Here are weekend calendar picks from KC Studio editor Alice Thorson for Christmas weekend! This weekend is your last chance to see Unicorn Theatre’s production of Stupid Fucking Bird. Or catch their production of Chesapeake, running through January 7th. Tonight, relax in your PJs at the Nelson’s Third Thursday Pajama Jam with The Architexts and DJs. Friday and Saturday, Kansas City Symphony performs music from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. And Kansas City Ballet finishes its annual production of The Nutcracker on Christmas Eve. For more ideas this Christmas weekend, visit Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
Stupid Fucking Bird
November 29, 2017 – December 23, 2017
Unicorn Theatre
An aspiring director, a beautiful young actress, an aging Hollywood star and a famous author discover the messed up joys and thrilling heartbreaks of the struggle to create new art. In this hilarious reimagining of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, Aaron Posner pits two tangled generations of star-crossed lovers against each other in the search for love and true meaning. With original songs, boundary-crossing innovation, and irreverent wit, Stupid Fucking Bird gives the finger to one classic play.
Chesapeake
December 19, 2017 – January 7, 2018
Unicorn Theatre
In a strained political season, the provocative work of one edgy performance artist comes up against a conservative senator running for re-election. The senator has a lovable dog; a charming, folksy manner; and a campaign to cut “frivolous arts spending.” The artist has a plan for one final shocking performance with his NEA funding. How much could a dognapping really cost, anyway? In this tale of an attempt to kidnap and retrain a politician’s pooch, Lee Blessing explores the mysterious connections between dogs and their humans, politics and artists, and miraculous wonder in our lives.
Third Thursday: Pajama Jam
December 21, 2017 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Free
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
By Dec. 21st we think you’ll be ready to relax in your PJs at the art museum. Pajama Jam returns! Come comfy – onesies, flannel pajamas, sleepshirts – just be sure to wear bottoms, tops and shoes/slippers, Join us in Bloch Lobby for:
- THE ARCHITECTS
- Kansas City DJ Joe & DJ Ice Kole
- The Photo Bus GIF Booth
- Community Spotlight: Unbound
- Art activity: Gift tags
- Chance to win 96.5 The Buzz Prize Pack
- Small plates & full bar, 5-8:45 p.m.
All adults are welcome. FREE event; food and beverages are available for purchase.
DISNEY IN CONCERT: TIM BURTON’S “THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS”
December 22, 2017 @ 7:00 pm
December 23, 2017 @ 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
What’s this, what’s this?! It’s the wildly inventive world of Tim Burton’s macabre classic shown in its entirety on a huge screen in Helzberg Hall for this Screenland at the Symphony presentation. Danny Elfman’s rambunctious, colorful score will roar to life in the hands of the Kansas City Symphony as you follow Jack the Pumpkin King’s quest to seize Christmas.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts © All Rights Reserved
Kansas City Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”
December 7, 2017 – December 24, 2017
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Following its Kennedy Center premiere in Washington, D.C., Devon Carney’s acclaimed holiday production returns to KC for its third season. The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman featuring Clara, the Prince and Dr. Drosselmeier completely reimagined with exquisite costumes by Holly Hynes, grand sets by Alain Vaës and captivating choreography by Artistic Director Devon Carney. See your children’s wonder ignite and feel the glimmer once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to IMAGINE AGAIN.
