Music Theater Heritage Announces SWEENEY TODD, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, And More For 22nd Season

In perhaps its most ambitious season to date, Music Theater Heritage has announced bold and imaginative programming for its 2024 season. Utilizing three different venues, MTH's 22nd Season highlights stories that orbit around the power of love and the lengths we take to protect it. The season includes Tony Award winners, re-imaginings, original concert productions, and represents some of the most celebrated dramatists, composers, and songwriters of the 20th century. 

“We strive to use the heritage of music and theater in a way that reflects the moment we live in today,” expressed Artistic Director Tim Scott. “The stories we've chosen to highlight in our 2024 season are timeless, yet also represent some of the most entertaining theatrical pieces of all time. In many ways these stories hold up a mirror to the human condition; we hope audiences are able to see reflections of themselves in the stories we've chosen to highlight on stage.” 

The 2024 Season
 

The Glass Menagerie

 

with a live, improvised jazz score
presented in the MTH Main Stage
February 29 - March 17
Written by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Artistic Director Tim Scott 
Music directed by Desmond Mason

A drama of great tenderness, charm and beauty, The Glass Menagerie is one of the most famous plays of the modern theater. A gritty story of a Depression-era family is told with poetic language and dreamlike music. In an innovative twist, the MTH production will feature a live, improvised jazz score and incidental live music, as well.

 

Godspell 

presented in the MTH Main Stage
April 18 - May 5 
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by John-Michael Tebelak
Directed by Artistic Associate Emily Shackelford
Music directed by Ty Tuttle 

The ultimate tale of friendship and loyalty, Godspell is the musical sensation that continues to touch audiences and remind them of the power of love. The first major musical offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz, Godspell features an infectious pop/rock score with a barrage of pop hits that crossed over into mainstream music, including the billboard hit “Day by Day” and more!

 

 

The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess

 

presented in the MTH Grand Theater
June 6 - 30
By George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin
Book adapted by Suzan Lori-Parks | Musical Score adapted by Diedre L. Murray
Directed by Rodney Lloyd Scott
Music directed by Desmond Mason

George Gershwin's final work for the musical stage is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest achievements of the American Theater. Known worldwide, this Tony Award winning adaptation premiered on Broadway in 2011 with additional scenes and updated musical arrangements. MTH's production marks one of the first regional presentations of the Broadway adaptation. 

 

La Cage aux Folles

 

presented in the MTH Grand Theater
August 10 - 27
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Directed by Daisy Buckët and Tim Scott
Music directed by Ty Tuttle

Jerry Herman's crowd-pleasing, rollicking and heartwarming musical about family, commitment, and loving who you love is widely considered one of the greatest musicals of all time. The winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, La Cage Aux Folles remains one of musical theater's biggest hits, and perhaps more relevant than ever. 

Sweeney Todd

 

presented in the MTH Main Stage
October 12 - 29
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Artistic Director Tim Scott
Music directed by Ty Tuttle

Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece has become a worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony Awards, (including Best Musical), for its original production. The tasty and thrilling tale of love and revenge has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world for more than 40 years. MTH's intimate nine actor adaptation is sure to make audiences feel closer to the dark and witty tale than ever before. Perhaps a little too close…
 

It's A Wonderful Life: a live radio play

 

presented in the MTH Main Stage
December 7 - 23
based on the story, The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern
Adaptation by Joe Landry
Directed by Artistic Associate Emily Shackelford
   
Reimagined for the stage as a live radio broadcast, the iconic world of George Bailey and his affable helper angel, Clarence, unfolds as you've never seen before. Featuring an ensemble cast, holiday music, and live sound effects performed by foley artists, the beloved, life-affirming story is a holiday treat for the entire family!

THE RUBY ROOM SERIES

 

presented in the Ruby Room at MTH 
Curated and Directed by Associate Producer Linnaia McKenzie

A hybrid nightclub/theater experience, The Ruby Room Series celebrates the songs and stories of Artists who have made a significant impact on American music and culture. To to overwhelming popularity, the 2024 series will feature additional performances, and run Thursday through Saturday evenings. 

 

LET'S GET IT ON: The Music of Marvin Gaye & Gladys Knight

February 8 - 10

The most sultry, soulful sounds of the sixties take shape in the music of Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye and more!  These artists helped define the era when every melody and lyric was backed with passion and pain through songs like I Heard It Through the Grapevine which both artists made famous in their own way.  Let's Get It On and have a good time!

 

NATURAL WOMAN: The Music of Carole King

April 4 - 6

One of the most prolific female musicians in the history of pop music, Carole King performed and wrote some of the grooviest tunes that we've kept in the rotation for decades. We'll celebrate the songs King notably sang from Tapestry, one of the best selling albums of all time, and we'll even surprise you with songs you didn't know this certified platinum icon wrote for other artists!

 

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU: The Music of Whitney Houston

 

May 16 - 18

The music industry's first ever Pop Princes: Whitney Houston, who we also know endearingly as Nippy.  She was the first artist to have seven consecutive #1 hits and the first woman to enter the Billboard 200 at #1 with her album, Whitney.  Coming from a family of heavy hitters like Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick, this Diva was destined to be the voice in music we'd never, ever be able to forget.
 

PURPLE RAIN: The Music of Prince

 

July 11 - 13

The “Love Symbol”, aka the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, took the music industry by storm in the 1980s with songs like “Kiss” and of course, “Purple Rain”.  Join us on this unforgettable journey through a music catalog unlike any other to find out why Prince is easily named one of music's most significant and  adored artists of all time!

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: The Music of Queen

 

September 12 - 14

From across the pod we bring you all of the iconic hits made famous by QUEEN; a band who's organ-like harmonies shared a new sound with the music industry, never heard before. This group inspired an entire generation of new artists who followed QUEEN's keen ability to take us on a musical roller coaster with rocking music and movement.

 

SONG(s) SUNG BLUE: The Music of Neil Diamond & Barry Manilow 

 

November 7 - 9

With more than fifty top ten hits between them, Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow provided us with a countless number of timeless, chart-topping tunes that had us dancing one moment and crying the next. Songs like Mandy and Sweet Caroline are sure to keep you singing along throughout this memorable night of music!

 

 

The Ruby Room: MTH's Ruby Room is an elegant space specifically curated for cabaret. The intimate theater seats 125 guests and was designed to evoke iconic Cabaret rooms like 54 Below and The Oak Room.

Grand Theater: The 349 seat Grand Theater is a three-quarter thrust located on the 4th floor of Crown Center. MTH's largest venue, The Grand Theater still maintains only seven rows of seating, retaining the intimate sensibilities MTH has become known for.

MTH Main Stage: The full-thrust 240 seat Main Stage Theater is on the 3rd floor of Crown Center and is the venue returning patrons will be most familiar with. Since its inception, the warm and inviting venue remains the home for the majority of MTH productions.

MTH reports that season subscriptions have steadily increased year over year since 2021 and are currently the highest since the pandemic began. 2024 Season Tickets are currently available to be purchased at a discounted rate through September 1. Season tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 816.221.6987, visiting MTH online at www.mthkc.com, or in-person at the MTH box office at Crown Center. Individual ticket sales will begin on December 1. 

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