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​First Stage kicks off its exciting 2016-2017 season with GOOSEBUMPS the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium, beginning Friday, October 14th.   Based on a book from the bestselling Goosebumps  series by R.L. Stine, this world premiere is the first in a season of both family favorites and new premieres commemorating First Stage’s 30th anniversary season of Theater You Never Outgrow.

“R.L. Stine grabs readers and takes them on a roller coaster ride that is equal parts scary and funny,” commented First Stage Artistic Director Jeff Frank. “You don't sell 400 million books by accident. He knows what he is doing, and we are thrilled to bring one of his adventures to our stage -- and thankful to once again be working with our friends at Oregon Children's Theatre, with whom we are collaborating on this world premiere play.”

With book and lyrics by First Stage Associate Artistic Director John Maclay, along with music and lyrics by Danny Abosch, this production promises a silly, spooky adventure that will keep the whole family at the edge of their seats.

GOOSEBUMPS the Musical runs from  October 14th through November 13th at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, located at 929 N. Water Street in Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center box office, by phone at (414) 273-7206, or online at www.firststage.org.

About First Stage
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in the 2016-2017 season, First Stage is one of the nation’s leading theaters for young audiences and families. First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for young people and families through professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten, and entertain. Its Theater Academy, the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people, fosters life skills through stage skills and serves over 2,100 students each year. As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-integrated education in schools, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education programs use theater to promote active learning throughout the curriculum, serving over 20,000 students throughout southeastern Wisconsin each year.  In 2012, First Stage was selected to participate in the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. First Stage is the recipient of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Eureka Award in 2013 and 2015, recognizing creativity and innovation in business, education, and the arts. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Theatre Wisconsin, and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

Launched in 2015, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s “Gifts to the Community” program aims to provide special opportunities for citizens to connect with the area's positive characteristics.  This year, in partnership with the Fund for Lake Michigan, area residents are being offered a special day of free admission to four signature destinations on our region’s shoreline, including two in Ozaukee County:  the Port Exploreum and the 1860 Light Station.

On Saturday, October 15th, both the Port Exploreum and the 1860 Light Station will be open to visitors for free, as well as the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Discovery World, and the Milwaukee Art Museum, all in downtown Milwaukee.  Visitors to Port Washington will also find the Farmers Market happening downtown from 8 a.m. -12:30 p.m., and the tall ship Denis Sullivan will be in the harbor for special "Haunted Sullivan" sails.

As part of the Port Washington Historical Society, the 1860 Light Station and Port Exploreum vividly tell the stories of Port Washington from its earliest days to the present. The Light Station, located just east of the historic St. Mary’s Church, has been restored to reflect the life of a Light Keeper in the late 1800s.  It will be open from 11 a.m - 4 p.m.  The Port Exploreum, located in downtown Port, is a history and maritime museum that uses the latest technologies to interactively tell the stories of Port Washington and Lake Michigan.  There are many hands on activities for kids, and the Exploreum's latest exhibit, "Nothing But Nets," which chronicles the history and social impact of commercial fishing on the Port Washington area.  The Port Exploreum is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information about the 2016 Gifts to the Community free access day, including destination information and program notes, visit greatermilwaukeefoundation.org/gifts.

About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
For more than a century, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation has helped individuals, families and organizations realize their philanthropic goals and make a difference in the community, during their lifetimes and for future generations. The Foundation consists of more than 1,200 individual charitable funds, each created by donors to serve the charitable causes of their choice. The Foundation also deploys both human and financial resources to address the most critical needs of the community and ensure the vitality of the region. Established in 1915, the Foundation was one of the first community foundations in the world and is now among the largest.

About Fund for Lake Michigan
The Fund for Lake Michigan, a donor advised fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, was established in 2011 as part of an agreement between We Energies, Madison Gas and Electric, WPPI Energy, Clean Wisconsin and Sierra Club to safeguard the lake and improve water quality in the region. The Fund has awarded more than $15 million in grants over the past five years to restore habitat, improve beaches, clean up rivers and streams, and revitalize waterfronts in the Milwaukee Area.

​Each year, the National Fire Protection Association picks a new theme for Fire Prevention Week in October, and this year it's smoke alarms.  Many of the Fire Departments in Ozaukee are hosting events this Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th, to get the message out to people in the community.

Open House is on Saturday at the Belgium Fire Department, and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The event will feature the TMJ4 Stormchaser Vehicle, fire truck rides, an extrication demo, Flight for Life, refreshments, raffles, and handouts.

The Port Washington Fire Department will host an Open House from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a Pancake/Egg Breakfast from 9 to noon on Sunday.  The breakfast is $7/person, and children 5 and under are free.  Equipment demonstrations, fire engine rides, blood pressure checks, hands-only CPR training, and the chance to see downtown Port from the ladder truck, if you're brave enough, will all be a part of the event.

The Waubeka Fire Department's Open House goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, and features hands-on fire extinguisher training, exciting fire and rescue demos, a scavenger hunt for kids, door prizes, refreshments, Flash the Fire Dog, and the chance to win a 50" LED TV.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, the Grafton Fire Department will hold their Open House.  Kids can stop in for a wooden nickle, and get their chance to win a ride to school in a fire truck!  Visitors will find live stove fires, jaws of life demos, and sprinkler demos, along with Jer Bear the Clown, the Grafton Police Squad, the Grafton Fire Bell Club, and the Home Depot DIY Project.