The
Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2018 Show Season
Springfield, IL – November 16, 2018 –The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) announced
details for its 2018 summer season including selected productions, show and
audition dates and season ticket sales. “The Muni’s 2018 features a sci-fi
comedy, a story of self-discovery, a group of women finding their voices and an
orphan on a quest to find her parents,” said Michelle Eccles McLaughlin, Muni
Board President.
The Muni will present Little Shop of Horrors, directed by
Laurie Barnes and sponsored by Springfield Clinic, from June 1-3 and 6-10; Sister Act, directed by Andrew Maynerich
and Morgan Kaplan and sponsored by Edward Jones from June 22-24 and June
27-July 1; Legally Blonde: The Musical,
directed by Anna Maisenbacher and sponsored by UCB from July 13-15 and 18-22; and
Annie, directed by Carly Shank and
sponsored by RSM from August 3-5 and 8-12. All the shows will start at 8:30
p.m., except for Annie, which will
begin at 8:00 p.m.
“Little Shop
of Horrors has a little bit of everything - great Doo-Wop style music, a nostalgic
60s B movie feel, a beautiful love story, and of course a bloodthirsty, man-eating
plant just for good measure,” said Barnes, who last directed Jekyll and Hyde at The Muni. “Fun for
the whole family!”
Maynerich and Kaplan are no strangers
to The Muni. Both have choreographed and played roles on The Muni stage, and
now both are thrilled to be co-directing the debut of Sister Act at The Muni. “Though you may be familiar with the story
from the hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, we can promise this is a very
different type of ‘church!’” Maynerich said. “Our stained cathedral glass will
come alive with pulsating lights like that of a night club and our habits will
take on a fun and sassy disco vibe. We promise you will leave The Muni tapping
your toes and singing ‘Halleluiah!’” added Kaplan.
Maisenbacher is excited to get back in the
director's chair to lead Legally Blonde:
the Musical at The Muni this summer. “Follow Elle Woods, the famously perky
and fashion forward sorority girl who finds her life turned upside down when
dumped by her boyfriend, Warner. Proving that she is more than just a ‘blonde,’
she earns entrance into Harvard Law. While there, she defies expectations while
managing to stay true to her delightfully pink personality. Come do the bend
and snap with us at Muni this summer!”
Shank was an orphan in Muni’s first
production of Annie in 1985, and has
had a love affair with the show ever since. “This is a heart-filled production
of a family favorite,” said Shank, who is delighted to be directing. “It will
be full of poignant comedy and attention to historic detail as it explores the
question of what makes a family.”
Those interested in auditioning are
encouraged to attend the 2018 Audition Workshop on February 17, 2018 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 2018 season
will take place March 3, 4 & 11, with callbacks on March 12. Children’s
auditions will take place March 17, with callbacks on March 18. More information about auditions will be
available on The Muni website in mid-December.
Starting Thanksgiving weekend, The
Muni’s 2018 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 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.
