Lights, Camera, Topeka! A Broadway Celebration of Community and Diversity

Welcome to Topeka, the capital of our great state of Kansas! On behalf of this beautiful city and its people, we’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome you to our community. Whether you are visiting for a day, or choosing to move here, we are confident you will discover more than you ever expected. Our desire is that you can See Yourself in Topeka, Be Yourself in Topeka, and most importantly, Free Yourself in Topeka.

See Yourself, Be Yourself, Free Yourself in Topeka!

In 2024, Topeka, Kansas, is set to dazzle in the spotlight as it welcomes a touch of Broadway magic! Tony-nominated songwriter Steven Lutvak, renowned for his work on the hit musical “A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder,” composed an original Broadway musical number exclusively for Topeka, before his passing in late 2023. More than a song, this composition is a celebration of the vibrant tapestry of people who call Topeka home—and one of the final pieces of work Lutvak is known to have penned.

Steven Lutvak - Topeka!

Lutvak, who clinched the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2014, was captivated by the unique spirit of Topeka. He felt inspired to create a piece that would celebrate the diversity and warmth of this Midwest community. The song will serve as the anchor for Visit Topeka's “Free Yourself” campaign, a bold initiative aimed at promoting Topeka as a city where all can truly see themselves, be themselves, and free themselves, whether just visiting or considering a new place to call home.

The creation of this was no small feat. Spanning two years, the process brought Lutvak to Topeka for the first time. That trip allowed the Broadway composer to immerse himself in the local culture, meet many of the people who make Topeka special, and explore some of the places that define our community. Despite being a born-and-bred New Yorker, Lutvak found himself charmed by a middle-of-the-map capital city that embraced him with open arms.

Lutvak was passionate about contributing to a project that celebrated love and diversity. He believed in Topeka as a city where he, his husband Michael, and their daughter Eliot, would not only be welcomed but truly embraced.

Steven Lutvak, Michael McGowan and daughter Eliot

“We knew we wanted to create a song that would give the world a glimpse of Topeka's character and heart, and someone with Steven's character and heart was the exact right person to help tell our story,” said Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka. “We will do our part to tell his.”

The Topeka video released also provided a platform to showcase local talent. Broadway star and Topeka native Jeff Kready, his wife and fellow performer Nikki Renee Daniels, and featured artist Maria Cuevas (who performs as Maria the Mexican) all contributed to the vibrant ensemble.

“What makes this song even more special is that it was designed to feature interpretations from different cultures and backgrounds,” Dixon said. “The song will have a Hindi chorus, giving a nod to the incredible South Asian and Indian communities in Topeka. It will also include a Spanish chorus, honoring our proud Hispanic heritage. And it features a Black gospel choir joyfully celebrating the role African Americans have played in shaping Topeka, making us a place known for our impact on civil rights.”

The orchestral arrangements for Lutvak's composition were in the capable hands of none other than acclaimed EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner Jonathan Tunick. Tunick, renowned for his longtime legendary collaboration with Broadway icon Stephen Sondheim, achieved international recognition with the 1970 smash hit “Company,” and he continues to spark musical magic on stage and screen to this day.

The combination of Lutvak's composition and Tunick's orchestrations promises an expectation-defying musical experience that melds the heart and soul of Topeka with the best of the Broadway stage.

But the magic doesn't stop there. Bringing this musical masterpiece to life provided an incredible opportunity for the piece to unite diverse groups from the Topeka community. Volunteers participated from across the city, including from the Top City Promise refugee program, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Christian Motorcyclists Association, Pride Kansas (the state’s LGBTQ+ advocacy group), and more.

“Creating a memorable number is one thing. Bringing it to life is a whole other effort,” Dixon said. “We were proud to gather so many groups from different perspectives and backgrounds. We hope their joyful celebrations show that you can be yourself in our community, and that together, we can accomplish anything.”

Including such a diverse array of community representatives added depth and authenticity to the project, turning it into a true reflection of Topeka's rich cultural tapestry. With various groups coming together to breathe life into Topeka's Broadway-inspired number, the stage has been set for a spectacular celebration of unity and the spirit of a city that proudly declares, “See yourself, be yourself, FREE YOURSELF!” here.