If you're flying from the Carolinas, the absolute cheapest airport to fly from is Raleigh-Durham (Wilson has flown direct for ~$230 roundtrip on Delta and Southwest). American from Charlotte can sometimes be reasonable. Of the smaller airports in the Carolinas (AVL, GSP, CAE, CHS), it's usually about the same: 1 stop for $300-500 roundtrip. For the most budget-friendly options, Wilson's advice is to check Southwest and Frontier first. (Frontier has sometimes offered very cheap service from ATL.) Of course, keep in mind that Frontier and other basic fares don't include a carry-on. Google Flights is a great place to view all of the airlines in one spot. There is a calendar feature that lets you view the prices on different dates. Kansas City's airport code is MCI.
You're eager! Arriving early means good seats and enjoying the live prelude music, which begins at 2:30 P.M. Try not to arrive earlier than 2:00 P.M. since the final touches may still be in progress at that time.