Milwaukee, WI Theater Reviews

Review: World Premiere True Crime Musical RUN BAMBI RUN Rocks the MILWAUKEE REP
by Kelsey Lawler - September 25, 2023

True crime connoisseurs, lovers of local lore, fans of the Violent Femmes: the Milwaukee Rep has a world premiere rock musical with your name written all over it....

Review: COUNTRY SUNSHINE: THE LEGENDARY LADIES OF NASHVILLE WITH KATIE DEAL at Milwaukee Rep
by Cathy Jakicic - September 15, 2023

Country Sunshine: The Legendary Ladies of Nashville With Katie Deal, which the Milwaukee Repertory Theater delivers gems of country classics from legends ranging from Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline to Shania Twain....

Review: SUPERYOU Has the Power at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
by Kelsey Lawler - June 02, 2023

What did our critic think of SUPERYOU at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE?...

Review: HADESTOWN is Livin' It Up at Milwaukee's MARCUS CENTER
by Kelsey Lawler - May 05, 2023

I've been a fan of Hadestown since its concept album release in 2010. With music and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell, the album featured vocals by Mitchell herself alongside the likes of Justin Vernon and Ani DiFranco. Called a 'folk opera' at the time, this album laid the foundation for what would become ...

Review: GOD OF CARNAGE Delivers Dark Comedy at MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER
by Kelsey Lawler - April 25, 2023

The Milwaukee Rep has staged a superbly acted, shocking, relatable, tornado of a black comedy with GOD OF CARNAGE....

Review: INTO THE WOODS Makes Magic at Forte Theatre Company
by Kelsey Lawler - April 17, 2023

I’m pleased to report Into the Woods has all the makings of theater magic. For starters, they nailed the casting. The woods prove towering, deep, and every inch a fairytale setting -- and the costumes are gorgeous....

Review: FROZEN at Marcus Performing Arts Center
by Cathy Jakicic - April 07, 2023

'Frozen' bring heart, humor and sass to Marcus Center For The Performing Arts...

Review: Save All Your Love for WHITNEY at the Milwaukee Rep
by Kelsey Lawler - March 28, 2023

'The Greatest Love for Whitney' will give you chills from the get-go. The kind of gorgeous chills that come from a place of starstruck awe....

Review: NOISES OFF Snags Slapstick Laughs at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
by Kelsey Lawler - March 21, 2023

For its first play ever, Skylight has staged a hysterical romp that is cute, charming, and full of good energy and classic comedic antics....

Review: SEVEN GUITARS AT THE MILWAUKEE REP at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre
by Cathy Jakicic - March 11, 2023

Milwaukee Rep's production of August Wilson's 'Seven Guitars' rich with emotionally powerful performances....

Review: 4 Reasons SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL at First Stage Will Float Your Family's Boat
by Kelsey Lawler - March 10, 2023

SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL at First Stage in Milwaukee is an eye-popping, laugh-aloud, cartoonish romp under the sea....

Review: Pop Musical SIX Slays its Sold-Out Milwaukee Run
by Kelsey Lawler - March 09, 2023

There’s no place for mediocrity to hide in SIX. These leading roles require genuine, unfiltered talent with exceptional vocal range and control. This touring cast delivers on that and then some....

Review: THE HEART SELLERS is a Laugh-Aloud Love Letter to Friendship at MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER
by Kelsey Lawler - February 13, 2023

'The Heart Sellers' is a commentary on immigration, yes, but most of all it celebrates the joy and fulfillment that comes with good friends....

Review: HAIRSPRAY is a Joyous Welcome to the '60s at the MARCUS CENTER
by Kelsey Lawler - February 09, 2023

The tour of HAIRSPRAY is pure joy, lighting up Milwaukee’s Marcus Center through February 12th with exuberant dancing, glorious voices, and a bright, bubbly outlook that’s just what this Wisconsin winter needs. ...

Review: EVITA Wins Hearts & Raises the Bar at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
by Kelsey Lawler - February 06, 2023

The good news: Evita at Skylight Music Theatre is a stunner that's not to be missed. The bad news: Milwaukee-area theater fans only have until February 19th to catch it on stage....

Review: CARMELA FULL OF WISHES Charms Little Ones at First Stage
by Kelsey Lawler - January 23, 2023

Many show highlights come from props and staging choices. From a field of orange flowers dancing around Carmela to conversations with her fuzzy dandelion to a flurry of bubbles representing hundreds wishes, these moments of stage magic are just that: magical....

Review: REVIEW: DINO! AN EVENING WITH DEAN MARTIN at Milwaukee Rep
by Cathy Jakicic - January 23, 2023

Milwaukee Rep's 'Dino! An Evening with Dean Martin' shines with the low-key charm of the 'King of Cool.'...

Review: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is a 'Merry War' from Start to Finish at the MILWAUKEE REP
by Kelsey Lawler - January 17, 2023

Love and laughter are just what a Wisconsin winter needs, and just what the Milwaukee Rep is serving. They have something insanely special with this updated adaptation of a Shakespearean rom-com classic. For me, this is a Rep season favorite that will be tough to top. ...

Review: MY FAIR LADY Charms Fans at the MARCUS CENTER
by Kelsey Lawler - January 04, 2023

What did our critic think of MY FAIR LADY at MARCUS CENTER? There's a loverly bit of old-school musical theater at Milwaukee's Marcus Center this week. My Fair Lady returns, and fans of the original show and film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison will no doubt adore this production. There's s...

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Remains a Gift to be Treasured at the MILWAUKEE REP
by Kelsey Lawler - December 05, 2022

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER? For almost 50 years, the Milwaukee Rep's A Christmas Carol has been a beloved holiday tradition in Milwaukee. Freshly adapted by Rep Artistic Director Mark Clements in 2016, the eye-popping spectacle delivers holiday magi...

Review: LES MISERABLES Stuns Once More at the Marcus Center
by Kelsey Lawler - December 01, 2022

Seen by 130 million people in 53 countries and 22 languages, 'Les Miserables' stands the test of time and jukebox musical trends. Magnificent performances, dazzling sets and staging, soaring orchestrations -- these make the show timeless, breathtaking, and powerful as ever....

Review: RUDOLPH THE MUSICAL is Festive Family Fun at FIRST STAGE
by Kelsey Lawler - November 28, 2022

From iconic elf costumes to familiar furry friends, fans of the TV special will be delighted to reunite with these festive favorites on stage. And for anyone new to Rudolph, this musical makes for a perfect introduction to the world of everyone’s favorite flying reindeer. ...

Review: NATIVITY VARIATIONS is the Christmas Comedy You've Been Wishing For
by Kelsey Lawler - November 23, 2022

This is well-paced, laughter-filled, and heartwarming theater full of smart writing and charming characters. In short, 'The Nativity Variations' is the perfect gift for Milwaukee audiences this holiday season. ...

Review: A JOLLY HOLIDAY: CELEBRATING DISNEY'S BROADWAY HITS at Skylight Music Theatre
by Cathy Jakicic - November 19, 2022

What did our critic think of REVIEW: A JOLLY HOLIDAY: CELEBRATING DISNEY’S BROADWAY HITS at Skylight Music Theatre? It's like being invited to the best tree-trimming party ever....

Review: REVIEW: MILWAUKEE REP'S 'BEEHIVE: THE 60S MUSICAL' at Milwaukee Rep
by Cathy Jakicic - November 15, 2022

What did our critic think of REVIEW: MILWAUKEE REP'S 'BEEHIVE: THE 60S MUSICAL' at Milwaukee Rep? The talented cast shines from girl groups to diva power...