The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces 2018 Show Season

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.