The Musical is such a special MCI experience for our students, and for our wider community that joins us in Buhler Hall for an incredible show every year!
This comedy-opera by the incomparable duo of Gilbert and Sullivan centers around a pirate named Frederic. Young Frederic has turned 21 and thus completed his apprenticeship to a band of kindhearted pirates. He falls for Mabel, the lovely daughter of law-enforcer Major-General Stanley, only to learn that his birthday falls on Feb. 29, which means he is technically still a pirate.
In 1967, Henry Engbrecht (MCI music director from 1967 – 1971) staged an operetta entitled, “Barbarina.” This performance started a new tradition at MCI.
Since then, our annual musical production has taken audiences to many different places and on many types of adventures. For 37 years, the MCI chapel was home to many memorable performances from dedicated and talented MCI students.
In 2005, the musical production moved to its new home in the performing arts facility, Buhler Hall. This added space has demanded more from our performers and, as a result, MCI hires a professional choreographer to help with the show. Cutting-edge sound and upgraded lighting have led to the development of a theatre tech committee of students and a theatre tech course that help bring the magic of technology to the stage while also offering students the chance to learn theatre technology in a state-of-the-art facility. Increased seating has allowed more people to attend the productions with annual attendance numbers reaching nearly 2,000.
Past productions include Les Misérables, Singin’ in the Rain, Anne and Gilbert, The Sound of Music, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty & the Beast, Mary Poppins, Seussical the Musical and Footloose.
