Haunted Ghost Tour at the Historic Landers Theatre

SPRINGFIELD, MO– Springfield Little Theatre (SLT) announces the third production of its 86th season, a murder mystery musical with over 216 possible conclusions. Based on the internationally popular Parker Brother’s board game, CLUE THE MUSICAL features a cast of eight under the direction of Eli Cunningham and the music direction of Clayton Avery. Running October 23-November 8 at the historic Landers Theatre, individual tickets run from $20–$33 with discounts for students and seniors. Reserve your tickets by calling the Landers Theatre Box Office at (417) 869-1334 or purchase them online.

About Clue The Musical

CLUE: THE MUSICAL brings the world’s best-known suspects to life and invites its audience to help solve the mystery. Comic antics, witty lyrics, and a beguiling score carry the investigation from room to room.

The SLT production has recently been cast and vocal rehearsals have begun. Director Eli Cunningham says, “The cast of CLUE is packed with talented SLT veterans who have the ferocity required to bring these over-the-top board game villains to life. Their willingness to explore and invent is really what’s going to haul this hilariously haunted whodunnit into the ranks of SLT favorites.”

Cunningham has been involved with Springfield Little Theatre since 1997. He has performed in hundreds of plays or musicals and perhaps thousands of improv shows. He has also worked in the film and television industry on independent films, commercials, reality television, and major motion pictures. In addition to a passion for storytelling, outdoor adventures, plants, and animals, he also loves “all things Halloween.” He says, “You can’t even mention this cast without talking about the spooky amount of vocal talent. The score has a hoard of harmonic ensemble work, spellbinding solos, and our cast is going to kill it.” (Pun intended.)

Music Director Clayton Avery describes the musical’s score as mysterious and seductive, “brought to life with killer vocals and a rocking band just in time for Halloween!” He recognizes that many people may be unfamiliar with CLUE THE MUSICAL, but feels that “with a dynamite cast like this, it could quickly become a new favorite. The music really covers the full gamut of styles including pop, rock, samba, and waltz, and the book is hilarious.”

With 216 possible endings, no two shows will be the same.

SPRINGFIELD, MO– Springfield Little Theatre (SLT) will be holding auditions for It’s A Wonderful Life Monday, September 21 and Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Landers Theatre, 311 East Walnut. Auditions for a limited number of roles in a small adult cast will consist of cold readings from the script and acapella singing of a brief portion of a familiar holiday song of choice. Audition Workshops focusing on cold reading skills and offering participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the playscript will be offered September 14-16. To reserve your spot, call 417-413-2287 or register online. The production, directed by Jamie Bower and presented as a live 1940’s radio broadcast, will appear on the community theatre’s mainstage December 3-13. For more information, call 417-869-1334 or e-mail [email protected].

About It’s A Wonderful Life

Springfield Little Theatre’s 2020 production of It’s A Wonderful Life promises to bring a beloved American holiday classic to

captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of a small ensemble that will assume the roles of a few dozen characters, the heartwarming story of idealistic George Bailey will unfold as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.

Featuring fantastic Foley, gags, and the warmth of an old-fashioned radio show, in casting Director Jamie Bower seeks “unique vocal characterizations and strong physical acting to bring the dialogue to life at a microphone, as well as showcase the nonverbal relationships between the radio actors themselves. We want to really play with the ‘show within a show.’”

Masks will be required and social distancing will be practiced at auditions. Anyone unable to attend the in-person auditions is asked to contact Jamie Bower at [email protected].

About The Director

Jamie Bower, SLT’s Co-Technical Director and Resident Lighting and Sound Designer, has directed or performed in many shows in his 17 years with the non-profit community theatre organization. His first show to direct was Greater Tuna in 2009. Since then, he has been at the helm of Miracle on 34th Street, Red, White, and Tuna, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Oliver, To Kill a Mockingbird, Tuna Does Vegas, A Streetcar Named Desire, Miracle on 34th Street The Musical, Of Mice and Men, The 39 Steps, and the recent Deep in the Heart of Tuna.

Ticketing Options

Individual tickets are on sale for all SLT 2020-2021 productions with pricing for Adults, Seniors, Students and Children ranging from $20-$34. Flex Passes for Springfield Little Theatre’s 86th season are currently available, as well. This popular ticketing option allows audience members to purchase a voucher with six tickets loaded on it to use throughout the season. They can choose if they’d like to use all six to one show, such as It’s A Wonderful Life, or spread them out throughout the year, saving on fees and the need to plan in advance. Tickets can be purchased any time at https://springfieldlittletheatre.org/show/wonderful-life/ and at the SLT Box Office at (417) 869-1334 during operating hours (Monday-Friday, Noon-5:00 p.m.).