Kelsey Lawler - Page 3

The beloved story of Little Women became a Broadway musical in 2005. Now that musical is coming to the Milwaukee area at Forte Theatre Company. Founded by Randall and Brenda Dodge, Forte is on a mission to bring thriving, professional theater to Milwaukee's Southwest suburbs, enriching the lives of the community through high-quality shows and educational programs.

For a moving musical portrait of 1950s Black American life, Raisin is certainly one to see.

Something epic has just set sail at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Years in the making and the company's single largest production in their 70-year history, Titanic the Musical is every inch a spectacular, tremendous achievement.

Amidst the manic chaos of a broken mind, 'Preludes' proves to be a quirky, beautifully-written piece, lovingly delivered by the team at Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

The play is the fruit of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s New Play Development Program. While other challenging pieces tackle racism or sexism, this one digs into ageism, specifically for women. 

I spoke with Tim Albrechtson, Bombshell's Producing Director, about their upcoming production of Bubble Boy. He shared everything from why this musical is such a great fit for Bombshell Theatre Co. to the little things he hopes audiences notice and take away from this hilarious show.

The cast does right by Old Blue Eyes, bringing a perfect blend of reverence, theatricality, and their own interpretations to the tunes of My Way. There isn’t a story to hang your hat on, rather the foursome seamlessly presents song after toe-tappin’, swoon-worthy song. 

At the crossroads of the Bard and Beatlemania lies the fantastic As You Like It. Full disclosure: I’m smack-dab in the middle of the target audience, where the Shakespeare-loving (or at least willing) meet Beatles fans. But I believe this genre-mashup would be terrific fun for anyone. The show takes a classic Shakespearean rom-com and threads Beatles songs throughout. And yes, it totally works.

The Milwaukee Rep welcomes theater back into the Stiemke Studio with Antonio's Song/I Was Dreaming of a Son by Dael Orlandersmith and Antonio Edwards Suarez, directed by Mark Clements. The Rep describes the play as a 'poetic journey of a dancer/artist/father questioning the balance of his passions -- art, culture, family.'

After a delayed opening, Toni Stone is finally game-on at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, it's the biographical telling of the first woman to go pro in baseball's negro leagues, Marcenia 'Toni' Stone. Hers is a story of overcoming the odds and shattering expectations. Toni Stone, written by Lydia R. Diamond, was declared the Best New Play of 2019 by the Wall Street Journal.

A 90-minute confection. That's what Milwaukee Rep Artistic Director Mark Clements lovingly calls his Piano Men creation, now on stage in the Stackner Cabaret. The show is fully request-driven and unplanned -- part music revue, part piano bar. Not sure if piano bars are your thing? Trust the experience. It's loads of fun.

A lot of love and hard work went into this production, and if this cast keeps doing what they’re doing, they’re on track to charm audiences throughout their two-weekend run.

It had been a staggering 701 days since the Milwaukee Rep's last performance of A Christmas Carol, but this holiday tradition is back at the Pabst and as fantastic as ever. From old friends to new faces, the ever-impressive scenery to lush costumes, this whole production, adapted and directed by Mark Clements, feels like a festive hug -- a warm and comforting welcome to usher in the holiday season.

'Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?' Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about: families making memories together, talking about what the holiday season means to them, and showing those on the sidelines a little love, care, and attention. If your holiday tradition includes an afternoon of seasonally-inspired theater, A Charlie Brown Christmas at First Stage is a delightfully adorable way to find the festive spirit.

An unconventional holiday treat is on stage at Milwaukee's Skylight Music Theatre through January 2nd. Directed by Michael Unger (his first since taking the reins as Artistic Director), Little Shop of Horrors may not tee up glad tidings of comfort and cheer, but a show this fun is equal to the festive task. Little Shop brings joy, humor, astonishment... and a bloodthirsty plant.

This show strikes a perfect emotional balance that steals your heart and splits your sides.

At the intersection of Packer fandom, Wisconsin pride, and musical theater lies Dad’s Season Tickets.

Going blindly into The Constructivists' Wink was the right choice. I'd read the brief synopsis, but that only claws at the surface of what this refreshingly absurd, surrealist dark comedy is all about.

It takes big-time guts to bare your butt cheeks on stage, and these guys bare more than that. The good vibes -- and a good laugh -- are just the palette cleanse we all need after the year-and-a-half we’ve had.

Midsummer makes smiles and laughter easy. It’s at once classic, escapist, and comforting—just what we need from the theater on what we hope is the heels of a pandemic. It’s exciting to think that this mobile production will bring Shakespeare to so many corners of Milwaukee.