Sometimes you have to be an adult. Other times, it’s more of an option.
This weekend, with any luck, the choice will be yours to take full advantage of your adult status without the pesky baggage of grown-up responsibility.
I didn’t say it would be easy. I’m just here to nudge you in the right direction. Or maybe it’s the wrong direction. Either way, I’m nudging.
1. Margaret Cho: The PsyCho Tour
Whether doing a hilariously honest impression of her conservative yet surprisingly open-minded mother or musing on the inherent challenges of being a non-conformist in society, stand-up comic Margaret Cho presents both a challenge and a comfort for the adult mind. Oh, and she definitely does adult material. If you’re 21 or older, Cho’s fearless brand of thinking person’s comedy could be the trick to turn this weekend into something special.
Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m.; Saturday, 7 and 9:45 p.m.; Kansas City Improv at Zona Rosa, 7260 N.W. 87th St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $25, $35.
2. ‘A Chorus Line: A Retrospective Concert’
You’ve got to be at least 35 to be a performing member of Kansas City’s Mid-Life Players, who are presenting a script-in-hand concert version of the Broadway classic, “A Chorus Line.” The troupe’s mature take on the 1975 stage musical depicting not only the struggle and sacrifice of those testing their limits in show biz, but also the ultimate serenity derived from daring to be a singular sensation, is one hell of an emotional journey. What did they do for love? If you’ve been around long enough, you probably already know.
Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Penn Valley Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $10-$15.
3. Country Unplugged Tour: Joe Diffie, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt
These savvy country music vets are marshaling their award-winning hits in a concert tour that proves they’re not merely getting older, they’re getting wiser. Experience the snappy majesty of the last few decades of commercial country at its best in this adult-friendly one-stop shop of toe-tapping talent that should leave the audience clapping for more. Don’t like the twang? Tell me that after seeing this show – if you still can.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.;
tickets: $39-$69.
4. Spice Girls Dragtacular
Tell me what you want, what you really, really want. The Spice Girls? You can have them, sort of, at the Spice Girls Dragtacular, starring a local assemblage of cross-dressing performers committed to embodying "Sporty," "Baby," "Scary," "Ginger" and "Posh" Spice. If you don’t really, really know already, this is an adults-only tribute to the 1990s Brit-pop superstars. Cut loose!
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Missie B’s, 805 W. 39th St., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets: $20.
5. 2016 Polar Plunge
With weekend temperatures predicted to approach the 60-degree mark, Saturday’s Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics may not be the greatest test of fortitude for those choosing to fling themselves into Longview Lake. But it’s still winter, and you can bet the water won’t be warm. Although ages as young as 10 will be allowed to get all wet (along with everyone else with at least $75 in pledges raised), my advice to the younger set is this: Let your parents get drenched instead. You can stand at the ready with a beach towel and, when they need it most, run away with it while laughing the laugh of the dry and comfortable. Of course, I can’t say what might happen after that.
Saturday, registration 9-11:30 a.m.; costume parade, 11:30 a.m.; opening ceremony and plunge, noon-1:30 p.m.; Longview Lake Swim Beach, 11101 Raytown Road, Kansas City, Mo.
6. ‘Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend’
Occasionally, adults have to do childish things for the kiddoes in their lives. Not that you can’t have some sort of barely conceivable fun enduring entertainment that’s directly aimed at preschoolers, such as this latest onstage offering from our friends at Sesame Street. OK, you hate Elmo. But you love your kid. You could try to talk her or him into also hating Elmo, and maybe get out of this whole mess. But that wouldn’t be very adult of you, would it?
Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 4:30 p.m.; Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $15-$65.