Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2020 Season


The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2020 Season

 The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) 2020 Season will feature families of all kinds in four shows, three of which have never before been seen on The Muni stage. “The Muni Board of Directors has put quite a season together for the summer of 2020,” said Muni President Greg Donathan. “This year, The Muni focuses on family. These four shows all have families at the core of their stories, but the compositions and journeys of those families are all incredibly different.  These four contrasting shows will make for a compelling summer of theatre under The Muni stars.”

The Muni will present The Addams Family, directed by Anna Maisenbacher, and sponsored by Edward Jones, from May 29-31, June 3-7; Ragtime directed by Reggie Guyton and sponsored by Sikich LLP from June 19-21 and June 24-28; Mamma Mia, directed by Jacob Deters and sponsored by UCB from July 10-12 and 15-19; and Matilda, directed by Laurie Barnes and sponsored by Springfield Clinic from July 31-August 2, August 5-9. All the shows will start at 8:30 p.m.

The Addams Family makes its debut on The Muni Stage in 2020. The Addams Family embraces the wackiness in every family, and features a story featuring a father’s nightmare when his daughter, Wednesday Addams, falls in love with a man her parents have never met. “I’m excited to return to directing on The Muni stage, a venue that’s provided so many opportunities in years past,” said Director Anna Maisenbacher, who last directed Legally Blonde on The Muni stage in 2018. “The Addams Family should be a change of pace for both myself and The Muni and gives the opportunity for tons of creativity on stage and the audience experience.”  The Addams Family is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and based on the book written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice.

It’s been fifteen years since Ragtime has been done on The Muni stage. Ragtime is a Tony Award winning musical that features three families pursuing the American Dream. Set at the turn of the twentieth century, it deals with discrimination and social inequality in the United States, some of the same issues we are dealing with today. “It is a very poignant story at a very necessary time,” said Reggie Guyton, who will be directing for the first time at The Muni. “My hope is that people will fall in love with these characters and the beautiful music, but also reflect on the ways that America can take steps forward to not only listening, but understanding each other better.”  Ragtime’s music is written by Stephen Flaherty, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally. It is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow.

Jacob Deters has been seen many times on The Muni stage, most recently as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie last season, but this season he will be making his directorial debut with Mamma Mia. This musical uses the musical group ABBA’s hits to tell the story of a young woman’s search for her birth father, resulting in her trying to discover her father’s identity by inviting three men from her mother’s past to her own wedding. “I am honored to be taking on a new role at The Muni, leading a talented staff to bring this mega hit to The Muni stage,” said Deters, who will bring Mamma Mia to life on The Muni stage for the first time. “There is something so infectious about this music that brings audiences from any age to their feet dancing in the aisles; I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to share this joy with our Muni audiences.”  British playwright Catherine Johnson, wrote the musical based on the songs of ABBA by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, former members of the band. The musical features ABBA songs including "Mamma Mia," "Super Trouper, "Lay All Your Love on Me,""Dancing Queen" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You."

Matilda comes to The Muni stage for the first time this summer. Matilda is based on the novel by Roald Dahl and features a little girl who takes a stand to shape her own destiny. Matilda will be directed by Laurie Barnes, who last directed Little Shop of Horrors for The Muni in 2018.  “Matilda is a little girl who finds strength to ‘change her story’ even though her family doesn’t support her,” said Barnes. “Along the way she is able to empower the children and adults around her.”  Matilda was adapted by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

Those interested in auditioning are encouraged to attend the 2020 Audition Workshop on Feb. 15 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts at 10:00 a.m. Directors and staff from all four shows will be on hand to discuss casting requirements and answer questions.

Adult auditions for the 2020 season will take place March 7, 8 and 14, with callbacks on March 15. Children’s auditions will take place March 21, with callbacks to be determined by the directors. More information will be available on The Muni website prior to auditions.

Starting Thanksgiving weekend, The Muni’s 2020 Season Passes will be on sale for pickup at various locations throughout the Springfield area. Patrons may also purchase season passes by calling (217) 793-MUNI for mail delivery. For a full list of season pass retailers, please visit The Muni’s website at www.TheMuni.org.

About The Muni
The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) is a not-for-profit theatrical organization that has become a Springfield summer tradition, providing the best of Broadway to enthusiastic audiences for more than 50 years. Located at 815 East Lake Shore Drive in an outdoor amphitheater, The Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theatre organizations in the nation. For more information on The Muni, please visit www.TheMuni.org. 

Thursday, March 21, 2019

The Wizard of Oz Cast List

The staff of The Wizard of Oz would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2019 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The cast of The Wizard of Oz is listed below.  All cast members should watch emails closely for communications about cast pictures, workdays, and rehearsal schedules. Thanks again to everyone who auditioned


Dorothy Gale – Annie Fulgenzi

Scarecrow/ Hunk – Jim Dahlquist
Tin Man/ Hickory – Jeremy Goeckner
Cowardly Lion/ Zeke – Mac Warren
Wicked Witch of the West/ Almira Gulch – Carolyn Fleischli
Glinda the Good Witch/ Aunt Em – Tamara Bivins
Emerald City Guard/ Uncle Henry – Mark Anderson
The Wizard of Oz/ Professor Marvel – John O’Connor
General – James Cannamela
Crows – Dylan Leach, Peyton Myers, Jimmy Tapocik
Enchanted Trees – Savannah Millspaugh, Lauren Mulacek, Brooke Seacrist
Adult Ensemble – Cassie Crawford, Jacob Deetz, Ryker Denney, Lindsey Dixon, Penny McCarty, Laura Mitkos, Ellen Tuttle, Timber Ziegler

Nikko/ Lollipop Guild – Jackson Thornton
Lollipop Guild – Rhett Patterson, Cash Wilkin
Lullaby League – Arabella Johnson, Rylin Killen, Annelyse Warren
Young Crows – Tarkan Barutcu, Cruz Jankousky, Isaac Rabin
Mayor of Munchkin City – Henry Reeves
Barrister – Sofia Flick
Coroner – Carmen Lecocq
Featured Munchkins – Jossalyn Bennett-Roth, Reagan Gentry, Grant Kesler, Garrett Kesler, Izabella Miller, Lydia Ressler, Kale Thurman, Addelyn Warren
Children’s Ensemble – Jack Flick, Adelyn Hamrick, Grace Ingersoll, Gianna Johnson, Maddy Johnston, Emma Juvinall, Carter McCarty, Faith Miller, Kayleigh Paris, Alaina Taylor

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Thoroughly Modern Millie Cast List


The staff of Thoroughly Modern Millie would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2019 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie is listed below.  All cast members should watch emails closely for communications about cast pictures, workdays, and rehearsal schedules. Thanks again to everyone who auditioned

Millie Dillmount Anna Maisenbacher
Jimmy Smith Jacob Deters
Miss Dorothy Grace Conlon
Trevor Graydon Zaxxson Nation
Mrs. Meers Drew Stroud
Muzzy Van Hossmere Suzanne Moss
Bun Foo Kevin Hart
Ching Ho Peyton Knowski
Miss Flannery Karen Gerdes
Ethel Peas Hannah Levin
Rita Tiffany Reich
Alice Carly Stroud
Cora Kelsi Lichwala
Lucille Iman Kamel
Ruth Sammy White
Gloria Amanda Buch
Daphne/ Ensemble Elizabeth Farris Byerline
Dexter/ Ensemble John Sivak
Matilde/ Ensemble Patty Daniels
Pearl Lady/Speed Tappist/ Ensemble/ Dance Captain Jacqueline Perich
Featured Speed Tapper /Ensemble/ Tap Captain Jaden Saunders

Featured Speed Tappist/ Ensemble 
Jade Roseberry, Kelly Dunkrik, Charlotte Kane, Lauren Bascio, Ainslie Wilson

Speed Tappist/Ensemble 
Erica Metzger, Amanda Gottrich, Kylie Rogers

Ensemble 
Daniel Cavanagh,  Alicia Gillette, Claire Jiroutek, Emily Miner,  Scott Humphries,  Parker Nichols, Sean Atkinson,  Logan Baskett, Aili Sluga, Elizabeth Stehn


Monday, March 18, 2019

Peter Pan Cast List


The staff of Peter Pan would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2019 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The cast of Peter Pan is listed below.  All cast members should watch emails closely for communications about cast pictures, workdays, and rehearsal schedules. Thanks again to everyone who auditioned

Peter Pan - Devin Leming
Mr. Darling/Captain Hook - Gus Gordon
Wendy Darling/Jane - Cece Donathan
John Darling - Roman Zemaitis
Michael Darling - Charlie Holzmacher
Mrs. Darling/Grown Up Wendy - Mary Harmon
Tiger Lily - Cami Kern
Smee - Craig McFarland
Liza - Julie Staley
Nana/Crock - Anna Lyons


Lost Boys
Slightly - Ryker Denney
Nibs - Jonathan Long
Tootles - Carl Roselle
Twin 1 - Maddie Eickhoff
Twin 2 - Mel Rhodes
Curley - Jack Harris
Susan Wheeler, Sarah BeckNorah HolzmacherCharleigh HoeckerGabriel VillegasKeagan EckKyle Bolinger


Pirates
Peyton Knowski, Peyton MyersDylan LeachJerrod BriggsJimmy TapocikSydney WeberAndrew WillmoreBen SelsorGil OpfermanDevin Kemp

Neverland Warriors
Olivia Huber, Elyse LantermanEmma CoxNadia MitchellAddison LopianLauren PumpreyClaire SaginsAmelia TungettJaimee McDonaldElla ParkinsonAva ParkinsonSierra DoveRylee Kate Brinckman

Neverland Fairies
Charlotte Ratz, Alina Kate JohnsonKyleigh NguyenHannah Jones



Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Evita Cast List



The staff of Evita would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2019 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The Adult cast of Evita is listed below.  All cast members should watch emails closely for communications about cast pictures, workdays, and rehearsal schedules. Thanks again to everyone who auditioned

Eva Peron Mary Kate Smith
Che Daniel Maughan
Juan Peron Greg Donathan
Augustine Magaldi Cory Blissett
Peron's Mistress Hope Cherry

Argentine Generala 
Jeffrey Eccles, Matthew Franklin, Chuck Goodman, Gregory Runyard, Brett Rutherford

Featured Dancers 
Anastasia Baird, Courtney Bales, Lola Gehrke, Lucy Harmon, Allison Mool, Elizabeth Ross, Lindsey Rudd, Ava Southern

Ensemble 
Reese Borror, Samantha Cere, Campbell Coker, Angela Covert, Amelia Curtis, Lucy Dalton-Lackie, Jacob Deetz, Connor Dove, Emma Dowding, Carolyn Fleischli, Sherry Frachey, Sierra Gosteli, Joe Hardy, Alicia Huntley, Claire Huntley, Rose LoGrasso, Amanda Neubauer, Betsy O'Brien, Ann Opferman, Michael Paulionis, Brooke Seacrist, Ellen Tuttle, Natalie Young

Kids Ensemble
Liam Busboom, Cooper Coker, Mary Donathan, Lillian Drea, Liam Huntley, Reagan Huntley, Maja Mulvey, Stella Smith, Izzy Stewart

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

The Springfield Muni Opera Announces 2019 Audition Workshop

The Springfield Muni Opera Announces 2019 Audition Workshop


The Springfield Municipal Opera (“The Muni”) will hold Auditions Workshops in preparation for its upcoming auditions for the 2019 Season. The Muni encourages anyone interested in auditioning to attend the FREE Auditions Workshops on Saturday, February 16 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. The 2019 season of Peter Pan, Evita, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wizard of Oz requires performers of all ages and abilities.

This year we will be returning to two workshops, one for children at 10 a.m. and one for adults at 1 p.m. The Auditions Workshops provide an opportunity to learn about the audition process, including how to register via The Muni’s online registration form and how to prepare for an audition. Attendees will hear from the directors of each show about their expectations, casting requirements and planned rehearsal schedules. The shows’ directors and staffs will be available to answer questions and distribute music. Those attending the workshop will also be granted access to the online registration form to sign up for an audition slot before it is opened up to the public on Sunday. 

Auditions for adults will be held March 2, 3 and 9. Auditions for children will be held March 16. There are children’s roles for Peter Pan, Evita and Wizard of Oz. All auditions and call-backs will be at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. For more information about The Muni’s Audition Workshop and Auditions, please visit www.TheMuni.org

The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) 2019 Season will feature dreamers and seekers looking for adventure, success and answers. The Muni will present Peter Pan, directed by Elizabeth Cheney and sponsored by Springfield Clinic, from May 31-June 2, June 5-9; Evita directed by Craig Williams II and sponsored by UCB from June 21-23 and June 26-30; Thoroughly Modern Millie, directed by Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich and sponsored by Sikich LLP from July 12-14 and 15-21; and The Wizard of Oz, directed by Anna McFarland and Connor McNamara and sponsored by Edward Jones from August 2-4 and 7-11. All the shows will start at 8:30 p.m., except for The Wizard of Oz which will begin at 8:00 p.m.

About The Muni
The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) is a not-for-profit theatrical organization that has become a Springfield summer tradition, providing the best of Broadway to enthusiastic audiences for more than 50 years. Located lakeside at 815 East Lake Drive in an outdoor amphitheater, The Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theatre organizations in the nation. For more information on The Muni, please visit www.TheMuni.org

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2019 Season

The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2019 Season


Springfield, IL (November 15, 2018) – The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) 2019 Season will feature dreamers and seekers looking for adventure, success and answers. “Wishes really do come true, and the 2019 Springfield Muni Opera season proves it," said Jim Leach, President of the Muni Board of Managers. "But it's not just the wishes of the characters in our four shows. It might be the wish to let your talent shine on stage, or to be a part of the team backstage that makes Muni magic, or maybe just a wish to spend a summer night in Springfield in the best way possible -- at the Muni. So all this year, we'll be asking: what's YOUR wish?"

The Muni will present Peter Pan, directed by Elizabeth Cheney and sponsored by Springfield Clinic, from May 31-June 2, June 5-9; Evita directed by Craig Williams II and sponsored by UCB from June 21-23 and June 26-30; Thoroughly Modern Millie, directed by Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich and sponsored by Sikich LLP from July 12-14 and 15-21; and The Wizard of Oz, directed by Anna McFarland and Connor McNamara and sponsored by Edward Jones from August 2-4 and 7-11. All the shows will start at 8:30 p.m., except for The Wizard of Oz which will begin at 8:00 p.m.

“We are all thrilled to bring the magical and well-loved story of Peter Pan to life, and are busy planning for some amazing sets, costumes and effects. We can’t wait to see and hear all the energetic auditions this spring, and work with the actors, singers and dancers,” said Cheney, who last directed White Christmas on the Muni stage in 2017. “We will be looking for Pirates, Warrior Girl Dancers, Lost Boys, and, of course, our Peter and Wendy, and many other delightful roles we will share with you in our upcoming workshop in February. Come and be part of the magic this summer with us!”

Evita hasn’t been done at Muni since 1985. Based on the life and death of Eva Peron, Evita follows her rise from working class to the upper ranks of Argentina. “This show has a glorious score, a heart wrenching message and the immense strength of one woman. Evita is a memorable musical that will resonate with audiences in today’s tumultuous political climate of America,” said Williams II, who last directed Mary Poppins at the Muni. “It will have roles for young and old, dancers and non-dancers...there will really be something for everyone...on and off the stage.”

Maynerich and Kaplan made their directorial debut on the Muni stage last season with Sister Act and are looking forward to bringing Thoroughly Modern Millie, a new show to the Muni, this summer. “This show is one that is very special to us, personally, so it’s really quite thrilling to have the opportunity to direct it together at The Muni! Based on the 1967 movie, starring Julie Andrews, the glitz and glamour of 1920s Manhattan, a beautiful score, energetic dance numbers and a hilarious, mixed-up love story all make this production a thrilling one, not to be missed!” said Kaplan. “This production has roles available for all ages and dance abilities, with several roles for individuals with very strong dance and vocal talents,” added Maynerich.

The Wizard of Oz returns to the Muni stage. It will bring us on a journey with characters that dream of a future where their dreams come true. “We are excited to bring the classic story of The Wizard of Oz to life this summer at The Muni. A family favorite, it reminds us that home is with those we love,” said McFarland, who will make her directorial debut at The Muni along with co-director Connor McNamara. “You never know what you will find just on the other side of the rainbow.”

Those interested in auditioning are encouraged to attend the 2019 Audition Workshop on February 16, 2019 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts; the children’s session will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the adults’ at 1:00 p.m. Directors and staff from all four shows will be on hand to discuss casting requirements and answer questions.

Adult auditions for the 2019 season will take place March 2, 3 & 9, with callbacks on March 10. Children’s auditions will take place March 16, with callbacks on March 17. More information about auditions will be available on The Muni website in mid-December.

Starting Thanksgiving weekend, The Muni’s 2019 Season Passes will be on sale for pickup at various locations throughout the Springfield area. Patrons may also purchase season passes by calling (217) 793-MUNI for mail delivery. For a full list of season pass retailers, please visit The Muni’s website at www.TheMuni.org.

About The Muni

The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) is a not-for-profit theatrical organization that has become a Springfield summer tradition, providing the best of Broadway to enthusiastic audiences for more than 50 years. Located at 815 East Lake Shore Drive in an outdoor amphitheater, The Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theatre organizations in the nation. For more information on The Muni, please visit www.TheMuni.org.