The Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its reputation for diversity in productions next season with the announcement of a strong Stackner Cabaret season and a variety of other selections for both the Quadracci and Stiemke.
Artistic director Mark Clements has developed a home run reputation for the bookings in the Stackner, which has been home to wonderful musical productions, and next year seems like no exception.
The Rep will open with "The Doyle & Debbie Show," the story of an aging country singer and his new singing partner as they try to build a career. The original musical has gotten rave reviews around the country.
The production will be followed by a remount of "Liberace!", the wonderful production written by Brent Hazelton, the associate artistic director of the Rep. Jack Forbes Wilson will reprise his delightful performance.
Then comes "The Beautiful Music All Around Us," a detailed glimpse into the world of musician Stephen Wade, who is acknowledged as the premier authority on American folk music of the '30s and '40s. The audience will be treated to live music, spoken word and vintage recordings.
The final show at the Stackner will be another one of those rollicking music numbers which brings down the house. "Low Down Dirty Blues" is an after-hours gathering of musicians who swap stories, spit on the floor and play hit music from the likes of Muddy Waters, Pearl Bailey and Ma Rainey. This is one where you might try to hold onto your hat.
The Quadracci Powerhouse is also dotted with some new plays and some absolute classics.
The venerable Pulitzer Prize winner "Harvey," the classic about Elwood P. Dowd and his six-foot rabbit friend, is a delight and a perfect entry into the holiday season menu.
The Quadracci season opens with the powerful musical "The Color Purple," which is going to be directed by Clements himself. The production promises to be full of spectacular music, including blues, gospel and great jazz.
Rounding out the Quadracci season are "Good People" by David Lindsey-Abaire, the world premiere of "Five Presidents" about the gathering of past and present chief executives at the funeral of Richard Nixon, and "Peter and the Starcatcher," a rare opportunity for the entire family to attend the Rep and see a show about "the boy who never grew up."
Finally, the Stiemke Studio will play host to "all the terrible things I do," which is about two people with a shared past who struggle to offer each other a second chance, and the "The Amish Project," a one woman show based on the 2006 real-life shootings in Nickel Mines, Pa.
Information about the Rep’s season is available at milwaukeerep.com.
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