Producing Artistic Director of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Andrew Kato, Foresees 2024/25 Season to Deliver Record-Breaking Performances and Intimate Adventures at The Island Theatre!

April 17th, 2024

Your current season is setting records faster than a sprinter on roller skates! What’s your secret sauce for keeping audiences flocking to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre?
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre has developed a reputation for developing quality productions that includes diverse work including comedies, dramas and musicals as well as special one-night concert events.  The work is done on a Broadway scale with Equity Actors’ and live orchestras. Visiting artists are brought from across the country to use their talents to develop the work on our stage.  From casting to design builds and rehearsals are all done in Jupiter adding strong economic activity to our local economy.

The 2024/25 season, titled “Extraordinary Journeys,” promises to transport audiences to captivating destinations. Can you share with us the inspiration behind this theme and how it reflects the theatre’s artistic vision?
With the addition of our new second theatre, The Island Theatre, we will be producing seven productions this season with two or three week runs (16-24 performances each).  All of the stories will engage our audiences in a different way.  We use a variety of storytelling devices to ensure every time you walk into the auditorium, you are excited to be taken on a new “journey.”  And this year we have more than ever.  Buy your ticket…and find out where you’re going!  You can count on it being a first-class trip.

The addition of the Island Theatre sounds like the kind of place where even the popcorn has a VIP section! Can you spill the beans (or popcorn) on any hidden treasures we can expect in this new venue?
Part of the charm of the Island Theatre is it’s an intimate space.  Excuse the pun, but it is an oasis where “anything can happen.” Non-traditional productions are among our offerings including: aerial performers do tricks above your cocktail tables, a nationally renowned magician and mentalist from Chicago will amaze you with his parlour tricks or dueling piano players will help bring in the holidays with an audience sing-along, among others.

Deceived, based on Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight, offers a contemporary twist on a classic psychological thriller. What drew you to this particular adaptation, and what can audiences expect from the North American premiere?
This version of the classic take on Gaslight is written by two female actors who have empowered the story’s wife (who is being gaslit) to solve her own mystery.  It is an exciting and fast paced play that will have you on the edge of your seats.  A great thrill-ride.

Once, The Musical and Disney’s Frozen – The Broadway Musical are like the iconic duo of musical theatre—kind of like peanut butter and jelly, but with more singing and fewer sandwiches! How do you plan to jazz up these beloved classics to keep audiences feeling as fresh as a just-baked batch of cookies? Are we talking about adding a surprise tap-dancing snowman to Frozen, or maybe a magical unicorn cameo in Once?
Once utilizes a cast of quadruple-threat (acting/singing/dancing/instrument playing) actors who tell a beautiful story of two people falling in love through music.  It is both thoughtful and thrilling in its storytelling and will certainly charm our audiences.

Frozen will be an expensive show to produce to transport us to the wonderful snow-filled worlds that are created, but at its core, it is true Disney in its ability to open our hearts through its tune-filled score and charming characters.  As a “producing organization,” this will be the most expensive show we’ve created.  You won’t want to miss the opportunity to see this large-scale musical in our intimate space.

The Lehman Trilogy dives into the ups and downs of a financial dynasty faster than a Wall Street rollercoaster! What drew you to this tale of dollars and dreams, and how do you plan to make numbers and balance sheets as thrilling as a high-stakes poker game? Most importantly, what financial advice should we take away from the production—should we start investing in magic beans or stick with the ol’ piggy bank?
This is an easy investment.  The New York production was a limited run that won the Tony Award.  A lot of people missed this sold-out production.  If I were a betting man, I’d get your tickets early and there will be a bull market of tickets.

With Guys and Dolls making a triumphant return, are you secretly hoping to start a trend of audience members sneaking in fedoras and feather boas? Or should we bring our own dice for the full experience?
We would never discourage anyone dressing up for any of our occasions, but I would not go into the sewer for the crap shoot (if you know what I’m saying).  I know you will at least be humming along with this amazing score…so that can be your audience participation, okay?

Now, choosing limited engagement shows and benefit concerts sounds like a cross between playing Jenga with a deck of cards and trying to herd cats in a ballroom. Can you give us a glimpse behind the curtain on how you decide which acts make the cut? And do you ever resort to rock-paper-scissors tournaments to settle the tough decisions? Most importantly, how do these events keep the Maltz Jupiter Theatre the coolest spot in town?
We always try to keep our line-up fresh with new acts.  Most of the bands are playing songs and performing artists that people already know. There are so many iconic bands that we have enjoyed throughout our lives and it’s fun to revisit them for a night.

Subscription renewals and new subscriptions are now available for the 2024/25 Main Stage Season. What benefits do subscribers receive, and how important are subscription sales to the theatre’s sustainability?
Subscribers get to keep their seats each year (so long as they renew before the deadline).  People are very territorial about their seats.  Most people have kept their same seat location for 20 years.  Subscribers also get advance ticket purchase power before tickets go on sale to the public.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, both in terms of artistic programming and community engagement?
Bringing our community together through art and culture.  You can golf during the day and see a Broadway quality production in the evening.  We live in a great neighborhood that has so much to offer. That being said, our building is not complete yet.  We have to finalize fundraising for our 8,600 Education Center that will be home to the Goldner Conservatory serving arts education programs for people of all ages. Literally hundreds per week! And, when the time comes, a dining experience that will blow people’s socks off!

We’re always dreaming!  Come dream with us!