KC Molière:400 in 2022 has commissioned playwright Philip Blue Owl Hooser (Choctaw) to write a one-act play for outdoor performance at the opening of the Chouteau and Native American Heritage Fountain scheduled for July 24, 2021. His comedy for three men (one First Nations) & one woman is an upbeat comedy in which the French traders attempt to explain French culture using Molière’s work as example. Hilarity ensues as they bungle their little performance into something that might be called “Tartuffenthrope.” Good will prevails in spite of their misguided efforts and cross-cultural bonding is achieved. The inaugural performance is open to everyone on site of the new Chouteau & Native American fountain. Later the play will be touring to schools.

The Francois Chouteau and Native American Heritage Fountain will honor those who first settled and traded in the area that would become Kansas City. This magnificent monument/fountain will celebrate Chouteau–the founder of Kansas City–and the Native Americans of the area. Three heroic-sized, bronze statues, depicting a trade encounter between Chouteau and two Native Americans, will be perched atop a rock structure resembling the Missouri River Bluffs. Water will flow over the bluff and into a “river” along the base. The same year Missouri was admitted to the union, Chouteau established a trading post along the Missouri River on its western frontier.

A day-long event to celebrate Missouri’s bicentennial and the new Francois Chouteau and Native American Heritage Fountain is in the works. Our celebration will take place on Saturday July 24, 2021 at the Chouteau fountain site. The event will include stage performances by MOliere 4000 in 2022, music presentations by high school bands, presentation of the flags, dignitary’s recognition of Missouri’s 200th anniversary, and more. We will have the unveiling of the fourth bronze sculpture for the fountain site, Native American culture dance, period fiddler & banjo players on the grounds during the day, fur trapper re-enactors, Native American & frontier art tents, youth activities if the pandemic will allow, horse drawn wagon rides, food trucks, and much more.