By Mary Boyle Most of the area theatre companies take a break over the summer months, when everyone would rather be outdoors and soaking up the sun, but there are a few whose season only coincides with Wisconsin's warmest months, and they bring their performances outdoors, with an almost exclusive focus on the most famous of playwrights: William Shakespeare. Since 2014, the Summit Players, a group of mainly Marquette Alumni, have worked hard to make Shakespeare accessible to families by performing for free at State Parks throughout Wisconsin. This year, the production is the haunting Macbeth. Their plays use the original language, but they are edited for time and to be as family-friendly as possible, while still retaining the brilliance that the Bard intended. They even offer a pre-show workshop that is perfect for school-aged kids. The Players won't be at Belgium's Harrington Beach State Park this season, but they will be just north of Oz in Sheboygan at Kohler-Andrae State Park on Saturday, July 15th, and just west of Oz in Hartford at the Kettle Moraine State Forest on Saturday, August 18th. The workshop is at 5:30 p.m., and the show is at 7; note that you will need a vehicle admission sticker to get into the parks. To see the Summit Players full schedule and learn more, go to: www.summitplayerstheatre.com/ Optimist Theatre in Milwaukee has been doing Shakespeare in the Park since 2010; they return this season with the rarely performed Cymbeline. Since the pandemic, SITP has moved from the Peck Pavilion to a touring show that will travel around the Milwaukee area between July 9th and August 13th. The show, as always, is free and outdoors (you will need to bring your own chair/blanket) and walk ups are welcome, but you are encouraged to register at their website; space is always first come, first served. Members (a yearly donation of $75) are able to reserve seats at one show each season To see the full schedule and learn more about Optimist Theatre, please visit: http://www.optimisttheatre.org Door Shakespeare has been doing Shakespearean productions, as well as other classical works, in the Garden of Björklunden’s 405-acre estate on Lake Michigan in Baileys Harbor for over 20 years. This season they will perform the much-loved comedy As You Like It and The Old Man and the Old Moon, a newer musical tale, from June 29th through August 26th. A trip to Door County is made even better with the addition of live, outdoor theatre in the Garden of Björklunden. To learn more about Door Shakespeare, their play schedule, and their other programs, visit http://www.doorshakespeare.com. For those willing to travel just a bit further, one of the best outdoor theatre experiences in Wisconsin is just outside of Spring Green at the American Players Theatre. APT has multiple productions, both modern and classic, throughout the summer on two different stages, one outdoor and one indoor, but they never fail to perform at least one of Shakespeare's plays. This season, APT has selected two of the Bard's classics: Romeo & Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor. The APT season opens Friday, June 23rd, and runs through Sunday, November 19th. To learn more about APT's complete season, go to: https://americanplayers.org/ There is a reason that Shakespeare in the Park can be found in outdoor spaces throughout the country: in William Shakespeare's time, his plays were mainly performed in open-air theaters, so it feels right to recreate those conditions for today's audiences. The outdoor theatre experience, much like an outdoor concert, has an energy all its own that must be experienced to be understood. While every live theatre performance is unique, the weather and nature are crucial and unpredictable parts of the outdoor theatre production that give an entirely different, and highly individual, dimension to a play, and make for an unforgettable performance. Add to the itinery of your camping trip, or go just for the show, but make sure you add one of these performances to your summer calendar!
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By Mary Boyle One of the movies that took the 80’s by storm was the 1982 hit Tootsie, starring Dustin Hoffman and based on the story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards and featuring other big-name stars such as Jessica Lange and Bill Murray, as well as a debut performance by Geena Davis, the film was deemed worthy enough to be added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1998. In 2018, TOOTSIE joined the list of films turned into Broadway musicals, which now makes its World Premiere in Milwaukee as the final production in the Broadway at the Marcus Center series. With music and lyrics by David Yazbek and book by Robert Horn, Tootsie the musical comedy essentially follows the same story as the film, with some minor adjustments. Michael Dorsey (Drew Becker) is a New York based actor struggling to find work because he’s developed a reputation as being difficult to work with; so difficult that his agent, Fran Fields (Dianne Manaster), fires him. When his ex-girlfriend, Sandy Lester (Payton Reilly), who is also an actor, asks him for help preparing for a new role in a musical, Sandy is exasperated that Michael plays the role of a woman better than she can and – voila! – an idea is born. Michael auditions for the role as Dorothy Michaels and impresses the show’s producer, Rita Marshall (Kathy Halenda), much to the chagrin of Ron Carlisle (Adam Du Plessis), the womanizing Director who had previously banned Michael from any of his shows and finds something oddly familiar an annoying about Dorothy. Michael only tells his secret to his roommate, Jeff Slater (Jared David Michael Grant), who is alternately appalled and gleeful as Michael’s career as Dorothy takes off and he finds himself falling for his leading lady, Julie Nichols (Ashley Alexandra), and being the object of desire by the leading man, Max Van Horn (Matthew Rella). Unlike the film, which had Michael auditioning for a role in a soap opera, the switch to a Broadway musical makes this production a play-within-a-play and a bit of a quirky love letter to, as well as a spoof on, live theatre. For those looking for a deep and thoughtful dive on the disparities between women and men in showbusiness, you will not find it here – this is a largely lighthearted and rather shallow comedy, though Michael does come to the eventual conclusion that “being a woman is no job for a man.” Directed by Dave Soloman, with choreography by Denis Jones, this musical version of Tootsie too often sacrifices heart and depth for comedy, often coming off as corny – some of this is the writing and some of it is due to the acting. Jared David Michael Grant, who plays Michael’s roommate Jeff, gives a wooden performance, and neither Drew Becker or Ashley Alexandra has the vocal talent that the stars of a Broadway show require. That being said, the character of Sandy, played by Payton Reilly, absolutely steals the show, though it helps that her character’s songs are well-written and hysterical. Overall, this production was still a good time and full of laughs and, if you’re a Broadway musical aficionado, you’ll likely want this one under your belt. TOOTSIE runs through June 11th at the Marcus Center's Uihlein Hall. Tickets start at $40 and are available online at www.MarcusCenter.org, by calling 414-273-7206, or in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street in Milwaukee. Groups of 10 or more can secure their seats by calling 414-273-7207. Ticket buyers are reminded that the Marcus Performing Arts Center Box Office/Ticketmaster are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at Marcus Performing Arts Center. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Marcus Performing Arts Center is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance. 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 theatre world was probably one of the hardest-hit during the pandemic: theaters closed and shows closed with them; some of those theaters never reopened, and some of those shows never made it back. There was one show, however, that was a bit of an anomaly. SuperYou, a small show that never got to open as it was scheduled to in May of 2020, made its way instead to playing concerts on pick-up trucks during the pandemic, garnering over 22 million views on TikTok, then on to selling out concerts at Carnegie Hall, to being the only new musical featured on the mainstage at the inaugural 2022 MusicalCon in London. With a devoted fan base, SuperYou music has been sung and shared by thousands of fans around the world who have been featured weekly for the last 2 1/2 years on SuperYou’s Fan Cover Fridays. With a planned opening in the West End in 2024, this little musical may be the most popular show that has yet to be seen on Broadway. Amazingly, you can see its World Premiere right here in Milwaukee, thanks to Skylight Music Theatre. Written and composed by visionary Filipino-American rock artist Lourds Lane, SuperYou is the story of a young girl named Katie (Serena Parrish) who can't seem to fit in. Frequently bullied at school and seemingly ignored by her mother (Melissa Anderson), who struggles with alcoholism, Katie's best friend is her older brother, Matty (Chris Oram), who encourages Katie to turn her struggles into creativity, as he does with his comic book characters. Katie names her nightmare/nemesis Mi Roar (Blake Zelesnikar) and creates her superhero self, "Lightning Girl," as well as a character for other "misfits" in her school who are struggling: Ash/Blast (Jenna Rubaii), Samantha/Seven (B. Noel Thomas), Jo Jo/Rise (Wren Rivera), and Missy/Ima-Mazing (Shelby Griswold). As a young adult, Katie (Kennedy Caughell) and her brother are still creating their characters, but caring for their mother has clipped both of their wings and they've struggled to fly. When Katie meets Jay (Justin Mattthew Sargent) in the coffee shop she's working in, things seem to be looking up for her, at last, until tragedy strikes. While Katie struggles to find her way forward, she realizes the superheroes she created as a child are still able to help her, and others. The grassroots success of SuperYou has given Lane a platform for more outreach with her educational arts and music-based 501c3 SuperYou FUNdation, where Lane teaches global youth and adults to connect to their most empowered superhero selves. The musical also brought together a creative team of talented women with a wealth of Broadway credits among them, including Joann M. Hunter, Director and Choreographer, who has 21 Broadway shows to her credit; Wendy Bobbitt Cavett, Music Supervisor; Anna Lousizos, Scenic Designer, who is a three-time Tony award nominee for In the Heights, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and High Fidelity; and, Cynthia Nordstrom, whose designs have been seen on Broadway and the Marvel Universe, among other places. SuperYou replaces Skylight Music Theatre’s previously announced world premiere of The Song of Bernadette and is Skylight’s entry into World Premiere Wisconsin, a first-of-its-kind festival celebrating nearly 50 new and diverse works on stages throughout the state of Wisconsin, many of which have taken place in Milwaukee. The festival runs through the end of June. There is no denying that immense talent surrounds this production, both at the production level and within the cast. Kennedy Caughell, who plays older Katie and is no stranger to Broadway, has an amazing voice that is well suited to the vocal challenges of the songs, which veer from genre to genre, and she is surrounded by other national vocal talent, such as Oram, Griswold, Rubali, Sargent, and Rivera. They are joined by local artists, Gabriel Manuel Burdette, as well as King Hang, Sarah Zapiain, and Alexis Cimoch, who are all Early Career Professionals and were recently seen in Evita with Skylight. The characters of Katie's mother and Mi Roar are both dancers. Milwaukee native Melissa Anderson, who has worked with both the Milwaukee Ballet and Danceworks and who teaches at UWM and around the Milwaukee area, is a fantastic addition, while Blake Zelesnikar as Mi Roar, who has been in multiple national tours, makes his Skylight debut. Despite all of the undeniable talent, both local and nationally, and the draw of a World Premiere that has an almost cult-like following, I had a difficult time getting into this show, though I wholeheartedly support the message of it. To me, it felt too "feel good;" I found it predictable and lacking in depth, and it bothered me a bit that Katie, a young white girl, is the savior of the misfits, including the black trans character, Samantha/Seven (though I have no doubt that the song "The Truth is Coming for You" will be the new trans anthem). Finding your superhero inside yourself is certainly an excellent message, but the way this message is presented feels firmly rooted in a youth theatre production, not for the Broadway stage. SuperYou wants to be the new Fun Home, but it is missing the truth and heart that makes Fun Home work. However, if you are a person who likes to be on top of trends, this is your show because, despite how I felt about it, I suspect this one will make its way to the Tony Awards in the future, once it takes the West End by storm. Milwaukee truly has an incredible live theatre scene, and the fact that this production is making its World Premiere here is evidence of that. Don't wait until it comes back to town as a very expensive ticket - be among the first to see a Broadway production in the making. SUPERYOU runs through June 18th in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, located at 158 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee. Tickets are available to purchase at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office in person or by calling (414) 291-7800, emailing tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org, or online at https://www.skylightmusictheatre.org/upcoming-shows-events/superyou/. SPECIAL EVENTS Skylight Insights. In-depth discussions with directors and special guests take place one hour before Wednesday and Sunday performances. ASL (American Sign Language) Performance. SuperYou will be interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 7:30 PM. To purchase tickets for this performance, email tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org or call Skylight Music Theatre's Box Office at (414) 291-7800. Mention ASL performance for seating in the appropriate section. Support for ASL performance provided by UPAF (United Performing Arts Fund). ABOUT SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE Founded in 1959, Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company and the largest employer of Wisconsin actors in the State. Skylight produces the full range of music theatre ranging from blockbuster Broadway musicals to reimagined operas, and from exciting world premieres to contemporary off-Broadway hits. Skylight’s mainstage home is the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, which was built by Skylight in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward in 1992. Considered to be one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful theatres, the Cabot Theatre is based on the design of an 18thcentury French opera house. With just 350 seats it offers audiences great views of the action onstage. Skylight Music Theatre marks its 63rd season in 2022-2023. |
Mary BoyleReviewing live theatre in Wisconsin since 2014. Proud member of the American Theatre Critics Association. #OzTheatre
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