The Springfield Municipal Opera Announces
2020 Season
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.
