Kansas City things to do: Play by a local legend, Melissa Etheridge, ‘Sister Act’

Dan Kelly

Kansas City Actors Theatre is bringing “About Alice” by Calvin Trillin to his hometown.

Trillin, 86, a humorist and writer perhaps best known for more than 400 pieces published in The New Yorker, based the play on his 2006 memoir by the same name. It recalls his life with his wife, Alice, who had been a recurring subject in his works.

Alice Trillin, a writer and educational television producer, died from heart failure on Sept. 11, 2001, at the age of 63.

David Fritts and Jen Mays will portray Calvin and Alice Trillin in the two-person play directed by Gary Heisserer.

“About Alice,” which made its world premiere at Theatre for a New Audience in Brooklyn in January 2019, will open at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the City Stage in Union Station and run through Aug. 28. Tickets ($20-$47) and information available at kcactors.org.

Melissa Etheridge, a native of Leavenworth, will return to her home state for a concert Aug. 14 at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.
Melissa Etheridge, a native of Leavenworth, will return to her home state for a concert Aug. 14 at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.

Music

▪ Brett Young, 7 p.m. Aug. 11, Kansas City Live! (sold out). powerandlightdistrict.com.

▪ Incubus with Sublime, 7 p.m. Aug. 12, Azura Amphitheater ($30.50-$250.50). azuraamp.com.

▪ Michael Franti & Spearhead, 8 p.m. Aug. 12, GrindersKC ($36-$76). grinderskc.com.

▪ Santa Fe Klan, 8 p.m. Aug. 12, Uptown ($59.50). uptowntheater.com.

▪ Big Bub and Tony Terry, 7 p.m. Aug. 13, Gem ($65-$100). eventbrite.com.

▪ The Lumineers with Gregory Alan Isakov and Daniel Rodriguez, 7 p.m. Aug. 13, T-Mobile Center ($39-$89). t-mobilecenter.com.

▪ The Decemberists, 8 p.m. Aug. 13, GrindersKC ($35-$99). grinderskc.com.

▪ Summer Singers of Kansas City and Orchestra, “Mendelssohn’s Elijah,” 2 p.m. Aug. 14, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral ($25-$50). festivalsingers.org.

▪ Sleeping With Sirens with Don Broco, Point North and Garzi, 7 p.m. Aug. 14, The Truman ($27.50-$55). thetrumankc.com.

▪ Melissa Etheridge, 8 p.m. Aug. 14, Liberty Hall ($69-$99). libertyhall.net.

▪ Oliver Tree with Jawny and Huddy, 8 p.m. Aug. 14, Midland ($29.50-$65). midlandkc.com.

▪ 816 Day Concert, 5:30-8 p.m. Aug. 16, City Market and along streetcar route (free). artintheloop.com.

▪ Andrey Gugnin, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 1900 Building ($15-$30). 1900bldg.com.

“Sister Act,” a musical comedy based on the popular 1992 movie, will play Aug. 15-21 at the Starlight Theatre.
“Sister Act,” a musical comedy based on the popular 1992 movie, will play Aug. 15-21 at the Starlight Theatre.

More entertainment

▪ The Missouri State Fair will begin its annual run in Sedalia, including a concert by country star Trace Adkins on opening night, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 11-21 ($3-$12; Adkins concert, $35-$45). mostatefair.com.

▪ MTH Theater at Crown Center will present the classic musical “Cabaret,” opens 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11; runs through Aug. 28 ($41-$59). mthkc.com.

▪ Speakers ranging from a professor of happiness to a forensic investigator will inspire and inform during TEDxKC 2022 at the Kauffman Center, 6 p.m. Aug. 12 ($60.50-$103.50; watch party $28.50). tedxkc.org.

▪ Some of the world’s top drag queens will rule the stage when “RuPaul’s Drag Race” comes to the Uptown, 8 p.m. Aug. 14 ($45-$75). uptowntheater.com.

▪ The musical comedy “Sister Act,” based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg movie, will play at the Starlight Theatre, 8 p.m. Aug. 16-21 ($15-$98). kcstarlight.com.

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