Broadway in Wichita season: ‘Shucked,’ ‘Doubtfire,’ ‘Bodyguard’ and MTWichita collab

Two movie adaptations, a corn-fed musical comedy and a first-ever partnership with Music Theatre Wichita.

That’s what Broadway in Wichita fans can look forward to in the 2026-27 season, announced on the opening day of “Hadestown” in the current season.

The screen-to-stage offerings are “Mrs. Doubtfire” (Nov. 10-12) and “The Bodyguard” (Jan. 11-13). “Shucked” is on stage March 8-10.

But the Broadway in Wichita season begins Sept. 9-13, with a ticket offer for subscribers to attend “Les Misérables,” which concludes Music Theatre Wichita’s season.

“We can make it part of the package for our season members, and I think they’re going to be incredibly excited about that,” said Craig Aikman, senior director of presenting operations for American Theatre Guild, which programs the Broadway in Wichita season. “The caliber of performances for Music Theatre Wichita is equal to those of touring Broadway. It’s a staple in Wichita and I think it’s going to be amazing.”

In a joint statement, MTW managing director Angela Cassette and artistic director Brian J. Marcum said, “We are so pleased that American Theatre Guild is presenting Music Theatre Wichita’s ‘Les Misérables’ production as part of their season. This is the first time the organizations have collaborated in this way, and ‘Les Misérables’ is a beautiful show with universal appeal. We’re excited to share it with audiences!”

Aikman, a Haven native, said American Theatre Guild and Music Theatre Wichita, which share the Century II concert hall space, have always worked together to avoid conflicts in schedule and duplicating titles.

“There was just an opportunity to work more closely this season than we have ever done before,” he said. “’Les Mis’ is a show our patrons have wanted for a long time, and we could never make the tour work with scheduling and everything else.

“When there was an opportunity to work with Music Theatre Wichita and bring ‘Les Mis’ to our season members, it was a no-brainer. Now they get an opportunity to see a production of ‘Les Mis’ that will rival the tour in many respects,” Aikman added. “It’ll be cool to see how this partnership grows.”

Although there is some overlap between Broadway in Wichita and Music Theatre Wichita subscribers, “Surprisingly enough it wasn’t as great as I think we had anticipated,” Aikman said, adding exposure to the other organization will be mutually beneficial.

“Mrs. Doubtfire,” an updated version of the 1993 Robin Williams film, has music by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, who collaborated on the musical “Something Rotten.”

“That is just fun, and the music is incredible,” Aikman said. “It ties into the story very well, and it propels the story forward in a new and interesting way. You can’t recreate Robin Williams – I wish that we could have cloned him and had him forever – but this is a beautiful nod to him and a beautiful nod to the original film, and it gives you something new as well. To add all the music to that takes it up a notch.”

Delayed by the pandemic, “Mrs. Doubtfire” had a Broadway run in 2021-22, and has been on American Theatre Guild’s wish list for Wichita for several years, Aikman said.

“The Bodyguard,” based on the 1992 Whitney Houston-Kevin Costner romantic film, was first staged in London’s West End in 2012, and had its first U.S. tour in 2016.

“A lot of music that was written for the film translates incredibly well to the stage,” including “Queen of the Night,” “I Have Nothing” and, of course, the iconic Dolly Parton composition “I Will Always Love You.”

“They added moments with this show that give you more of Whitney Houston’s hits,” Aikman said. “It gives it another layer.”

Aikman said the quality of movie adaptations to stage has improved over the years.

“As an audience member, what I’m not looking for is a frame-by-frame retelling of a film,” he said. “Seeing something live as opposed to seeing something on a screen is a completely different experience.”

“Shucked,” which ran on Broadway from April 2023 to January 2024, was nominated for nine Tony Awards and won one for best featured actor in a musical.

Its music and lyrics were written by country singer Brandy Clark and longtime Nashville songwriter Shane McAnally.

“It’s going to have a completely different feel,” Aikman said. “It’s completely fresh, completely irreverent and really funny. It’s a good way to escape for a little bit and just laugh. I love it when a show can do that.”

After several years of bringing shows in on weekends, Aikman said, the three touring productions will return to weeknight performances, by audience request.

“They responded more favorably to not having stuff over the weekend,” he said. “It’s nice to get back to our roots as far as scheduling is concerned.”

Aikman describes the season as escapist.

“Every show that we’ve got transports you somewhere,” he said. “It brings joy and a sense of something else in the world sometimes. Art is a way to kind of do that and bridge that gap once in a while.”