Like just about everything these days, the Marcus Center's 50th anniversary season hasn't gone as planned. The arts organization, however, is making the best of it with a new "Music & Movies" drive-in movie series, starting with an opening night screening for Broadway Bash supporters on a date to be announced. 

Hosted on the roof of the Marcus Center parking structure for a crowd of 40 cars, the first of hopefully several nights of "Music & Movies" will feature a presentation of the Oscar-winning musical "Dreamgirls," the 2006 soul and R&B drama starring Beyonce, Eddie Murphy and the Oscar-winning Best Supporting Actress of that year, Jennifer Hudson. 

The opening drive-in screening will also serve as a sneak peek of the venue's upcoming Broadway Bash annual fundraiser – complete with a live preview of the Bash's 2020 headlining performer: Chester Gregory. Previously a part of the Broadway tour of "Dreamgirls" that came to the Marcus Center in 2010, Gregory will perform a few songs at the June film screening before returning to Milwaukee later in the summer for the Broadway Bash, where he will perform a private Motown revue with several songs from the acclaimed "Motown: The Musical" as well as other popular theater hits from across his musical career ("The Jackie Wilson Story," "Hairspray," "Sister Act").

The Bash – rescheduled from June 12 to later this summer on Friday, Aug. 28 – raises money for the Marcus Center's non-profit work including free arts access, job training, arts education and more. For more information about the Broadway Bash, visit Marcus Center's website.

"The Marcus Center’s 50th anniversary season reminds us how the arts can bring our community together," said Marcus Center President and CEO Kendra Whitlock Ingram in a release. "Through our Broadway Bash, we will raise important funds to continue to serve our eight local resident partners that depend on the Marcus Center, as our community has for the last 50 years. As we manage through this unprecedented time, we are so looking forward to celebrating safely together when this extended 'intermission' is over." 

To become a Broadway Bash supporter and get access to a pass for their vehicle at the upcoming screening, email the Marcus Center at give@marcuscenter.org and stay tuned to the Bash's website. (Or *whispers* stay tuned to OnMilwaukee's social media for a giveaway in the upcoming weeks.) If any spots for this first screening are still open in early June, passes will be opened to the general public.

And as for future "Music & Movies" drive-in film screenings, stay tuned to OnMilwaukee.