Kansas City, MO - The curtain is going up on some big changes at the historic Folly Theater in downtown Kansas City.
The theater has received a $2 million gift, and will undergo a renovation beginning in the summer that will change much of the look of the historic theater, both front of house and backstage.
The Folly Theater, at 300 W. 12th St., was built as the Standard Theatre in 1900 featuring the top vaudeville and burlesque acts of the time. Through the years it was also named the Century Theater and Shubert's Missouri. The top acts of the early 20th Century performed there - Sarah Bernhardt, Al Jolson, Fannie Brice, and Eddie Foy. Some of the top striptease acts like Gypsy Rose Lee and Tempest Storm performed there as well.
“It is exciting to be part of a building that dates back to 1900. And is such a historic icon in Kansas City,” said Gale Tallis, executive director of the Folly Theater.
Tallis says the renovation will focus on installing new seats, new curtains, and a redesign of the performer dressing rooms. The new dark blue seats are larger and wider, and will result in 100 fewer seats in the theater.
Tallis has been with the theater for 15 years. She has a lot of fond memories, but there is one in particular she remembers well.
“I remember there was a lot of secret service and it was nuts when we had a sitting president, President Obama, on our stage,” said Tallis.
For now, masks are not required for anyone attending a show at The Folly, but one must show a completed vaccination card or a negative test taken within the previous 72 hours.