Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) — Springfield’s The Muni is bringing the beloved DreamWorks story The Prince of Egypt to the stage this month, marking the first regional production of the musical.
Director Wes Bridges said the opportunity to bring the production to Springfield was one he couldn’t pass up after the rights became available.
Based on the 1998 DreamWorks animated film, The Prince of Egypt follows the story of brothers Moses and Ramses, who are raised as Egyptian royalty before Moses discovers his true identity. The stage adaptation features music by Stephen Schwartz, the award-winning composer behind The Prince of Egypt and Wicked.
Assistant director Elijah Sadler said audiences familiar with the movie will recognize many of its iconic songs and moments, while newcomers can expect a powerful theatrical experience.
“We’ve got a ton of great songs and moments on stage,” Sadler said. “If you haven’t seen the movie, come out and see our production.”
Bridges said translating an animated film to a live stage presents unique challenges but noted the production focuses on capturing the spirit of the original story rather than recreating every visual effect.
The production stars Antonio Munoz as Moses and Robert Napier as Ramses. Sadler praised the cast’s commitment, saying the actors have embraced both the emotional and physical demands of portraying characters who age over the course of the story.
One of the production’s biggest milestones is that it serves as the musical’s regional premiere, making Springfield one of the first communities in central Illinois to stage the show.
Bridges said the musical offers something for audiences of all ages.
Performances are scheduled for July 10-12 and July 15-18 at 8:30 p.m. at the Muni. Tickets are available through the Muni’s official box office via MetroTix. Organizers encourage patrons to purchase tickets only through the official ticketing site to avoid third-party resellers.
