The Theatre in the Park recently announced its 50th season to be presented in 2019, but before 2018 is over, two shows and major new special event at The Black Box Theatre indoors at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center are still planned.
TIP’s 2019 schedule is chock-full and includes 12 shows, split between indoor productions at The Black Box Theatre, and five outdoor shows on TIP’s outdoor stage in Shawnee Mission Park.
Up first is
“Forever Plaid,” which will be at JCAHC April 19 through May 5, and is Rated PG. Auditions for this show will take place on Jan. 27.
Outdoor summer productions will include:
“Annie,” which is Rated G and on stage June 7 through 15;
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” which is Rated PG; and on stage June 21 through 29
“The Music Man,” Rated G, July 5 through 13; Roald Dahl’s
“Matilda,” Rated PG, July 19 through 27; and
“The Wizard of Oz,” Rated PG, Aug. 2 through 10. Auditions for this show will take place Feb. 23 and 24 at JCAHC.
Productions of TIP’s Summer Theatre Academy for youth will take place indoors at The Black Box Theatre, and include:
“Madagascar - A Musical Adventure Jr.,” which is Rated G, will take place June 15;
“Once on This Island Jr.,” (an original adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s popular fairy tale, "
The Little Mermaid") Rated G, on June 29; and
“Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.,” Rated G, on July 19 and 20. For more information about Academy programs, watch for JCPRD’s 2019 Summer Camp Guide online at jcprd.com after Jan. 21, and in print form the following week.
“As this upcoming season will be a milestone of 50 years for us, I wanted our five outdoor productions to appeal to families and a broader demographic than we might normally attract,” said Fine and Performing Arts Manager Tim Bair. “It’s a great year for us, and I want as many people as possible to experience the terrific work we do at the park each summer. I think the shows all have really good appeal, and will draw a lot of folks to the park this summer!”
The fall 2019 indoor production at The Black Box Theatre will be
“Sweet Charity,” which is Rated PG, and will take place Oct. 11 through 27.
December 2019 productions at JCAHC include
“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which is Rated G, on Dec. 6 through 22; and a Winter Theatre Academy production of
“Hairspray Jr.,” Rated G, on Dec. 28 and 29.
Plans to celebrate TIP’s 50 season are still being finalized, but Bair gave a few hints.
“We’ve got some special things planned for both opening night of our first indoor production, and some surprises for opening night outdoor with “Annie,” and every show night outdoors,” he said.
Although specific films have not yet been announced, officials anticipate the popular Movies in the Park program will also return in 2019. Through this program, patrons can see popular films on a 40-foot screen on the TIP stage on selected summer nights when musical productions are not scheduled.
The two final shows of the fall and early winter 2018 season at The Black Box Theatre include 11 performances of
“The Happy Elf,” which is Rated G, between Dec. 7 and 23, and two performances of
“Zombie Prom” which is Rated PG, on Dec. 28 and 29 as part of the Winter Theater Academy for grades seven through 12. In addition, the second-annual New Year’s event called Stars Gala will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 at JCAHC.
“The Happy Elf” tells the tale of Eubie the Elf, a lovable fellow who wants to spread Christmas joy throughout the town of Bluesville. Families will love this festive tale of overcoming adversity, friendship, the power of positivity and believing in yourself!
Evening performances of
“The Happy Elf” beginning at 7:30 p.m. are planned for Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Tickets for these shows are $14.50 for children ages 10 and under, $14.85 for seniors 60 and older, and $16.50 for ages 11 and older. Afternoon performances beginning at 2 p.m. are planned for Dec. 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23. Tickets for the Sunday matinees on Dec. 9, 16, and 23 are 20 percent off, making those tickets $11.60 for children ages 10 and under, $11.88 for seniors 60 and older, and $13.20 for ages 11 and older. Groups of 10 or more receive a 15 percent discount, but must call (913) 826-2787.
“Zombie Prom,” is a girl-loves-ghoul-rock-and-roll-Off-Broadway musical set in the atomic 1950s at Enrico Fermi High. Pretty senior Toffee has fallen for the class bad boy, but family pressure forces her to end the romance. He charges off on his motorcycle to the nuclear waste dump, and returns glowing and determined to reclaim Toffee’s heart. He still wants to graduate, but most of all he wants to take Toffee to the prom. Evening shows of
“Zombie Prom” beginning at 6 p.m. are set for Dec. 28 and 29. A show beginning at 2 p.m. is also set for Dec. 29. All tickets are general admission at a cost of $10 per person, and tickets will go on sale beginning Dec. 17.
The Stars Gala New Year’s event promises an all-inclusive Broadway-themed evening benefitting TIP. Participants will enjoy a fabulous dinner, open bar, entertainment, dancing, a silent auction, and a champagne toast. The event will also include a preview of the 2019 season. Not only will it be a fantastic evening, but a great way to support the arts in Johnson County. Tickets for the Stars Gala are $125 per person.
Much more information about all of TIP’s productions is available on the
Theatre in the Park website.