Folly Theater

[FangKC]

Folly Theater lands $2M donation from Sunderland Foundation

...
The Sunderland Foundation pledged $2 million for the effort by the Folly, which the family foundation has been “a generous supporter of” since the theater reopened in 1981, according to a release. The latest donation — the single largest in the Folly’s history — will address efforts to gussy up C. Stephen Metzler Hall.

The renovation will replace all seats with “wider and more comfortable options” and reduce capacity from 1,078 people to 1,006, according to the release. It also will replace carpet, the stage curtain, box seat drapes and entry curtains; renovate the mezzanine lobby and restrooms; and upgrade dressing rooms and backstage areas.
...
Phase II anticipates starting in early July and wrapping up in October, the release says. The theater will close during the Phase II work.
...

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/ ... 2021-11-19

[beautyfromashes]

The renovation will replace all seats with “wider and more comfortable options”...

Kansas City has been eating too much BBQ.

[moderne]

The seating at the Folly really is tight, both width of seats and legroom. I am not a large person and I am uncomfortable there, especially up in the balcony. It has to be a painful experience for someone large or over 6 foot.

[FangKC]

It's the same for the permanent seats at the Midland Theater. Certain sections of The Midland have the "historic" seats, and they were built for humans who were much smaller than we are today. The last time I saw a concert there my knees were pressed against the back of the seat in front of me. It was painful for me. I didn't enjoy the concert, and wouldn't sit in that section again. I think it's up in the balcony.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation really has to grant some type of waiver that allows for replacement of seats in these historic theaters because it really is unhealthy to force people to sit that way.

[shinatoo]

The seating at the Folly really is tight, both width of seats and legroom. I am not a large person and I am uncomfortable there, especially up in the balcony. It has to be a painful experience for someone large or over 6 foot.

Confirmed

[FangKC]

Folly Theater, Kansas City’s ‘Grand Lady of 12th Street,’ reopening after $4.2 million renovation

...
The Folly Theater added 1,005 new seats that are 2 inches wider than the previous seating that are part of the $4.2 million renovation.
...
Starting in 2018, the theater had to replace an aging HVAC system on its last legs. The first floor lobbies and Shareholders Lounge got a refresh, but workers had to wait until this July — closing down the theater during that time — to tackle the rest of the public spaces, including new carpeting and curtains, brass handrails and hardwood floors.

“What I love telling people is, ‘This is not your father’s Folly Theater anymore,’” Williams says.

Beyond the aesthetics, Truman says new technology has been built into the more-than-century-old space, including Wi-Fi, data ports, video cameras, live-streaming services and other audio/visual equipment for both performers and audience members.

“We like to say we are Kansas City's only remaining 19th century theater, but we have 21st century comfort amenities,” Truman says. “We have new seats that the hand rails won't fall off and the backs will stay in place.”
...

https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-10-15/fo ... renovation

[Anthony_Hugo98]

Folly Theater, Kansas City’s ‘Grand Lady of 12th Street,’ reopening after $4.2 million renovation

...
The Folly Theater added 1,005 new seats that are 2 inches wider than the previous seating that are part of the $4.2 million renovation.
...
Starting in 2018, the theater had to replace an aging HVAC system on its last legs. The first floor lobbies and Shareholders Lounge got a refresh, but workers had to wait until this July — closing down the theater during that time — to tackle the rest of the public spaces, including new carpeting and curtains, brass handrails and hardwood floors.

“What I love telling people is, ‘This is not your father’s Folly Theater anymore,’” Williams says.

Beyond the aesthetics, Truman says new technology has been built into the more-than-century-old space, including Wi-Fi, data ports, video cameras, live-streaming services and other audio/visual equipment for both performers and audience members.

“We like to say we are Kansas City's only remaining 19th century theater, but we have 21st century comfort amenities,” Truman says. “We have new seats that the hand rails won't fall off and the backs will stay in place.”
...

https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-10-15/fo ... renovation

So they’re saying Americans have gotten fatter basically..

[Cratedigger]

I mean…. Not wrong. Especially in KC…

[shinatoo]

I barely fit in those seats when I was a skinny 18-year-old.

[moderne]

The problem was not so much the width of the seats as the lack of leg room. Painful for anyone with more than 24" inseam. Was that addressed?

[shinatoo]

I would think that would take structural changes. Had the same issues at the Lyric.

36" inseam here.