SONGS FOR NOBODIES Begins Sept 7 In The New Stackner Cabaret

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 65th Anniversary Season opens in the $1.75 million newly renovated Stackner Cabaret with Songs for Nobodies by Joanna Murray-Smith (American Song, Bombshells) starring Milwaukee Rep favorite Bethany Thomas (Ain't Misbehavin, Ragtime, Man of La Mancha) in a one-woman tour-de-force show about legendary divas Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas.

Fresh off sold-out tours in Australia and the UK, Laura Braza (Always...Patsy Cline, Grounded) directs this American premiere with music direction by Abdul Hamid Royal (Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill), set design by Michelle Lilly (The Muni's Once On This Island), costume design by Alexander B. Tecoma (Guys and Dolls), lighting design by Jared Gooding (American Blues Theater's Buddy Holly), sound design by Erin Paige (Always...Patsy Cline), Clara Arena Haden (Guys and Dolls) is the dialect coach, and Rebekah Heusel (Holmes and Watson) is the stage manager. The production will feature Alicia Storin on the cello who last graced The Rep stage in An Iliad.

Songs for Nobodies reminds us that everybody has a story - and a song - worth hearing. Interspersed with the songs that made Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, and Maria Callas icons of our age, this one-woman tour-de-force shows us the magical power of music. It features such favorites as "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Amazing Grace," "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien," "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do," and "Vissi d'arte." With this charming masterpiece, you'll fight the urge to stand up and sing along.

Bethany Thomas' Milwaukee Rep credits include The Color Purple, Ain't Misbehavin', Ragtime, Man of La Mancha and A Christmas Carol. Regionally she earned rave reviews for A Moon For The Misbegotten (Josie Hogan - Writer's Theatre); Marry Me a Little (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Tempest (Chicago Shakespeare); Porgy and Bess (Serena - Court Theatre); Hair (Paramount Theatre); Iphigenia in Aulis (Getty Villa); and Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II - Geva Theatre). A celebrated singer/songwriter, Bethany has been touring the country as one quarter of Jon Langford's Four Lost Souls (self-titled album on Bloodshot Records) and also released her own EP called "First". Find her music on BethanyThomasMusic.com.

Songs for Nobodies runs September 7 - November 4 in the newly renovated Stackner Cabaret. The much needed renovation increases the seating capacity by over 35% to 186 seats, provides state of the art production capabilities, comfortable new seats and tables, extra bathrooms for ladies, new kitchen and bar and expanded outer patio ready to serve up the most delicious meals and best cocktails.

To purchase tickets to Songs for Nobodies, go to www.MilwaukeeRep.com, call 414-224-9490 or visit in person at the Ticket Office (108 E. Wells Street).

Songs for Nobodies is a John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program Production and is part of the Camille and David Kundert Stackner Season. The Rep is sponsored in part by The United Performing Arts Fund.