January 20, 2021

Springfield Contemporary Theatre continues its tradition of innovative, immersive theatre with a special debut experience for Fugitive Songs.

SCT’s latest MainStage production premieres online Feb. 11. The SCT team is thrilled to present the Southwest Missouri premiere of this off-Broadway musical. Current Grammy Award nominee and Missouri State University alumnus Nathan Tysen wrote the lyrics.

Great cast, innovative script

SCT Artistic Director Rick Dines and Resident Music Director Alex Huff direct the show. This production features:

• Lavelle Johnston
• Mary Kim
• Joey Myers
• Andy Phinney
• Erin Scheibe
• Darby Vincent

Award-winning songwriters Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen’s Fugitive Songs is a 19-song journey across America. This innovative show, conceived as half-musical/half-hootenany, spotlights people on the run: a disgruntled Subway sandwich employee, a jilted ex-cheerleader, a pair of Patty Hearst fanatics, a stoner forced to rob a convenience store against his will and so many others.

Blending traditional folk music with contemporary pop and gospel, Fugitive Songs offers a new sound for a restless America. This eclectic score delivers poignant and thought-provoking stories that capture each character’s “reasons to run.” The production was crafted expressly to for streaming.

Step into the virtual venue

Opening night, Feb. 11, will be a special night. SCT is putting on a one-night-only immersive premiere event, co-presented with Broadway Unlocked in their national virtual theatre venue. Longtime SCT collaborator Nathan Shelton hosts the premiere. The production launches at 7 p.m. Patrons are invited to come to the venue for pre-show activities beginning at 6:30.

Events include a Fire a Fireside Chat with the show’s creators Miller and Tysen, hosted by SCT’s Gretchen Teague. Actress Annie Crumbaugh will host a new spin on a retro game show favorite. That game will feature three past SCT theatre couples.

Broadway Unlocked’s venue is entirely interactive. Much like the theatre, patrons can decide how much they want to watch the activity or engage in the communal experience. Following the show, you can hop into their virtual lobby for “face-to-face” chats with members of the cast and creative team.

Traditional streaming options available

Fugitive Songs streams nightly Feb. 12-14 at 7 p.m. This will be a straightforward live-stream of the production. This show is not available on-demand. Patrons must view it at the designated showtime. All performances of Fugitive Songs have optional ASL interpretation. 

No matter how you choose to tune in for Fugitive Songs, SCT can’t wait to share this unique and innovative online production with you. Every ticket is the best seat in the house to catch this magnificent cast.