Wichita Theatre Newsroom Page 2

Wichita Repertory Theater (ICTRep) continues its 2024 Summer Celebration of Comedy with TRAVESTIES, opening Thursday, July 18.

In continuing with MTWichita’s 2024 Season Theme “The Year of the Woman,” I had the privilege of seeing Disney’s Frozen on the Century II Concert Hall Stage. MTWichita is one of the first indoor regional theatres to produce Disney’s Frozen after the show closed on Broadway. This can be a challenge because the sets and costumes cannot look the same as the original Broadway production, so all the design elements, including choreography, need to be reimagined. The MTWichita team exceeds expectations here, creating some magnificent, otherworldly realms for the denizens of Arendelle to inhabit. You do not want to miss this show, which runs until July 14th.

Wichita Community Theatre presents Slow Food by Wendy MacLeod July 18th-28th. Performances run Thursday- Saturday with an 8pm curtain and Sunday matinees at 2pm each week. Slow Food is about a middle-aged couple who are empty nesters. They vacation to Palm Springs to celebrate their anniversary. They go to a Greek restaurant for dinner where a middle-aged waiter inserts himself into the couple's life and insists they share his life as well while delivering a slow meal. Slow Food is a great comedy that themes are very universal looking at how we deal and learn through the new changes life throws at us, each with its own ups and downs.

Kechi Playhouse’s third play in their 42nd season is a new adaptation of the romantic classic “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand. Misty Maynard will be directing this new version penned by Joseph Urick, a new professor at Wichita State University. Urick adapted Rostand’s classic specifically for an intimate space, focusing specifically on the words of the story, rather than on the fancy lights, lavish sets, or extravagant costumes.

Roxy’s Downtown is thrilled to begin its 2024/25 theater season with the award winning musical Into the Woods, opening on Wednesday, July 17. This bold reimaging of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical masterpiece brings your favorite storybook characters together for a thrilling, twisted adventure.

PNC Broadway in Kansas City is hosting an event in honor of the 10-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL on Wednesday, July 10 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at the Kill Devil Club located in the Power & Light District.

What did our critic think of THE SUNSHINE BOYS at Roxy's Downtown?

Roxy's Downtown today announced its new education program as part of its mission to expand access to the arts. Beginning July 13, Roxy’s will offer 5 classes ranging from college audition prep, directing 101, acting for the camera, the art of self-tape auditions, and dialects & accents made easy.

Roxy’s Downtown is delighted to announce the upcoming production of the classic Neil Simon comedy, The Sunshine Boys, coming to Wichita this June. A heartwarming and hilarious story, The Sunshine Boys follows two former vaudeville partners who reunite for a television special after years of estrangement. With wit, charm, and Simon's signature humor, the play explores the complexities of friendship, the passage of time, and the enduring power of laughter.

What did our critic think of 9 TO 5 at Music Theatre Of Wichita At Century II Concert Hall?9 to 5 is one of my favorite shows - it’s entertaining, it’s full of comedic moments, and it has some great lessons in self love, trusting your instincts, and believing in yourself. It shows us not only how far we have come in terms of respecting women’s rights, but also shows us how much more needs to be done in terms of equal rights for not only women, but for all minority groups.

What did our critic think of GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Music Theatre Wichita At Century II Concert Hall? There is a reason the musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable is a Golden Age classic. The text, suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and written by Authur Laurents, is economical and succinct. Jule Styne’s music varies from catchy tunes to lush, foreboding orchestral maneuvers, and Sondheim’s nascent lyrics are simple and accessible, yet cut to the core of each scene’s objective.

WAM and Tallgrass Film Association present a summer film series featuring a diverse selection of films. Enjoy screenings and discussions at the Wichita Art Museum throughout the summer.

Miami String Quartet will come to Midwest Trust Center this summer as part of the Heartland Chamber Music Festival. The performance is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Yardley Hall.

What did our critic think of LEGALLY BLONDE at Roxy's Downtown?

The Midwest Trust Center has announced the concert lineup for Light Up the Lawn, featuring local musicians with rich histories.

New York saxophonist Daniel Bennett has been hailed as one of the most original and unpredictable musical voices of his generation. The Daniel Bennett Group performs a special CD release concert at the Olathe Indian Creek Library (16100 W. 135th St, Olathe, KS) on June 11 at 7pm.

Les Violons du Roy  with Jonathan Cohen, Music Director and Miloš, Guitar comes to Yardley Hall  in May. The performance is at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The Midwest Trust Center will welcome two L.A.-based powerhouses - Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar for an evening of music and dance. 

Known for its irreverent sketch comedy and sometimes downright bad taste, The Dead Martin Variety Hour is the brainchild of Don Winsor, a Wichita native who now lives on the other side of the world (Australia) with his wife and 3 children. The cult classic musical comedy variety show, which had been housed at Roxy’s Downtown for the last decade, makes a comeback for a one night only on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11pm. The event that promises to be nothing less than a wild and wooly night of crazy comedy. The show features some of Wichita’s most outrageous acts and beloved yet off the wall comedic characters.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story comes to Yardley Hall  this month. Performances are on 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Alice: Dreaming of Wonderland comes to Midwest Trust Center this month. There are two performances on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Yardley Hall.

Imagine waiting to see a living legend in concert. Anticipation builds, the lights dim, and then you hear the familiar and timeless beginnings of “The Rhythm is Going to Get You,” and you absolutely want to get up and dance!  Starting strong, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, gives a story of love, family bonds, iconic pop hits, classic love songs and beloved latin beats! With book by Alexander Dinelaris, and music by Gloria and Emilio Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine, it’s a dance party with a backstory!

Broadway in Wichita has revealed its upcoming 2024-25 season lineup. The season kicks off in December with Chicago. The season continues for a total of 5 shows, through April 2025.

Due to overwhelming popularity, the internationally-acclaimed hit theater show The Simon & Garfunkel Story will add a  2 PM matinee performance in Overland Park, KS, on Sunday, April 28, at The Midwest Trust Center in addition to the previously sold out 7 PM performance.

What did our critic think of JEKYLL & HYDE at Roxy's Downtown? Join Roxy’s for an ambitious and stunning production of Jekyll & Hyde. A dazzling cast of singer/actors, a layered and luxurious ten-piece orchestra, and a cat walk thrusting the action into the audience’s lap, the mood is set, and a dark tale of polarities unfolds, lovingly directed by Rick Bumgardner and Jackson Dorris.