Crown Center Sets Schedule of Events For December 2011- November 2012

Crown Center Schedule of Events announed for December 2011- November 2012

Located on the southern edge of downtown Kansas City, Crown Center offers fine hotels, entertainment, dining, shopping, offices and residential living. Home to the international headquarters of Hallmark Cards, Inc., the complex attracts more than five million visitors each year.

November 1 - December 31
Seussical
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. The plots of "Horton Hears a Who" and "Horton Hatches the Egg" are tunefully interwoven in this widely celebrated and critically acclaimed production. The Coterie was credited in The New York Times for originating this version "for all ages"... a true family classic!" Part of the Coterie's Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org .

November 4 - March 18, 2012
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Crown Center Square. Kansas City's only public outdoor ice skating rink is open for its 39th season of great skating fun. Regular admission is $6, or complimentary for those over age 60 and children age 4 and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. Hours through January: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday. Hours during February and March: noon to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday. 816-274-8411. (The rink is open until March 18, 2012.)

November 4 - December 24
The Marvelous Wonderettes
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Everyone wants the perfect prom night. But when the entertainment fails to show up for the 1958 Springfield High Prom, it's up to The Wonderettes to come through, with such hits as "It's My Party," "Alleghany Moon," "Dream Lover" and more. An unforgettable musical trip down memory lane for the whole family! 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

November 25 - December 31
Santa's Crayola®Christmas Land
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Children can play on super-sized Crayola® products, while waiting to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. Santa is in residence November 25 through December 24. The Crayola Christmas Land play area is open through December 31. No admission fee. Photos with Santa are available for a fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 25 - December 31
Santa's Gingerbread Village
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Three locomotives travel through a Santa's gingerbread village in the North Pole, all created by the chefs at The Westin Crown Center hotel. See the reindeer stable, Santa's sleigh garage, the elves' dorm, a doll, rocking horse, and ball factory, and even Mr. & Mrs. Claus' home. No admission fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 25 - January 5
Family Fun Holiday Movies
Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Screenland Crown Center offers a great family movie every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup: "The Smurfs" (November 25-27, December 1), "Zookeeper" (December 2-4 and 8), "Mr. Popper's Penguins" (December 9-11 and 15), "Spy Kids 2" (December 16-18 and 22), "The Polar Express" (December 23-25 and 29), "Dolphin Tale" (December 30-January 1 and January 8). Showtime is 2 p.m. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816-545-8034 or Screenland.com.
November 28 - December 16
Weekday Holiday Choirs
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Beautiful music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 130 area school, church and community choirs perform during weekday lunch hours and weekday evenings. No admission fee. 816-274-8444 or CrownCenter.com/choirs .

December 1-18
"A Spectacular Christmas Concert"
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Musical Theater Heritage, their holiday offering will feature holiday songs from movies and musicals. Bring your family for a special holiday memory! Call 816-842-9999 or visit MTHKC.com for tickets.

December 3, 10, 17
Musical Fun For Kids
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Enjoy holiday music for kids and families on three Saturdays in December with The Doo Dads (December 3), Jim Cosgrove, aka Mr. Stinky Feet & The Hiccups (December 10) and Dino O'Dell and the Veloci Rappers (December 17). Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

January 6 - February 19, 2012
Beer For Breakfast
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. A world premiere. Four middle-aged buddies reunite for a "guy's weekend," complete with old music, cheap beer and enough cholesterol to stop Superman's heart. It's all going well until one of guys doesn't show up...but his wife does. Snowed in overnight, an epic struggle ensues: Will man be judged the superior sex or will woman prevail? Starring Kansas City favorites Cathy Barnett, Scott Cordes, Martin English and playwright Sean Grennan. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

January 14-15, 2012
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Master Model Builder Competition
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Several hopefuls vie for the honor of becoming a Master Model Builder. Visit LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com for more information.
January 24 - February 19, 2012
The Wrestling Season
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. With only a wrestling mat and a referee, eight teenagers struggle with how others see them and with the destructive power of rumors. Commissioned and premiered by the Coterie in 2000, it is one of the most important plays in the Coterie's history and more significant today than ever. After each performance, the referee guides the audience through a post-show forum. As the actors (in character) discuss their actions, audience members rank their behavior from most to least objectionable. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org .

February 1-14, 2012
Valentine's Day Gift Wrap promotion
Crown Center Shops, Level 2 Customer Service. Spend $50 at any Crown Center shop, restaurant or theatre during February 1-14 and get one complimentary gift wrap. Simply take your receipts to Customer Service by February 14, during regular shopping hours, to redeem. 816-274-8444.
February 4 - April 29, 2012
Animal Tales & Trails
Crown Center Shops Showplace, Level 1. Enter an interactive habitat where children learn about the most interesting creatures. Join the polar bear in his cave and help him icefish, slide down the penguin iceberg slide, jump with the kangaroo on a small trampoline, and much more. A reading area will feature many animal storybooks. The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Wednesday & Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday & Friday; noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. Closed Easter Sunday, April 8. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

February 20, 2012
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of musical theater hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC's finest actors and singers. You never know who will show up, and you never know what songs will be sung, but it's sure to be a great time. Reservations required. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.
February 22 - March 4, 2012
Freedom Sisters: Stamping, Shouting & Singing Home
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. It is 1950s America, the Deep South; a world on the verge of change but still tainted by everyday injustices and the remnants of slavery. "In my family there's dead people hopping in and out of the conversation all the time." One of those dead people is Lizzie's great-great-great grandmother Sojourner Truth, freedom fighter of slavery, whose voice could not be silenced. As Lizzie unpacks the past, she listens to Sojourner and, in the process, discovers her own voice...fearless, joyful, full of resolve. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org .

February 25, 2012
KCPT Skate with Clifford
Crown Center Ice Terrace. Skate with Clifford the Big Red Dog from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission and skate rental fees during that time are donated to KCPT. Regular admission is $6, or complimentary for those over age 60 and children age four and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. 816-274-8411.
March 2 - April 15, 2012
The Importance of Being Ernest
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Currently a smash-hit on Broadway, AHT is delighted to bring Oscar Wilde's famous farce back to Kansas City. In this glorious comedy of mistaken identities, traditional rules of propriety and etiquette are mocked. It's a comedic masterpiece about class and name-dropping. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

March 3, 2012
Rep-Tails Animal Shows
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. An exciting and educational adventure, in conjunction with Crown Center's Animal Tales & Trails exhibit. Learn about some of the Earth's most unique creatures, including alligators, chinchillas, snakes and tortoise. Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.
March 31, April 1, 6, 7, 2012
The Easter Bunny visits Crown Center
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. The Easter Bunny greets children at Crown Center. A professional photographer will be taking pictures for a fee and visitors are welcome to bring their cameras. Noon to 4 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

April 2, 2012
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of musical theater hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC's finest actors and singers. You never know who will show up, and you never know what songs will be sung, but it's sure to be a great time. Reservations required. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.
April 10 - May 18, 2012
James and the Giant Peach
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Crocodile tongues, horrible aunts, a ravenous rhinoceros: poor James is miserable...until something peculiar happens involving a giant peach and group of talking insects! James and his diverse insect buddies work together as to take the most wonderful and extraordinary journey they could ever imagine. When the peach plunges into the sea, James takes command, using the resources at his disposal to lift the peach out of the danger of circling sharks. Eventually the peach comes safely to the end of its journey, and the characters arrive at the next stage of their lives. Part of the Coterie's Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org .

April 12-29, 2012
Sweeney Todd
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Musical Theater Heritage. Winner of eight Tony Awards, this Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler classic tells the story of Benjamin Barker, alias Sweeney Todd, who returns to London after 15 years of imprisonment on false charges. 816-842-9999 or MTHKC.com.
April 14, 2012
Wings of Love presents Awesome Birds
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Delight in the playful antics of tropical birds, in conjunction with Crown Center's Animal Tales & Trails exhibit. See parrots, toucans, cockatoos and more. Presented by Wings of Love. Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.
April 16-20, 23-27, 2012
Spring Choir Performances
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Local choirs will entertain Crown Center visitors each weekday. 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

May 1-13, 2012
Mother's Day Gift Wrap Promotion
Crown Center Shops, Level 2 Customer Service. Spend $50 at any Crown Center shop, restaurant or theatre during May 1-13 and get one complimentary gift wrap. Simply take your receipts to Customer Service by May 13, during regular shopping hours, to redeem. 816-274-8444.

May 4-20, 2012
The Heart Gallery: Through Our Children's Eyes
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Crown Center partners with Missouri Children's Division of Jackson County to host the Missouri Heart Gallery. The gallery consists of dozens of photos (16" x 20" size) of children waiting for adoptive homes. The exhibit is open during regular shopping hours. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.
May 4 - June 17, 2012
As Long As We Both Shall Live- A Mystery Farce
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. A world premiere. Addison Ashe is smart. Like, insanely smart. She aced the SAT, mastered psychology, quantum and auto mechanics, mixed martial arts, yodeling and more-all in a matter of weeks. Despite all that, she's never had too much luck with guys...until now! She's set to marry the man of her dreams, but mysterious murders threaten to cancel their nuptials. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

May 9-10, 2012
Young Playwrights' Festival
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. The Coterie's Young Playwrights' Festival features a collection of new work by the city's best young writers. The rich and varied theatrical writings which emerge from a year-long process are forged into an ambitious festival of script-in-hand stagings utilizing professional actors. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org .

May 19, 2012
Heart of America Jaguar Concours d'Elegance
Crown Center Square. Jaguar owners from around the region will display their cars and have them judged for awards in many classes. Presented by the Heart of America Jaguar Club. 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.
May 26-27, 2012
Jiggle Jam Family Fest
Crown Center Square. Returning for a fifth fantastic year, featuring national and local children's entertainers. Many kids activities to enjoy. Call 816-997-8511 or visit KCJiggleJam.com for more information.

May 26 - September 9, 2012
Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Created by the Minnesota Children's Museum, this interactive traveling exhibit transports visitors back in time to when the dinosaurs last roamed the land, 70 million years ago. Encounter realistic, fully touchable dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. At the Big Dig, children unearth fossils and identify them in the Field Research Station. See a smoldering volcano, dinosaur puzzles, an "icy" slide and prehistoric cave. At the photo kiosk, visitors can take a photo with a dinosaur and email a digital postcard to family and friends. The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Wednesday & Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday & Friday; noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. Open noon to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. FREE admission. 816-274-8444.
June 2, 2012
HospitAl Hill Run
Crown Center Square. This premier Kansas City road racing event is nationally recognized by Runner's World magazine. Races include a 13.1-mile half marathon, 10K race and 5K run/walk, all starting and ending at Crown Center Square. 7 a.m. For registration information, call 816-274-8444 or visit HospitalHillRun.com.

June 9-10, 2012
Crown Center Antique Festival
Crown Center Square. The festival's 12th year will feature pottery, china, toys, linens, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, books and much more. More than 100 dealers. Regular festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

June 19 - August 5, 2012
Once Upon a Mattress
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Control-freak Queen Aggravain chases off her son's chances of finding a princess by creating unbeatable tests. Along comes klutzy Princess Winnifred (who swims the moat from the swamp) to set the Prince's heart aflame. So, the Queen plans her most difficult challenge yet. The palace is filled with merriment and mischief while everyone wonders if Princess "Fred" will pass the Queen's test. Based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea." Part of the Coterie's Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org .

July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012
Friday Night Flicks
Crown Center Square. Bring your blanket and lawn chairs, sit under the stars and take in a classic movie on a huge outdoor screen. No admission fee. Concessions will be available. Movies begin at approximately 9 p.m. 816-274-8444.
July 6 - August 19, 2012
Bingo! A Winning Musical
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. A Kansas City premiere. Come meet Vern, Honey and Patsy: three pals who weather a terrible storm to play their weekly obsession-bingo. Between number calling, strange good-luck rituals and fierce competition, love blossoms and long-lost friends reunite! 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2012
July Puppet Show Series
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. A Crown Center tradition continues with performances from the region's most exciting puppeteers. Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

July 30, 2012
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of musical theater hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC's fines

August 3, 10, 2012

Friday Night Concerts

Crown Center Square. Friday night music returns to Crown Center with favorite country and pop stars. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 at the gate. 816-274-8444.

August 4, 2012

Clown Day

Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Crown Center becomes "Clown Center" for this all-smiles event. Bring the kids and see performances by area clown groups sure to tickle your funny bone. Enjoy balloon animals, face painting and general clowning around from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stage show from noon to 1 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

August 9-26, 2012

The Music Man

Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Musical Theater Heritage. Winner of five Tony Awards, this famous musical follows con man Harold Hill, who aims to swindle the town of River City, Iowa. But his scheme could go awry when he falls for Marian Paroo, the town librarian and piano teacher. 816-842-9999 or MTHKC.com.

August 31 - September 2, 2012
Kansas City Irish Fest

Crown Center Square and Off Center Theatre. Commemorate Kansas City's proud Celtic heritage with three days of music, dancing and exhibits. The festival will feature more than two dozen locally and nationally known bands, playing traditional music and Celtic rock. Off Center Theatre will host Irish comics. 816-997-0837 or KCIrishFest.com.

September 8-9, 2012

Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival

Crown Center Square. Artists start with empty squares of asphalt and by the end of the weekend, these squares will be transformed into magnificent pieces of artwork. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Visit KCChalkAndWalk.org for more information. 816-274-8444.

September 10, 2012

Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday

Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of musical theater hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC's finest actors and singers. You never know who will show up, and you never know what songs will be sung, but it's sure to be a great time. Reservations required. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.

November 19, 2012

Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday

Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of musical theater hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC's finest actors and singers. You never know who will show up, and you never know what songs will be sung, but it's sure to be a great time. Reservations required. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.

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