Folly Theater, Kansas City

The Folly Theater in Kansas City originally opened as the Standard Theatre in 1900, is a historic venue that has seen numerous transformations throughout its existence. Designed by Kansas City architect Louis S. Curtiss, the theater was built by Colonel Edward Butler for his son and was initially associated with the now-demolished Edward Hotel. The theater, featuring a Neo-Palladian facade with Carthage limestone and red pressed brick, was a premier vaudeville hall in downtown Kansas City, boasting a capacity of 2,400 seats when it first opened. Its architectural elegance is evident in the three arched windows on the lower facade, heavily rusticated limestone at street level, and a grand interior featuring a mix of steel and wood construction, with vibrant red and gold decor.

The theater initially hosted burlesque and vaudeville but shifted to opera and comic opera after a nearby fire in 1901, gaining fame with acts like Al Jolson and Fannie Brice. Renamed "Century" in 1902, it also hosted prizefights. Acquired by the Shubert brothers in 1923, it became "Shubert's Missouri," focusing on dramatic productions. After several closures, it reopened as "The Folly" in 1941, specializing in striptease until 1974. Facing demolition, it was saved by local preservationists, restored, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with renovations completed in 1981.

Today, the Folly Theater serves as a key cultural venue in the city, hosting a variety of performances, including jazz, children's series, and classical music. The theater celebrated its centennial in 2000 with additional renovations, and while the exterior has remained largely unchanged, the interior has undergone significant updates, including a reduction in seating capacity to 1,078 seats. The Folly Theater stands as a testament to Kansas City's rich performing arts history, blending historic charm with a vibrant contemporary role in the community.