Marti Gobel News

Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) inhabits the Studio Theater at the Broadway Theatre Center and presents a true ballad--a dramatic narrative told over generations often set to music and dance--where this powerful tale recounts the life of 14 year-old Emmett Till. Over the thrid October weekend, Ifa Bayeza's The Ballad of Emmett TIll visiblly moved Milwaukee audiences using an evocative stage designed by Madelyn Yee, ghost like in representing a church sanctuary centered on a coffin-like altar where a circular window, an archtectural rose window, a wheel from a cotton gin or perhaps star, was placed above the 'altar.' Arches, like skeletons of stained glass windows, framed both sides of the backdrop The innventive set combined with a dream cast imaginatively directed by Marti Gobel breathes life into this young boy's ballad.

In a fitting finale to their grand six years of acting, directing, educating and producing together, Uprooted Theatre staged Tennessee Williams' riveting Suddenly Last Summer at Next Act Theatre under the direction of company Co-Founder Dennis F. Johnson. Marti Gobel, also a Co-Founder, appeared playing the playwright's New Orleans society woman Violet Venable while also creating backstage as costume, set and scenic designer. A formidable challenge for any actor cast as Williams's commanding matriarch grieving from the death of her son, Sebastian.

A dynamic feminine duo illuminates Next Act Theatre this winter. The company's Midwest Premiere of Nilaja Sun's No Child transports the audience to the Bronx, New York under tjhe direction of Mary MacDonald Kerr and inspired by actor Marti Gobel. Inside the 'high risk' Malcolm X High School, teaching artist Sun attempts to resurrect her students' live and their futures.. Students 'who need a miracle a day,' she tries to encourage success by enciing them to produce and act in a historical play about convicts, Our Country's Good, all to be accomplished in a mere six weeks.

This December, Milwaukee Repertory Theater relives a 39-year old tradition in the beautiful Pabst Theater: Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. In this recent adaptation by Joseph Hanreddy and Edward Morgan, familiar English carols and melodies echo through the theater so the audience believes they might be standing on the streets of London, Christmas Eve, mid-1800's. Director Aaron Posner returns to inspire another Ebenezer Scrooge, Milwaukee's own Jonathan Smoots.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater brings its uplifting production of Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol to The Pabst Theater this December. Filled with beautiful music, stunning costumes, and joyous dancing, Dickens' masterpiece celebrates its 39th year as Wisconsin's favorite family holiday tradition. Audiences will be enthralled as miserly Ebenezer Scrooge takes a fantastical journey through Christmas Past, Present, and Future and is then transformed into a man of generosity and good will. Adapted by Joseph Hanreddyand Edward Morgan, Dickens' A Christmas Carol brightens the holiday season with its timeless message of hope, peace, and love, capturing the true spirit of the season. Proudly sponsored again by Wells Fargo, A Christmas Carol runs at The Pabst Theater through December 24. Check out a first look at the production below!

Milwaukee Repertory Theater brings its uplifting production of Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol to The Pabst Theater this December.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater brings its uplifting production of Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol to The Pabst Theater this December.

Nineteenth century London comes to life when Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and Ebenezer Scrooge go on a fantastical journey thorough Christmas Past, Present and Future. Filled with beautiful music, stunning costumes and joyous dancing, Dickens' classic masterpiece celebrates its 38th year at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Proudly sponsored this year by Wells Fargo, this beloved holiday tradition has delighted families for generations at the historic Pabst Theater. Adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and Edward Morgan, Dickens' A Christmas Carol brightens the holiday season with its timeless message of hope, peace and love and the true meaning of the holidays. Check out a first look below!

Nineteenth century London comes to life when Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and Ebenezer Scrooge go on a fantastical journey thorough Christmas Past, Present and Future. Filled with beautiful music, stunning costumes and joyous dancing, Dickens' classic masterpiece celebrates its 38th year at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Proudly sponsored this year by Wells Fargo, this beloved holiday tradition has delighted families for generations at the historic Pabst Theater. Adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and Edward Morgan, Dickens' A Christmas Carol brightens the holiday season with its timeless message of hope, peace and love and the true meaning of the holidays.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) closes its 2012-2013 season with the eagerly anticipated Arizona premiere of Bruce Norris' multi-award-winning, provocative new comedy, "Clybourne Park." Performances will be held at The Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix May 2 through May 19, 2013. ATC season sponsors are I. Michael and Beth Kasser. Phoenix production sponsor is Zazu Pannee Park Regent.

Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, London's Olivier Award for Best Play and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, Clybourne Park is a wickedly funny and fiercely provocative new play about the volatile combination of race and real estate. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, London's Olivier Award for Best Play and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, Clybourne Park is a wickedly funny and fiercely provocative new play about the volatile combination of race and real estate. Clybourne Park runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from tonight, January 29, 2013 - February 24 , 2013 and opens on Friday, February 1, 2013.

Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, London's Olivier Award for Best Play and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, Clybourne Park is a wickedly funny and fiercely provocative new play about the volatile combination of race and real estate. Clybourne Park runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from January 29, 2013 - February 24 , 2013 and opens on Friday, February 1, 2013.

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of Milwaukee in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced casting today for How the World Began, their next production in the Stiemke Studio, and the 2011 Pulitzer Prize- winning Clybourne Park, their next production in the Quadracci Powerhouse.

Now in its 37th year, The Rep's production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, sponsored by MillerCoors, is Milwaukee's beloved holiday tradition which has delighted audiences for generations at The Pabst Theater. Adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and Edward Morgan, Dickens' classic masterpiece brightens the holiday season with its beautiful carols and timeless message of hope, peace and love and the true meaning of the holidays. Milwaukee Repertory Theater is delighted to announce that Aaron Posner returns to The Rep to direct A Christmas Carol. Posner directed The Rep's To Kill a Mockingbird, which broke all-time attendance records last season, as well as the lyrical, beautifully-realized production of My Name is Asher Lev in 2010. This will be the first time that Posner has directed A Christmas Carol. This year's cast includes Milwaukee actors Marti Gobel and Jonathan Wainwright; Rep newcomers Melody Betts, Renata Friedman, Melisa Pereyra, Luigi Sottile and accomplished stage actor Christopher Donahue as Ebenezer Scrooge. Returning to The Rep this year are former Rep Artistic Intern Ensemble members Alexander Pawlowski and Emily Trask and frequent Rep guest artist Jonathan Smoots. Also rounding out the cast are Rep Associate Artists Angela Iannone and Gerard Neugent and Chicago actor Erik Hellman. A Christmas Carol runs at The Pabst Theater from November 29 - December 24.

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) presents the world premiere of BROKEN AND ENTERED by Madison-based playwright Kurt McGinnis Brown, now through October 14, 2012. After presenting a staged reading of the piece in 2010, MCT brings this new play, which examines changing neighborhoods and perceptions, to its mainstage. BROKEN AND ENTERED performs in the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!