WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – If you’re heading to the theater next month, be gotten ready for a little bit of fond memories.
Music Theatre Wichita will perform 7 efficiencies of “Cats” from Sept. 6-10 at Century II Concert Hall. But the set won’t be that of any old junkyard. The audience will be required to a Wichita preferred – the ruins of Joyland.
Artistic Director Brian Marcum said the theater business couldn’t discover any sets to lease for the program, so they chose to build it in their own method. That’s where the Joyland concept can be found in.
“Because it’s an iconic place here and people have great memories about it. We thought, ‘What a better way to send Joyland and Wichita out to the world.’ Once we do the show here and we rent the sets out of the country, Joyland will go. We’ll be able to spread joy all over the place,” Marcum said.
Some of the pieces were taken directly from the indications that were at Joyland.
“There’ll be a bunch of felines running around through the ruins of Joyland and the roller coasters. The train is being recreated on stage. It’s going to be a fun event,” Marcum said.
Before “Cats,” MTW is preparing for the run of “Ragtime.” That reveal runs from Aug. 16-20 likewise at Century II Concert. Marcum said the program will be directed by Deidre Goodwin, the very first female African American director of the program in Wichita.
“It’s a hard story to tell. While it’s a beautiful story, the process of really putting it on its feet, really sometimes hits home with some of the actors.” She has actually actually supported us through it” said Marcum.
“Ragtime” will include resident ensembles from musical comedy schools from throughout the nation and leads from New York.
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