Jeff Frank News

Next up in First Stage's 2021/22 season will be THE DANCING GRANNY, a play by Mansa Ra adapted from the children's book by beloved author/illustrator Ashley Bryan.

First Stage, one of the nation’s leading theaters for young  people and families, returns to live performances this January with a heartwarming production  of THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963 at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater. 

 First Stage will return to live performances this January with a heartwarming production of THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963 at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater.

Former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick and music legends Dave Koz and David Foster as well as a Motown icon double bill of The Temptations and The Four Tops are just part of the magic this December at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway hits The Prom, Elf The Musical and Kinky Boots join the slate of spectacles and international hits featuring STOMP, Champions of Magic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, and Cirque Dreams Holidaze. 

'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.

This holiday season brings the joyful return of First  Stage’s production of Charles M. Schulz’s A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS to the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater.

Holiday traditions, seasonal spectacles and merry music superstars can all be found on the stages of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and The Parker this season.

This holiday season brings the joyful return of First Stage's production of Charles M. Schulz's A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS to the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater.

The final play in First Stage's fall 2021 Amplify – BIPOC  Short Play Series, and just in time for Halloween, will be THE TALE OF LA LLORONA AS TOLD BY  CONSUELO CHAVEZ, a world premiere play by José Casas with music by Frank Pahl. Milwaukee  director/actor David Flores will direct this production.

The final play in First Stage's fall 2021 Amplify - BIPOC Short Play Series, and just in time for Halloween, will be THE TALE OF LA LLORONA AS TOLD BY CONSUELO CHAVEZ, a world premiere play by José Casas with music by Frank Pahl. Milwaukee director/actor David Flores will direct this production.

First Stage, one of the nation's leading theaters for young people and families, held its 9th Annual ImpACT Event on Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. The event is held annually to introduce new supporters to First Stage and showcase its impact in the community.

The second play in First Stage's fall 2021 Amplify -BIPOC Short Play Series will be STEP KIDS, a new one-act musical by Tyrone L. Robinson and Postell Pringle with orchestrations by Wilkie Ferguson and drums by Deonte Malique Ellis.

First Stage is announce its safe and triumphant return to live theater performances in the 2021/22 season. 

First Stage has announced its safe and triumphant return to live theater performances in the 2021/22 season. First Stage has announced the full 35th season kicking off in November at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater with the perennial and beloved holiday favorite, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS.

The second season of Amplify - First Stage's BIPOC Short Play Series begins today with the world premiere production of HOW TO ACTUALLY GRADUATE IN A VIRTUAL WORLD by award-winning playwright/actor Nikkole Salter and a collaboration with Milwaukee Black Theater Festival's Youth Night.

First Stage, one of the nation's leading theaters for young people and families, is delighted to announce the second season of their new Amplify - BIPOC Short Play Series beginning on September 1, 2021.

First Stage has announced that Samantha D. Montgomery has been promoted to the newly created position of Artistic Inclusion and Community Engagement Director. Montgomery has held a long tenure with First Stage, working in many capacities including resident teaching artist, director and actor. She assumed her new role as of July 1, 2021.

The Marcus Performing Arts Center recently announced Donald Driver as the first Cultural Ambassador in organization history. The announcement came on Friday, June 25 at the MPAC's 16th Annual BASH — the organization's signature fundraising event benefiting education and community engagement programs.

First Stage demonstrated resiliency and creativity during the 2020/21 season, the year everything changed and turned upside down. Like arts and cultural groups across the country, First Stage had to stop live in-person performances and look for new ways to engage audiences, students and families.

The second offering in First Stage's new Amplify - BIPOC Virtual Short Plays Series will be UNMUTED, a lively new musical by First Stage Playwright in Residence Alvaro Saar Rios, with Music and Lyrics by composer Deborah Wicks La Puma and directed by Anna Skidis Vargas, Producing Artistic Director for Theatre Nuevo in St. Louis.