Do big things ever really come in small packages?
Good luck finding out this weekend, when the true enormity of things won’t be concealed – whether that means abundant celebrity power, beer-food-and-music ecstasy or unmitigated artistic genius.
So go ahead and go big. What choice do you have? (Waiting until next weekend doesn’t count.)
1. Big Slick Celebrity Softball Game
TV and movie comedy stars Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet and David Koechner all have Kansas City connections. And they’re all scheduled to appear with a slew of their celebrity friends at the annual “Big Slick” softball game to benefit Children’s Mercy Hospital. The big-time guest list includes George Wendt, Olivia Wilde and Robert Smigel, the mind behind (and hand inside) the hilarious, cigar-chomping puppet head of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Too bad none of this will amount to any laughs on the field. As Triumph would say, “I keed!”
Friday, 5 p.m. (gates open at 4:30); Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free with ticket to Royals vs. Tigers game at 7:15 p.m.
2. Boulevardia
Lots of beer and food and more than 40 bands – including Sunday headliners the English Beat, Soul Asylum and the Gin Blossoms – will draw a horde of revelers to what has become a summertime tradition in Kansas City’s historic West Bottoms. The three-day Boulevardia bash boasts all manner of big distractions, not the least of which will be chocolate-covered bacon – so wrong it’s still wrong.
Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; West Bottoms, 1312 W. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $15-$65.
3. Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
Mistaken identities (and genders) fuel big fun in the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Twelfth Night; or, What You Will,” in which comic confusion is second only to romantic ardor. Without a doubt, Shakespeare is the biggest playwright ever, including his gigantic influence on hundreds of years of subsequent dramaturgy. Why not expose yourself to the real thing? And bring insect repellant.
Thursday-Sunday, 8 p.m.; Southmoreland Park, 4598 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free (donations accepted).
It was big of Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Webber to grant community theaters permission to perform his latest musical, “School of Rock,” on the same day it opened on Broadway. The only condition: The entire cast, including musicians, had to be 18 or younger. Taking Webber up on his magnanimous offer is Music Theatre of Kansas City, which is presenting the Midwest premiere of the 2016 Tony Award-nominated show about music education. And the material looks even more entertaining than the Jack Black movie it’s based on – no little thing!
7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Goppert Theatre at Avila University, 11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $18, $12 (students), $6 (ages 5-10).
Saucy singer Meghan Trainor’s big message is nothing if not all-encompassing: It’s “All About That Bass.” If for some reason that’s not enough for those attending Red, White & Boom, the concert bill also includes Andra Day, Timeflies, Zara Larsson, Lil Dicky, Krizz Kaliko, Ruth B and Mackenzie Nicole. Please, no treble.
Friday, 5 p.m. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, 19100 East Valley View Parkway, Independence, Mo.; tickets: $15-$90
It doesn’t get any bigger in classical music than good ol’ Ludwig Van. Technically dead since 1827, Beethoven lives on in his tunes – er, symphonies – including his Ninth. Hear the Kansas City Symphony do it justice with conductor Michael Stern. Put on your big ears.
Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: start at $35.
Brian McTavish is a regular arts and culture contributor for KCUR 89.3. Send him an email at brianmctavish@gmail.com.
