By David Markham

Two works by Roald Dahl and “My Fair Lady” kick off the Theatre in the Park’s 56th outdoor season in Shawnee Mission Park at the end of spring and the arrival of summer.

“James and the Giant Peach” will be on the park’s stage on May 30 through June 7; “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will be presented on stage June 13 through 21; and “My Fair Lady,” will appear June 27 through July 5.

All three shows are rated PG. Also, in June on the TIP stage will be the first two films of the 2025 Movies in the Park program, “The Wild Robot” on June 3 and “The Little Mermaid (2023)” on June 17.

“James and the Giant Peach” serves up a juicy musical adventure as it follows young James Trotter’s escapades with a magically enlarged peach and its motley crew of giant insects.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will take audiences into the whimsical world of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka where the chocolate river flows and Oompa-Loompas dance.

“My Fair Lady” is a witty musical romp which follows the transformation of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a refined lady fit for high society.

“Our 2025 season is full of great titles for the whole family,” said Theatre in the Park Associate Artistic Director Guy Gardner. “Theatre in the Park is anticipating its 56th year of great entertainment, and this year will be no different!”

Other shows in TIP’s 2025 outdoor season are “Catch Me If You Can” the musical, rated PG-13, July 11 through 19, and A Disney double feature of “The Aristocats Kids” and “My Son Pinocchio Jr.,” both rated G, on July 25 through Aug. 2.

Much more information about the theatre and this year’s productions can be found at theatreinthepark.org.

For outdoor productions, the box office opens at 6 p.m., gates to the theatre bowl open at 6:30 p.m., and shows now begin at 8 p.m.

General admission is $12 for adults, $10.80 for seniors 60 and older, $7 for youth ages 4 to 10, plus tax, and free for children 3 and younger, but tickets are still required.

Continuing in 2025 are Thrifty Thursdays when a 20% discount is offered on Thursday night performances, but these tickets must be purchased at the box office on the evening of the specific show.

Movies in the Park lets participants see popular recent films on a big screen on the TIP stage for only $1 per person at the gate.

All of this year ’s films will be shown on selected Tuesday nights when musical productions are not scheduled. In addition to the two films listed above, other films include: “The Lion King” (1994), rated G, on July 1; “Despicable Me 4,” rated PG, on July 15; and “Wicked,” rated PG, on July 29.

Gates and box office open at 8 p.m. and movies start between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m., depending on sunset.

The Theatre in the Park’s outdoor location is north of the main entrance to Shawnee Mission Park, 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee.

David Markham is communications specialist at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.