This year, opening night of the season’s opening show – described by Muni president Gil Opferman as “Christmas in the summer” – brought out an audience of more than 900 people, a good number, Opferman says, in light of weekend rain.

“The joint is jumping,” Opferman says.

“For a lot of people, once the Muni season starts, summer is here.”

Upcoming shows

Even as the Muni delivers Seussical, another cast and crew is preparing for next month’s show. On July 2 through 11, directors Doug Hahn and Gary Shull will lead Muni volunteers through performances of Into the Woods, a Stephen Sondheim musical that weaves together well-known fairy tales including “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Rapunzel” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.”

Opferman says to expect a darker tone than that found in Seussical as the Brothers’ Grimm characters find out what happens after their wishes are fulfilled.

For the season’s third show, set for July 23 through Aug. 1, the Muni will take Jesus Christ, Superstar in a new direction. The musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice details the last episodes of Jesus’ life. Using the same story audiences are used to, the Muni’s version, directed by Laurie O’Brien, will have a “post-apocalyptic” feel with “modern, kind of road warrior” sets, Opferman says.

A production of Annie, directed by Steve Williams, will end the season Aug. 13 through 22. The musical, based on a comic strip, details Annie’s struggle to find her parents during the Great Depression and her encounters with a once-grouchy billionaire.

“It’s a very diverse season,” Opferman says. “Something for everybody.”

Contact Rachel Wells at [email protected].