KC events Nov. 2-8: ‘Charlie Brown Christmas,’ Garrison Keillor, ‘Young Frankenstein’
“Into the Woods”
Opens 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at MTH Theater at Crown Center
Characters from “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Cinderella” and other fairy tales commingle in this modern classic. The musical by Stephen Sondheim, celebrating its 30th anniversary, was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1987 and won three, including best score by Sondheim. Jeremy Watson and Sarah Crawford will provide musical direction, with Crawford directing. Runs through Nov. 19. 816-221-6987. Tickets are $21-$62 through mthkc.com.
Sebastian Maniscalco
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
Now we know why there are so many comedians out there. Sebastian Maniscalco, a 44-year-old moderately well-known comic from the Chicago area, raked in $15 million from June 2016 to June 2017 to rank No. 10 on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid comedians. In addition to Showtime specials, he is known for the “The Pete & Sebastian Show” on SiriusXM. His book, “Stay Hungry,” will hit the shelves early next year. 816-283-9921. Tickets are $42.75-$62.75 through midlandkc.com.
Ice Terrace
Opens at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Crown Center
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a warm winter — So what else is new? — but that likely won’t keep skaters away from the rink at Crown Center, which gets an early start on the holiday season. In fact, visitors who prefer the warm weather might be able to wear shorts during the first few weeks of the four-month skating season. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday through January; shorter hours in February; special hours on holidays; closed Christmas. 816-274-8411. crowncenter.com. $6; skate rental, $3.
Gatsby Swing at the Station
8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Union Station
As if listening to the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra isn’t enough of an attraction, this event will include other elements that will make it a one-of-a-kind evening. It will take place in Union Station’s cavernous Sprint Festival Plaza, with its marble wainscoting, terra cotta and massive plaster ceiling. And attendees can dance to Gatsby era music while dressed in Gatsby era attire. Tickets are $15 through unionstation.org/events/gatsby-swing-station; $20 at door.
Kansas International Film Festival
Opens 5:25 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Glenwood Arts Theatre
If you’re the type of movie fan who complains that Hollywood produces nothing but sequels, kids’ movies and big-budget, violence-filled action flicks, you might want to check out the Kansas International Film Festival. Running for six days, it will feature almost 200 films — shorts, documentaries and features — drawn from submissions from more than 50 countries. Also, 12:15 p.m. Nov. 4-5, 5:15 p.m. Nov. 6, 5:10 p.m. Nov. 7, 5:15 p.m. Nov. 8, 5:10 p.m. Nov. 9. Passes $60 at kansasfilm.com; individual films $6.75-$9 at door.
Tommy Emmanuel and David Grisman
8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
On the very day their first collaboration (“Pickin’”) will be available in stores and at digital retailers, celebrated guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and mandolinist David Grisman will begin a two-week North American tour at the Midland. Emmanuel, an Australian known for his complex fingerstyle technique, blends classical, Americana, folk and roots music. Grisman is a bluegrass musician from New Jersey. Also performing will be Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley. 816-283-9921. Tickets are $35-$65 through midlandkc.com.
Festival of South African Dance
8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Carlsen Center Yardley Hall
Direct from Johannesburg, two distinct South African dance traditions will be showcased. The performing ensembles will be Pantsula, rooted in urban street culture and using the sounds of busy city life, and the Gumboots, featuring dancing conceived by South African miners who used foot tapping to communicate underground when talking wasn’t allowed. Johnson County Community College. 913-469-4445. Tickets are $32-$42 through jccc.edu/theseries.
Kansas City Soul vs. St. Joseph
6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Truman High School
Professional basketball returns to Kansas City this season with the debut of the Kansas City Soul, a new member of the American Basketball Association. The ABA consists of more than 100 teams across the nation. The Soul will play most of its home games at the Truman Memorial Building against regional teams, including those from Salina, St. Joseph, Topeka, St. Louis and Tulsa. 816-872-6622. kansascitysoul.org. $5-$10.
“Young Frankenstein”
Opens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Lewis and Shirley White Theatre
Mel Brooks turned his classic 1974 movie into a musical that opened on Broadway 10 years ago and earned three Tony Award nominations. In this production, Joell Ramsdell, a regular on local stages, will play Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein. Frederick inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania and is drawn into the family business of creating monsters. Runs through Nov. 19. Jewish Community Campus. 913-327-8054. Tickets are $14-$25 through thejkc.org.
Garrison Keillor: “Just Passing Through”
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Lied Center
Fans of Lake Wobegon will be thrilled to know that the fictional berg hasn’t died since Garrison Keillor retired from “A Prairie Home Companion,” it has merely gone on the road with him. Keillor, who entertained audiences for 42 years on the public radio show with his storytelling and homespun humor, will present a solo show that will include new anecdotes and fresh kernels of wisdom. 785-864-2787. Tickets are $21-$55 through lied.ku.edu.
William Baker Festival Singers
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral
The 50-voice William Baker Festival Singers will open its 20th season with “Love Revealed,” featuring modern works by Mark Gresham, Knut Nystedt, Norman Dello Joio, Samuel Barber and Morten Lauridsen; Kansas City composers John Leavitt and Geoff Wilcken; and Festival Singers composer-in-residence Ed Frazier Davis. Joining the chorale will be the Northview Elementary School Choir. Also, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. 913-403-9223. Tickets are $5-$40 through festivalsingers.org.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Opens at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Coterie
The whimsical characters of Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip star in this play based on the 1965 animated TV special. A live jazz trio will provide the music for the story of Charlie Brown’s efforts to rediscover the holiday spirit as he directs the school Christmas pageant. Leave it to Linus to help Charlie learn the season’s real meaning. Runs through Dec. 31. 816-474-6552. Tickets are $12-$17 through thecoterie.org.
Also this week
Classical music and dance
Fall Dance Concert, Nov. 2-4, White Recital Hall. conservatory.umkc.edu
Kansas City Symphony, Brahms’ “Requiem” and the French Impressionists, Nov. 3-5, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
Trio Solisti, Nov. 3, 1900 Building. chambermusic.org
2Cellos, Nov. 5, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
Stradivarius Ensemble, Nov. 7, Kauffman Center. hjseries.org
Chris Norman and David Greenberg, Nov. 8, 1900 Building. 1900bldg.com
KU Wind Ensemble with Jim Walker, flute, Nov. 8, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Theater
“Classic Crooners,” Nov. 2-Dec. 17, Chestnut Fine Arts Center. chestnutfinearts.com
“Anne of Green Gables,” Nov. 3-19, Olathe Civic Theatre Association. olathetheatre.org
“Sister Act: The Musical,” Nov. 3-19, Barn Players. thebarnplayers.org
Comedy
Pablo Francisco, Nov. 2-5, Kansas City Improv. improvkc.com
Ray William Johnson, Nov. 7, Kansas City Improv. improvkc.com
Music (rock, pop, jazz)
A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Nov. 2, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Cole Swindell, Nov. 2, Kansas City Live. powerandlightdistrict.com
David Archuleta, Nov. 2, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Modern English with Emmaline Twist, Nov. 2, RecordBar. therecordbar.com
50 Summers of Love featuring Micky Dolenz, Mark Lindsay, The Fab Four and more, Nov. 3, Ameristar. ameristar.com
Descendents, Nov. 3, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Marc Brossard, Nov. 3, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Slowdive, Nov. 3, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
“Take Me to the River” featuring William Bell, Bobby Rush and Charlie Musselwhite, Nov. 3, Folly. follytheater.org
Timeflies, Nov. 3, Granada. thegranada.com
The Urge, Nov. 3, VooDoo. voodookc.com
Ambrosia, Nov. 4, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Theory of a Deadman, Nov. 4, Granada. thegranada.com
Blues Traveler, Nov. 5, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Conjunto Primavera, Nov. 5, Blvd Nights. ticketmaster.com
Gwar, Nov. 5, Granada. thegranada.com
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Nov. 5, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Victor Goines Duo, Nov. 6-7, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Our Lady Peace, Nov. 7, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Victor Wooten Trio, Nov. 7, Madrid. madridtheatre.com
Bleachers with Bishop Briggs, Nov. 8, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
The BoDeans, Nov. 8, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Death From Above, Nov. 8, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Visual arts
“Migrant Mother and Her Children” by Hung Liu, Nov. 3-Jan. 20, Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art. byroncohengallery.com and sherryleedy.com
First Friday in the Crossroads, Nov. 3, Crossroads Arts District. kccrossroads.org
Events/festivals/etc.
Greater Kansas City Peacebuilding Conference, Nov. 2-4, JCCC. jccc.edu/conferences/peacebuilding
Mayor’s Christmas Tree arrives, Nov. 2, Crown Center. crowncenter.com
Fall Harvest Holiday Art & Craft Show, Nov. 3-4, John Knox Village Pavilion. ibdpromotions.com
First Friday Weekend in the West Bottoms, Nov. 3-5, West Bottoms. westbottoms.com
Screening of “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary,” Nov. 3, Gem Theater. archives.gov/kansas-city
British Faire and Tea, Nov. 4, Shawnee Civic Center. dbekansas.org
Burning Sands Step Show, Nov. 4, Folly. follytheater.org
Civil War Escape Room, Nov. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19, Lone Jack Civil War Museum. historiclonejack.org
Fall Fling, Nov. 4, Line Creek Community Center. kcparks.org
India Nite 2017, Nov. 4, Music Hall. iakc.org
Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City Show and Sale, Nov. 4-5, Loose Park Garden Center. osgkc.org
Olde World Christmas, Nov. 4-Jan. 7, Strawberry Hill Museum. strawberryhillmuseum.org
TEDxKCWomen, Nov. 4, Regnier Extreme Screen Theater, Union Station. tedxkc.org
Wicked Wine Walk, Nov. 4, Power & Light District. powerandlightdistrict.com
Wanderfest, Nov. 5, Tower East area. eventbrite.com/event/38793861484
Book talks
Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush for “Sisters First: Stories From our Wild and Wonderful Life,” Nov. 2, Unity Temple on the Plaza. rainydaybooks.com
Jackson Galaxy for “Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life With Your Cat,” Nov. 3, Unity Temple on the Plaza. rainydaybooks.com
Doris Kearns Goodwin at Bennett Forum on the Presidency, Nov. 4, Unity Temple on the Plaza. trumanlibraryinstitute.org
Sports/recreation
Kansas City Comets (indoor soccer) vs. St. Louis, Nov. 4. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. cometsindoorsoccer.com
This story was originally published October 31, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "KC events Nov. 2-8: ‘Charlie Brown Christmas,’ Garrison Keillor, ‘Young Frankenstein’."