First Stage continues to set an example for making theater available and welcoming to young children.

And, by coincidence or not, a lot of their efforts revolve around Finegan Kruckemeyer, the internationally famous playwright who has written dozens of plays that have been produced on five continents.

Kruckemeyer was born in Ireland, lived in Australia and now writes and lives in Hobart, Tasmania. On his website, he says he is committed to making strong and respectful work for children, which acknowledges them as astute audience members outside the plays and worthy subjects within.

Last year, First Stage produced "The Snow," and one performance was the first in the so-called relaxed theater to be seen in Milwaukee. On its website, First Stage offered this definition of relaxed theater:

"Designed for children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders and other sensory, social and cognitive disabilities, this performance of 'The Snow' will include a limited number of attendees, lower volume, lights up, and a host of resources and support before, during and after the performance."

The play was a spectacular story that proved to all concerned that heroes come in all sizes and shapes.

Now First Stage is taking another step with Kruckemeyer and developing a play around themes suggested by Milwaukee children themselves.

First Stage and the inventive Chicago theater for young people, Filament Theatre, have co-commissioned Kruckmeyer to craft a new play inspired by conversations with young people of Milwaukee and Chicago and their parents.

Kruckemeyer visited Milwaukee this summer to engage young people from various neighborhoods in conversation. These early conversations have helped shape further questions from him as he ponders the story that will eventually emerge. An online questionnaire has also been created, giving young people in the city a chance to have input into the creation of this play.

"We know that theater can help reveal truths and advance conversation," First Stage says in the questionnaire. "Your feedback is critical to Kruckemeyer’s ability to give voice to an allegorical tale that addresses the challenges present in our community and in our world."

It’s a rare opportunity for children to participate in the development process of a production and another move toward getting them to appreciate live theater.

You can find the survey here.

MSO bids adieu to Edo

Maestro Edo de Waart will open his eighth and final season as music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra with a promising semi-staged performance of a favorite opera.

De Waart discussed his last season at the helm of the MSO in a recent interview on the symphony website, starting with the semi-staged performances of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" that will open the season. The performance opens Sept. 17.

The past several years have seen a trend of symphony orchestras doing semi-staged opera productions, including the New York Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra. The Los Angeles Philharmonic has given semi-staged performances of the three Mozart/da Ponte operas.

Stage directing "Figaro" will be Robin Guarino, who recently directed the outstanding Skylight Music Theatre production of Thomas Ades and Philip Hensher's "Powder Her Face."

"Robin and I worked together on 'Figaro' at the Met," de Waart said. "She treats characters like real people, not like marionettes. She draws very good lines between characters – she's very communicative. She really makes the characters come to life. And of course, it's such an incredible score."

De Waart will conduct nine programs with the MSO next year, including what he called an "unashamedly Romantic" program of Brahms and Strauss in September, featuring pianist Emmanuel Ax.

"I have wanted to do the Brahms second concerto with Manny for a long time," he said with obvious delight. "Also, I had a soprano (Rachel Willis-Sørenson) singing the countess in 'Figaro' who was available to do the 'Four Last Songs' the next week."

De Waart will become conductor laureate with the orchestra, a title he also holds with the Royal Flemish Orchestra. He is also chief conductor with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic and has accepted the music director position with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.