Aug 6-10: 42ND STREET at MTWichita

Julian Marsh (Damon Kirsche) tells Peggy Sawyer (Tessa Grady)
 about the lullaby of old Broadway.

I'm honored and thrilled to return to Music Theatre Wichita to present 42ND STREET, the musical valentine to the Great White Way that celebrates the timeless songs of Harry Warren and Al Dubin. Directed and choreographed by Jon Engstrom of the original Broadway company in an entirely new production designed by Bruce Brockman and costumed by Debbie Roberts, this 42ND STREET is a stellar presentation of Gower Champion and David Merrick's original 1980 production.

"Come and meet those dancing feet!”  Broadway’s liveliest tap-dance extravaganza triumphantly returns to Music Theatre Wichita, bringing all its lively humor, gorgeous costumes, and exhilarating dance numbers. 42nd Street is the ultimate in spectacular feel-good entertainment, featuring an unprecedented array of magnificent songs:  “The Lullaby of Broadway,” “Young and Healthy,” “You’re Getting to be a Habit with Me,” “We’re in the Money,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” ”Go Into Your Dance,” “About a Quarter to Nine,” and the hypnotic title tune.

Watch "The Brett and Sierra Show" (KWCH12) — Damon Kirsche joins Brett and Sierra to discuss MTWichita's production of 42ND STREET.

Watch a "sneak peek" of rehearsal footage and interviews with the cast and creative team of MTWichtia's 42ND STREET and view additional photos at BroadwayWorld.com.

Julian Marsh (Damon Kirsche) leads his cast to "glory."

Dorothy Brock (Tracy Lore) in the shadows, where she comes to sing to you.

Peggy Sawyer (Tessa Grady) and Billy Lawlor (Shonn Wiley)
in the 42ND STREET ballet.

Julian Marsh (Damon Kirsche) celebrates
"naughty, bawdy, gaudy, sporty" 42ND STREET.

presents

42ND STREET

August 6-10, 2014

Music Theatre Wichita

Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center

225 West Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67202

Music by Harry Warren, Lyrics by Al Dubin

Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble

Based on the Novel by Bradford Ropes

Original Direction and Dances by Gower Champion

Originally Produced on Broadway by David Merrick

The use of all songs is by Warner Bros., the owner of music publishers’ rights

For tickets, call the box office at 316.265.3107, or visit: MTWichita.org

All photos: Christopher Clark Photography

8/9-11 & 8/14-18: MARY POPPINS

Next up: I play the irascible George Banks in the regional premiere of MARY POPPINS at Musical Theatre of Wichita. The Disney Company, in partnership with Cameron Mackintosh, has agreed to allow MTWichita to be one of the first theatres in the world to develop its own production of this all-family classic. The beloved songs from the film, including “Chim Chim Cheree,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Feed the Birds,” and “A Spoonful of Sugar,” have been expanded and enhanced with new material from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (the creators of HONK!).

Music Theatre of Wichita’s production of

Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s

MARY POPPINS

August 9 – 11 and August 14 – 18

MTWichita

Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center

225 W Douglas Ave  Wichita, KS 67202

A Musical based on the stories of  P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film

Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Book by Julian Fellowes, New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe

Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh,  Originally Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher for Disney

UPDATE: The Wichita Eagle's Bob Curtright writes of the production:

"Music Theatre of Wichita’s ‘Mary Poppins’ brings out the kid in all of us":

"And this super—okay, okay, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius”—production that caps the 42nd season for Music Theatre of Wichita, cheers and enthralls the kid in all of us with its colorful, whimsical imagination...but it also touches our hearts in a satisfying way that the film often glossed over in favor of surface fun... Directed with exuberant flair but an underlying emotional sensitivity to the subtler themes by MTW’s Wayne Bryan, this show is a regional premiere and one of only eight productions this year licensed by Disney."

For a "Sneek Peek" of the cast, visit MTWichita.org.

Photo: © Christopher Clark Designer Portraits 

Edward Sturm as Michael Banks, Damon Kirsche as George Banks, Claire Gerig as Winifred Banks,
 Londen Peebler as Jane Banks. Photo: © Christopher Clark Designer Portraits 

Mary Poppins (Lindsey Bliven) arrives at #17 Cherry Tree Lane. Edward Sturm and Londen Peebler as Michael and Jane Banks, Claire Gerig and Damon Kirsche as Winifred and George Banks  in Music Theatre of Wichita's production of MARY POPPINS (Photo: Jaime Green / The Wichita Eagle)

Karen L. Rob as The Birdwoman, Lindsey Bliven as Mary Poppins, David Elder as Bert
 in MTWichita's MARY POPPINS. (Photo: Jaime Green / The Wichita Eagle)