make your night sing! - skylight music theatre · to singing puppets, from edith piaf to gilbert...

the mischievous world of

Make your night sing!

Welcome to a brand new season and a brand new name - Skylight Music Theatre. Welcome also to my final season as artistic director. I promise you an experience unlike anything you have seen in the history of Skylight!

I have chosen each of these productions specifically to showcase the strengths of our company, as well as to share with you important theatrical works that truly speak to me personally. I hope this will provide a unique glimpse into the everyday as well as the extraordinary.

As you discover each one of these fascinating stories, you may find yourself inspired or shocked, delighted or devastated, moved to laughter or tears - and sometimes all of the above! The vivid tales and enchanting music of each of these seven diverse shows reaches right into your heart and brings out the range of human emotions like only the full spectrum of musical theatre can, leaving an indelible impression on your mind’s eye.

From Broadway classics to brand new works, from Rodgers and Hammerstein to singing puppets, from Edith Piaf to Gilbert and Sullivan, from an American Folk Opera masterpiece to a country musical, there truly is no other company on the planet that is daring enough to produce such an innovative, eclectic and thoroughly delightful combination of shows.

I hope you will join us for seven captivating productions and seven unique points of view, all of which will “make your night sing” as only the Skylight Music Theatre can.

BILL THEISENArtistic Director

MARCH8 FRI 7:309 SAT 7:3010 SUN 2:0013 WED 2:00 & 7:3015 FRI 7:3016 SAT 7:3017 SUN 2:00 & 7:30 20 WED 7:3021 THUR 7:3022 FRI 7:3023 SAT 7:3024 SUN 2:00

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SKYLIGHTMUSICTHEATRE.ORG414.291.7800

Winner of three Tony Awards including Best Musical and written by the composer of The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q is a hilarious adult-themed spoof of Sesame Street. Part flesh (human), part felt (puppets) and packed with heart, Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a recent college grad who moves into a shabby NYC apartment in the only neighborhood he can afford, all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that the residents of his building are not your ordinary neighbors. Together, Princeton and his new friends struggle to find decent jobs, stable relationships and a purpose in life, but ultimately realize the real world isn’t so bad after all. Skylight is thrilled to be opening the season with this laugh-out-loud tale of the ups and downs of life!

Music and Lyrics by ROBERT LOPEZ AND JEFF MARX

Book by JEFF WHITTY

Stage Direction and Choreography byDONNA DRAKE

Music Direction by JAMIE JOHNS

CABOT THEATRE

SEPTEMBER 21 – OCTOBER 14, 2012

When Maria, a nun-in-training, proves to be too high-spirited for religious life, she is sent to serve as the governess for the seven children of a widowed naval captain. Her amazing rapport with the children combined with her generosity and kindness gradually capture the heart of the austere Captain von Trapp. Shortly after marrying, the whole family is forced to flee invading Nazis by escaping over the mountains of Switzerland. The family’s narrow escape on the eve of World War II is one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in musical theatre. Capturing hearts as the world’s most beloved musical, The Sound of Music is absolutely perfect for the entire family!

Music by RICHARD RODGERSLyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II

Book by HOWARD LINDSAY AND RUSSEL CROUSE

Stage Direction and Choreography by MOLLY RHODE

Music Direction by RICHARD CARSEY

Generously Sponsored by

CABOT THEATRE

NOVEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 23, 2012

Supported by

Baird Private Asset Management

Leslie Fitzwater brings legendary and celebrated French chanteuse, Edith Piaf to life in this dramatic and newly expanded theatrical experience. Piaf’s stormy life was paralleled only by her iconic music. Overcoming an impoverished childhood and successfully fighting a murder charge that threatened to end her budding career, she rose to be the highest paid female performer in the world. Fitzwater embodies Piaf in this captivating evening of song and story that includes some of Piaf’s most well-known songs such as “Hymn to Love”, “Milord” and “La Vie En Rose”.

Featuring LESLIE FITZWATER

Stage Direction by JIM BUTCHARTMusic Direction by PAULA FOLEY TILLEN

CABOT THEATRE

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Drive a ways outta town, somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, North Carolina and you’ll come to a filling station run by L. M. and Jim. Across the blacktop is the Double Cupp Diner, operated by Rhetta and Prudie Cupp. To look at it, you wouldn’t know that this little stop on Highway 57 is where all the action is, but trust us - once the boys get that guitar and bass fiddle revved up, you won’t want to be anywhere else. Pump Boys and Dinettes is a countrified musical packed with highly entertaining toe-tappers such as “Drinkin’ Shoes”, “Farmer Tan” and “The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine!”

Conceived and written by JOHN FOLEY, MARK HARWICK, DEBRA MONK, CASS MORGAN,

JOHN SCHIMMEL AND JIM WANN

Stage Direction by BILL THEISENMusic Direction by RICHARD CARSEY

CABOT THEATRE

MARCH 8 – 24, 2013

Hailed as a masterpiece of American Opera and set in Charleston’s fabled Catfish Row, beautiful Bess struggles to break from her scandalous past while Porgy, the crippled beggar, is the only one who can truly rescue her. Threatened by her formidable former lover Crown, and the seductive enticements of the colorful troublemaker Sportin’ Life, Porgy and Bess’ relationship evolves into a deep romance that triumphs as one of theatre’s most exhilarating love stories.

By GEORGE GERSHWIN, DUBOSE AND DOROTHY HEYWARD,

AND IRA GERSHWIN

Stage Direction by BILL THEISENMusic Direction by RICHARD CARSEY

Generously Sponsored byJohn Shannon and Jan Serr

CABOT THEATRE

MAY 17 – JUNE 9, 2013

We’re at it again! Skylight, Dale Gutzman and Gilbert & Sullivan collide for a brand new and delightfully wonky look at the world of G & S. Join us in the Studio Theatre for a roller coaster ride through all of your favorite G & S tunes. You will roar with laughter when the cast teaches the audience how to write a G & S opera - a Skylight musical revue unlike any other! Here’s a How De Do Indeed!

Once upon a time, many years ago…well, twenty-five years ago, a girl and a boy met and fell in love with singing…with each other. Kay Stiefel and Jack Forbes Wilson have a way of musical storytelling like no others. Kay and Jack, along with the help of Broadway greats such as Lerner & Lowe, Rodgers & Hart and Kander & Ebb, will entertain you with an evening of musical adventures, allegories, anecdotes, and more than a few “happily ever-afters”!

Written and Directed by DALE GUTZMAN Generously Sponsored by

Featuring KAY STIEFEL & JACK FORBES WILSON

Stage Direction by RAY JIVOFF

STUDIOTHEATRE

STUDIOTHEATRE

DECEMBER 31, 2012 – JANUARY 13, 2013 MAY 3 – 19, 2013

Briggs & StrattonCorporation Foundation, Inc.

As a nonprofit, professional performing arts organization, Skylight brings the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience. Through the celebration of the musical and theatrical arts, and the unique melding of powerful acting with beautiful music, Skylight illuminates, enlightens and explores the human condition. And through this unique work we strive to make a difference.

Skylight Music Theatre, now in its 54th year, is the proud owner and operator of the Broadway Theatre Center. Located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward since 1993, this beautiful facility has become a creative hub for a large group of Milwaukee’s finest performing arts organizations. The creative force housed within this building is responsible for the production of thousands of theatrical works, the education and enrichment of scores of Milwaukee Public School students and a vast array of powerful theatrical experiences that are created in Milwaukee for the benefit of our southeastern Wisconsin community.

Our building houses the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks as well as administrative offices for Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee Children’s Choir and Present Music. Within the Theatre Center’s modern exterior is Milwaukee’s hidden jewel, the Cabot Theatre. The 358-seat Cabot is a replica of an 18th Century European opera house, complete with intimate seating, an ornate chandelier and an awe-inspiring ceiling mural of historic Milwaukee scenes and people. The Theatre Center also houses the 99-seat Studio Theatre, a versatile black box space. As always, we welcome you to the theatre! If there is anything we can do to make your visit more comfortable or rewarding, let us know. We are here for you!

Saturday, October 13, 2012 – Pfister Hotel Grand Ballroom The Pfister will come alive with the sound of music as Skylight Music Theatre celebrates Skylight Night, our annual fundraising gala. After all, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate our favorite things without you! For More Information, contact Madeline Cope, Special Events Manager at 414.299.4972 or [email protected]

Skylight is a leader in our community.

• Enlighten, Skylight’s extensive arts-in-education program, provides free in-classroom workshops, residencies and performances for Milwaukee Public Schools. Last year Enlighten served over 10,000 MPS students, including eight partner schools.

• As owner of the Broadway Theatre Center, Skylight provides affordable office, rehearsal and/or performance space for five other nonprofit performing arts organizations (including recent restructuring of rental agreements to make our spaces more affordable).

• Since 1993, Skylight audiences have generated $53 million dollars in economic impact of the surrounding district and city. In fact, the Historic Third Ward exists as the shopping, dining and arts destination it is today due to the Skylight building and moving into the Broadway Theatre Center.

• Skylight contributes to the local pool of artistic talent by providing young, emerging artists with essential experience through our intern, production apprenticeship and education artist programs.

• Skylight contributes to the musical theatre canon. In our 54 year history, we have produced 32 world premieres, three American premieres, 29 touring productions and over 70 original cabaret shows.

• Skylight’s reputation for producing engaging, exciting and imaginative stagings of operas and musicals means we are often among the first professional regional theatres to obtain the rights to produce popular shows like White Christmas, The Producers, Plaid Tidings and Rent.

Please make an add-on gift with your subscription.Your gift makes a dramatic difference!

ABOUT SKYLIGHT WHY SUPPORT SKYLIGHT

SKYLIGHT NIGHT 2012 – OUR FAVORITE THINGS GALA


1. Rent (2010) 2. The Barber of Seville (2009) 3. The Marriage of Figaro (2010) 4. The Rivals (2011) 5. The Tragedy of Carmen (2006) 6. La Bohéme (2008) 7. Souvenir (2008) 8. The Music Man (2011) 9. The Mikado (2005) 10. Animal Crackers (2005) 11. Blues in the Night (2009)

MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM BILL THEISEN’S TENURE...

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Photos by Mark Frohna 4 & 8Photos by Katherine Biehl 1-3, 5-7, 9-11

Members of Actor’s Equity: Benjamin Sterling Cannon (11), Richard Carsey (7), Cynthia Cobb(11), Parrish Collier (1), Norman Moses (8), Ray Jivoff (9), Mark-David Kaplan (10), Linda Stephens (7)

GOOD TO KNOW TICKET BUYING OPTIONS

BAR & BISTRO The Skylight Bar & Bistro is open two hours before each performance and at intermission. It is also open one hour following each performance, except on Sundays. Located on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center, it features a pre-theatre menu by Indulge Wine Room. Visit our website to download the latest menu.

CABARET SERIES Skylight Music Theatre offers a free cabaret in the Skylight Bar & Bistro after all Friday and Saturday night performances in the Cabot Theatre, except on opening nights.

SKYLIGHT INSIGHTS Enrich your theater experience with Skylight Insights—up-close and personal conversations with the creative Skylight staff. Free and open to the public, Insights are held every Wednesday and Sunday one hour before performances.

ONLINE ACCESS For up-to-the-minute show info, visit us online. You’ll also find us on Facebook and Twitter. www.skylightmusictheatre.org www.facebook.com/skylightmusictheatre twitter.com/skylightmusic1

PARKING Meter parking is available on the street (free after 6:00 pm Monday-Friday and all day on the weekends) or in structures nearby for a nominal fee. For more information about parking availability, please visit www.parkmilwaukee.com

NEW SUBSCRIBERS• Recieve 10% off subscription packages• Must not have been a subscriber to the past season

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES• Best seats at the lowest prices•Reserve your favorite seats year after year• Purchase additional tickets and request exchanges during Subscriber

Priority Week (August 6-10)• Special prices on Studio Theatre tickets• Waived facilities fees•Free ticket exchanges up to 48 hours before a show• Discount card to Historic Third Ward theatre, dining, shopping and more!

FLEX PASS•Flexible subscription option: vouchers can be used for any Cabot Theatre

performances• Best seats at the lowest prices• Purchase additional tickets and request exchanges during Subscriber

Priority Week (August 6-10)• Special prices on Studio Theatre tickets• Waived facilities fees• Free ticket exchanges up to 48 hours before a show• Discount card to Historic Third Ward theater, dining, shopping and more!

SINGLE TICKETS• Choose dates and times that are best for you• Available for purchase August 13, 2012• Various discounts available

GROUP SALES• Plan your next group outing with the Skylight! Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounted and/or free tickets. We can even tailor a package to suit your needs. To book your group, call Rose at 414.299.4951.


2012-13 SEASON PRICES & PACKAGES

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORMName _____________________________________________________________Address ____________________________________________________________City _____________________________ State _________ Zip ________________Home Phone _________________________ Work Phone _______________________E-mail _____________________________________________________________

SUBSCRIPTION CHOICESCHOOSE A SERIES Spectrum Trio Operatunities 3 @ 2

CHOOSE A DAY OF THE WEEK Wednesday Matinee (3 @ 2 only) Wednesday Evening Thursday Evening (Trio only) Friday Evening

ADD STUDIO SHOWS Qty Date/Time Total

Here’s a Howdy Do _________ ____________ $ _________________Sing Me a Story _________ ____________ $ _________________

PAYMENT INFORMATIONSubtotal of Subscriptions $___________________Less 10% for New Subscribers - $___________________Subtotal of Studio Shows $___________________Add Sales Tax of 5.6% $ ___________________Please consider a tax-deductible contribution $___________________Handling/Facility Fee $ 5.00

TOTAL $ ___________________

Enclosed is a check made payable to Skylight Music Theatre Please charge my: MasterCard Visa Discover Card

# ________________________________________________________

Exp.____________________ Security Code (3 digits on back of card) ___________

SECTION A B CSPECTRUM SERIES Avenue Q, Sound of Music, Edith Piaf, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Porgy & BessFriday/Saturday Evenings & Sunday Matinees $295 $210 $105 Wednesday & Sunday Evenings $270 $180 $90

SPECTRUM PLUS Avenue Q, Sound of Music, Here's a Howdy Do, Edith Piaf, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Sing Me A Story, Porgy & BessFriday/Saturday Evenings & Sunday Matinees $345 $260 $155 Wednesday & Sunday Evenings $320 $230 $145

TRIO SERIES Avenue Q, Sound of Music, Pump Boys & DinettesFriday/Saturday Evenings & Sunday Matinees $177 $126 $63 Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday Evenings $162 $108 $54

TRIO PLUS Avenue Q, Sound of Music, Pump Boys & Dinettes plus one studio show of your choosingFriday/Saturday Evenings & Sunday Matinees $202 $151 $88 Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday Evenings $187 $133 $79

OPERATUNITIES SERIES Sound of Music, Edith Piaf, Porgy & BessFriday/Saturday Evenings & Sunday Matinees $177 $126 $63 Wednesday & Sunday Evenings $162 $108 $54

OPERATUNITIES PLUS Sound of Music, Edith Piaf, Porgy & Bess plus one studio show of your choosingFriday/Saturday Evenings & Sunday Matinees $202 $151 $88 Wednesday & Sunday Evenings $187 $133 $79

3 @ 2 SERIES Sound of Music, Edith Piaf, Porgy & BessWednesdays @ 2:00 PM $162 $108 $54

3 @ 2 PLUS Sound of Music, Edith Piaf, Porgy & Bess plus one studio show of your choosingWednesdays @ 2:00 PM $187 $133 $79

FLEX PASSES Four coupons to any combination of performances in the best available seats.Weekdays or Sunday Evenings - $216 Anytime - $232

STUDIO THEATRE SHOWS Here's a Howdy Do, Sing Me a StoryRegular - $30 New Years Eve - $41.50

5 shows SAVE up to 20%







Flexible SAVE up to 20%

Subscribers SAVE up to 25%


CHOOSE A SECTION A B C (limited view)

FLEX OPTIONS Sunday Evenings & Weekdays Anytime

CHOOSE STUDIO SHOW Here’s a Howdy Do Sing Me a Story

Saturday Evening Sunday Matinee Sunday Evening

Spectrum Plus Trio Plus Operatunities Plus 3 @ 2 Plus

Help make a dramatic difference with a tax

deductible gift!

BY MAILSkylight Music TheatreAttn: Subscriptions158 N. BroadwayMilwaukee, WI 53202

BY PHONE*414.291.7800(credit card orders only)

IN PERSON*Broadway Theatre Center Box Office158 N. BroadwayMilwaukee, WI

ONLINEOrder 24/7! Visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org and click on any BUY TICKETS link to proceed to our ticketing page.

STAGE STAGE STAGE

Stage Level Second Level Third Level

*Number correspond to personal boxes.

SECTIONA

SECTIONB

SECTIONC

Limited View

CABOT THEATRE

*Numbers correspond to boxes.

* Box office hours: Monday-Saturday, Noon–6:00 PM and 2 hours before showtime ** Season tickets will be mailed in JULY, along with more detailed information about your subscriber benefits and discounts. Season tickets are non-refundable.*** Productions and performance calendars are subject to change. Visit our website for the most up to date information.

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make your night sing! - skylight music theatre · to singing puppets, from edith piaf to gilbert...

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