Jack Forbes Wilson News

Skylight Music Theatre will host CelebRAYtionhonoring Artistic Director Ray Jivoff on Thursday, June 13, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Twelve (largely-failed) meet-cutes, four performers, two backup singers, and one very chatty partridge in a pear tree suffering from a year of aloneness. It's a different kind of Christmas show, to be sure. Simple in its premise and more of an introspective snapshot of one woman's life, rather than the sweeping "good will toward men" sentimentality that often accompanies such holiday fare.

In the slew of vibrant, singular experiences that the MOT has put forth in recent years, Antiology is shaping up to join the ranks of greatness.

It's said that lovers of good music had to stuff their handkerchiefs in their mouths to keep from bursting out laughing at the operatic recitals of eccentric Manhattan socialite, Florence Foster Jenkins. Madame Flo once declared, 'People may say I can't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing.' She wasn't wrong people did say she couldn't sing, but sing she did.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater begins the 2017/18 Season with Souvenir, a charming musical comedy beginning performances September 8 - November 5 in the Stackner Cabaret. Directed by Milwaukee Native Laura Braza (Grounded), Souvenir stars Marguerite Willbanks Beauty and the Beast) as Florence Foster Jenkins and Jack Forbes Wilson (Liberace!) as Cosme? McMoon.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater begins the 2017/18 Season with Souvenir, a charming musical comedy beginning performances September 8 - November 5 in the Stackner Cabaret. 

Milwaukee Repertory Theater begins the 2017/18 Season with Souvenir, a charming musical comedy beginning performances September 8 - November 5 in the Stackner Cabaret. 

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announces casting for the 2017/18 Season Fall shows including Souvenir, The Who & The What, Murder For Two, and Holmes and Watson.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2017/18 Season is filled with timeless classics, award-winning contemporary works and full-scale musicals spanning 13 productions in four theaters. While casting is heavily underway for all shows, here is a first glimpse into what audiences can look forward to next season.  Complete casting and creative teams to be announced soon.

At an announcement party held today, Artistic Director Ray Jivoff unveiled Skylight Music Theatre's 2017-18 Season line-up of 'firsts' -- five shows that have never been produced at Skylight. 

Skylight Music Theatre presents the musical revue I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change February 3 - 19, 2017 in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis.

Liberace! is an unprecedented profile of the surprisingly private man behind the larger-than-life persona. Maestro Jeff Kennedy transforms into Mr. Showmanship and tickles the ivories through some of his best loved tunes and piano standards including "I'll Be Seeing You," "Viva Las Vegas" and "Chopsticks."

Does a comic opera from 1910 resonate with contemporary audiences? The answer would be with certainty, yes. Third Avenue Playhouse's Madame Sherry with original book/lyrics by Otto Harbach and music by Karl L. Hoschna, would be completely entertaining in the under James Valcq's impressive adaptation and direction along with a talented acting troupe who possess triple threats---they act, dance and sing. Valcq adapted the vintage comic opera from a found script and stage manager's notes discovered in New York's Public library and produces this effervescent theater experience on stage in Sturgeon Bay. With more than 20 songs, romantic smooching and clever choreography, Madame Sherry rings in summer entertainment and chases away any cloudy skies appearing on the horizon, literally or figuratively.

In the 50th anniversary year of the award winning, animated television special, the live production A Charlie Brown Christmas captured the imagination of Milwaukee audiences this past weekend. First Stage presents a theatrical interpretation of the beloved holiday classic, adapted by Eric Schaeffer and overflowing with young voices, which continues to light up the hearts and laughter in Peanuts' fans since 1965.

Happiness and cheer come calling at First Stage with the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The company's Artistic Director Jeff Frank had been writing this produciton on his own Christmas to-be-produced list in a continual effort to bring the1965 award-winning television special to the theater since he arrived in 1999. Only recently have the copyrights been released through Eric Schaeffer's stage adaptation, and Frank immediately seized the opportunity to warm Milwaukee's hearts and introduce a new generation to the world created by Charles Schulz. Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang take over the Todd Wehr Theater beginning on Friday, November 27 for a superb holiday celebration.

On October 28th, the Ivoryton Playhouse will be putting on the glitz with Brent Hazelton's remarkable new musical play, LIBERACE!, a moving and highly entertaining tribute to the performer and musician famous for his charm, flamboyance and glamour. LIBERACE! relives the highs (and lows) of his prolific life, with a rollicking piano score spanning classical and popular music from Chopin to 'Chopsticks,' and Rachmaninoff to Ragtime.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is delighted to announce today that the current production of Liberace! is the bestselling show in the history of the Stackner Cabaret surpassing the previous record holder, last year's acclaimed production of Ain't Misbehavin'. Since its first preview performances in November, Liberace! has played to 95% overall capacity and sold out houses for most performances in the 136-seat venue.

Lame, rhinestones and sequins shimmer like stars on stage this November when Milwaukee Rep reprises Liberace! at the Stackner Cabaret beginning this November. Every holiday season flashes glitter and gold, and The Rep's Associate Artistice Director Brent Hazelton wrote and directed this inspiring musical revue based on the life of Milwaukee's iconic entertainer Wladziu Valentino Liberace, who was once nicknamed the Guru of Glitter.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's production of Liberace! opens this Sunday, November 9 at 7:00 pm and runs through January 11, 2015 in Milwaukee Rep's Stackner Cabaret.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Stackner Cabaret once again welcomes the glittering costumes and chandeliers of Liberace!. Brilliant local musician and performer Jack Forbes Wilson will reprise his triumphant portrayal of Liberace, the man who defined four decades of music and pop culture, after an acclaimed world premiere production which ran during The Rep's 2010/11 Season. This loving tribute to Liberace is written and directed by Rep Associate Artistic Director Brent Hazelton, with original music direction and composition by Jack Forbes Wilson. Liberace! runs in The Rep's Stackner Cabaret from November 7, 2014 - January 11, 2015 and opens Sunday, November 9.