property at night. There was a man who died of tuberculosis here, a baby died as well within these walls, and a child was drown. Perhaps what solidified its eerie persona is the foreboding sign in the front that reads: PRIVATE PROPERTY, TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED! BEWARE OF DOGS! Here's where I come into the story: I was young and stupid, it was a boring Friday night and my friends and I thought it would be something to talk about on Monday if we somehow got into Sauer Castle and checked out if it were haunted for ourselves. With my two other good friends, we set out on the property while two other friends waited in the car for our return. What we weren't aware of was that three guard dogs that could have well ripped me apart were stationed around the house. I was only cognizant of one, chained to a large radius of land towards the front of the house, but in truth there were two more. We steered clear of this one dog and kept to the side of the house until we came upon the old slave quarters behind the property. It was here we saw a small window opening to the basement of Sauer Castle...STUPID, STUPID me...I went in (after my two friends.) And what we saw was no different than the last scene of the Blair Witch Project, an empty stone basement with nothing in it but AN ACTUAL STONE WELL in the very center...creepy as all hell. That's when we saw the caretaker with a flashlight and rifle coming towards us. My two dear 'friends' climbed out of there first leaving me with no cell phone light, no knee to climb on. I had to scratch my way up with them pulling on my arms as I had been entirely alone in Sauer Castle. Finally, the three of us hauled ass to the car and sped off before we were caught as trespassers and prosecuted!!! Oh, what a night...something I will NEVER do again and a story I will NEVER forget. Is Sauer Castle haunted? From the fright of feeling trapped in the stone basement with nothing beside me but an old well...I would say yes.

    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

    4.8
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    The Nelson-Atkins is synonymous with Kansas City and an absolute must-visit for visitors and locals…read morealike. Where to even start? This encyclopedic museum was built in the 1930s in a traditional beaux arts style. The original 1930s building is just as stunning today as it was 90 years ago. The original courtyard has been modified and transformed into a restaurant, but aside from that it remains largely untouched. In the 2000s the museum expanded with the Bloch building - an architectural marvel all it's own. Drive by at night to see each lens lit up. Currently they are working on another expansion, that will bring the museum into the modern era. I've spent so much time here it's ridiculous. From exploring as a child with my grandmother, to my time as a student, to exploring now as an adult there is really something here for just about anyone. Being an encyclopedic museum it features art from across the world and spanning the timeline of humanity. You can use the Nelson as a launching pad for discussing nearly any moment in time through the lens of art, which is really an impressive feat for a midsize city like KC. Some of my favorite pieces include a relic with the "finger bone" of st. John the Baptist (it's likely a chicken bone), "Woman IV" by Willem de Kooning, "Boulevard des Capucines" by Claude Monet, and "Persephone" by Thomas Hart Benton. This is the place I take all of my guests, and the place I come to when I need to reset or recharge myself. It's always beautiful, always therapeutic, and always FREE. I'm not sure folks really understand the incredible gift we have as a community to have access to this incredible place. My top KC treasure, and I hope every person gets a chance to visit someday.

    My visit to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was extremely disappointing. While the museum itself…read morewas beautiful the behavior of several staff members completely ruined the experience. Throughout our visit we were repeatedly followed and monitored. At one point, as we were leaving through a doorway a staff member who was entering saw us exiting and immediately turned around after looking directly at us. Another staff member approached us in a very confrontational manner under the guise of "guiding" us and even laughed after I responded with "yikes." The micro-aggressions were impossible to ignore. They didn't even seem "micro." The behavior from staff was excessive, unwelcoming, and deeply uncomfortable. It's unfortunate that such a culturally significant and visually appealing place is staffed by people who ruin the experience. I genuinely hope the museum addresses and provides better training on how staff members interact with guests.

    Liberty Memorial

    Liberty Memorial

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    Rock Island Bridge

    Rock Island Bridge

    3.6
    (37 reviews)

    Came here about a month after its opening. The bridge is cool. However the music is SO LOUD omg I…read moredon't want to be screaming the whole time to talk with my friends. Also it's so windy all the time too. You can order at the window and sit outside or on another floor, or you can choose to sit inside and eat like a normal restaurant. The menu is pretty limited. However the burger was really good! I don't love a burger but this one really was amazing. And it came out ssssooooo fast. Like 5 mins or less. That was crazy lol. Overall decent time! Can't wait to see improvements through the years!

    We have been wanting to visit Rock Island Bridge since we heard about the project being developed…read more It was a decent experience. The restaurant was on a 90 minute wait to be seated inside. But it was a warm Friday night. The to go order window line wasn't too long so we waited and ordered some things for our group of six. A lot of the tables on the west side of the bridge are in the smoking area, which is disappointing that it was that large. I got a cheeseburger and some chips and it was just okay. Nothing to write home about. The drinks were not cheap, but not ridiculous. Parking is an absolute disaster. Quite possibly the worst parking experience in the metro. They're just isn't enough of it and they didn't make a deal with Hy-Vee Arena to let people park there so that's not available. It's an unfortunate situation because it's a decent place and experience, but the parking is so bad that we will not return.

    Folly Theater - theater - Updated June 2026

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