Category: Stackner Cabaret

This is a reprint of my remarks about “Nunsense” at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater presented in their Stackner Cabaret during the 2019 – 2020 season. This originally appeared on my Facebook timeline November 11, 2019.

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater opened their production of Nunsense in the Stackner Cabaret this past weekend. And the musical presents just what you’d expect from Nunsense. A ton of music and some silly connecting banter and storytelling in between. And the Stackner is a perfect venue. But the text has gotten a bit dated and some of the jokes don’t work as well as in 1985…even for a former Catholic of the target demographic age…but don’t let that stop you from seeing this!

Director Malkia Stampley has the perfect ensemble and she has them playing to type and against type marvelously. And the ensemble singing as well as solos are just a lot of fun. My favorite character is Sister Mary Amnesia. She is played by Veronica Garza….with the right amount of confusion, enthusiasm, and whimsy to represent a nun who has forgotten who she is. And her voice can just hit all of the highest note and fill the room at the same time.

Melody Betts plays Mother Superior, Sister Mary Regina. And you never quite know if she is trying to remain the stern Mother Superior or at times is wishing she could be just one of the girls. Ms. Betts gets it absolutely right and when she gets to play against her character, it’s a lot of fun!

Sister Mary Hubert? Down to earth and something of a stabilizing influence without really intending to be is perfectly played by Lachrisa Grandberry. And she just rocks the whole center stage with her rendition of the gospel music inspired “Holier Than Thou”. For me it was the highlight of the evening.

And then we have Sisters Robert Anne and Mary Leo. Two aspiring artists…with unlimited energy. Robert Anne, Kelley Falkner is pushing and pushing to have a solo in the nuns fundraiser show…and finally Sister Mary Regina relents. And of course it is perfect and even the Mother Superior has to admit it. And Candace Thomas’ portrayal of a ‘dying nun’ is hilarious. Part flying nun, part dying swan, Ms. Thomas just makes it…well just Nunsense!

A wonderful time was had by all!

Now for a commercial: The Stackner Cabaret has a full dinner menu so make a reservation or get there early and enjoy an outstanding meal before your show. And I have it on good authority that the hot adult coffee selections are pretty darn good.

This is a reprint of my remarks about ” 2 Pianos, 4 Hands ” at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater presented in their Stackner Cabaret during the 2019 – 2020 season. This originally appeared on my Facebook timeline September 9, 2019.

2 Pianos, 4 Hands…a few moments of Victor Borge and a snippet from Ferrante and Teicher plus your favorite classical piano bits and Piano Man…are all features of this opening play in the Milwaukee Repertory’s Stackner Cabaret! Always the cool thing with Stackner performances is the musical skills shown by the actors on top of incredible acting chops.

This piece features just two actors…Joe Kinosian as Ted and Ben Moss as Richard. And they play two aspiring world class classical pianists from age 10 to middle age. So they get to play from age appropriate dialogue and piano skills throughout and just simply nail it. From the physical competitive nature of 10 year olds through the cultural/musical competition of teen to young adulthood. Simply amazing on the face of it.

But there’s more to it than that…the two actors also get to play the various adults who help them achieve their goals or sometimes get in the way. So we see them play off each other as parents or teachers or contest judges. The range of characters and voices and sometimes accents that these actors achieve is simply amazing.

Just looking at the idea of the play, you are ready for plenty of humor. And boy oh boy there is plenty of laugh out loud humor. But I was also surprised at the angst and seriousness that also underlies their quests. So don’t be surprised if there is a tear to two a few moments after a pretty good laugh.

One question got asked in the play that I have always wondered about, having attended a fair number of youth music contests with my musician son…how does a judge keep their sanity when hearing 20 young people play the same piece…one after another…all day long? Yikes!!

Anyway, if you have ever participated in learning to play an instrument or guided a youngster in trying to master an instrument…this is a great play to see. And even not, if you appreciate piano music and coming of age drama/humor…well…have at it.

And don’t forget, after you order your tickets, make reservations and enjoy an absolutely great meal at the Stackner before the play. You won’t be sorry!!

P.S. If you don’t know who Victor Borge or Ferrante and Teicher are, Google them, you are going to love them!

This is a reprint of my remarks about “Ring Of Fire” at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater presented in their Stackner Cabaret during the 2018 – 2019 season. This originally appeared on my Facebook timeline on April 1, 2019!

Ring of Fire – the songs and a bit of the life of the late Johnny Cash comes to life in the Stackner Cabaret of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. If you like country or simply love Johnny Cash…this show will not disappoint. You’ve got the younger Johnny…the mature Johnny…June Carter Cash…and depending on the tune the Tennessee Three or the Tennessee Two.

And songs…and songs…and songs…it is unlikely that they will miss your favorite Cash song or June/Johnny duet…although I would have liked to hear “One Piece At A Time”! AND the crowd loved the show…standing O and an encore and everything!!

But the musicians were right on…the harmonies perfect…the instrumental hand offs (go see it you’ll know what I mean) were flawless…the choreography enchanting…and as the story unwound the age and wisdom and love and fatigue all were exhibited. Awesome jobs from the cast: Alex Keiper, James David Larson, Kent M. Lewis, Corbin Mayer, and Paul Wyatt.

I know this is cabaret but one thing I don’t understand is why it is so important to employ multi-instrumentalists and hand off instruments mid-song.

And although I was right down in front, I couldn’t identify the acoustic guitars being used on stage…if any of you know…please let me know!!