Zilker Theater Productions, Magnolia Musical Theater, and Inspired Minds Art Center are putting on these amazing Free Summer Musicals in and around Austin. Don’t miss your chance to catch a show!
Inspired Minds Art Center: The Little Mermaid
I’m 16 years old! I’m not a child!
(Yes, you freaking are, young lady.) The Visit Buda team, the City of Buda, and the Inspired Minds Art Center invite you to the Buda Amphitheater & City Park for their production of The Little Mermaid. While some liberties were taken with the original source material, there’s still plenty of the OG for all 90s moms (and sure… our kids, too) to be part of that world. The Little Mermaid production is very early in the season; only 3 shows remain July 19-21 at 8 PM.
On-site parking is free in the paved park lot as well as the cordoned-off gravel lot adjacent to the amphitheater lawn. There are no restrictions on chair height, so if you’re bringing a blanket, I recommend getting there early so your view is unobstructed. The ground is pretty hard, even with recent rains, so cushion thyself accordingly. On-leash pets are also allowed, but the music can get loud at times so some dogs might have a ruff time. Styrofoam and glass are prohibited.
The newly-constructed park bathrooms are single-occupancy stalls a very short walk from the amphitheater lawn with a covered handwashing pavilion (you’d be hard-pressed to find a higher quality public park bathroom anywhere in the Austin metro area). After the show, guests can meet and pose for pictures with Ariel, Prince Eric, King Triton, Sebastian, Scuttle, and the whole mermaid fam… but if you can only stay awake for one picture, get one with Ursula. Her costume is the best one.
Zilker Hillside Theater: Legally Blonde
What, like it’s hard?
Hello, patriots! Continuing a summer tradition for its 65th year, Zilker Theater Productions will be hosting free nightly performances of Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Zilker Hillside Theater across from Barton Springs from July 12 to August 17. This year’s cast includes adoptable animal actors from the Austin Animal Center, including Tajin playing the role of Rufus, so you too can be like Paulette and say, “I’m taking the dog… dumb@$$!”
Guests are encouraged to carpool or rideshare to the theater, as nearby parking has been reduced this year, and traffic has worsened. If you drive and park, flashlights are your friend. My power move has historically been taking the exactly one mile Greenbelt hike from the Spyglass trailhead to the theater after grabbing dinner at Tacodeli, but volunteering for setup through Austin Allies will also get you free parking and VIP seating for the show.
Guests should expect to bring blankets, food, and beverages (though there are on-site concessions as well) any time between 6-8 PM to secure a viewing spot. Ground chairs are allowed on the lawn, but high-back folding chairs are only allowed at the top of the hillside and in the ADA seating areas. A multi-stall park bathroom is available for use throughout the show, but on a crowded night, you might want to pack your own TP.
The American Sign Language performance dates are July 18 and July 26, and sensory resources are available each Thursday performance.
For more on Legally Blonde at Zilker Hillside Theatre, check out our guide!
Magnolia Musical Theater: Footloose
He is testing us. Our Lord is testing us…
The City of Bee Cave and Magnolia Musical Theater will be hosting Footloose: The Musical at the Hill Country Galleria central plaza at 8 PM every Wednesday – Sunday between July 10 and August 10. The stage is set up in front of City Hall with lawn seating as well as patio seating in front of League Tavern (I recommend the grown-up grilled cheese… worth every penny).
The Hill Country Galleria has ample garage and street parking as well as many restaurants to enjoy before the show (if you’re as Type A as I am – Tony C’s and Buenos Aires Café take reservations). Climate-controlled indoor public restrooms and vending machines are located in the northwest corner of the central plaza, and there are limited on-site concessions as well.
High back folding chairs are only allowed along the east and west walls of the central plaza. Guests wanting a center view should bring blankets or ground chairs. Accessibility shows, in partnership with Together Austin, are conducted every Wednesday. Cast members will pose for pictures each night after the show.
Because Zilker Theater Productions, Magnolia Musical Theater, and Inspired Minds Art Center are local 501(c)3 non-profit organizations supporting the arts in the Austin area and the shows are free, guests are encouraged to donate through the organization’s website or with cash at intermission. And because Austin’s free summer musicals involve a lot of sitting around outside in late summer waiting for the show to start, I stand by my number one rule for life: bring baby wipes and a book. Happy summer!
Featured Image Credit:: Austin Moms Contributor, Zana Carbajal
