Broadway comes to Wichita: a look at the 2023-24 season lineup
Modern Broadway hits “Six,” “Annie,” “Come From Away,” and “Mean Girls” will be in Wichita this year.
Central Kansas is consistently overlooked by popular touring groups. In fact, this is true for most of the Midwest. A major concert stop in Kansas City has practically become a tristate holiday. Musical theater fans, however, have been blessed with the American Theatre Guild’s annual Broadway in Wichita series.
The American Theatre Guild is the nation’s largest not-for-profit Broadway touring company, and it has placed its spotlight on the Midwest. Wichita is one of the Guild’s patron cities where at least four major Broadway touring companies are staged every year. This season’s line-up includes “Six,” “Annie,” “Come From Away,” and “Mean Girls.”
“Six” is a pop-punk musical retelling of the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives. Over the course of the show, each wife tells her story to comedically prove they were treated the worst by the king. This musical debuted on the West End in 2019 before moving to Broadway in 2020. The Tony Award-winning 2022 revival prompted its national tour. “Six” will be in Wichita Sep. 19-24.
“Annie” is Broadway’s favorite rags to riches story. Starry-eyed orphan Annie charms her way into the heart of a New York businessman, escaping her depression era orphanage. “Annie” first appeared on Broadway in 1977, but its popularity sky-rocketed with the release of the 1982 film. Beginning in 2022, the national tour has faithfully adapted this timeless Broadway classic to rave reviews. It will be in Wichita Dec. 1-3.
“Come From Away” highlights a needed story of hope in the midst of the 9/11 tragedy. A rerouted plane finds its way to an isolated Newfoundland town which quickly embraces the stranded passengers. Premiering on Broadway in 2017, “Come From Away” gained popularity among critics and audiences alike. Wichita will host “Come From Away” Jan. 26-28.
“Mean Girls” rounds out Wichita’s 2023-24 Broadway in Wichita series. Based on the hit 2000s teen dramedy, “Mean Girls” the musical retells a high-school popularity battle between new-kid Cady Heron and queen-bee Regina George. After its 2018-2020 Broadway run, “Mean Girls” has hit the national tour circuit, stopping in Wichita April 19-21.
The Broadway in Wichita series is hosted at Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center. Select individual show tickets and season memberships are available online.