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More than ever, Dallas has become a mecca for Texas’ theater-loving crowd. Behind the scenes, Michael Jenkins is the man responsible for bring-

ing Broadway sensations Boeing Boeing, Wicked, and The Color Purple to the Music Hall at Fair Park. Though a dull moment never exists for the

jet-setting president and managing director of Dallas Summer Musicals, Jenkins took time to talk to Brilliant and set the stage for what’s to come

this season. Amber elliOTT

“There are 21 shows coming up soon in Dallas, and 71 shows com-mitted over the next five years,” Michael Jenkins reveals. For future pro-ductions, his focus is on providing total family entertainment, audiences already packed with grandsons to grandmothers are testaments to his success. New plays such as Happy Days, traditional plays such as Fiddler on the Roof, and more modern favorites such as Legally Blond, and classic favorites Wizard of Oz, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mary Poppins will all grace the stage. “It will be a great season for families to enjoy,” Jenkins guarantees. This past summer, the Tony-winning success of Boeing Boe-ing starring Mark Rylance, revived by Jenkins, is just a one example of his Midas touch.

Jenkins fell fast and hard for theater at an early age. At 14 he worked as an usher for the original producer, Charles Meeker, with another young assistant, Tom Hughes. After the untimely deaths of Meeker and Hughes respectively, Jenkins stepped in to man the program. “In the last 69 years, Dallas Summer Musicals is still being run by Charles Meek-er and his two assistants,” he explains, with a sparkling laugh. During his 14-year stint, Jenkins has quadrupled season subscriptions simply by taking chances. “When I first took over, subscriptions were at an all time low,” he recalls. “I didn’t know how to market theater, but I had all these ideas, so I just went from there. They told me I didn’t know anything about marketing and I said, ‘Well, what you all are doing isn’t working so let’s try it my way’. Of course, some of my ideas worked and some didn’t. But here we are with the most season subscriptions ever.”

To further enhance the awe-inspiring experience, both of the Dal-

las Summer Musical performance venues, Fair Park and The Majestic Theatre, have undergone major renovations. Under Jenkins’ expert eye, each location received updated seating in addition to new roofing and carpet at Fair Park and a complete rejuvenation of the Terrace Room and backstage at The Majestic Theatre. Employees underwent make-overs to match with contemporary uniforms for ushers and personnel training for all. “Coming to the theater is an event. It’s an experience, and customer service is the most important element,” Jenkins asserts.

As the success of Dallas Summer Musicals escalates, Jenkins’ newest projects center around the community to ensure that no child with a passion for theater is overlooked. “We bring in 2,000 kids a year that have never seen a show before,” he reports. “We’re also working on a special program, Seats for Kids, with the Dallas Police Department for teens who recently got out of gangs. After they complete four Saturday programs, they get to come see shows, have lunch and eat with the cast. It’s a great opportunity.”

Somehow, the Tony Award winning producer of Two And Only and recent recipient of two Drama Desk Awards for Boeing-Boeing, manages to happily rack up frequent flyer miles to guarantee both the young and old are whistling show-tunes. “I spend a lot of time traveling to New York and California,” Jenkins explains. “I go to New York about 30 times a year to make sure Dallas has the best choice of shows.” In spite of his constant globetrotting, when he isn’t producing shows in London or Broadway, this native Texan wouldn’t live anywhere else. “I love Dallas,” he gushes. “Every aspect of it.” b

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