The Missoula Community Theatre season goes on sale to the public Wednesday, July 1st. Season subscriptions offer the best pricing and flexibility, yet single tickets will also be available for sale. MCT is theatre FOR the community, BY the community! Whether your place is in the audience or on stage, this season has something for everyone. MCT is pulling out all the stops with time-honored musicals; a mad-cap romp of the great works of the Bard; and a lesser-known, extremely silly musical spoof. All productions will take place at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.
October’s darker days and cold weather will put you in the mood for Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street playing October 15-18 and 21-25. This Tony award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler kicks off the season with dark and macabre themes, yet howlingly-funny moments of laughter. Angela Lansbury and Helena Bonham-Carter brought the character of “Mrs. Lovett” to life on Broadway and film, respectively. The title role of “Sweeney Todd” has been played by a wide variety of actors like Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands) and Len Cariou (TV’s “Blue Bloods”). Audiences will find themselves laughing hysterically one moment and gasping in surprise the next. Some people may decide to never eat a ‘meat pie’ again. (Sweeney Todd is recommended for mature audiences.)
The Sound of Music celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, with much media attention. Undoubtedly, this introduced a new and younger audience to this classic story, based on the real lives of the von Trapp family. A perfect offering for families just in time for the holiday season, a longer run will allow more people of all ages to enjoy this story of hope and the healing power of music. December 3-6, 9-13 and 16-20. (Excellent for all ages)
January 21-24 and 27-31 lands another Tony award-winner on the stage. The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical-within-a- musical comedy spoof whose main character is simply known as “Man in Chair.” This might sound existential, but MCT guarantees an evening of shenanigans, mistaken identities and a colorful cast of characters. It was chosen for the same time-slot as last season’s hit, Clue: The Musical, because it’s January. It’s dark. We need to laugh. (Some adult scenarios/inferences involved. Parents will determine, but possibly for ages 12 and older)
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare will run March 10-13 and 16-20 and promises everything from a hip-hop version of Othello to a parody of Romeo & Juliet and a 43-second performance of Hamlet. MCT’s only non-musical of the season will delight Shakespeare fans and serve as a fantastic introduction to those less familiar with the Bard’s work: Condensed versions of the classics, presented by a cast of just three actors. Get ready for an evening of fast-paced storytelling, improvisation, irreverence, audience participation and loads of laughter. (Joe, age recommendation, please)
At long last, the flying nanny finally lands in Missoula! Mary Poppins also has an extended run, due to the popularity of the musical that was a staple in the lives of many children (and children at heart). “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” are beloved, fun songs that exist in a larger story of hardship and a family’s struggle. The 1964 Disney film is a time-honored tradition to this day. Performances are April 28-May 1, 4-8 and 11-16. An adapted performance for people living on the autism spectrum will be presented on Tuesday, May 10th. (Recommended for all ages)
NEW THIS SEASON: MCT will have an ASL interpreter at the following Wednesday evenings: October 21, December 9th, January 27th, March 18th and May 4th.