The Folly Theater to Present World Premiere Musical Adaptation
April 24, 2024
Kansas City, MO – The Folly Theater has commissioned a musical adaptation of the children’s book My Shadow Is Pink, by Scott Stuart. The work is a collaboration with GRAMMY-nominated composer David Maddux and a 16-member ensemble of the Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City. The heartwarming story depicts a young boy’s journey to embrace his true self. His “shadow loves ponies and books and pink toys; princesses, fairies, and things ‘not for boys.’” The world premiere will be performed at the Folly Theater on May 2 and 3.
ABOUT MY SHADOW IS PINK
Scott Stuart started writing My Shadow Is Pink after his son came home from childcare one day upset because he was being bullied about his Elsa doll (from the movie “Frozen”). His son also said he wanted to go to the movie theater dressed as Elsa. In a video that has now gone viral, Stuart not only escorted his costume-clad son to the theater, he donned an Elsa costume to match.
SENDING A MESSAGE TO KANSAS CITY’S LGBTQ+ YOUTH
The CDC has reported that LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to feel sadness or hopelessness. Many LGBTQ+ youth face discrimination, harassment, rejection, or even violence because of their social identity. My Shadow Is Pink shares a critically important message of affirmation, authenticity, and self-esteem for any person struggling with self-acceptance, regardless of age, gender, or interests.
“Your shadow is YOU and pink it will be. So stand up with your shadow and yell THIS IS ME!” (My Shadow Is Pink, 2020)
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
The Folly Theater will present performances at 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 2. All tickets for these daytime performances are only $6. Title I schools are eligible for tickets and transportation to be covered by Folly Theater underwriting. The Folly will present a 7:00 p.m. performance on Friday, May 3. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children, with premium seats available for $25. Tickets are available at FollyTheater.org.
The performance is approximately 45 minutes and will be accompanied by a 15-minute talkback and Q&A session with Dr. Ram Chettiar, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, and Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UMKC School of Medicine.
ABOUT THE FOLLY THEATER
Since its grand opening in 1900 as the "largest and most comfortable" vaudeville house in the Great West, the Folly Theater has remained at the forefront of Kansas City's performing arts scene. Designed by Kansas City architect Louis Curtiss, the magnificent hall garnered widespread acclaim for its exceptional acoustics, stylish design, and an atmosphere that exuded intimacy.
Today, the Folly Theater is committed to making the arts accessible and inclusive through a wide-ranging program of events. The theater is home to Kansas City's longest-running Jazz Series, which traces its roots back to 1982, in addition to offering an Americana Series and an educational Kids’ Series. In July 2023 the theater was also named Outstanding Historic Theatre by League of Historic American Theatres. At the Folly, there is something to captivate every audience member.
ABOUT HEARTLAND MEN’S CHORUS
Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City’s mission is to build community, celebrate pride, and empower authenticity. The members of HMCKC have joined together for the purpose of making music as a not-for-profit, volunteer chorus of LBGTQ+ and allies who are making a positive cultural contribution through musical excellence.
The Chorus regularly performs with more than 125 singers and presents a three-concert season at the historic Folly Theater. The Chorus has performed nationally and internationally but places particular importance on performing in smaller communities throughout the Heartland where our voices most desperately need to be heard.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
David Maddux is a Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator who has a multi-decade career arranging pieces for names like Rosemary Clooney, Lily Tomlin, and numerous men’s choruses. He’s also served as the music director for the Seattle Civic Light Opera and even as a consultant for Disney Entertainment. He received a GRAMMY nomination for his vocal jazz production of “An Evening in December”.
ABOUT MY SHADOW IS PINK
Scott Stuart started writing My Shadow Is Pink after his son came home from childcare one day upset because he was being bullied about his Elsa doll (from the movie “Frozen”). His son also said he wanted to go to the movie theater dressed as Elsa. In a video that has now gone viral, Stuart not only escorted his costume-clad son to the theater, he donned an Elsa costume to match.
SENDING A MESSAGE TO KANSAS CITY’S LGBTQ+ YOUTH
The CDC has reported that LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to feel sadness or hopelessness. Many LGBTQ+ youth face discrimination, harassment, rejection, or even violence because of their social identity. My Shadow Is Pink shares a critically important message of affirmation, authenticity, and self-esteem for any person struggling with self-acceptance, regardless of age, gender, or interests.
“Your shadow is YOU and pink it will be. So stand up with your shadow and yell THIS IS ME!” (My Shadow Is Pink, 2020)
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
The Folly Theater will present performances at 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 2. All tickets for these daytime performances are only $6. Title I schools are eligible for tickets and transportation to be covered by Folly Theater underwriting. The Folly will present a 7:00 p.m. performance on Friday, May 3. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children, with premium seats available for $25. Tickets are available at FollyTheater.org.
The performance is approximately 45 minutes and will be accompanied by a 15-minute talkback and Q&A session with Dr. Ram Chettiar, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, and Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UMKC School of Medicine.
ABOUT THE FOLLY THEATER
Since its grand opening in 1900 as the "largest and most comfortable" vaudeville house in the Great West, the Folly Theater has remained at the forefront of Kansas City's performing arts scene. Designed by Kansas City architect Louis Curtiss, the magnificent hall garnered widespread acclaim for its exceptional acoustics, stylish design, and an atmosphere that exuded intimacy.
Today, the Folly Theater is committed to making the arts accessible and inclusive through a wide-ranging program of events. The theater is home to Kansas City's longest-running Jazz Series, which traces its roots back to 1982, in addition to offering an Americana Series and an educational Kids’ Series. In July 2023 the theater was also named Outstanding Historic Theatre by League of Historic American Theatres. At the Folly, there is something to captivate every audience member.
ABOUT HEARTLAND MEN’S CHORUS
Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City’s mission is to build community, celebrate pride, and empower authenticity. The members of HMCKC have joined together for the purpose of making music as a not-for-profit, volunteer chorus of LBGTQ+ and allies who are making a positive cultural contribution through musical excellence.
The Chorus regularly performs with more than 125 singers and presents a three-concert season at the historic Folly Theater. The Chorus has performed nationally and internationally but places particular importance on performing in smaller communities throughout the Heartland where our voices most desperately need to be heard.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
David Maddux is a Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator who has a multi-decade career arranging pieces for names like Rosemary Clooney, Lily Tomlin, and numerous men’s choruses. He’s also served as the music director for the Seattle Civic Light Opera and even as a consultant for Disney Entertainment. He received a GRAMMY nomination for his vocal jazz production of “An Evening in December”.
Contact:
Cassidy Manetta, Marketing Manager
cassidy@follytheater.org, (816) 474-4444
