He taught us to laugh at our foibles. She taught us to appreciate home. They taught us a spirit of adventure and abandon and irrepressible youthfulness. And yet, none of them ever truly lived…except in our imaginations. In 2006, Dan Karlan, Allan Lazar and Jeremy Salter compiled a series of essays in the book The 101 Most Influential People who Never Lived, exposing the role of fictional, mythical and legendary figures in the shaping of society. Some of the most influential are from Kansas City. Let’s meet these influential Kansas Citians who never lived:
Kansas City’s most famous native son...
Walt Disney was sitting in his Laugh-O-Gram Studio in Kansas City when he met a mouse who would visit his desk and beg for crumbs while he drew. Walt said, “I grew particularly fond of one brown house mouse. He was a timid little guy. By tapping him on the nose with my pencil, I trained him to run inside a black circle I drew on my drawing board. When I left Kansas City to try my luck in Hollywood, I hated to leave him behind. So I carefully carried him to a backyard, making sure it was a nice neighborhood, and the tame little fellow scampered to freedom.” It was that mouse that inspired one of the world’s most famous icons and beloved characters: Mickey Mouse. Mickey has influenced generations of children, captivating their imaginations as the irresistible character everyone can relate to because he is so very human… especially for a mouse!
Meet Mickey in KC:
- Disney Live! “Three Classic Fairy Tales.” Feb. 4 at the Kansas Expocentre and Feb. 11 at the Independence Events Center. www.Disney.go.com. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as they bring timeless fairy tale adventures to life.
- Disney on Ice: “Treasure Trove.” March 21-25 at the Sprint Center. www.Disney.go.com. This skating spectacular features Mickey and many of his favorite stories.
- Disney in Concert: “Magical Music from the Movies.” June 3, 2012, performed by the Kansas City Symphony. www.KCSymphony.org. This program highlights the best tunes from Disney’s most popular films and cartoons.
Mickey’s Missouri Road Trip:
- Walt Disney lived in Marceline, MO, (two hours north of Kansas City) as a boy and he once said, “To tell the truth, more things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened since – or are likely to in the future.” Marceline inspired Disneyland’s famed Main Street U.S.A., and it is there that you can tour the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, stay at the Uptown Theater, now a hotel where every room is decorated with Disney memorabilia, take a photo in front of Walt Disney Elementary. You can also visit Walt’s barn where guests are invited to write messages on the walls and learn about his memories of Marceline and how the traditional American town influenced his films and theme parks. www.Marceline.org
They made their home on the river…
Mark Twain takes us on wild steamboat adventures in his Missouri classics, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Tom, a 14-year-old boy matches wits with his stern Aunt Polly, falls in love with the beautiful, feisty Becky Thatcher and goes on the adventure of his life with Huckleberry Finn. The classic coming-of-age story fires the imaginations of young and old alike and it begs questions of maturity, prejudice, culture and adventure.
Meet Tom & Huck in Kansas City:
- Last month, many Kansas Citians enjoyed KC Ballet's showstopping production of Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in Three Acts.
- Tom Sawyer presented by CYT: Nov. 3-5, at the YouthFront Auditorium. www.CYTKC.org. Mark Twain's classic story comes to life in this stage adaptation of an American Classic.
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer presented by The KC Rep: Jan. 20-Feb. 12 at the Spencer Theatre. www.KCRep.org. This new adaptation of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, is a collaboration between acclaimed playwright Laura Eason and veteran director Jeremy Cohen, who have created a work that is full of imagination and fresh theatrical style.
- Living so near the Missouri River, it is appropriate that we pay homage to the history of riverboating at the Arabia Steamboat Museum (400 Grand Blvd., KC, MO, 816.471.4030). The steamboat Arabia sank in 1856 in the Missouri River, and the Hawley family excavated her remains, creating one of the most fascinating museums in the Metro. With the treasures of the shipwreck on display, you’ll discover true tales of steamboating, reminiscent of Twain’s fictional accounts in the beloved books.
Tom & Huck’s Missouri Road Trip:
- Hannibal, MO, (www.VisitHannibal.com) keeps the spirit of Twain alive with numerous attractions devoted to the author. You may tour the Mark Twain Boyhood Home, ride the Mark Twain Mississippi Riverboat, explore the Mark Twain Cave, enjoy the fun of Sawyer’s Creek Fun Park or a trolley tour, and perhaps even meet Tom, Becky or Twain himself at a guest appearance or performance.
She taught us that there is no place like home…
Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz is perhaps Kansas’ most famous icon. L. Frank Baum wrote the legendary fairytale in 1900. Then, 39 years later, Judy Garland brought Dorothy to life on the big screen in an unforgettable film that still teaches children the value of family, friendship, perseverance, courage and that there truly is no place like home.
Meet Dorothy in Kansas City:
- Watch The Wizard of Oz live at the Xavier Theater at Leavenworth’s University of St. Mary, Dec. 2-4, Fri. and Sat. at 7:30, Sun. at 2:00. 913.758.6152, www.VisitLeavenworthKS.com
- When you’re shopping at The Legends, you’ll discover a yellow brick road that runs between the shops.
- Collectors will find Dorothy souvenirs at The Best of Kansas City or The Kansas Sampler shops.
Dorothy’s Kansas Road Trip:
- In Wamego, KS (about two hours from KC), you’ll find the Oz Museum (511 Lincoln). The museum features the largest collection of Oz memorabilia in the world! Call 1.866.458.TOTO. For information: www.Wamego.org/Oz_Museum.htm
Kansas City mom Kristina Light still enjoys the magic of Mickey and the wonder of Oz.