While the Theatre in the Park’s summer season of musicals has been cancelled this year, a series of
Movies in the Park will proceed beginning in mid-July with COVID-19 safety measures in place.
In all, nine movies will be shown on a 40-foot screen on the theater stage on most Friday and Saturday evenings between July 11 and Aug. 14. The cost is $1 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at
theatreinthepark.org or onsite on movie nights at the theater box office.
This series will kick off on July 11 with
“Frozen II.” Other films will include a Christmas in July Weekend with
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” on Friday July 17, and “
How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (the 2000 Jim Cary Version) on Saturday, July 18;
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (the 1990 version) on Friday, July 24; A Yeti Weekend featuring
“Abominable” on Friday, July 31, and
“Missing Link” on Saturday, Aug. 1; an Adventure Weekend featuring “
Hook” on Friday, Aug. 7, and
“Moana” on Saturday, Aug. 8; and
“The Mighty Ducks” on Friday, Aug. 14.
With the exception of “
The Muppet Christmas Carol,” which is Rated G, all other films are rated PG.
Producing Artistic Director Tim Bair explained the safety measures that will be in place for Movies in the Park.
“Audience size will be limited, restrooms will be cleaned and sanitized before, during, and after movies, and social distancing markers will be provided throughout the theater which will allow for families and small groups to spread throughout the theater lawn,” he said.
Concessions will be offered on each movie night along with beer and wine. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks and enjoy the great outdoors at the beautiful TIP amphitheater.
Theater officials had earlier held out hope of staging a late July and early August production of
“Mamma Mia,” the last of five musicals originally planned for 2020, but recently cancelled those plans as well.
“After much deliberation, consideration, and guidance from the Johnson County Health and Environment Department, we have decided to cancel our production of
“Mamma Mia,” Bair explained.
“The health and safety of our artists is of the utmost importance to us. It became clear that we could not provide a safe environment for our cast, orchestra, crew, and directing team to rehearse and prepare for the production.”
The Theatre in the Park’s outdoor location is north of the main entrance to Shawnee Mission Park with a separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road in Shawnee.