FUNVILLE, SLASHDANCE & More Included in Crown Center's Upcoming Events

Crown Center has just announced its Spring 2013 events:

Through March 10
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Crown Center Square. Kansas City's only public outdoor ice skating rink is open for its 40th 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. March hours: Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.; Friday, noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 816-274-8411.

February 2 - May 5
FUNVILLE: What do you want to be?
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. What do you want to be when you grow up-a zookeeper, an astronaut, a firefighter, a school teacher, a veterinarian, a football player, a racecar driver or even the President of the United States? Kids can experience all these grown-up occupations and more, in a kid friendly environment. They can forecast the weather, do magic tricks, work in a barbershop, ride a tractor and even ride a bull. In "FUNVILLE," the most important job is to have fun! The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

February 23 - March 10
Tell-Tale Electric Poe
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. One actor and one musician performing Poe stories and poems with musical lines and retorts from a reactive electric guitar! Horrifying and humorous, this sublime creation blends old with new, and includes three famous Poe poems and two short stories dramatized ("Pit and the Pendulum," "Tell-Tale Heart"). 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

March 7-24
Slashdance
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. A world premiere Coterie At Night presentation, directed by Ron MeGee. "Flashdance" meets the cannibalistic hordes! Alexis Bowens is a welder by day, dancer by night. Nothing's going to stop her dream of getting into a real dance company, not even a giant herd of fast-moving, virus-infecting human cannibals! For teen and older audiences. (PG-13 production. No one under 13 admitted.) 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

March 8 - April 21
Life Could Be A Dream
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. In a time before "American Idol", The Crooning Crabcakes enter a talent search in hopes of realizing their dreams of making it to the big time. Trouble comes in the form of Lois, who arrives to put some polish on the group-and hilarious heartaches ensue! Featuring "Stay" (just a Little Bit Longer), "Earth Angel," "Unchained Melody," "Only You," and more than 20 other doo-wop hits. A Kansas City premiere. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com .

March 23-24, 29-30
The Easter Bunny visits Crown Center
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. 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.

March 28 - April 14
Sundays in the Park with George
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Musical Theater Heritage. This Stephen Sondheim musical won two Tony Awards and the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. 816-842-9999 or MTHKC.com.

April 9 - May 24
Bud, Not Buddy
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. It's the Great Depression, and times could be hard for Bud after the loss of his mother. But nothing can stop Bud (not "Buddy") from finding the man he believes to be his father-jazz composer and musicIan Herman E. Calloway. Part of the Coterie's Elementary/Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

April 15
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.

More Articles by This Author...