By Mary Boyle
 
In 2017, the Milwaukee Rep produced Lloyd Suh’s play The Chinese Lady as their second production in their John (Jack) D. Lewis new Play Development Program to rave reviews.  Of course, shortly after they commissioned a new play from Suh, an intimate story of new friendship and the American Dream set in the 1970’s, the pandemic hit.  The Rep’s Artistic Director Mark Clements explains that the pandemic helped to birth this play, as the script was written over zoom meetings and workshops through the height of the crisis, when themes of loneliness, community, generosity, and finding friendship during the most turbulent time of your life resonated in a deeper way.  Now, this beautiful World Premiere production has finally made its way to the stage for Milwaukee area audiences and, trust me, THE HEART SELLERS is a play you shouldn’t miss.

Directed by acclaimed, LA-based director Jennifer Chang, The Heart Sellers tells the story of Luna (Nicole Javier), a recent immigrant to the US from the Philippines whose husband is working at his residency at a nearby hospital.  Luna finds herself alone at the grocery store on Thanksgiving when she recognizes the wife of another resident, Jane (Narea Kang), who is also a recent immigrant, but from China.  Impulsively, Luna invites Jane back to her apartment to celebrate a holiday that is not theirs but feels uniquely American.  Through language barriers and cultural differences, these two lonely women find they have a lot in common and, as we follow along, we realize that we, too, can relate to their story.

Alternately hysterical and heartbreaking, The Heart Sellers is a simple and small production that will affect you in a big way.  For those that remember the time, the scenic design by Tanya Orellana does a very effective job of transporting the audience to the 1970’s, complete with the yellow pages, the long, spiral telephone cord stretched across the room, and news of Richard Nixon on the radio.  Javier and Kang, who both make their Rep debuts, deliver impeccable performances and are a joy to watch.  The Rep’s intimate Stiemke Studio is the perfect venue for this play, which runs in one act.  All I can really say about this one is that you should see it if you can; it will change your heart for the better.

THE HEART SELLERS runs through March 19th at the Stiemke Studio, located at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by calling the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490, or in-person at 108 E Wells Street in Milwaukee.  Group tickets are available for parties 10+ by calling 414-290-5340.
 
About Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin with three unique performance venues in the Patty & Jay Baker Theater Complex– the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio and Stackner Cabaret. For over six decades, Milwaukee Rep has been a centerpiece of Milwaukee’s vibrant arts and cultural scene with productions ranging from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare to American Classics and New Works that are entertaining, inclusive, and impactful. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Executive Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity.

By Mary Boyle
 
William Blake was an 18th Century English poet, painter, and printer who is best known for his two illuminated books, which were engraved, hand-printed, and painted by Blake: Songs of Innocence, published in 1789, and Songs of Innocence and of Experience, published in 1794.  The first book of poetry is written from the perspective of children or about children, while the later book combined the first book along with poetry that involved the transition into adulthood.  Though not particularly famous in his lifetime, Blake has become a poet of interest largely because of his political views, which were somewhat radical for his time.  Blake was a friend of both the French and American Revolutions and a revolutionary in his own right, being a strong proponent of early feminism.  Blake and his poetry is the inspiration for Mickle Maher’s World Premiere Play, THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORING IS, through March 19th at Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee.

Now, what you might be thinking after that introduction is one of two things: “I am a poetry lover and this play will be a beautiful and academic modern classic that I must see!” or “I know nothing about poetry and I don’t want to see some stuffy, elitist, academic play about it.”  Well, I am here to tell you that both of those thoughts are so far off base when it comes to this production.  Amazingly, the entirety of the play is in rhyming verse, but not at all flowery or tedious; in fact, it’s at times riotously funny and at others unbelievably crass, interspersed with great poignancy and terrible heartbreak.  Then, it goes completely sideways but, alas, I can’t tell you about that part – it would ruin the surprise.

Directed by Mary MacDonald Kerr, this story is about Ellen and Bernard, a married couple of 20 years who both teach classes on William Blake at a small liberal arts college in the woods and, in a moment of shared poetical bliss during an outdoor class, they fell into each other’s arms and, well…had sex. In front of their students.  Until they were rudely interrupted by the Dean and fled into the woods.  Now, after a long night in nature to think about what happened, they’ve been asked to make an apology to their respective classes if they want to keep their jobs but, having not seen each other since “the event,” they are unaware that they both ran away with completely different experiences.  Finding themselves at a pivotal moment in their relationship and lives, the poetry that brought them together may be the very thing that tears them apart.

Neil Brookshire, who appeared in The Last White Man at Next Act, and Cassandra Bissell (Russian Troll Farm), who is also no stranger to Next Act, were truly phenomenal as Bernard and Ellen. Their chemistry together is perfect, and they are so believable in their roles.  Interestingly, that they speak in verse throughout the production isn’t at all corny and, as they delve into their individual experiences of “the event” and work through their predicament, their relationship and characters are entirely believable and even relatable, despite the fact that “the event” is not an everyday occurrence. 

I was expecting this play to wrap up in a profound way, with either a sad or a happy ending, but then everything gets weird.  I know, I know – you’re probably thinking, “It already was weird!  How could it get more weird?!”  Dear readers, I am afraid I would reveal top secret things if I were to reveal exactly how it becomes more weird, so I cannot say.  What I can say is that, for me, the play went from potential genius to ridiculousness, which I found to be very unfortunate, and then it just became exceedingly uncomfortable.  Then again, if you like adventurous, unconventional, uncomfortable theatre (or you aren’t sure, so you want to try), this may just be the ticket! 

THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS runs through March 19th at Next Act Theatre, located at 255 S. Water Street in Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased at ​nextact.org/ or by calling (414) 278-0765.  

About Next Act Theatre

Next Act Theatre engages the hearts and minds of audiences with intimate, compelling productions intended to stimulate thought, foster the exchange of ideas, and promote the development of new perspectives and understanding.  Led by Producing Artistic Director, David Cecsarini for 30 seasons, Next Act welcomed Cody Estle in December of 2022 as the new Artistic Director. Next Act continues its tradition of creating high-quality, professional theatre in Milwaukee. The past 30 seasons have earned the company its strong reputation for producing engaging work that feels intimate, powerful and personal. The plays presented are passionate, often bold, sometimes humorous, and always up-close-and-personal presentations of life.  A strong, vibrant and financially stable company, Next Act produces a four-show season of contemporary drama. The company is particularly noted for its acting excellence, accessible performance style, and for a varied and consistently interesting selection of plays, chosen from the best new works and off-Broadway hits. Next Act has mounted more than 100 main stage productions, including over 100 area premieres and six original scripts.

​By Mary Boyle
 
Let’s face it: February weather in Wisconsin is highly unpredictable.  Could be a blizzard, could be icy rain – I mean, who wants to risk going out in those kinds of elements, am I right?  That is exactly why it is so brilliant that Forward Theater Co. in Madison has continued to follow their pandemic protocol and film and stream their productions, and this weekend is your chance to see a truly special one without having to drive all the way to Madtown or even needing to leave the comfort of your own home.  The show is called AIRNESS and, I have to say, it may be the most surprising show I’ve seen this season.

First of all, I didn’t know until this show that there is in fact such a thing as the U.S. Air Guitar Competition, but winning it is the ultimate goal of the characters we meet in this story.  We are first introduced to Golden Thunder (James Carrington), Shreddy Eddy (Josh Krause), Facebender (Marcus Truschinski), and D. Vicious (Joe Picchetti), four friends from around the country who have come to know each other through their common passion: air guitar.  The only one among them to have had a national win is D. Vicious, but ever since he achieved the title, which won him a role in a Sprite commercial, he’s grown distant from his friends and his girlfriend, Cannibal Queen (Ashley Oviedo), a fellow air guitar competitor.  When brand new girl Nina (Nadja Simmonds) shows up at a competition, she thinks her ability to actually play guitar will make it easy for her to win, though Golden, Eddy and Bender try to warn her that it isn’t enough.  When she bombs, Nina hires Eddy to coach her on how to achieve “airness” – something that even Eddy has a difficult time explaining  - but her determination to win is being undermined by a secret she is hiding.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Air guitar?  Really?!”  I thought the same thing, but it was the cast that drew me to this production.  I spent a weekend at American Players Theatre this past summer and Marcus Truschinski just blew me away, so the chance to see him on stage from the comfort of my couch was all I needed, but James Carrington and Josh Krause bring the humor wherever they go, so I knew this show was going to be funny; in that department, it did not disappoint.  The show starts off funny, and then it gets a bit hysterical, but then something happens that is not unlike what happens to the Grinch when he finally understands what Christmas is truly about.  There is a deep truth and understanding within this story and, when it finds you, you may notice your heart growing a size or two.  I dare say it may even bring a tear to your eye.  Yes.  Air guitar.

Written by Chelsea Marcantel and directed by Molly Rhode, Airness is making its Wisconsin premier with an incredibly talented cast and at a time when the message its sending is truly needed.    Audiences need to know that there is a lot of profanity and loud rock and heavy metal music throughout the production, but please don’t let that keep you away from this gem of a show because I want you to learn what airness is so that you, too, can achieve it – maybe not by winning air guitar competitions, but by finding your own spark that will take you there.  Golden Thunder says of air guitar, “This may be pretend, but it is serious pretend.”  I think the same can be said of this show.  You only have through Sunday to see this production, either online or in-person, so don’t miss your chance!

AIRNESS runs through Sunday, February 12th at the Overture Theater in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.  Tickets for in-person performances may be purchased at https://forwardtheater.com/ or by calling 608-234-5001.  Tickets to stream AIRNESS may be purchased  here.
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About Forward Theater Company
Forward Theater Company is a not-for-profit professional theater company founded to provide exceptional theater experiences for area audiences and give professional actors, designers, and directors an artistic home in Madison, Wisconsin.  Forward Theater was founded on a commitment to the civic and cultural life of our community and works to support area artist, theater students and Wisconsin playwrights.  Forward Theater Company is proud be a resident organization in the beautiful Overture Center for the Arts, providing opportunities for artists and audiences to explore great dramas and provoke conversations about the issues that matter the most.  We are proud to partner with groups like Wisconsin Wrights, Overture Center for the Arts, the University of Wisconsin , Madison Department of Theatre and Drama, American Players Theatre, The Wisconsin Story Project, Wisconsin Public Radio, Dane County Libraries, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre to bring exciting, engaging, and challenging theater experiences to an ever increasing audience.

By Mary Boyle

The eight-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hairspray is unusual in that it was inspired by a movie, and not the other way around.  John Water’s 1988 film of the same name had quite the cast, including Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, and Jerry Stiller, and was one of those 80’s films that wasn’t a big hit when it came out, but became a cult classic into the 90’s.  The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2002, fared far better than the film and, interestingly, went on to inspire a film of the musical starring John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Zac Effron, and Michelle Pfeiffer, among others.  In 2016, NBC aired Hairspray Live!, which also attracted an A List cast, including Jennifer Hudson, Harvey Fierstein, Martin Short, Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana Grande, and Rosie O'Donnell, and that is just a fraction of the star-attracting power of this instant classic, which has seen productions all over the world and even at sea.  Luckily for Milwaukee audiences, the new North American Tour of HAIRSPRAY is making a stop at the Marcus Performing Arts Center as part of the 2022/2023 Johnson Financial Group Broadway at the Marcus Center Season February 7-12!

With music by Marc Shaiman, book by Mark O'Donnel and Thomas Meehan, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, Hairspray is set in Baltimore in 1962 during a time of continued segregation.  Highschooler Tracy Turnblad (Niki Metcalf), an overweight teen who dreams of being on the Corny Collins Show (think Dick Clark's American Bandstand with teenagers) is determined to get a spot when she learns the show has an opening.  With her best friend Penny Pingleton (Emery Henderson) in tow, she heads to the studio to audition only to be ridiculed by the show's producer, Velma Von Tussle (Addison Garner),  and her snooty daughter, Amber (Ryahn Evers).  None of it matters when the show's male star and Amber's boyfriend, Link Larkin (Nick Cortazzo), bumps into Tracy and captures her heart, but thanks to Corny Collins (Billy Dawson), himself, Tracy is given a role on the show.  While her parents, Edna (Andrew Levitt) and Wilbur (Ralph Prentice Daniel),  share in her new celebrity status, they soon learn that acceptance is an uphill climb, not just of Tracy’s weight, but her determination to help desegregate the show for her friend, Seaweed (Charlie Bryant III), his mother, Motormouth Maybelle (Sandie Lee), and Seaweed's little sister, Inez (Joi D. McCoy), along with the whole of the black community in Baltimore and beyond.

Although Tracy is the main character of the story, it’s Tracy’s mother, Edna, traditionally played by a man, who always steals the show, and this tour is no different.  Andrew Levitt, who appeared in the 11th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race as Nina West and who can also be seen as Divine alongside Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, is simply brilliant as Edna.  Milwaukee audiences will appreciate the local references Edna throws into the production, as well as the chemistry between Edna and her husband, Wilbur.  Another favorite in the show is Motormouth Maybelle’s song, “I Know Where I’ve Been,” and Sandie Lee delivers a soul-rousing rendition.  I particularly enjoyed Emery Henderson’s hysterical performance as Tracy’s meek and scrawny best friend, Penny.  Overall, this North American Tour, directed by Matt Lenz and choreographed by Robbie Roby, hits all the marks.
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Though segregation may be a thing of the past, the strive to fully accept and love ourselves and each other is the work of everyone’s lifetime, and celebrating that journey is at the very heart of Hairspray.  What makes this production so popular, I believe, is that we all wish we were a little more like Tracy: seeing all of the hope, beauty, and possibility in ourselves and everywhere.  This girl is living her life fully and enjoying the ride, and audiences can’t help but be swept up into the fun.  No matter how many times, or ways, you’ve seen it, Hairspray is worth seeing again, if only to remind ourselves that we are here to love each other, but we must begin by loving ourselves.
 
HAIRSPRAY runs through February 12th, 2023, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Uihlein Hall, located at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased at www.MarcusCenter.org, by calling 414-273-7206, or visit the Marcus Center Box Office. Single ticket prices start at $40 and are subject to change. Six-show subscriptions are still on sale for the 2022/2023 Johnson Financial Group Broadway at the Marcus Center Season.  Groups of 10 or more can secure their seats by calling 414-273-7207. HAIRSPRAY last played the Marcus Performing Arts Center in the 2004/2005 season. Learn more about the new touring production at www.hairspraytour.com.
 
About Marcus Performing Arts Center
The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) serves as a performing arts community gathering space in Southeastern Wisconsin, bringing high-quality arts and cultural programming to the region for over 50 years. As a mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, MPAC strives to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of performing arts. Through multiple performance series and community events, MPAC brings a diverse range of performing arts to the region. Presented series include Johnson Financial Group Broadway at the Marcus Center, MPAC Presents, Dance, Jazz, National Geographic Live, Rainbow Summer, and additional special performances from internationally renowned artists. MPAC's education, community engagement, and inclusion initiatives provide free experiences that annually engage students and life-long learners in Milwaukee. MPAC is proud to be a dedicated War Memorial facility, honoring those who bravely served our country. For more information, visit www.marcuscenter.org.

Johnson Financial Group, with offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is a privately owned financial services company offering banking, wealth and insurance solutions through its subsidiaries, Johnson Bank, Johnson Wealth, and Johnson Insurance Services. For more information visit johnsonfinancialgroup.com.

Broadway Across America(BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. Led by 18-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon and Hamilton. Current and past productions include Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls, Moulin Rouge! and To Kill A Mockingbird.

By Mary Boyle
 
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, written in 1937 by the great J. R. R. Tolkien, is one of the most beloved fantasy stories of all time.  The novel is not very long; in fact, if you try hard, you can read it in a day.  When I was a child, I adored the 1977 animated film by Rankin/Bass (of stop-motion holiday specials fame), which was all of 78 minutes.  Most people today, of course, are familiar with Peter Jackson’s live-action version of the story, which he divided into three full-length films:  An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013), and The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) which, in total, run 474 minutes (532 if you watch the extended version).  Don’t have time for all of that?  Not to worry!  First Stage in Milwaukee is offering a brilliant little production of THE HOBBIT, performed by just 6 actors and told in just 90 minutes, that brings the story back to its simple and classic form.

The hobbit the tale is named for is, of course, Bilbo Baggins (double cast as Angel Rivera and Leo Madson), who is visited one day by a wizard named Gandalf (Shammen McCune) and asked if he’d like to go on an adventure.  Bilbo politely declines but, later that evening, his home is overrun by a small horde of dwarves led by their King, Thorin Oakenshield (Matt Daniels), followed by Gandalf, who insists that he has found the 14th member of their party and burglar for their quest to return to the dwarves’ ancestral homeland, the Lonely Mountain, and recover their gold, which has been guarded by the dragon, Smaug, for many years.  The burglar Gandalf had in mind was Bilbo and, though he didn’t want to leave the comforts of his little Hobbit home, had no experience with adventures or burglary, and was terribly frightened of all that might come, he finds his courage and rises to the challenge that Gandalf is certain he is meant for.  Along the way, he makes mistakes, comes to the rescue, finds a magic ring, and proves that little people can do great things.

Directed by Jeff Frank, The Hobbit takes place in the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center’s new Goodman Mainstage Hall, which is a fantastic little theater-in-the-round.  The set looks like the burned ruins of an old office and the play feels like a bunch of (really talented) kids telling this epic tale in a junkyard, despite the fact that Bilbo is the only young performer in this production.  They make a book into a dragon, umbrellas into giant spiders, a mop into a wizard’s staff, and sticks into bows and arrows and swords, yet it isn’t silly at all.  In fact, it has an almost primal, rustic charm and a strong heart that will speak to audience members of all ages. Just four actors play a multitude of characters, from dwarves to goblins and elves to trolls; they do it seamlessly and in such a way that speeds the story along without losing the impact of it.

What I love most about the production is the live music.  Music Director Natalie Ford spends the entirety of the play on a small balcony, singing and playing guitar, and only briefly being an actual part of the story. The other five actors also contribute to the music with a banjo, ukelele, mandolin, tambourine, and spoons to great effect.  I saw Angel Rivera of the Journey Cast, who was fabulous as Bilbo Baggins.  Shammen McCune, who played Gandalf, Gollum, and several other characters, was remarkable in her ability to morph into her various roles and give them each distinction.  Milwaukee’s own Matt Daniels did credit to the Dwarf King and First Stage favorite Elyse Edelman was as solid as Balin and others.  I saw the understudy for Jamey Feshold, Jake Badovski, as Kili and other characters.  Jake is a First Stage kid I have watched for years in both main stage productions and with the First Stage Young Company; it was truly a bit of a homecoming to watch him return to the stage as an adult actor who I am sure will go on to do Milwaukee proud.

First Stage does theatre for young children and their families better than anyone, but I urge you to consider this production even if you don’t have a kid to take with you, especially if you are a Tolkien fan.  One of the audience members actually wore a wizard hat to the show and I could not have been more delighted by it – bring on the cosplay, I say!  That being said, this is also the perfect way to introduce this beloved classic to younger generations, so get your tickets while you can.
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THE HOBBIT runs through March 5th at the Goodman Mainstage Hall inside the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, located at 325 W. Walnut Street in Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased at online at firststage.org or through the First Stage Box Office at (414) 267-2961.
 
Special events for THE HOBBIT 
Pay What You Choose Performance: Friday, February 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. 
Pay What You Choose tickets are available on a first come, first served basis with a minimum suggested donation of $5 per person. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. on the day of the performance. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early. Tickets may also be reserved in advance by phone at (414) 267-2961, weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, please visit: firststage.org/events-tickets/tickets-offers/pay-what-you-choose/ 
Sensory Friendly Performance: Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.  
A Sensory Friendly Performance with accommodations for families with children on the autism spectrum will take place on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Sensory accommodations include a quiet area staffed by an experienced educator, lower sound, house lights up and more. Tickets for Sensory Friendly Performances are $10. Order online or by phone at (414) 267-2961, weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to reserve tickets. To learn more visit: firststage.org/plan-your-visit/sensory-friendly-performances/.  
ASL Interpreted Performance: Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. 
This performance will be sign language interpreted for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Assistive listening devices are also available at the Todd Wehr Theater. To learn more, please visit: firststage.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility/sign-language-interpreted-performances/ 
 
About First Stage 
Founded in 1987, First Stage is one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families, and a driving force behind the creation of the best and most innovative plays for family audiences, theater training programs for young people and education initiatives for its schools and community. First Stage ensures that all programming is not only accessible to its community but that it is reflective of the community it serves.  First Stage produces plays that honor the young person’s point of view, include diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices and inspire meaningful conversations. First Stage has presented more than 70 world premiere productions that address important subject matters relevant to today’s youth. The Theater Academy is one of the nation’s largest high-impact theater training programs for young people (3-18 years old). Through a challenging curriculum taught by professional teaching artists, the Academy nurtures life skills through stage skills and includes the Next Steps Program that tailors Theater Academy classes to the needs of young people on the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities. As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-integrated education in schools, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education Programs cleverly blend theater activities with standard curriculum – allowing more than 10,000 students annually to learn traditional academic subjects through creativity and self-expression.   
First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Milwaukee Arts Partners and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). Learn more at firststage.org

By Mary Boyle
 
The music of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice has made a profound impact on American culture.  Even if you’ve never seen a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat or Jesus Christ Superstar you would still likely recognize the songs “Any Dream Will Do” or “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”  However, if those two don’t ring a bell, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” almost certainly does, as it comes from the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical EVITA.  Now through February 19th, Milwaukee area audiences have an opportunity to see this production, live and in person, thanks to Skylight Music Theatre.

Based on the life of Argentina’s First Lady, Eva Perón, and her rise to become the most powerful woman in Latin America, Evita is an honest biography that tells the story from those who loved her and those who reviled her.  Born into a poor family on May 7, 1919, Eva Duarte dreamed of becoming an actress.  When she was only 15, she went to Buenos Aires and managed to find work with the theatre companies, as well as a contract to perform over the radio.  When she was just 20, she started her own company that produced radio programs, which is when she met the future President, Juan Perón.  Juan and Eva were married in 1945 and Juan became President the following year.  As President, Perón censored the media and imprisoned his rivals, but also increased government programs.  Eva established programs to help the poor, especially women and children, and grew to be known to the people as Evita.  By 1952, she was named the “Spiritual Leader of the Nation” but her country was crumbling as fast as her health.  Later that same year, she died of cervical cancer.

The musical began as a rock opera concept album, which was released in 1976, and its success led to productions in the West End and Broadway, where it became the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.  The “rock” aspect of the musical remains which, for me, made it feel dated and actually took away from the production.  That being said, there is no denying the staying power of the songs and the story is highly relevant today; in fact, Perónism is still alive and well in Argentina and their history serves well as a cautionary tale for our own country.

Directed and choreographed by Gustavo Zajac, with music direction by David Bonofiglio, Evita is opening 1,050 days late, according to Skylight’s Artistic Director Michael Unger; however, while it could have been one of the many shows lost to the pandemic, the long delay ended up having some upsides: it turned what was to be only a concert into a full-blown production and, while many of the cast members remain from the original concert, some additions and replacements have only added to it, including having Zajac, who was born in Buenos Aires and whose parents grew up under the Perónist regime, as Director and Choreographer.

“In school I studied international relations and political science,” Zajac said.  “Evita brings my two passions together.  It is highly charged politically and artistically.”
Skylight veterans Rána Roman and Andrew Varela are incredible as Eva and Juan Perón (Varela even looks astonishingly like him).  New to Skylight is Richard Bermudez who plays Che, a narrator of the story and the voice of the critics of Evita (and what a voice!), as well as Christian Feliciano as Magaldi, who is somewhat downplayed as simply the man who “discovered” Eva (or the man she used to get her where she wanted to go), but who was actually one of the greatest Tango singers in South America.  The combined vocal power of these four main characters will knock your socks off, alone, but then there are the Tango dancers.  Guillermina Quiroga and Mariano Logiudice are both highly renowned Tango dancers who add to the production exponentially; their dance at the opening of the show gives the entire musical a sense of sadness, sophistication, and beauty that, alone, is worth the price of admission.

EVITA runs through February 19, 2023, at the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, located at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward.  Tickets may be purchase at https://www.skylightmusictheatre.org/ or by calling the Box Office at (414) 291-7800.  The show is two hours and 15 minutes, which includes one 20-minute intermission.  Discounted parking vouchers for $5 can be purchased from the Box Office for use in the Historic Third Ward parking garage at 212 N. Milwaukee Street. The Skylight Bar & Bistro, located on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center and operated by Noble Catering, is open two hours prior to curtain; to view the menu click here.
 
About Skylight Music Theatre
For over sixty years, Skylight Music Theatre has been performing a wide range of musical theatre, from baroque opera, European operetta, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Broadway musicals to contemporary chamber operas, and original musical revues. This tantalizing mix of repertoire fulfills the mission of Skylight, which is to bring the full spectrum of musical theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition.  Skylight gives over 90 performances each season, winning national praise for its artistic excellence, versatility, and virtuoso ensemble productions.  Emphasizing the development of emerging American artists, directors, and designers, Skylight Music Theatre attracts important new talent from around the country. With extended rehearsal and production periods, Skylight artists are able to hone their skills, expand their repertoire, and gain invaluable experience.