Skylight Opera Theatre Announces 2010-2011 Season

Artistic Director Bill Theisen has announced plans for Skylight Opera Theatre's 2010-2011 season. He comments, "We rocket into the next 50 years at the Skylight with a smart, funny, edgy and eclectic season of five quintessentially Skylight shows-sure to be groundbreaking, insightful and thoroughly entertaining. I promise you a musical and theatrical journey you will never forget." Skylight's 51st season includes five landmark works - each exploring the universal themes of love, loss, healing, renewal and joy. Productions include DAMES AT SEA September 17 - October 3, 2010; H. M. S. PINAFORE November 19 - December 19, 2010; Jacques Brel IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS January 28 - February 20, 2011; COSI FAN TUTTE, March 18 - April 3, 2011 and a groundbreaking new work by Milwaukee native, Joshua Schmidt, ADDING MACHINE-THE MUSICAL, May 20 - June 12, 2011.

All productions in Skylight's 2010-2011 season will be presented in the beautiful and intimate Cabot Theatre of the Broadway Theatre Center located at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Subscriptions to Skylight's 2010-2011 season range in price from $54 to $295. Subscriptions go on sale on Monday, March 8, 2010 at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office by calling (414) 291-7800 Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets at a group rate by calling (414) 291-4951. Single tickets for the 2010-2011 season will go on sale on August 9th.

DAMES AT SEA
September 17 - October 3, 2010
Music: Jim Wise
Book and Lyrics: George Haimsohn and Robin Miller
Director: Bill Theisen
DAMES AT SEA is a musical parody of the grand and glorious Busby Berkeley movie musicals of the 1930s. Calamity strikes when a group of performers, preparing for their upcoming show, needs to find a new venue because their theater is demolished. The show's songwriter, Dick, happens to be a sailor who offers up his boat after being persuaded by leading lady and diva, Mona. Ruby, a sweet small-town girl with plans to make it big on Broadway, is the chorus girl who saves the day. DAMES AT SEA charms and delights with comedy, love songs and rollicking tap numbers. It's the perfect beginning to Skylight's 51st season!

" Dames at Sea is a real winner...a little gem of a musical." The New York Times
"...the most ingenious show on or off Broadway." Time Magazine

H. M. S. PINAFORE
November 19 - December 19, 2010
Music: Arthur Sullivan
Libretto: W. S. Gilbert
Director: Bill Theisen

H.M.S. PINAFORE is a hilarious operetta from that famous team of Skylight favorites, Gilbert and Sullivan. The story takes place aboard the British ship H.M.S. Pinafore where a navy captain's daughter, Josephine, falls in love with a lower-class sailor instead of her father's choice, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter. This charming story pokes fun at the Royal Navy, parliamentary politics and the rise of unqualified people to positions of authority. H.M.S. PINAFORE is filled with memorable music and a surprise twist. Join us in a nod to the old Skylight where the tradition every holiday season was to perform a G&S operetta!

"A true masterpiece." The London Times
"A Royal Entertainment...truly irresistible!" The New York Times

Jacques Brel IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS
January 28 - February 20, 2011
Music: Jacques Brel
Production Conception, English Lyrics and additional material: Eric Blau and Mort Shuman
Director: Ray Jivoff

While Jacques Brel is no longer alive, well or living in Paris, the singer/songwriter's legendary vision of romance, humor and moral conviction endure. Each song in this contemporary musical revue tells a story and examines themes of love, war, being young and growing old...but never forgetting that life, with all its tragedies and complexities, is filled with humor. Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris is a powerful and bold theatrical experience that was an overwhelming success in its original off-Broadway production in 1968 and again in the 2006 revival. Brel's songs are as relevant today as they were when they were written. We promise this show will light a fire in your heart in the midst of the long, cold Wisconsin winter.

"Musical storytelling at its finest!" The New York Post
"The best musical revue ever!" Time Out New York

COSI FAN TUTTE
March 18 - April 3, 2011
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto & Stage Direction: Dimitri Toscas

Skylight puts a fresh contemporary spin on the classic comic opera Cosi fan tutte by Mozart. We begin with two sisters, their fiancés, and a bet - will the women be faithful? The men disguise themselves and woo each other's lovers, managing through various tricks to win over the initially reluctant women. However, as deeper feelings surface, the suitors become uneasy with their antics. In true Skylight fashion, we will update Mozart's masterpiece to the 21st century while retaining all the charm and delight of the original work. Cosi fan tutte translates to "Women are like that", but in the contemporary world the woman will have the last laugh!

"Mozart at his finest!" The New York Times
"Cosi is delightful from beginning to end!" The Wall Street Journal

ADDING MACHINE-A MUSICAL
May 20 - June12, 2011
Original Music: Joshua Schmidt
Libretto: Jason Loewith & Joshua Schmidt
Based on the Play The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice

Darkly comic and heartbreakingly beautiful, Adding Machine - A Musical is an adaptation of Elmer Rice's 1923 Expressionist drama. It tells the story of Mr. Zero, who after 25 years of service to his company is replaced by a mechanical adding machine. In a vengeful rage, he murders his boss. An eclectic score gives passionate and memorable voice to this stylish and stylized production, which follows Zero's journey to the afterlife in the Elysian Fields where he is given one last chance for romance and redemption. Milwaukee native Joshua Schmidt says he wrote Adding Machine - A Musical with Skylight in mind! Already a hit in New York and Chicago, we are thrilled to be performing this Wisconsin premiere.