By Mary Boyle

Now in its 44th year, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is the second-longest, continuous running professional production of Charles Dickens' iconic novella in the country.  The show is a part of the holiday traditions of dozens of area families, but has also become a tradition for several of Milwaukee's finest actors, who continue to return to the production, year after year.  For those who have yet to experience it, perhaps this is the year to go and see why this particular story—a Christmas ghost story published in 1843—continues to enchant audience and actors, alike. 

A Christmas Carol, of course, is the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, a mean and miserly old man who runs a counting house in Victorian London with his single, ill-treated employee, the good-natured Bob Cratchit.  On the night before Christmas, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Marley, who warns Scrooge that he will be doomed to his terrible fate in the afterlife if he does not change his ways.  To help him, Marley tells Scrooge he will be visited by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future.  The spirits, by reminding him of his past mistakes and showing him what his future will be if he continues on his path, teach Scrooge a lesson about the true Spirit of Christmas.  

Mark Clements, the Rep's Artistic Director, unveiled his version of this classic four years ago, featuring an astounding rotating set design by Todd Edward Ivins, all new costumes by Alexander B. Tecoma, and a new audience participation aspect, which they've dialed back a bit in the following seasons so that is is less obnoxious.  Clements' version highlights the ghost story aspect of the tale that may be too loud and scary for young audiences.  There are several parts of the play that have a horror-movie quality to them, such as when the ghost of Marley makes his entrance and just about everything involving the Ghost of Christmas Future.  In my humble opinion, it is overly scary for a family holiday production; if your children are overly sensitive to brightness and noise, you may want to wait before taking them on the journey with Scrooge and stick to The Muppet Christmas Carol, instead.

Still, Jonathan Wainwright is excellent as Dickens and Scrooge and I absolutely adore Angela Iannone in all of her roles (Mrs. Fezziwig, Assistant to Dickens, Charitable Worker and Mrs. Dilber); she is simply a delight to watch.  Reese Madigan, Todd Denning, James Pickering, and Mark Corkins reprise their roles as Bob Cratchit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, Mr. Fezziwig/Charitable Worker, and the Ghost of Marley, respectively.  The biggest change this year is Tami Workentin in the role of Ghost of Christmas Past, which was quite different from Deborah Staples, who has played the role for the ps.  All in all, a delightful cast and still a magical performance that can't help but put one in a Christmas mood, between the red and gold beauty of the historic Pabst Theater and the beautifully sung Christmas Carols.  If you have yet to make this production a part of your Christmas tradition, give it a try.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL runs through December 24th at the historic Pabst Theater, located at located at 144 E. Wells St. in downtown Milwaukee.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (414) 224-9490, in-person at the Box Office at 108 E. Wells, or online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

Small Business Saturday has been giving Black Friday a greater run for its money each year since 2010, when it was conceived by American Express.  Supporting local businesses helps to keep main street communities, like those Ozaukee is made of, vibrant and unique.  We are so lucky to have so many independent businesses to choose from when it comes to holiday shopping in Oz, and we'd like to highlight some of our favorites!
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CEDARBURG

What would the holidays be without toys?  In our humble opinion, Cedarburg Toy Co. is the very best place to get toys for all ages (and we mean all ages!).  Owners, Zachary and Natasha Loos, are dedicated to the importance of play – not only will they help you select the perfect toy, they will gift-wrap it for you, as well!  Located in the heart of downtown Cedarburg and open late on Festive Fridays, you simply must make a visit to this magical little store a part of your holiday tradition.  Hot tip:  The elves at the Toy Co. are brilliant at stealth shopping and wrapping.  Give them a wink and a nod and they'll wrap and bag a gift behind the counter while the recipient is busy playing in the store, if you know what I mean.

Sister stores, Weeds and Lillies, in downtown Cedarburg specialize in fair trade and locally-made items.  Weeds is more home and garden, with everything from tea and soaps to yard art and plants, while Lillies is more focused on clothing, jewelry and accessories.  Lilies also has a greatly expanded baby and children's area, filled with beautiful toys, clothing, and more.  Also open late on Festive Fridays, a trip to Cedarburg is not complete without a visit to these stores!

PORT WASHINGTON

Do you have a musician in your life?  What about young children?  Either way, Lakeside Music & Naturals has you covered!  Owners, Kat Chronis and Aaron Rossmiller, along with their two young children, share their combined passions in one location, so you can purchase a guitar, drums, and new strings, or you can also purchase natural body care products and cloth diapers! This truly family business also offers Music Together classes for young children, and plenty of events for local moms, as well.  Give them a visit in downtown Port Washington!

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GRAFTON

The best kind of buying local is buying things that are actually made locally; luckily, Grafton's Arts Mill boutique has a whole second floor full of artist studios to browse through with all kinds of hand-made items!  Located right on the river in downtown Grafton, there is a delightful coffee shop, AM Coffee, and the Grafton Yarn Store located on the first floor to enjoy, as well!

SAUKVILLE

Although it's better known for nature trails and outdoor events, Riveredge Nature Center also has an incredible gift shop filled with locally-made goodies, including bottles of Riveredge's own maple syrup!  Find the perfect gift for outdoor or birding enthusiasts, or simply give the gift of a Riveredge membership, for a whole year of outdoor fun!  

By Mary Boyle

There are only 4 Broadway musicals that have won the unofficial "Big Six" – Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical.  The first was South Pacific in 1950, the second was Sweeney Todd in 1979, the third was Hairspray in 2003, and the fourth happened just recently in 2018.  Already on a National Tour, the musical has quickly made its way to Milwaukee for this season's Broadway at the Marcus series; a very unique production called THE BAND'S VISIT.  

Based on the 2007 film of the same name, written and directed by Eran Kolirin, The Band's Visit was a collaboration between Israel, France and the United States.  The story is deceptively simple:  the eight members of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra arrive in Israel from Egypt to play a special concert in the cultural center of Petah Tikvah.  Unfortunately, the name is very close to a tiny town in the middle of the desert called Bet Hatikva, which is where the band ends up.  With no other buses coming through for the day, and not even a hotel to stay the night in, Dina (Chilina Kennedy), the owner of the local cafe, takes pity on the men and, after feeding them, invites them to spend the night in her own home and those of her friends.  While their rough English helps them overcome basic communication barriers, it's music that truly connects the band with their various hosts, changing all of their lives in little, but important, ways.

With music and lyrics by David Yazbek (The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Tootsie) and book by Itamar Moses, the story of The Band's Visit is, in and of itself, unremarkable.  In fact, while the traditional Arabic music is truly primal, intoxicating and beautiful, and  there are delightfully funny bits throughout the production, and Chilina Kennedy has an incredibly beautiful and powerful voice, being so removed from the troubles in the Middle East and not being Middle Eastern, I couldn't quite comprehend what made this musical win so many awards.  The real power of this seemingly ordinary story, of course, is that it is Arabs and Jews – two cultures who don't often mix well – demonstrating not only that they have a lot in common, but that the life of people in the Middle East is not very different from anywhere else.  

After winning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Ari'el Stachel, who played Haled, a band member, in the original Broadway cast, said, “For so many years of my life I pretended I was not a Middle Eastern person. […] I am part of a cast of actors who never believed that they'd be able to portray their own races and we are doing that. And not only that but we're getting messages from kids all over the Middle East thanking us and telling us how transformative our representation is for them. […] I want any kid that's watching to know that your biggest obstacle may turn into your purpose."

Theatre has an amazing ability to create empathy, even for large-scale world problems such as the way Middle Eastern people have been viewed and portrayed, particularly since 9/11, in our country, or conflict between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East.  That is why this musical is so very important, in all its ordinariness. That is why it won so many awards. That is why it is touring across the Country so quickly after winning all of those awards, to spread the message to everyone who needs to understand that we are more alike than different; that there are universal languages that we share, and music is perhaps the greatest one.

​THE BAND'S VISIT runs through December 1st at Uihlein Hall, located within the Marcus Performing Arts Center at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (414) 273-7206, in person at the Marcus Center Box Office, or online at https://www.marcuscenter.org/show/bands-visit .  

Learn more about the Broadway at the Marcus Center 2019-2020 Season at:
​https://www.marcuscenter.org/series/broadway-marcus-center-2019-2020

By Mary Boyle

Long before Saturday Night Live, in the early days of television, there was a program called Your Show of Shows.  Ninety minutes of live comedy sketches, starring the great Sid Caesar, that kept America laughing during the Cold War 1950's.  While the show, itself, was smart and funny, the real work all happened in the writer's room on the 23rd floor of NBC's studios in New York, where a group of writers came together and pioneered television comedy, and more, for generations to come.  This is the story behind LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR. 

Written by Neil Simon, who happened to be one of the writers on the 23rd floor and who went on to write The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park, among others, Laughter is fictional, but barely; basically, the names are changed.  Sid Caesar is Max Prince (David Cecsarini) and Neil Simon is Lucas Brickman (Zach Thomas Woods), a newly-hired writer who is hoping to make his mark with the best writers on television.  He joins established writers, Milt (Rick Pendzich), based on Sheldon Keller, who went on to write episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show and M*A*S*H; Val (Mohammad N. ElBsat), based on Mel Tolkin, who was the award-winning head writer for Your Show of Shows; Brian (Dylan Bolin), based on Tony Webster, who went on to write for The Love Boat; Kenny (Seth K. Hale), based on Larry Gelbart, who created and produced M*A*S*H, and Carl Reiner, who was the creator, producer, writer, and an actor on The Dick Van Dyke Show, as well as being the father of Rob Reiner; Ira (Adam Qutaishat), based on Mel Brooks, who is best known for directing Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Spaceballs, and more; and Carol (Karen Estrada), based on Lucille Kallen, who was the only woman in the writer's room for Your Show of Shows, and Selma Diamond, who joined the writer's room when the show became Caesar's Hour.

Directed by Edward Morgan, this is the second time Laughter on the 23rd Floor is being produced at Next Act, the first time being 20 years ago.  Interestingly, Dylan Bolin, who plays Brian/Tony Webster, was in that production 20 years ago, also as Brian.  Next Act's Producing Artistic Director, David Cecsarini, delivers a truly impressive performance as Max Prince/Sid Caesar.  Rick Pendzich, seen earlier this season as the hysterical Highland Hitman in MCT's Unnecessary Farce, is always so good at being funny, but it was fascinating to see Karen Estrada, who is often cast as a motherly type, swearing up a storm on the stage (this is one for mature audiences, by the way).  Zach Thomas Woods is rapidly becoming a local performer to watch, and makes a great Next Act debut as Lucas/Neil Simon.  

This production, of course, is funny, yet it's not quite a full-fledged comedy because of its documentary-like, almost nostalgic quality. The play is even more compelling as a time-capsule of America's Golden Age of television and the unique political atmosphere following World War II during the Cold War, when the Red Scare was leaking its way into Hollywood.  The group of writers was interesting in that there was a woman where women usually weren't allowed at that time, and Caesar and all of the writers were Jewish, except Tony Webster.  Head writer, Mel Tolkin, was a Russian Jew, which made him a target for the accusations of Communism in Hollywood, but he never made the infamous Hollywood Blacklist.  The writer's room was the incubator of so many television programs, films, and plays that shaped our country, and their influence still continues today.  In fact, I would say it is safe to say that this play is almost an origin story for pop culture: important to see in terms of a good cultural education, but also highly relevant and applicable to things happening around us now.  In a nutshell, a smart play by a smart writer for smart audiences.

LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR runs through December 15th at Next Act Theatre, located at 255 S. Water St. in the Walker's Point neighborhood of Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (414) 278-0765 or online at www.NextAct.org.
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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, Next Act continues its tradition of creating high-quality, professional theatre in Milwaukee. The past 28 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

What does the name "Jeeves" make you think of?  For many, the name may conjure the image of a stuffy English butler, though they may not know why.  The origin of the image actually comes from a beloved character in a series of short stories and novels by the English writer P. G. Wodehouse written between 1915 and 1975.  In the stories, Jeeves is the unflappable, intelligent and highly capable valet to a wealthy and rather aimless young English gentleman, Bertie Wooster.  Like a funnier Sherlock and Holmes, Bertie manages to get himself into a string of scrapes and mishaps, but his trustworthy and brilliant companion, Jeeves, always manages to save the day. 

Playwright Margaret Raether discovered and fell in love with the Jeeves stories in college and went on to create a trilogy of plays based on Wodehouse's famous character: Jeeves Intervenes, Jeeves In Bloom, and Jeeves Takes A Bow.  Between 2010 and 2015, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre produced each play with Milwaukee's own Matt Daniels playing the role of Jeeves.  Fortunately, Raether decided to write another play about Jeeves, MCT decided to produce it, and Daniels decided to return to the stage as the quintessential valet in JEEVES AT SEA.

In this edition, the year is 1929 and we find Bertie Wooster (Chris Klopatek) and Jeeves (Matt Daniels) aboard the yacht of the lovely Lady Stella Vanderley (Kathryn Hausman), who is accompanied by her chaperone, Miss Minerva Pilbeam (Diane Lane).  Trouble arrives with Bertie's friend, Sir Percival Everard Crumpworth, a. k. a. "Crumpet," who returns to the ship after an evening of over-imbibing, raving that he may or may not have committed murder.  Then, things go from bad to worse when the local paper's headline reads that the Prince was attacked  the night before and Count Otto von Dietrichstein (Michael Stebbins), the Prince's personal guard, boards the ship insisting on speaking with Crumpet!

While Matt Daniels returns to the MCT stage to play Jeeves for the fourth time, Chris Klopatek will be alongside him as Bertie Wooster for the third time, and this isn't the only play they've worked as a duo: just last season, the two were cast as the King and the Duke in the First Stage production of Big River.  Absolutely in their element, it isn't difficult to see why they were asked to reprise their roles in this production, but their castmates are equally well-suited to their roles.  I was particularly impressed with relative newcomer, Josh Krause, who was in nearly every production at American Players Theatre this past season and played the role of Crumpet quite convincingly.

Directed by Producing Artistic Director, C. Michael Wright, who is celebrating his final season with MCT, Jeeves At Sea is as sophisticated as a farce can get.  From the brilliant art deco set by Stepen Hudson-Mairet to the masterful costumes by Kim Instenes, and an incredibly talented, well-chosen cast of local actors, this fast-paced and funny production is an absolutely delightful voyage from start to finish. 

JEEVES AT SEA runs through December 22nd at the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre, located at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office, online at www.MilwaukeeChamberTheatre.com, or by calling (414) 291-7800

In honor of the holiday season, MCT is hosting a donation drive during the run of JEEVES AT SEA to benefit Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI). Founded and run by veterans, MHVI's mission is to help homeless and at-risk veterans reach and maintain their highest levels of independence. Since 2008, they have served more than 3,500 veterans and their families in southeastern Wisconsin. Learn more about Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative at www.wisconsinvets.org. 
 
If you are interested in donating to MHVI, here is a list of gift cards that MHVI distributes most often:

• Gas cards in $10 or $20 increments
• Bus cards, 2-trip passes
• McDonald's
• Burger King
• Subway
• Cousins Subs

• Pizza Hut
• Papa John's
• Walmart
• Target
• Hair cuts
• Kohl's

Donations can be dropped off in the Studio Theatre lobby during any
JEEVES AT SEA performance.

About Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) produces intimate and accessible theatrical works that engage and challenge the audience, while employing and nurturing principally local theatre artists.  

​Ozaukee County is the place to be for the holidays!  From Thanksgiving through the New Year, there are festive events happening everywhere you turn.  Don't miss the magic of A Cedarburg Christmas, including Festive Friday Eves at the Cedar Creek Settlement and the Holiday Film Fest at the Rivoli, but there's even more happening all over Oz!  Here's the complete listing:

• Inventors Brewpub Holiday Kick-Off Party in Port Washington on Saturday, November 23rd.
• 16th Annual Holiday Bake Sale & Gift Bazaar at the Crossroads Museum in Saukville from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 23rd.
• Annual Christmas on the Porch with Shady Lady Floral in Cedarburg, Saturday & Sunday, November 23rd and 24th​
• Grafton Tree Lighting at the Paramount Plaza at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 24th
• 15th Annual 5K Turkey Trot & Gobble Gallop at Village Park in Thiensville on Thanksgiving Day 
• Holiday Art Fair in Cedarburg's Community Center, Friday, November 29th to Sunday, December 1st
• Cedarburg Senior Center's Holiday Craft Fair & Gift Sale, Friday, November 29th to Sunday, December 1st
• Grafton Chamber's Breakfast with Santa at Circle B from 7:30 -10 a.m. on Saturday, November 30th
• ​40th Annual Grafton Christmas Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 30th
• Village of Fredonia Tree Lighting at the Fredonia Govt. Ctr. at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 30th
• Saukville's Tree Lighting at Veterans Park on Sunday, December 1st
• Cedarburg's Tree Lighting on Monday, December 2nd
• Handmade for the Holidays, Teens Only Edition, at Riveredge on Tuesday, December 3rd 
• Holiday High Tea at the Cedarburg Art Museum, Friday, December 6th
• Swimming with Santa at the Feith Family Ozaukee YMCA on Friday, December 6th
• Christmas at Concordia in Mequon, Friday, December 6th​
• Thiensville's Tree Lighting & Holiday Market, Friday, December 6th
• It's A Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play at Memories in Port Washington, December 6th-15th
• CJWC's Breakfast with Santa in Cedarburg, Saturday, December 7th
• Ozaukee's Polar Express in Cedarburg on Saturday, December 7th
• Meet Elephant & Piggie Family Fun Holiday Event at WJ Niederkorn Library on Saturday, December 7th
• Christmas at the Legion in Saukville on Saturday and Sunday, December 7th & 8th
• St. John's 17th Annual Cookie Walk in Port Washington, Saturday, December 7th
• Christmas on the Corner in downtown Port Washington, Saturday, December 7th
• European Christmas Parade & Market in Belgium, Saturday, December 7th
• Holiday Christmas Concert with the Ozaukee Chorus, Saturday, December 7th
• Thiensville Fire Department's Breakfast with Santa, Sunday, December 8th
• Winter Wonderland of Mequon on Sunday, December 8th
• Christmas Bird Count at Riveredge on Saturday, December 14th
• Santa's Dash Away 5K in Cedarburg on Saturday, December 14th
• Port Preschool Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 14th
• Annual Cookie Walk and Gift Shop at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 14th.
• Christmas at Kapco in Grafton on Saturday, December 14th
• Mequon Police Department's 4th Annual Holiday Gift-Wrapping Fundraiser on Saturday, December 14th
• Make Your Own Holiday Cards at the Arts Council in Port Washington on Saturday, December 14th
• Holiday Party with Piano Brew at the CCC on Saturday, December 14th
• "A Christmas Carol" at the Kuhefuss House in Cedarburg on Friday and Saturday, December 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st
• MSO Holiday Concert at the CPAC on Thursday, December 19th
• Las Posadas in Cedarburg on Friday, December 20th
• Santa Open Gym at North Shore Academy of Gymnastics on Saturday, December 21st
• Ugly Christmas Sweater Brunch at the Hundred Mile House on Sunday, December 22nd
• New Year's Eve Pajama Party at Inventors Brewpub
• Roaring into the 2020's Dinner at Hundred Mile House on New Year's Eve
  
• "Welcome Back to the 20's" New Year's Eve Party at Sir James Pub
• Polar Bear Dip in Port Washington on January 1st

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If you don't see your event listed, let us know!  Happy Holidays from Ozaukee Living Local.

By Mary Boyle

Way back in the early 80's, a guy named Dan Goggin started a series of greeting cards featuring nuns spouting clerical humor.  Who could have known that their popularity would evolve into the second-longest running Off-Broadway production?  Goggin's NUNSENSE, A Musical Comedy, has traveled around the world and even made it into television, but now it's made its way to The Rep's Stackner Cabaret for a hand-clapping, foot-tapping, can't-stop-laughing good time!

Malkia Stampley makes her directorial debut at The Rep, with music direction by the brilliant Dan Kazemi, Nunsense is equal parts comedy and vocal talent, and you don't need to be Catholic to get the jokes (although it doesn't hurt).  The Little Sisters of Hoboken are putting on a variety show fundraiser after their cook, Sister Julia Child, manages to inadvertently poison and kill most of the convent with her latest dish.  While most of the sisters were laid to rest, Mother Superior, Sister Mary Regina (Melody Betts) went out and bought a fancy TV, leaving no funds left to bury the remaining four sisters, who are being conveniently stored in the freezer.  Together with Mother Superior, Sister Mary Hubert (Lachrisa Grandberry), Sister Mary Leo (Candace Thomas), Sister Robert Anne (Kelley Faulkner), and Sister Mary Amnesia (Veronica Garza) perform for the audience in the hopes of raising their needed funds.

Well cast in every way, Nunsense is a perfect production for the intimate Stackner Cabaret stage.  Rep favorite, Kelley Faulkner (Guys & Dolls, Always...Patsy Cline, The All Night Strut) proves she had comedic as well as vocal talent, and is fabulous in her funny socks and Chuck Taylors.  Candace Thomas, who began as an Emerging Professional Resident at The Rep several seasons ago, delivers a great performance as Sister Mary Leo, the nun who dreams of being a dancer.  Both Melody Betts and Lachrisa Grandberry make their Rep debuts and offer stunning vocal power to the production, while Veronica Garza, who also makes her Rep review, is delightfully funny as Sister Mary Amnesia.

If there is a nun joke to be had, you'll probably hear it in this production but, for all that it is a comedy, there is some very pointed commentary on the Catholic church within the production that surprised me a little.  In fact, the song "Growing Up Catholic," which is sung by Faulkner in the opening of the second act, isn't funny, at all, but rather a nostalgic take on "the good old days" when mass was said in Latin, finishing with lamentation about the modern changes in the church.  I didn't find it alarming or offensive, but you do definitely get a sense that the playwright wants to put his two cents in while he's poking fun at his religion.  Nonetheless, the talent and laughs are overflowing in this show, and you can't go wrong spending an evening with a slice of raspberry cheesecake and a cup of coffee at the Stackner.

NUNSENSE, A Musical Comedy, runs through January 12th at the Stackner Cabaret, ​located within the Patty & Jay Baker Theater Complex at 108 E. Wells St. in Milwaukee.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (414) 224-9490, in-person at the Box Office, or online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

About The Milwaukee Rep
Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin in terms of audiences served and one of the largest professional theaters in the country. Each year, Milwaukee Rep welcomes up to 275,000 people at nearly 700 performances of 15 productions ranging from compelling dramas, powerful classics, new plays and full-scale musicals in its three unique performance venues–the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio and Stackner Cabaret.  For over 65 years, Milwaukee Rep has gained a national reputation as an incubator of new work, an agent of community change and a forward-thinking provider of vital arts education programs. 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

Disney’s Newsies, which began as a film in 1992 and then made its way to Broadway in 2012, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and it isn’t difficult to see why.  For one thing, the generation that fell in love with the film now have kids of their own; for another, children standing up for their rights and changing history along the way seems to be a rather common phenomenon these days (Greta Thunberg, anyone?).  Though it’s not holiday-themed, the timing couldn’t be better for Skylight Music Theatre to add this production: they’re celebrating their 60th season under new Artistic Director, Michael Unger, and this show is most certainly a celebration that the whole family can come together and enjoy.

Interestingly, this musical, which feels like Annie meets West Side Story, is inspired by a very real event in our Country’s history: The Newsboys’ Strike of 1899, when the newspaper-selling children of New York took a stand and created a union to fight for their rights.  Their strike started the ball rolling for the Child Labor Laws and other worker protections to come; the same laws that keep children from being forced to leave school to take work in dangerous factories because their parents were injured in those same dangerous factories and can no longer work.  In any case, audiences will get a lovely history lesson and an important reminder about why unions are needed.

The music of Newsies was written by the great Alan Menken, who is known for his scores for The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, Enchanted, The Little Shop of Horrors, Hercules, and more, so you know you're going to hear some catchy tunes.  Lyrics are by Jack Feldman, who has also written for a long list of Disney productions, but also happens to be the guy who wrote the lyrics for "Copacabana," which basically made Barry Manilow, so there's that.  Harvey Fierstein, who wrote the book, also wrote the book for La Cage aux Folles and Kinky Boots, which completes the musical pedigree.  One of the great things about Skylight's productions is they always are accompanied by live music; Music Director Christie Chiles Twillie, along with several talented musicians, does this production justice.

Directed by Molly Rhode, Skylight's Newsies reminds me of their excellent production of Hairspray last season in that, once again, they make use of the incredible amount of youth talent Milwaukee has to offer – roughly half of the sizable cast is comprised of performers under the age of 18.  Primarily, though, it brings to mind that production because this one is also just full of heart.  Marco Tzunux, who makes his Skylight debut as Jack Kelly, the leader of the newsies, has so much passion and energy.  Rachael Zientek, who has become a regular on Milwaukee stages for good reason (Elephant & Piggie, Unnecessary Farce) is absolutely delightful and so very funny as New York journalist Katherine Plumber.  Three other notable debuts: Nicholas Parrot as Davey, a newbie to the newsies trade, is actually fresh off The Rep's West Side Story and Jordan Arrasmith as Jack Kelly's brother in the streets, Crutchie, as well as Natalie Harris, who delivers a powerful performance as Medda Larkin, a nightclub owner and performer.

Relevant and entertaining for a wide range of ages, Skylight's production of Newsies is an ideal theatre experience for a family, but equally entertaining for the Broadway Musical fan, and the beautiful and intimate Cabot Theatre is my favorite place to catch a show.  In all, it's a wonderful holiday production, despite the lack of snow or Christmas carols, because of its universal appeal and all the right feels.  Catch it while you can!

Disney's NEWSIES runs through December 29th at the Cabot Theatre, located within the Broadway Theatre Center at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.  Tickets may be purchased in person at the Broadway Theatre Center BoxOffice, 158 N. Broadway, by calling (414) 291-7800, or visiting www.skylightmusictheatre.org

About Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre's mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience, in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition.  Skylight presents productions "Skylight Style" – bringing fresh approaches or interesting twists to music theatre works, creating meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage, but with the audience, as well. 

   

By Mary Boyle

Regulars at The Rep may remember a hysterically funny play last produced in their 2016/17 season called The Foreigner.  Larry Shue, who was a playwright-in-residence at The Rep back in the late 1970's and early 80's, created two plays that made their World Premiere at The Rep, The Foreigner being one of them, which brought both Shue and The Rep into the spotlight. Tragically, Shue died in an airplane accident at the age of 39, leaving his two World Premiere works as both his and The Rep's legacy.  His other work, THE NERD, which was first unveiled at The Rep back in their 1980/81 season, will now have its fourth production, and it is just the ticket if you are in need of a good laugh.

Directed by JC Clementz, who makes his Quadracci Powerhouse directing debut, The Nerd takes place in Terre Haute, Indiana in the 1970's at the home of Willum Cubbert (Andy Nagraj), an architect whose good friends, Tansy (Alex Keiper) and Axel (Jeremy Peter Johnson), are throwing him a surprise birthday party.  Tansy is actually more than a friend but, since she's accepting a new job that will take her to Washington D.C., she's trying to gently remove herself from her relationship with Willum.  Unfortunately, the only guests to show up at the party are Willum's current boss, Warnock Walgrave (Chris Mixon), along with his odd wife, Clelia (Lilian Castillo), and his obnoxious son, Thor (Charlie Cornell/Damon McCoy), so Willum is excited when he discovers a message on his answering machine that Rick Steadman (Michael Doherty), a man who saved his life in Vietnam but who he'd never actually met in person, was planning to attend the party.  Of course, from the moment Rick arrives, everything begins to go wrong, and Willum finds himself with saddled with a new roommate he is forever indebted to, yet can't stand to be in the same room with.

My first experience with Michael Doherty was in The Rep's 2015 40th Anniversary production of A Christmas Carol, where he played a generally unnoticed character called Mr. Topper ... except, Doherty made him quite noticeable, and incredibly funny.  Of course, it helps that he looks a lot like the character Dwight Schrute from the popular sitcom "The Office," and that comparison really works well in this production, too.  Doherty is so awkward it almost hurts to watch him, but so brilliant you can't look away.  A large part of what's amazing about this production, though, is that his castmates can keep a straight face through it all.  Jeremy Peter Johnson, who makes his Rep debut as Axel, is sublimely witty in his own right (and absolutely unrecognizable from his recent role as Jud Fry in Skylight Music Theatre's Oklahoma), while Andy Nagraj, as Willem, is convincingly flustered by his new friend's antics.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention the scene-stealer of the show, Lillian Castillo, who also earned that title in last season's In the Heights at The Rep – she's simply amazing to watch.  Chris Mixon delivers a worthy Rep debut as Mr. Waldgrave, as well.  However, Alex Keiper, who was in last season's Ring of Fire at The Rep and plays Tansy, may be the most unflappable, since she married Michael Doherty just before the show opened.  

I must admit that I almost couldn't take this show.  The truth is, I do not handle farce very well.  Luckily, I'm not the type to get up and walk out, or I would have missed the amazing twist that occurred at the very point when I thought I couldn't stand the silliness of it all any longer.  Obviously, I can't reveal it here, but let's just say it's like the film Dumb and Dumber or Meet the Fockers was somehow completely redeemed in the last 15 minutes.  Hysterical and witty, yet surprisingly sweet and incredibly brilliant; Larry Shue might not have been here for long, but his plays most certainly will be.  Quite a legacy, indeed.

The Nerd runs through December 15th at the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, located within the Patty & Jay Baker Theater Complex at 108 E. Wells St. in Milwaukee.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (414) 224-9490, in-person at the Box Office, or online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

About The Milwaukee Rep
Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin in terms of audiences served and one of the largest professional theaters in the country. Each year, Milwaukee Rep welcomes up to 275,000 people at nearly 700 performances of 15 productions ranging from compelling dramas, powerful classics, new plays and full-scale musicals in its three unique performance venues–the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio and Stackner Cabaret.  For over 65 years, Milwaukee Rep has gained a national reputation as an incubator of new work, an agent of community change and a forward-thinking provider of vital arts education programs. 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.

One hundred years ago, on November 11th of 1919, America celebrated its first Veterans Day, then known as Armistice Day, in commemoration of the ending of the first World War, which ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  In 1926, Congress designated the day a National Holiday, and changed the name to honor all Veterans, living and dead, who served their country.  There are Veterans Day celebrations all around Oz to attend but, if you can't attend a ceremony, you can also honor veterans with a purchase of a red poppy from an American Legion member.  These flowers, which flourished in Europe following WWI, became the symbol of the blood that was shed by so many, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines.

On Sunday, November 10th from noon - 2, the Rivoli in Cedarburg will host a free screening of the film Dawn of the Red Arrow, which follows the stories of Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers who returned from Europe 100 years ago after nearly two years of service with the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division during World War I, beginning with their journey from their hometowns to the training fields of Texas and then across an ocean to the battlefields of France where they forged a legacy that remains with Wisconsin today.  Built with 15,000 volunteer National Guardsmen from 72 Wisconsin communities, the 32nd Division forged the first chapters of its long and proud service to Wisconsin and the United States.

On Veterans Day - Monday, November 11th:

Saukville
The Landt-Thiel Post 470 will offer a program beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon, at the Legion Hall, located at 601 W. Dekora St. in Saukville.

Belgium
The Melvin-Wester Post 412 will have a ceremony at the Cedar Grove Belgium High School, located at 50 W Union Ave in Cedar Grove, at 10:15 a.m.  Cookies and coffee will be served prior to the service.

Cedarburg
The Peter Wollner Post 288 will host a luncheon for veterans and the community at the Legion Hall, located at N57 W481 Hilbert Ave. in Cedarburg at noon.

Grafton 
The Rose-Harms Post 355 will lead a parade from the post, located at 1540 13th Ave., at 10:30 a.m. to Veterans Park, where there will be a program at 11 a.m. A luncheon for veterans and the community will follow at the post.  Donations accepted. 

Mequon 
The Howard J Schroeder Post 457 will host a ceremony and luncheon at their post, located at 1650 W. Mequon Road, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In Flanders FieldsIn Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row.
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.