The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2016 Show Season

The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2016 Show Season

Springfield, IL – November 22, 2015 – Today, the Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) announced details for its 2016 summer season including selected productions, audition dates, and season tickets. “The Muni has an exciting year planned for 2016,” noted Muni President, Mac Warren.

The Muni will present South Pacific Directed by John Sivak and Sponsored by Springfield Clinic June 17-19, 22-26; Sweeney Todd Directed by Carly Shank Sponsored by Maynerich Financial July 8-10, 13-17; Nice Work If You Can Get It Directed by Doug Hahn and Gary Shull Sponsored by Illini Bank July 29-31, Aug. 3-7; Disney's Little Mermaid Directed by Craig Williams II Sponsored by RSM August 19-21 and 24-28; All Show times will begin at 8:30pm.

South Pacific: Two Americans find love in the South Pacific during World War II and have to overcome their own cultural prejudices, while under the dark cloud of war.

Sweeney Todd: A barber returns to London after being in exile for years to seek revenge on a corrupt judge who tore his family apart. This is a dark comedy.

Nice Work If You Can Get It: A musical set in the 20s, with great dance numbers and an unlikely love story. (starred Matthew Broderick on Broadway)

Disney's Little Mermaid: Dive "under the sea" into a magical underwater kingdom, with the young mermaid, Ariel (AIR-e-el), who wants nothing more but to leave her ocean home - and her fins - behind and live in the world above.

Those interested in auditioning are encouraged to attend the 2016 Audition Workshop on  February 20, 2016 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 2016 season will take place March 5, 6 and 12, with callbacks on March 13. Children’s auditions will take place March 19, with callbacks on March 20. More information about auditions will be available on The Muni website mid-January.

The Muni’s 2016 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 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.

WEST SIDE STORY opens at The Muni on Friday

WEST SIDE STORY  ​ opens at The Muni on Friday 

Springfield, IL – August 3, 2015 –​ This Friday the Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) will open ​ West  Side Story ​ , the third production of its 50th Anniversary season. The show is sponsored by Springfield Clinic and  directed by Anna Bussing. It will run for three weekends, August 7­8, 13­15 and 20­22. Curtain time is 8:00  p.m.  

West Side Story ​  transports us to New York City as two young lovers, Tony and Maria, find themselves caught  between the warring street gangs of the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. They struggle to survive  in a world of hate, violence and prejudice. ​West Side Story  ​ highlights a young ensemble cast and is one of the  most memorable musicals, especially for its intricate dance sequences, and greatest love stories of all time.  

Starring in The Muni’s production of ​West Side Story ​  are Bailee Brinkman as Maria and Rigoberto Ernst as  Tony.    

The show run time is around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Two types of seating arrangements are available –  Reserved Seating and General Admission (lawn seating.) The price of Reserved Seating is $14 for adults and  $12 for seniors/military/students/children; General Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/military/students,  $6 for children (age 3­12), and free for kids age 2 and under.
 Additionally, both Thursday performances (August 13 and 20) have been designated as Family Nights and  Senior Nights. For families, ticket prices for children 12 and under are half price when accompanied by a paid  adult – $6 for Reserved Seating and $3 for General Admission.  For seniors, ticket prices are reduced to $11 for  Reserved Seating and $7 for General Admission. A Senior Shuttle Bus Service, sponsored by the King’s  Daughters Organization, will also run on Thursday, August 13. Visit The Muni’s website for more information.  

 Reserved Seating tickets can be purchased in advance online – ​www.TheMuni.org​ – or by calling or visiting the  Sangamon Auditorium Box Office at 217­793­MUNI (6864.) Patrons can also purchase Reserved Seating and  General Admission tickets on­site at The Muni’s Box Office, which opens 90 minutes prior to curtain time.    

About The Muni  

The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) is a not­for­profit 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  all­volunteer community theatre organizations in the nation. For more information on The Muni, please visit  www.TheMuni.org​ .   ###  

Suessical opens this weekend!

Suessical opens this weekend! The Muni and McGladrey are pleased to present this unforgettable musical for all ages! Join us as Dr Suess's best-loved characters come to life! Shows start at 8:30, and will be presented July 10-11, 16-18, and 23-25. "Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. Seuss's best-loved characters - led by The Cat in the Hat - collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper for all-ages. Seussical™ tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge - not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the dazzling but irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. _____________________________________________________________ 2015 at The Muni County Auditor  Paul Palazzolo presents: Jun 12-13 Jun 18-20 Jun 25-27 McGladrey presents: Jul 10-11 Jul 16-18 Jul 23-25 Springfield Clinic  presents: Aug 7-8 Aug 13-15 Aug 20-22 Illini Bank presents: Sep 4-5 Sep 10-12 Sep 17-19

The Muni adds Wednesday night performance of Monty Python’s SPAMALOT

The Muni adds Wednesday night performance of

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT

Springfield, IL – June 17, 2015 – The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) is adding a performance of Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, sponsored by Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Paul Palazzolo and directed by Mac Warren, on Wednesday, June 24 at 8:30.

“Mother Nature has not been kind to Spamalot,” said Muni President Diane Hoots. “The weather is looking better for next week and we hope by adding this performance we give people another chance to see the show and our hardworking cast of volunteers another chance to perform it.”

The Wednesday night show will not offer reserved seating. Tickets will be sold for the seats on a first come, first served basis at the box office starting at 7 p.m. Seat tickets will still be $14 and lawn seats will be $10, with discounts for seniors, military and children. Spamalot will now have performances on June 18-20 and 24-27. Curtain time is 8:30 p.m.

Inspired by the classic 1975 film Monty Python and The Holy Grail, SPAMALOT is the award-winning Broadway musical with a book and lyrics by Eric Idle and an entirely new score created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. The musical comedy tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail, but diverts a bit from more traditional versions of the legend, featuring such oddities as a line of beautiful dancing girls, a flatulent Frenchman and killer rabbits. Throughout the show, Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest and encounters such characters as the Lady of the Lake.

Starring in The Muni’s debut of this production are Brad Barding, as King Arthur, and Amanda Ratz, as the Lady of the Lake.

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.

West Side Story Announces Cast

West Side Story Announces Cast

The Staff of West Side Story would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2015 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The cast for West Side Story 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.

Tony Rigobetro Ernst
Maria Bailee Brinkman

The Jets 
Riff Connor McNamara
Action  Evan Rumler
A-Rab Jacob Deters
Baby John  Ryan Fisher
Big Deal Steven Robinson
Snowboy Roy Lowery
Diesel Zack Perko
Velma Kendall Heuman
Graziella Tiffany Riech
Minnie Anna Benoit
Clarice Madison Hutmacher
Pauline Allison Rainford
Donna Taylor Krech
Anybodys Emily Watts


The Sharks 
Anita Cami Kern
Bernardo Zaxxson Nation
Chino Cameron Schlussler
Pepe Eric Groeteke
Nibbles Matthew Woodson
Indio Kevin Hart
Toro Peyton Knowski
Luis Zach Bax
Rosalia Zoey Zara
Consuela Alyssa Phinney
Francisca Taylor Fishburn
Teresita Chloe Garcia
Estella Ashley Ramos
Margarita Abby Milhiser
Juana Jocelyn Holmes
Floramaria Alina Sinha
Anxious Seth Wheeler


Children Linden Neposchlan, Leeza Zavelsky, Trent Tholen, Charles Eastvold, Olivia Penell 

Adults 
Lt. Schrank Paul Elders
Doc Al Scheider
Officer Krupke Derry Dalby

Gladhand Gil Opherman

Seussical Announces Cast

Seussical Announces Cast

The Staff of Seussical would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2015 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The cast for Seussical 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.

Cat Riley McManus                                   

Horton Andrew Kinsel

Gertrude McFuzz Hannah Siehr 

Mayzie LaBird Sydney Assalley  

Jojo Alex Remolina

Wickersham Brothers Ian Davis, Lance Perko, DeWayne Williams

Bird Girls: Hope Cherry, Hannah Levin, Tori Londrigan, Ashley Eastman, Emily Wheeler, Lindsay Finnell

Sour Kangaroo Katina Gude

Mayor John Pickett

Mrs. Mayor Tami Williams

General G. K. Schmitz  Jeff Prince

The Grinch Michael Lanham                                 

Yertle the Turtle TBD        

Vlad Vladikoff Thomas Sagins 

Ensemble:  Albert Perlman, Graham Haven, Patrick Regan, Eric O’Brien, Alex Edwards, GraceAnne Prince, Karee Prince, Allison Means, Tess Tyler, Kate Von De Bur, Chloe Mimms, Caroline Schmidt, Grace Gietl, Amanda Gottrich, Ashton Burdell, Maggie Shea, Amalia Schneider, Schuyler Williams

Who Cadets Brady Brinkman, Rylee Kate Brinkman, Caroline Dahlquist, Connor Dove, Ava Giacomini, Jack McLaughlin, Leotie Philbrick, Claire Sagins, Brett Wagner, Annelyse Warren, Gabe Woodruff, Juliet Woodruff

Thing 1 & 2  Autumn Meyer and Elizabeth Stehn

Cabaret Announces Cast

Cabaret Announces Cast

The Staff of Cabaret would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2015 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The cast for Cabaret  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.

Emcee Andrew Maynerich
Sally Bowles Aasne Daniels
Cliff Bradshaw Adam Maletich
Fraulein Schneider Linda Schneider
Herr Schultz Dennis O'Brien
Fraulein Kost Meredith Durall 
Ernst Ludwig Eric Albrecht

Kit Cat Girls Molly Heise, Anna McFarland, Caitlin Helton, April Albert, Jessie Wilson,  Marsha Butcher

Kit Cat Boys Albert Capati, Christopher Roberts, R. Montel Jackson-Morgan, Craig McFarland

Max  Harvey Mack
Railway Official  Dale Mason

Chorus Alex Edwards, Andrew Willmore, Amanda Cox Otto, Rachel Gamble, Denise Krager, Megan Hart, Allison Means, Sam Germann, Chris Proffitt, and Will Decker

Pit Chorus Steve Carson, Amy Chambers, Jessica McCawley, Amanda Harness, Kelsey Lillie, Andrea Stonecipher

Monty Python's Spamalot Announces Cast

Monty Python's Spamalot Announces Cast

The Staff of Monty Python's Spamalot would like to thank everyone who auditioned for the 2015 season. Casting decisions were difficult due to the many wonderful auditions that took place this year. The cast for Monty Python's Spamalot 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.

• King Arthur Brad Barding
• Lady of Lake Amanda Ratz
• Patsy John Sivak
• Sir Robin/ Guard 1/ Brother Maynard Matthew Hanauer
• Sir Lancelot/ Lance Adam Maletich
• Sir Galahad/ Herbert's Father/ Black Knight Sam Germann
• Historian/ Not Dead Fred/ French Guard/ Minstrel/ Prince Herbert Luke Petersen
• Sir Bedevere/ Dennis's Mom/ Concorde/ Mayor of Finland Albert Capati
• Laker Girls  Anna Benoit, Bailee Brinkman,  Erica Snyder, Shelby Bayless, Taylor Babbs, Elizabeth Kelley
• Dancing Monk Dale Mason
• Dancing Nun R. Montel Jackson-Morgan
• Sir Not Appearing in this Show/ Sir Bors Kevin Kulavic
• Ensemble:Jessica Pohlemus, Jorie Clark, Nicholas Gab

Excitement is building for Muni 2015 Children's Auditions

Excitement is building for Muni 2015 Children's Auditions on this Saturday, March 21 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.  The first session starts at 8:30 and it would be good to be there 45 minutes ahead of time to check in.  Your audition session will last two hours.  The first hour will be learning the song and dance in the LRS.  Parents are welcome to watch this session. Though we ask that you sit in the first balcony up.  The second hour is the formal audition in the Dining Room in front of the show staffs of Seussical and West Side Story.  These auditions are closed and parents can wait in the lobby.  The callbacks will be held Saturday evening for West Side Story and on Sunday for Seussical.

    The adults have already been cast as of Monday.  Be sure to check the Muni website, themuni.org, to see who will be in the shows for our exciting 2015 season!

For Audition Information Visit our Web Page.

To Register for an Audition Visit our Registration Page

Adults Auditions That's a wrap. We love you. We really, really love you!

Adults Auditions That's a wrap. We love you. We really, really love you!

Thank you to each and every person who participated in Muni’s adult auditions the past two weekends. We had an amazing turnout and have no doubt that our audiences will also be blown away by the talent on The Muni stage this summer.

For those of you not cast in a show this year, we sincerely hope that you will keep at it and that we’ll see you back at next year’s audition.

We also encourage anyone interested in volunteering at Muni – whether helping backstage, ushering, working concessions, or cleaning the grounds – to sign-up through our web site. We always have a place at The Muni for you.


Next Weekend we will hold our children’s auditions and look forward to another great turnout!

Online Audition Registration returns for the 2015 season

Online Audition Registration returns for the 2015 season

After an exciting and successful launch of a brand new online registration process last year, The Muni is committed to building on that success this coming audition season.  If you registered last year you will only need to log in again using your same username and password, verify your personal information, make your show selections and choose your audition slots and you will be all set. That IT!  Don’t remember you username and password?  No problem. Simply click the ‘forgot User/Password’ link from the audition registration page.  If you changed your email or have forgotten what email was used you could still retrieve this information by contacting our Admin at Dan@thehumphries.us If you'd like to learn more about the online audition registration form, make sure to attend the Audition Workshop on February 21!

Adult Auditions for the 2015 Muni Season will take place March 7, 8 & 14 with callbacks on March 15. Children’s Auditions will take place on March 21 with callbacks on March 22. Learn more about auditions, including how to sign up, what to prepare, and what to expect on our Auditions page.