Seattle Musical Theatre Announces 39th Season

Seattle Musical Theatre, Seattle’s oldest musical theatre, has announced its lineup for the 2016-17 season.

• Working (2012 version) Sept 9-October 2
• Sweeney Todd October 28-November 20
• Little Women February 17-March 20
• Kiss Me, Kate April 7-30

The company, which performs in Magnuson Park, is celebrating its 39th season with shows that range from Golden Age classics to modern-day masterpieces. This season also marks the inaugural season for their new Artistic Director, Chris Mayse.

The season opens with the 2012 revision of Working.

Based on Studs Terkel's 1978 best-selling book of interviews with American workers and adapted by Nina Faso and Stephen Schwartz, Working paints a vivid portrait of the men and women the world so often takes for granted; from iron workers to flight attendants to waitresses, and more.

Working features music by Tony-award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In The Heights), Broadway favorite Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Wicked), and singer/songwriter James Taylor (“You’ve Got a Friend,” “Fire and Rain”). It will be directed by Alan Wilkie and music directed by Josh Zimmerman and will run September 9 through October 2, 2016.

Next is the Stephen Sondheim favorite Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Sweeney Todd is the story of the obsessive and vengeful barber Benjamin Barker and his partnership with the outrageous meat-pie maker Mrs. Lovett who together, devise a devilish plot to add a special ingredient to the recipe that has all of London dying for their pies.

Sweeney Todd features a Tony-award winning score by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Hugh Wheeler based on an adaptation by Christopher Bond, and musical adaptations by DeVotchKa. It will be directed by Chris Mayse, music directed by Michael Nutting, and will run October 28 through November 20, 2016.

Little Women

Little Women is the timeless, captivating story that is brought to life in this exhilarating musical filled with beautiful music, dancing and heart. The story follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March and brings the wonderful narrative to life as the girls deftly handle challenges, heartache, everlasting love and fight for their dreams as they deal with issues still relevant today. 

Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, the book was written by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. Little Women will be directed by Andrew Coopman and music directed by Benjamin Bentler, and runs February 17 through March 20, 2017.

Kiss Me Kate

Kiss Me Kate is the charming story that follows two musical theatre actors – once married, now divorced – as they star together in a Broadway-bound musical version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Soon, tensions mount and tempers flare, until it seems no amount of acting can save this show. The score by Cole Porter features classics like “So in Love” and “Too Darn Hot,” and the witty book by Sam and Bella Spewack quickly made this show a classic.

Three- and four-show subscriptions will be available online soon - or by calling 206-363-2809. Single tickets go on sale August 15.

Seattle Musical Theatre exists to engage and entertain our community by producing new and traditional musicals; this theater nurtures local talent by providing training and artistic development opportunities for children, youth and adults from all walks of life.