The Springfield Muni Opera’s Season of Love theme promises to be another memorable summer under the stars with an expanded slate of offerings from four shows to five, including a junior production. The season kicks off with Mamma Mia! opening May 29, followed by All Shook Up opening June 19, The Prince of Egypt: The Musical opening July 10, Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical opening July 31 and Disney’s The Lion King Jr. opening Aug. 20.
If you’re thinking about auditioning for Muni’s 76th season, you might want to attend the Muni Workshop at 10 a.m. on Jan. 31 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts to learn more about the Summer of Love season. The workshop is a helpful and encouraging way to get motivated, ask questions and prepare for auditions. Attendees will get a chance to meet the staff of each show and become more comfortable with the audition process. You can ask specific questions as well as receive a QR code to access the audition forms. Adult auditions will be held Feb. 21-22 and 28 with callbacks on March 1. Children’s auditions are March 7.
Muni marketing co-chair Luke Busboom highlights the changes for this year and what volunteers and audiences alike can look forward to this summer.
“For people who are auditioning for the first time, we want everyone to know that the Muni and the Springfield theater community at large is an incredibly supportive environment. For seasoned performers all the way to those who are brand new to the stage, our goal is the same: production staffs that are committed to making auditions encouraging, clear and welcoming,” Busboom said.
“Our audition workshop at the Hoogland is always super helpful, but beyond that, we suggest reviewing audition materials, choosing cuts that showcase your personality, and coming prepared to dance and move. Most importantly, we ask that you come willing to have fun and meet great people,” he said.
Several of the 2026 titles are first-time productions for the Muni, which Busboom said is exciting for both performers and audiences. Regarding the decision to add a fifth production and a junior version show to the line-up, he said, “This season felt like the right moment to expand.
“The five shows allow us to move into our 76th season – coming off of our big 75th anniversary season – in a way that feels bigger, more inclusive and more in line with the momentum we’ve seen in recent years,” Busboom said. “It’s long been talked about to add a junior show, and with the community’s growing interest, the board saw an opportunity specifically for youth.”
Busboom described Disney’s The Lion King Jr. as “a super high-energy, visually fun production specifically for younger audiences and performers alike.” He said the Muni is exploring opportunities for kid-friendly preshow activities and some interactive elements to make the experience even more special.
Busboom also has recommendations for any first-time attendees:
“For someone who has never attended a Muni show, I always describe it as a unique Springfield experience – warm summer nights, live music and hundreds of people all gathered outdoors to enjoy great storytelling right off the lake. It is relaxed, affordable and always community and volunteer-driven, which makes it feel really special.”
For more details about the upcoming season and ticket information, visit themuni.org.
This article appears in January 22 – 26, 2026.
