This Week in KC: ‘Chicago,’ Louis C.K. and ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’

If “Chicago” is accurate, murders just aren’t as much fun as they used to be. Set in the Roaring ’20s, the musical is based on a play that was inspired by actual events. You can’t help but pull for Roxie Hart, even if she did kill a man and try to pin the crime on her husband. She sings and dances her way into your heart. 7:35 p.m. Thursday, July 7 (through Sept. 18). New Theatre Restaurant. 913-649-7469. newtheatre.com. $36-$61.

This ought to be interesting. Comedian Louis C.K., who called Kansas City a “terrible place” on “The Tonight Show,” will get a chance to explain himself to several thousand Kansas Citians. Here’s betting he’ll be more interested in milking the situation for more laughs than issuing an apology. At least his ticket prices are much lower than most big-name comedians who perform at the Sprint Center. 8 p.m. Thursday, July 7. Sprint Center. 816-949-7000. sprintcenter.com. $25-$65.

If you dig popular music of the 1960s and 1970s and think that Paul McCartney and Paul Simon should join those other guys on Mount Rushmore, this show is for you. “The Dawning of Aquarius” presents songs from that era, the stories behind the singer/songwriters who produced them and the impact they had on society. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 8 (through Aug. 7). Quality Hill Playhouse. 816-421-1700. qualityhillplayhouse.com. $33-$36.

OK, it might not rank up there with the Fourth of July, but Teddy Bear Picnic Day is a real holiday that’s celebrated all over the world. Here in Kansas City, we’ll jump the gun a bit because the actual holiday this year will be Sunday, July 10. Anyway, celebrants are encouraged to grab their favorite teddy bears and party on the front lawn of the Kansas City Museum. Activities will include games, crafts and music by Janie Next Door. The event is free but registration is limited; for more info, go to kcparks.org. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, July 8. Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall. kcparks.org/event/teddy-bear-picnic-2. Free.

Comedian Ron White is from Texas, but don’t let that fool you. He’s smart, as is most of his humor. He has even written a book with the title “I Had the Right to Remain Silent … But I Didn’t Have the Ability.” White is probably best known for being part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy. 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 8. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. 816-283-9921. midlandkc.com. $51.50-$61.50.

Ancient Rome was known for excess, and nothing says excess like silver drinking vessels and gold jewelry. Those items and many more examples of the opulent lifestyle of the ancient Roman elite will be on display in the Nelson’s newest exhibition, which was organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum. The 2,000-year-old works by Roman artists and craftsmen also will include statues, tableware, medallions, coins and cameos. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 9 (through Oct. 2). Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. 816-751-1278. nelson-atkins.org. $6-$12.

Most of the booths selling arts, crafts and antiques are shaded by the large trees surrounding the historic home on the site where George Caleb Bingham painted his famous “Order No. 11.” If the heat still overtakes you, venture inside for a tour of the house that provides a look at how wealthy Missourians lived during the 19th century. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 9. Bingham-Waggoner Estate. 816-461-3491. bwestate.org. Free; home tours $3-$6.

If you’ve never seen the play “Mary Poppins,” there might be a good reason. The 1964 movie that gave us “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” would seem like a natural for the stage, but it wasn’t turned into a musical play until 2004. This show, a co-production of the Jewish Community Center and Theatre in the Park, will move outside to the theater in Shawnee Mission Park on July 29. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9 (through July 24; then July 29-Aug. 6 at Theatre in the Park). Lewis and Shirley White Theatre, Jewish Community Center. 913-327-8054. thejkc.org. $12-$23.

Summer is definitely a slow time for classical music in Kansas City, but fans can binge during the four weeks of Summerfest. The chamber music festival will comprise eight performances at two sites (Saturday evenings at White Recital Hall and Sunday afternoons at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church), focusing on American Roots music with a classical twist. The Week 1 performance will be “Musical Voices.” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9 (through July 31). White Recital Hall and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. 816-895-2920. summerfestkc.org. $10-$30.

If some people think that eating hot dogs and twirling ribbons are competitive endeavors worth watching, why not air guitar, too? It hasn’t yet reached the Olympics stage, but it’s becoming a pretty big deal. This event is a regional competition, with the winner qualifying for the US Air Guitar National Championships on Aug. 6 in Austin, Texas. The world championships will be Aug. 24-26 in Oulu, Finland. The guitars are invisible, but the music is real. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 9. Kanza Hall, One Block South. usairguitar.com or oneblocksouthkc.com. $12.

Born Nov. 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Walter Cronkite went on to become one of the nation’s most respected TV journalists. He died in 2009. In honor of his upcoming 100th birthday, the Walter Cronkite Memorial at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph will present a three-part multimedia show featuring video and photographs as well as music and live performance. Jim Korinke will portray Cronkite; other actors will take on the roles of Harry Truman and Martin Luther King Jr. 7 p.m. Monday, July 11. H&R Block City Stage, Union Station. 816-460-2020. unionstation.org. $5.

The county fair season will kick off with two biggies, one on each side of the state line. In addition to the usual carnivals, music, livestock shows and food exhibits, each will have some distinctive events. The Cass County Fair will feature a fashion review, firefighters’ competition and 5K run/walk. The Wyandotte County Fair will include barrel racing, go-kart racing and a pie contest.

Cass County Fair: 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 12; 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 13; 4 p.m. Thursday, July 14; 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 15; 8 a.m. Saturday, July 16; 4 p.m. Sunday, July 17 (carnival only). Pleasant Hill. casscountyfairmo.com. Prices vary.

Wyandotte County Fair: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, July 12-15; noon-10 p.m. Saturday, July 16. 13700 Polfer, Kansas City, Kan. 913-721-2333 or 913-721-2334. wycofair.com. Carnival wristband $15; other prices vary.

It will be hard to keep from singing along to some of the tunes in the popular Broadway musical based on the 1991 animated movie. In addition to the Oscar-winning title song, highlights are “Be Our Guest” and “Belle.” The story is a familiar romance, with young Belle being wooed by the Beast, who is actually a prince trapped inside a beastly body by a curse that will end only if he can learn to love and be loved. As if the music and story aren’t entertaining enough, the sets and costumes are stunning as well. 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 (through July 19). Starlight Theatre. 816-363-7827. kcstarlight.com. $15-$143.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 1:00 PM with the headline "This Week in KC: ‘Chicago,’ Louis C.K. and ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’."