Weekend entertainment planner

Stage

“RUMPLESTILTSKIN,” presented by Paul Mesner Puppets, 7 tonight; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and June 27, and 2 p.m. June 28 and 29, Unity Temple on the Plaza. Tickets are $7 for children, $8.50 for adults. Call 816-235-6222.

DETHRONING THE PRINCE: Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre, 8 p.m. Saturday, Lyric Theatre, Kansas City. Tickets are between $15 to $30. For reservations, call 816-767-9222 or visit www.dramatictruth.org.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, 8:30 tonight, Saturday and Sunday, Starlight Theater, Kansas City. Tickets are between $9 and $50. For reservations, call 816-363-STAR or visit www.kcstarlight.com.

“TOM SAWYER,” presented by Theatre for Young America, 10 a.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon Thursdays and Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays, through July 5, H&R Block City Stage at Union Station. Cost, $8, $6 for Union Station members and TYA members, $5 per person for groups of 15 or more. For tickets, call 816-460-2020.

HEART OF AMERICA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL production of “Othello,” runs through July 6, Southmoreland Park, between Oak and Warwick, Kansas City. Park opens at 6 p.m., with pre-show activities, including performances by Paul Mesner Puppets at 6:30 p.m., a talk about the play at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Festival is free, but donations are requested. Parts of the seating area will be reserved for blankets and lawn chairs. Reserved seating cost, $20. Call 816-531-7728.

“WELL,” a riotous self-examination of health by Lisa Kron, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays, through July 13, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas City. Ticket costs, $25 for Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday performances; $30 for Saturdays. For tickets, call 816-531-PLAY or online at www.unicorntheatre.org.

“OUR TOWN” by Ned Rorem, presented by the Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, 7 p.m. opera talk, 8 p.m. performance June 27; 1 p.m. opera talk, 2 p.m. performance June 29, Folly Theater, Kansas City. Our Town, a three-act American opera based on Thornton Wilder’s classic play, takes you to small town America. Call the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 or www.kccivicopera.org.

“ALWAYS” – Patsy Cline, June 27 through Aug. 10, American Heartland Theatre, Kansas City. A musical play about the legendary country singer and her most devoted fan, Louise. The play is rated PG. To purchase tickets, call 816-842-9999 or visit the Crown Center box office.

“MIGHTY MUDDY MURDER,” an interactive theater adventure by the Mystery Train, 6:30 p.m. seating, dinner is served at 7 p.m., show begins tonight and runs through Aug. 23, Hereford House, Second E. 20th St., Kansas City. The cost is $49 for Thursdays, $59 for Fridays and Saturdays. For reservations, call 816-813-9654.

Special events

ROBOTIC ADVENTURE: Family workshop, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Saturday, Science City Test Kitchen at Union Station, Kansas City. Explore the world of LEGO Mindstorm robotics, as you design, build and program a robot for a challenging mission. Cost, $14.95 for Union Station members (one adult/one child) plus $5 for each additional person; $29.95 for non-members (one adult/one child) plus $10 for each additional person. Call 816-460-2020.

CHRIS ENSS, an award-winning screenwriter, reveals the history, humanity and culture of the Old West, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Barnes & Noble, 19120 E. 39th St., Independence. Call 816-795-8154.

“HANSEL & GRETEL,” presented by puppeteers Joann McMillan and Emma McLean, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 28, The Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 Winner Road, Independence. The $5 cost includes seeing the museum and a free finger puppet for each child. For reservations, 816-833-9777.

COTERIE THEATRE bi-annual benefit, “Ovation Under the Stars,” 6 p.m. to midnight, June 28, Coterie Theatre in Crown Center, Kansas City. A cocktail reception will be held at the Coterie, followed by a short “stroll” to the Crown Center Ice Terrace for dinner and entertainment. Individual tickets are $150, sponsorship options are available. For tickets and information, call 816-474-6552.

HALF-PINT FAMILY WORKSHOP: Who lives in the Rain Forest – for ages 3 to 6, 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. June 28, Science City Test Kitchen at Union Station, Kansas City. Take a journey through the rain forest by reading an amazing story, then have a frog-jumping race, create your own rain forest and more. Cost, $12.50 for Union Station members (one adult/one child); $25 for non-members (one adult/one child). Call 816-460-2020.

THE DISTRICT ART “AFFAIR,” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 28 and 29, Power and Light District, 14th and Walnut streets, Kansas City. Admission is free.

COVERED WAGON TOURS: Guided mule-drawn tours of Historic Independence Square and Truman Heritage District by Pioneer Trails Adventures, Truman Road and Main Street, Independence. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, weather permitting. Call 816-456-4991 or visit www.pioneertrailsadventures.com.

TOUR THE NELSON-ATKINS, tours begin at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and 2:15 Sundays, tours begin at the Visitors Service Desk in the lobby of the Block Building. No reservations needed.

Book reviews/signings

ROZ BROWN will discuss her book, “I Will Never Leave Thee Nor Forsake Thee: A Study Guide for the Single Mom,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, 19120 E. 39th St., Independence. Written by a single mom to single moms. This guide tackles everyday issues that single mothers deal with every day. Free and open to the public. Call 816-795-8154.

REBECCA HALE will discuss her book, “How to Wash a Cat,” 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, 19120 E. 39th St., Independence. A patent attorney, turned fiction writer, Hale links a Gold Rush legend, a pair of tulip-shaped cufflinks, kooky characters and a cat in need of a bath in this humorous mystery. Call 816-795-8154.

JON E. TAYLOR will discuss his book, “A President, A Church and Trails West: Competing Histories of Independence, Missouri,” 1 to 3 p.m. June 28, Barnes & Noble, 19120 E. 39th St., Independence. Taylor, a history teacher at the University of Central Missouri, looks at the struggle to preserve history in the built environment. Call 816-795-8154.

Music

MO-KAN STRINGS will perform from 5:30 to 8 tonight, with Tommy and Bobbie Campbell playing from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, at Hazel’s Country Café, 219 West U.S. 24, Independence. Randy and Elizabeth Davenport will perform from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at Hazel’s. Sidekicks will appear from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Call 816-461-5882 or visit hazelcountrycafe.com.

THOM GREATHOUSE organ demonstration recital, 3 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Community of Christ Temple, River Boulevard and Walnut Street, Independence. Free. Call 816-833-1000.

OPEN HOUSE AND JAM SESSION, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Wyatt Violin Shop, 2418 East R.D. Mize Road, Independence. You are encouraged to bring your instruments and join in, or just come and enjoy the music. Call 816-252-5656.

“MUSIC IN THE PARK,” sponsored by Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Provincial Gazebo at Rotary Park at Railroad Lake, Missouri 7 and Vesper Street, Blue Springs. Cold Blue Band will perform the blues. Free. Inclement weather hotline: 816-228-0116.

“MUSIC IN THE PARK” free concerts, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 30, Howard Station Park, Lee’s Summit. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. 816-246-6598.

WILLIE KIRST will play from 6 to 9 p.m. June 27, with Pick & Hammer appearing from 5 to 8 p.m. June 28, at the Rheinland Restaurant, 208 N. Main St., Independence. Call 816-461-5383.

“MUSIC IN THE PARK,” sponsored by Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 29, Provincial Gazebo at Rotary Park at Railroad Lake, Missouri 7 and Vesper Street, Blue Springs. Trampled Under Foot will perform the blues. Free. Inclement weather hotline: 816-228-0116.

loren pickford and his trio perform from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in the Ox Bar of the Golden Ox Restaurant, adjacent to the American Royal and Kemper Arena. Call 816-842-2866 for more information.

Exhibits

MUGGED: A ROGUE’S GALLERY OF LEAVENWORTH PENITENTIARY MUG SHOTS, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday through July 20, Kansas City Public Library, 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City. This collection of photographs provides a window into prison life in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 816-268-8000.

JAZZ IN BLACK & WHITE, a display of black and white snapshots of celebrated jazz performers, through July 20, American Jazz Museum, Changing Gallery, Kansas City. Hours: Closed Mondays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Free.

CHAPUNGA: NATURE, MAN, MYTH exhibit at twilight, gates close at 9 p.m. every Thursday through August, Powell Gardens, Kingsville. Enjoy 54 monumental stones sculptures from Zimbabwe by twilight, and meet artists-in-residence to see first-hand how these works come to life. Regular park admission applies. For information, call 816-697-2600.

LINCOLN: THE CONSTITUTION AND THE CIVIL WAR, through Sept. 14, Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, Independence. This interactive exhibit explores how one individual exercised leadership at a pivotal time of crisis for the nation, the Constitution, and the course of freedom worldwide. Free with Museum admission, $8, $7 for ages 65 and older; $3 for ages 6 to 15, 5 and under are free. Call 800-933-1225 or visit www.trumanlibrary.org.

WILLIAM T. KEMPER COLLECTING INITIATIVE exhibit, 32 modern and contemporary works, through July 20, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City.

REALITY AND FANTASY: Land, Town and Sea, an exhibition of 24 European works from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, through Oct. 19, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City.

CHAPUNGU: Nature, Man and Myth exhibit, through Nov. 2, Powell Gardens, Kingsville. There will be more than 50 monumental stone sculptures from Africa on display. Exhibit included in regular Garden admission, $8 for adults; $7 for ages 60 and older; $3 for ages 5 to 12. Call 816-697-2600.

SENSES AND SENSIBILITIES, a Chinese painting exhibit, runs through Aug. 24 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 45th and Oak streets, Kansas City. Regular museum admission applies. Call 816-751-1321.

BODIES REVEALED, an exhibit showcasing dissected human bodies displayed in a respectful manner, runs through Sept. 1, Bank of America Grand Gallery at Union Station, Kansas City. Admission, $24 for ages 13 and older; $19 for Union Station members and children ages 4 to 12. Tickets are sold for specific dates and times. Call 816-460-2020.

“SPARKLING STRINGS” puppet display is currently at the Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 Winner Road, Independence. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, through July 30. Admission is $3 for adults; $1.50 for children to age 16 (extra fee to make puppet). Call 833-9777 for more information.

Items for the Entertainment Planner may be e-mailed to jill.ritchie@examiner.net or mailed to: The Examiner, P.O. Box 459, Independence, Mo. 64051.