2015-2016 MainStage Season

September 4 – 27, 2015
Kephart Theatre

The Little Mermaid

Book by Doug Wright
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater

Ariel, a sixteen-year-old mermaid princess, is dissatisfied with life under the sea and curious about the human world. With her best fish friend Flounder, Ariel collects human artifacts and goes to the surface of the ocean to visit Scuttle the seagull, who offers very inaccurate and comical knowledge of human culture. Ignoring the warnings of her father King Triton, and court musician Sebastian the crab, that contact between merpeople and humans is forbidden, Ariel gets her wish to be part of the human world.

SPONSORED BY SUNFLOWER BANK

ORCHESTRA SPONSORED BY MOWERY CLINIC

October 16 – November 1, 2015
Sunflower Financial Theatre

Becky’s New Car

By Steven Dietz

Becky’s life isn’t exactly unhappy — but from her desk at a car dealership, she can’t help but wonder what else is out there. And then she finds out. When a wealthy suitor presumes she is a widow — and she doesn’t correct him — she finds herself leading a double life until it quickly (and hilariously) accelerates out of her control. This clever and witty new comedy shows us an unexpected and inventive way to escape the midlife doldrums.

SPONSORED BY COLDWELL BANKER ANTRIM-PIPER WENGER REALTORS  |  K-COE ISOM

November 27 – December 20, 2015
Kephart Theatre

Meet Me in St. Louis

Book by Hugh Wheeler
Music and Lyrics by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

A rare treasure, a show that sparkles with optimism and good tunes, featuring the famous “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Trolley Song,” and “Meet Me In St. Louis.” The magic begins at the site of what is to be the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904, The Smith family are gathered at Shrinker Swamp to watch the ground breaking ceremony for the Fair, the “greatest show that ever showed.”

Children age 3 and older are welcome at Meet Me in St. Louis, provided they have a ticket seated on an aisle, and attend with a parent/guardian. To ensure the best experience for all guests, children under 3 are not permitted.

SPONSORED BY SAINT FRANCIS MINISTRIES  |  EDWARD JONES

January 8-24, 2016
Sunflower Financial Theatre

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

By Neil Simon

Inspired by Neil Simon’s youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows,” this show has all the attendant comic drama as the harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other with gags while competing for the attention of star madman “Max Prince.”

Recommended for ages 16 and older due to strong adult language.

SPONSORED BY PKM STEEL

February 5-20, 2016
Kephart Theatre

Calendar Girls

By Tim Firth

When Annie’s husband John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade other members of their women’s group to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press pursue them. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame.

SPONSORED BY BENNINGTON STATE BANK

April 8-24, 2016
Kephart Theatre

Into the Woods

Book by James Lapine
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Presented in collaboration with KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

A childless baker and his wife endeavor to lift their family curse by journeying into the woods, where they encounter Rapunzel (and her witchly “mother”), Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood and other classic fairy tale characters, and they all must learn the responsibility that comes with getting what you want.

SPONSORED BY WELLS FARGO ADVISORS, LLC  |  LONG MCARTHUR FORD LINCOLN

June 10-26, 2016
Kephart Theatre

Singin’ in the Rain

Book by Betty Comden and Adolf Green
Music and Lyrics by Arthur Freed and Nacho Herb Brown

This is a classic musical about Hollywood in the 20s when silent pictures were giving way to the “talkies.” It’s a light-hearted spoof of frantic Hollywood as the advent of sound changes all the movie making rules and Monumental Studios prepares its romantic epic, The Duelling Cavalier. It includes some of the best-loved comedy routines, dance numbers and love ballads ever written.

SPONSORED BY THE BANK OF TESCOTT