The MTH Theater at Crown Center offered a sneak peek to its 2019 season at its Musical Monday event earlier this week.
MTH Executive Director Chad Gerlt said of the 2019 Season, “We were excited to make our season announcement after concluding our record-setting production of CATS, which finished as the best-selling and highest attended show in MTH’s near 20 year history. We believe audiences will be thrilled with next season’s productions. Some of the shows are musicals that patrons have been asking to see for a long time.”
The productions in MTH’s 2019 season include innovative re-imaginings of classics, Tony Award winners, a biographical musical, an exciting original Big Band Revue and a holiday favorite. Ambitious, satisfying and entertaining, the 2019 season offers great musical stories told by Kansas City’s finest artists.
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BIG BANDS ARE BETTER
Conceived and written by George Harter, in collaboration with The People’s Liberation Big Band
February 7 – 24
This MTH original Revue features the evolution of the Big Band era highlighting the synergy between big band music and American Standards, many of which were born on the Broadway stage. From classic arrangements by Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw, to more contemporary arrangements made famous by Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble, this show will offer the rare opportunity to hear the Great American Songbook accompanied live on stage by an 11-piece Big Band, an event rarely seen in today’s landscape.
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FUNNY GIRL
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Book by Isobel Lennart
April 11 – 28
In the Ziegfeld Follies, in Hollywood films, and on the radio, Fanny Brice was one of the most celebrated entertainers of her time. With humor, talent, and chutzpah, young Fanny defies the odds and becomes one of the greatest stars of her generation. Bob Merrill and Jule Styne’s unforgettable score includes “People,” “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” and “I’m the Greatest Star.”
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OKLAHOMA!
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
June 6 – 23
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, having set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. MTH’s reimagined production will feature the recently restored libretto and updated orchestrations which include instruments and sounds commonly associated with the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the century.
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IN THE HEIGHTS
Music and Lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda
Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes
August 8 – 25
From the creator of HAMILTON, Lin Manuel Miranda’s IN THE HEIGHTS tells the universal story of a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. IN THE HEIGHTS is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.
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RAGTIME
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Terrence McNally
October 10 – 27
This sweeping musical portrait of early-twentieth-century America tells the timeless story of three families in the pursuit of the American Dream. The Tony Award winning score is just as diverse as the melting pot of America itself. A truly unique and powerful portrait of America, Ragtime is an inspirational musical that will live in your memory long after the curtain falls.
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A SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS SHOW
December 5 – 23
MTH’s annual Holiday show has become a Kansas City tradition! An original Christmas revue featuring Holiday tunes from Musical Theater, innovative arrangements of Holiday classics and more! It’s a jam-packed Holiday treat sure to fill your entire family with the Christmas spirit.
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MUSICAL MONDAY & TUESDAY
February 18-19 • April 29-30 • June 24-25 • July 29-30 • September 16-17 • October 28-29
The critically acclaimed Musical Monday & Tuesday series will return for its 11th Season. One of the hottest musical showcases in Kansas City, the series is well known for highlighting the synergy between show tunes and pop tunes. From Broadway hits like HAMILTON and DEAR EVAN HANSEN to the most popular radio tunes of the last 50 years, Musical Monday & Tuesday explores the dynamic catalogue of the evolving American Musical Songbook.
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MTH Associate Producer Tim Scott stated, “We wanted to examine the architecture of the American Dream through the lens of musical theater. Our season includes stories that are dynamic and diverse, both in terms of the time period in which they are set and the people they represent. Ultimately, we’re excited to celebrate the exhilarating scope of what it means to pursue the American Dream.”
MTH Theater reports 2019 Season Tickets are currently available to be purchased at a discounted “early bird” rate through September 1. Season tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 816.221.6987 or by visiting MTH online at www.mthkc.com.
