The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts announced its lineup of shows for its upcoming 2018-19 Broadway at the Marcus Center season. No, "Hamilton" isn't on the list (that'll be NEXT season), but there are some other big names on the marquee, from freshened-up classics ("The King and I," "The Phantom of the Opera") to fresh new icons ("The Book of Mormon") and several shows making their Milwaukee debuts.
"Our 2018-2019 season is another proven winner – due in no small part to our patrons consistent, strong support of Broadway at the Marcus Center," said Paul Mathews, Marcus Center President and CEO, in a press release. "In group sales alone, the Marcus Center ranks near the top in ticket sales with markets such as Boston, Atlanta and Minneapolis.
"Revenues from touring Broadway shows helps keep the Center an affordable place for our local non-profit resident groups plus creates significant economic impact for Downtown Milwaukee."
Here's the Marcus Center's 2018-19 Broadway season:
"Something Rotten!": Oct. 16-21
Making its Milwaukee premiere, "Something Rotten!" follows two struggling 16th century playwrights – fittingly named the Bottom brothers – as they come up with a brilliant idea to compete with the wild popularity of William Shakespeare: a musical. At least the story about their story became a hit, as the original comedy was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 2015 – including Best Musical – as well as a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.
"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical": Nov. 20-25
The animated Christmas classic makes its leap from the screen to the stage, from hand-drawn animation to real life, as Dr. Seuss' tale of a green grinch whose plan to literally rob the Christmas spirit from Whoville is undone by the very thing he attempted to steal will make its way to the Marcus Center right around the holiday season.
"The Book of Mormon": Jan. 2-6
Back by special popular demand for a limited one-week engagement, the sacreligious Broadway smash hit "The Book of Mormon" makes its return to the Marcus Center to ring in the new year. The tale of two mismatched Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda has broken box office records all over the country – not to mention ribs from all the laughing – winning nine Tony Awards along the way.
"Fiddler on the Roof": Feb. 12-17
Once the longest-running Broadway musical of all time, the stage classic "Fiddler on the Roof" gets an upgrade in this Bartlett Sher-directed revamping of Tevye's beloved tale of balancing his Jewish faith and his family growing up in a new era, traditions and the modern times. Brought to new life with dance and movement created by acclaimed Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, the update scored three Tony nominations in 2016 – including Best Revival of a Musical.
"The Phantom of the Opera": March 6-17
The music of the night plays again in the Marcus Center as Andrew Lloyd Webber's supernatural spectacle "The Phantom of the Opera" crashes back into Milwaukee for a special two-week engagement.
"The King and I": April 9-14
Rodgers and Hammerstein's grand tale "The King and I" will make its return to the Milwaukee stage next spring, bringing back the timeless tale of a British schoolteacher who forms a tempestuous and touching relationship with the king of Siam. This new rendition of the time-honored classic comes adapted from the Lincoln Center Theater production, which won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 2015 – as well as three other Tonys.
"Come From Away": May 7-12
Yet another Milwaukee debut mixed in with this collection of beloved classics, "Come From Away" shines a human spotlight on the true story of 7,000 airplane passengers stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, after the attacks on September 11, and the clashes and kindness that greeted them there. The Broadway production was nominated for seven Tony Awards last year – including Best Musical.
"Anastasia": May 23-28
A fitting combination of something new and something old to end this lineup of classics and new hits intertwined, "Anatasia" brings the story of a young woman desperate to find out about her past, traveling through turn of the century Russia and the roaring '20s in Paris. The show comes from the creators of the Broadway icon "Ragtime," earning two Tony nominations at last year's ceremony.
Season subscriptions for the upcoming season are available now (tickets for individual shows tend to go on sale approximately four to six weeks prior to the production's first performance). For more information on packages and pricing, visit the Marcus Center's website.
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.