By David Markham

Strong female characters on stage and female directors for all five of the year’s summer outdoor shows are planned for the Theatre in the Park’s 2024 show lineup.

TIP’s 2024 schedule involves eight shows, including three indoor productions at The Black Box Theatre, and five summer outdoor shows on TIP’s outdoor stage in Shawnee Mission Park.

“We are excited to have such a catalog of new and classic shows for 2024,” said Associate Artistic Director Guy Gardner.

“We’ve got shows like ‘Anastasia: The Musical’ which just recently ended its national tour and has not been available for theatres to perform, as well as ‘Hello, Dolly’ which is celebrating its 60th year since its debut on Broadway!”

Up first in 2024 is “SHOUT! The Mod Musical,” rated PG13, from March 8-24 at The Black Box Theatre in the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park.

The production, featuring 26 songs from a variety of 1960’s artists, lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

The TIP Box Office at the front desk of the Arts and Heritage Center opens at 6:30 p.m. on performance evenings and 1 p.m. for matinees. The Black Box Theatre opens 30 minutes before show time. All seating is reserved and assigned at time of ticket purchase.

For performances beginning at 10 a.m. or 7:30 p.m., tickets are $15 for seniors 60 and older. Tickets for afternoon shows are $13 for seniors.

Auditions for “SHOUT” will take place on Jan. 21 at the Arts & Heritage Center.

Outdoor summer productions to be presented on TIP’s outdoor stage in Shawnee Mission Park will include:

• “Bye Bye Birdie,” rated PG, May 31 through June 8
• “Anastasia: The Musical,” rated PG, June 14-22
• “Anything Goes,” rated PG, June 28 through July 6
• “Hello, Dolly,” rated PG, July 12-20
• “Sister Act,” rated PG 13, July 26 through Aug. 3

“Every year we try to curate a season that has a wide array of appeal for our patrons and performers,” Gardner said.

“When we had settled on a few for 2024, we realized a lot of them had strong female characters and decided to continue that. We are humbled to have hired some amazing directors for the 2024 season! For the first time in our 55-year history, all of our outdoor productions will have women at the helm.”

Auditions for TIP’s outdoor summer productions are scheduled for April 13-14 at the Arts & Heritage Center. Gardner anticipates around 200 people of all ages will be cast for TIP’s 2024 productions.

“Performers in the area are already excited about the opportunity to be considered for so many different roles,” he said. “The biggest casting challenge is going to be deciding between all of the amazing talent we have in town!”

The fall indoor production at The Black Box Theatre will be “Disenchanted – A New Musical Comedy,” rated PG-17, from Oct. 4-20 and “Seussical the Musical,” rated G, from Dec. 6-23.

More information about TIP’s 2024 season is available by calling 913-826-3012.

David Markham is communications specialist with the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.