Doors may be closed to tours at the Kansas City Museum, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t busy entertaining kids during renovations.
The Kansas City Museum and Paul Mesner Puppets Inc. have come together to produce and perform a traveling puppet show for local schools, libraries and other organizations.
“We knew the window and door construction project was coming up, and we wanted to educate and entertain while we don’t have access to Corinthian Hall,” said Christopher Leitch, Kansas City Museum house director.
The production, The Long Story of Corinthian Hall, was written by Rebecca Schroeder, the education curator for the Kansas City Museum and Paul Mesner and was commissioned by the Friends of The Kansas City Museum. Funding also came from the Francis Funding Foundation to take the show to school-aged audiences.
The production is divided into two parts. The first half is based on the lives of the Long family from 1891, when Robert and Ella Long and their two daughters, Sally America and Loula, came to Kansas City from Kentucky. It is told with Mesner’s style of rod puppet.
The second half involves the building of Corinthian Hall. It is a six-foot tall and eight-foot wide model of the building. Each room is separately decorated and illuminated. When all of the rooms’ lights are turned on and the rooms are stacked up, the audience will see the grand hall in all its glory. During this part of the performance, puppeteers share intriguing facts about Kansas City and secrets about the “Palace on Gladstone Boulevard.”
“It’s a great way for community and school groups to have the museum brought to them,” Leitch said.
To have The Long Story of Corinthian Hall performed at your school or organization, call (816) 483-8300.
Thursday at 2:00 pm
816-701-3485
“The Long Story of Corinthian Hall”
Featuring the original Long family Puppets from Paul Mesner Puppets, Inc.
In 1891 Kansas City welcomed Robert and Ella Long, their proper daughter Sallie America and young Loula, a lover of horses. The young lumber baron and his family were determined to transform this cow town of saloons and stockyards into a city of distinction with paved streets and civic institutions.
Join Kansas Citians of the 1900s as the Longs build their grand mansion on Gladstone Boulevard, construct the city’s first skyscraper and spark urban development that is intact today.
Before your eyes Paul Mesner’s animated puppets build Corinthian Hall. Loula, in her famously fabulous hats, and an eccentric cast of characters share fascinating historical facts about Kansas City and secrets of the “Palace on Gladstone Boulevard.”
This program is free at the library, but reservations are recommended.
