Folly Theater

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

Love to see the KC Ballet adding more family programming, and we joined a host of others for a sold out adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. It was enjoyable, the Folly is cool, and the flow of everything here needs a tiny bit of reworking.First, you have to love the old historical landmark type of theaters where the energy and craftsmanship put into them lives on. The auditorium itself is small, but can pack in quite a few people. Upstairs, you better have your legs and balance because it can definitely be a little disorienting with the stacked seating.The parking garage is nice and easy in the sense that it's next to the Folly and pre-pay as you go in. There will likely be a line of cars to get into the garage but with some patience it all works out.From the second we got into the building, it was claustrophobically PACKED. The ticket takers were right by the door, and at the confluence of people waiting in line for drinks and snacks. I think opening up the doors on the east end to help create multiple lines would be helpful.The bathroom lines bottled up, people meeting each other bottled up, and it felt more condensed in here than it may need to. I think adding some selfie stations and other things further down the hallway may help the flow from backing up each time.As busy as it felt also reassuring to see so many people out and about. Glad people still care about human performance and the arts!All in all, a nice theater and we had a good time. The show was enjoyable and a compact 1 hour performance which was great for the kids. I'll keep eyes on other opportunities to come down here when we can.

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!

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.

The Folly is The Absolute Best, Quaint, Historic, Beautifully Designed and Kept Theatre in the world and I am honored to call it home to my city. I always enjoy great shows/performances here. They bring The Best to life and light and I'm super excited each time a great event that I must attend is scheduled at this theatre. It exudes such class, warmth and character and did I say I'm Hometown Proud it's in my backyard?Kudos Folly! Keep The Greatness Flowing. You're second to none!

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.

The Folly is a wonderful small-ish venue in downtown KC. I hadn't been since it was recently refurbished. I feel like the new entrance took away some of the charm of the famously Art Deco building, but the restoring of the main auditorium more than makes up for that- there is new carpet throughout and the seats have been updated. They're wider and much more comfortable than they used to be- people were packed in here like sardines before! My mom and I recently saw the Kingston Trio here and it was a wonderful show- great acoustics and lighting and every single staff member we encountered was so nice and helpful and accommodating. They also have a nice area for drinks and snacks before the show or during intermission. I really liked that they had a wide selection of soft drinks, wines, and several canned mixed cocktails which were chilled and poured over ice.

The restored historic Folly Theater is another Kansas City treasure, and exquisite on the inside...a work of art. But as a performance venue, I can't give it high marks because the seats are so uncomfortable tiny, you feel like you're in a full-body straight jacket. If people are seated on both sides of you, there's just no place for your arms to go. Add in the bulk of a winter coat, and even breathing takes up too much room! And if you're not on the front row, you stop feeling your feet part way through the evening. As one of my friends said tonight, "These are worse than airplane seats!" But oh, what you get to see and hear on the inside! As one who has to budget carefully (For instance: Gasoline or food? As a Yelper, food always wins!) I most often go for the free concerts in the Harriman-Jewell Series, founded by William Jewell College in 1965, which usually feature young, up-and-coming musicians, or those well on their way to greatness, and sometimes edgy or avant-garde talent, like the passionate female violinist who coaxed sounds I'd never heard out of a violin before, and I mean really beautiful sounds.Tonights group, WindSync, a wind quintet, meshed and wove their way through the familiar Ravel's Bolero in a wonderfully unique way, making me feel like I was hearing it for the first time...which I wasn't, as it was my step-father's favorite classical piece, and I can remember it playing almost every weekend morning!The interior of the Folly is like a jewel box, with intricate medallions on the walls, ceiling and around the stage, some featuring stylized half-clothed ladies, some in scenes with horses(!), and lots of detailed gold trim. There is so much going on visually on all surfaces, I never even noticed the half-naked ladies before tonight!Everyone should go to the Folly Theater at least once! Be prepared to hear and see amazing things, and to feel so cramped physically that it's hard to stand up at intermission!

The Folly is a clean high-class venue. If you have trouble with stairs choose lower level seating. No elevators. Nice old building; adequately staffed & maintained.

I love folks theatre, they offer a good variety of performances. I've attended piano concertos as well as burlesque shows. I would say this... the seating could be better for certain acts since it's such a small space. If you can afford it, i would recommend staying away from upper balcony. The visibility is limited even though the set up is steep. I love their staff, not sure if paid or volunteers but they are sweet and helpful and seem to genuinely enjoy being at folly. I've never seen a bar there, not sure if they offer snacks or drinks. I usually walk to folly but I recently found out they have a parking garage. When your booked performance is coming up, you get an email with parking instructions.