Irving Berlin's I Love A Piano at The Rep

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents “ I Love A Piano” in the Stackner Cabaret from November 4, 2016- January 15, 2017. Featuring Steve Watts, Kelley Faulkner and Jane Labanz. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Even if you aren't a music aficionado, I'm willing to bet that the name Irving Berlin rings a bell, and even if you can't bring yourself to name a specific tune he wrote, I guarantee that you'll recognize several during the performance of Irving Berlin's I Love A Piano at The Rep.

Considered one of the greatest American songwriters ever, Irving Berlin was actually born in Russia in 1888, but arrived in the US when he was just five years old, and died a New Yorker in 1989.  His music spans generations, from Ragtime music around World War I to Swing music during World War II, and encompasses favorite Broadway Musicals and Film scores, such as Annie Get Your Gun and White Christmas.  

In The Rep's intimate Stackner Cabaret theater, four amazing performers (Kelley Faulkner as Ginger, Jane Labanz as Eileen, Eric Shorey as George, and Steve Watts as Alex) take an old piano with a broken key on a journey through time; singing, dancing, and changing the set (and even their clothes!) right on stage as they go; living up to the iconic status of Berlin's songs as they do it.  This thoroughly entertaining performance will have you laughing, clapping, and singing along until the very end.

Written by Ray Roderick and Michael Berkeley, and Directed by JC Clementz, with Music Direction by Dan Kazemi (Man of La Mancha), and Arrangements by Michael Berkeley, I Love A Piano runs from November 4th through January 15th at the Stackner Cabaret.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.milwaukeerep.com, by phone at (414) 224-9490, or in person at the Ticket Office (108 E. Wells Street in Milwaukee).  I Love A Piano is sponsored by Executive Producers, Adlon Partners, Pete and Beth Gottsacker, and Wayne and Kristine Lueders.  The Rep is sponsored in part by The United Performing Arts Fund.