The
Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2017 Show Season
Springfield, IL – November 17, 2016 –The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) announced
details for its 2017 summer season including selected productions, show and
audition dates and season ticket sales. “The
Muni’s 2017 season includes four family favorites, three of which are new to
The Muni stage. We are featuring shows that bring back memories from our
childhood, teenage years and spending the holidays with family,” said Muni President Mike Rogers.
The Muni will present Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, directed by Mac Warren and sponsored by Springfield
Clinic, from June 9-11, 14-18; Disney and
Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, directed by Craig Williams II and
sponsored by Illini Bank, from June 30-July 2, July 5-9; Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, directed by Joe-Michael Jackson
and Elizabeth Cheney and sponsored by Edward Jones, from July 21-23, 26-30; and
Grease, directed by Bill Bauser Jr.
and sponsored by RSM, from August 11-13, 16-20.
“We are expecting to have a whole lot of fun
creating a supportive and welcoming team of players as we bring ROALD DAHL’S
WILLY WONKA to life on stage for our audiences!” said Warren. “I'm confident
our audiences are going to have a wonderful evening of Broadway Under the Stars
as we take a fantasy ride into the land of pure imagination!”
Mary Poppins is
sure to delight the entire family. “All
of your favorite songs, scenes and characters will come to life on The Muni
stage, or above as it were. We can't wait to bring some more magic to another
Disney production,” said Williams II, who directed Disney’s Little Mermaid last
season.
The
Muni will feature Christmas in July with White Christmas. “We want to bring a classic holiday story to life on The
Muni stage, and make a magical family experience for every Muni patron,” said
Cheney. “Our cast will energize and
excite with their beautiful singing and terrific dance numbers. We can't wait
to start this journey with our Muni family!” said Jackson.
Grease, a Muni
favorite, returns to the stage for the first time since 2007. “We are excited to bring an updated family friendly version of GREASE to
The Muni stage featuring dance music from the 2007 revival and best loved songs
from the original movie version of GREASE,” said Bauser, Jr. “So, throw your mittens around your kittens
and away we go!"
Those interested in auditioning are
encouraged to attend the 2017 Audition Workshop on Saturday, February 18, 2017 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 2017 season
will take place March 4, 5 and 11, with callbacks on March 12. Children’s
auditions will take place March 18, with callbacks the same day. More information about auditions will be
available on The Muni website in mid-December.
Starting Thanksgiving weekend, The
Muni’s 2017 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.
