Milwaukee Repertory Theater has announced its upcoming season, the first to be held in the new 152,500-square-foot Associated Bank Theater Center, currently under construction.
The Rep's 72nd season will feature 11 productions in three theaters – the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater, Herro-Franke Studio Theater and Stackner Cabaret.
The re-made and expanded complex is funded by an $80.1 million fundraising campaign, including $10 million for naming rights from Associated Bank, and $1.9 million from the Wisconsin State Building Commission.
The upcoming season runs from October to June, which is different than the typical September-May schedule, made this one time to allow for the completion of construction.
“The Associated Bank Theater Center redefines the standard for theater across the region, allowing Milwaukee Rep to expand the boundaries of storytelling and advance the art of theater,” said Artistic Director Mark Clements. “Our updated theaters open up a new world of artistic possibilities to innovatively stage a surprising variety of works that explore our shared humanity, inspire meaningful dialogue and offer audiences hope.
"With our inaugural season in the new space, we rededicate ourselves to producing and commissioning work from both emerging and established voices that reflects our region’s rich diversity and addresses issues that are both important to the local community and nationally resonant.”
Here is the 2025-26 season, with details provided by The Rep:
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
The first production in the new Powerhouse Theater is the Tony Award-winning hit musical "Come From Away," directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements Nov. 4-Dec. 14. This exhilarating musical tells the uplifting true story of nearly 7,000 airline passengers stranded in a small Canadian town following 9/11, and the incredible kindness they received from the spirited locals.
Following that is the 2022 Tony Award-winning Best Play, "The Lehman Trilogy," Jan. 13-Feb. 2. This production which is performed entirely by three actors is a transfer from Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis) in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington, D.C.). It’s an epic tale of one family’s passionate pursuit of the American Dream and the piercing cost of greed, excess and unbridled power.
Next up, the celebrated director Lou Bellamy, who brought Milwaukee Rep audiences the acclaimed August Wilson’s "Fences," returns to direct the Pulitzer prize-winning play, "The Piano Lesson," Feb. 24-March 22, making it the ninth production in Wilson’s American Century Cycle presented at Milwaukee Rep.
Rounding out the second half of the season are two plays that give a riveting 360-degree look at the life and work of the “Queen of Mystery” herself, Agatha Christie as part of the Agatha Christie Festival. First the effervescent, charming new comedy "Mrs. Christie" by Heidi Armbruster, April 14-May 10, dives into the 11 days where Agatha Christie vanished in 1926 and how 100 years later a devoted superfan stumbles upon the clues that could crack the case. Then "And Then There Were None," the world’s No. 1 bestselling mystery by Christie, May 26-June 28, directed by Associate Artistic Director Laura Braza.
Herro-Franke Studio Theater
The Herro-Franke Studio Theater opens with Wisconsin native and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar’s new play "McNeil," directed by Mark Clements, Feb. 10-March 22. Making this the play’s first American production after debuting on Broadway at Lincoln Center in 2024 with Robert Downey Jr. "McNeal" explores the price of greatness and raises vital questions about art, truth and originality in the not-too-distant future.
The second play is "Frida…A Self Portrait," written and performed by Vanessa Severo, April 3-May 17. Through music and movement, this irresistible production explores the breathtaking life of artist Frida Kahlo.
The Stackner Cabaret
The Stackner Cabaret, with its full-service restaurant and bar, kicks-off with the holiday classic, "It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," Oct. 31-Dec. 21. Deemed heartwarming, hilarious and delightfully retro, this uplifting classic comes to life as a high-energy radio play blending beloved characters, favorite songs, and lovable Christmas spirit.
In the new year the heartwarming Wisconsin musical, "The Fisherman’s Daughter," by Katie Dahl runs Jan. 9-March 1, and is filled with touching songs and home-grown humor that celebrates the connections we share with family, community and the land around us.
Next, step into a jumpin’ jazz joint where the legendary music of Fats Waller takes center stage in the Tony Award-winning favorite "Ain’t Misbehavin’ – The Fats Waller Musical Show," March 6-April 26.
The Stackner season concludes with the world premiere by local favorite Tami Workentin, "George & Gracie: A Love Story," directed by Laura Braza May 1-June 14. Milwaukee’s own power couple, Jim Pickering and Tami Workentin, also perform to bring the inspiring love story of Burns and Allen to life in this heartfelt tribute, filled with theatrical and showbiz magic, as part of World Premiere Wisconsin.
"A Christmas Carol," will star Matt Daniels as Scrooge, in the50th anniversary Rep holiday production.
For details on tickets, package and subscriptions please contact Milwaukee Rep ticket office at (414) 224-9490 or visit MilwaukeeRep.com.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
