Hot off the success of “Frozen” – which continues through Sunday at Century II concert hall – Music Theatre Wichita is bringing back another of its early Disney collaborations for the 2025 season.
“Newsies,” which MTW was among the first regional theaters to stage in 2017, will return for next season, the middle of five musicals from June through September.
“I’m sort of a ‘Newsies’ superfan, and we’re going to have a great time with that,” Angela Cassette, MTW managing director said. “The last time we did it, I felt like we could have run the show forever. It’s such a fun time at the theater for any age group.”
The musical, based on the 1992 Disney drama of the same name, takes place during the New York City newsboys strike of 1899.
The season kicks off with “Waitress,” a 2016 musical based on the 2007 movie, with a score by pop singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, which was nominated for four Tony Awards.
Next up is “Crazy for You,” which debuted on Broadway in 1992, featuring music by George and Ira Gershwin.
“One of my favorite shows of all time,” said artistic director Brian J. Marcum, who made his Broadway debut in a Gershwin revue. “I love Gershwin. It’s all Gershwin honed into a really big, funny, tap-dancing extravaganza.”
Following “Newsies” will be “Something Rotten,” a 2015 Broadway debut about two brothers in 1595 who are trying to compete against William Shakespeare. “Something Rotten” was announced in 2019 for the 2020 MTW season, but “the pandemic put the kibosh on that,” Marcum said. The set design by Jordan Slusher has “been sitting on the shelf, so now we finally get to bring them to life,” he added.
Eric Sciotto, who directed “9 to 5” this season and “Rock of Ages” in 2023, will direct “Rotten.” Sciotto was in the original cast of the show and performed the role of Shakespeare.
Concluding the season will be “A Grand Night for Singing,” a Rodgers & Hammerstein revue that debuted on Broadway in 1994.
“It’s some really great orchestrations and arrangements, honed together,” said Marcum, who has scheduled himself to direct “Waitress” and the revue. “They’re taken out of the shows, so it’s sometimes different genders singing different songs.”
Marcum and Cassette said they’re excited about the 2025 season
“There’s something for everyone – things that are new to us, fan favorites,” Marcum said. “It’s so exciting and so fun.”
“I’m thrilled about all of the shows,” Cassette added. “Brian has proven again how great he is with casting and telling the stories.”
Artistically and financially, Marcum and Cassette said they’re pleased with the results of “Frozen,” which continues through July 14.
“Everyone sems to like it. It’s exciting,” Marcum said. “So many people have told me it’s the best show we’ve ever done here. The cast is spectacular, and the set is epic, and the costumes are beautiful, and the technical elements are something people haven’t seen before here.”
Marcum said he felt like he found the right cast for the show, from the leads to the puppeteers who control Olaf the snowman and Sven the reindeer.
“The acting chops are so good and the comedic timing of all of them is great,” he said.
Cassette said good tickets are still available for the remaining performances.
“It has been a huge hit and that’s what we expected. Honestly, I was so blown away by what the tech team and the production staff has pulled together. I had some pretty high expectations, but when I saw it, it blew away all my expectations,” Cassette said. “It’s hard to explain how well the magic captivates you when you’re seeing it on stage. The ticket sales are reflecting that.”
MUSIC THEATRE WICHITA 2025 SCHEDULE
(Dates are tentative)
- “Waitress,” June 18-22
- “Crazy for You,” July 9-13
- “Newsies,” July 30 to Aug. 3
- “Something Rotten!,” Aug. 20-24
- “A Grand Night for Singing,” Sept. 3-7
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