Category: Studio Theatre

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PSA: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Extends Murder Girl Through December 13th!

If you missed my original review of Murder Girl, check it out here: MCT’s Murder Girl: Quintessential Up North Wisconsin: But Is It A Murder Mystery or A Comedy? And then be advised that it has been extended for a second time to December 13th. 2025.

Marty’s Supper Club. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

Here’s their announcement:

One week after opening. Nineteen sold out shows.

Anyone else getting déjà vu?

Audiences are banging down the doors of Marty’s Supper Club. Just two weeks after we announced our MURDER GIRL extension, our reservation book was 98% full!

So we’re delighted to say… Marty’s is serving up one more round of Friday Night Fish Fry, Saturday Prime Rib Special, and White Zin Wednesday. That’s right:

More information from MCT and Tickets here!

EDITOR’S NOTE: the cast during the extended weeks will differ from the one in my review. The Charlottes will be played by Kelly Doherty and Jenny Wanasek during the extension.

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MCT’s Murder Girl: Quintessential Up North Wisconsin: But Is It A Murder Mystery or A Comedy?

It will be up to you to decide! But I laughed between bouts of holding my breath.

Murder Girl has been selling out its entire run and as a result has been extended through December 7, 2025. So hint, hint, don’t dawdle! But that fact just added to my anticipation in seeing it at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre!

And what do we have here? A murder mystery or a comedy? Yes! Playwright Heidi Armbruster has provided a magnificent bit of Wisconsinana. I don’t care if that’s not a word, that’s what Armbruster has written! And with a delightful cast of characters that will seem all so familiar to those of us who celebrate our time away from work in the Up North of Wisconsin and dine in nothing but the finest local supper clubs. The one here that is the center of attention is Marty’s Supper Club, but alas Marty is no longer with us…but fondly remembered…and her twins run the place. Well sorta!

Marty’s Supper Club. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

Marty’s Scenic Designer Lisa Schlenker knows the Up North supper club by heart. That quaint combination of beer signs, mounted trophies (I mean deer heads and muskies) and the local bric-a-brac that a small town bar is known for. Until we get into the action, it is hard to place Marty’s in a time frame. Much of the decor is so last century as to feel antiquey. Worn wood floors and paneling, totally past their prime bar stools, and the Formica dining table in the corner tell us exactly where we are and maybe why we are here. But then the TV and electronics are fresh from Best Buy! So are we here for the Friday Night Fish Fry or the Saturday Prime Rib? We are here for the murder mystery…ssssh…listen…can you hear the theme music from Murder She Wrote?

L to R: Carrie Hitchcock, Colleen Madden, Matt Bowdren, Bree Beelow, and Joe Lino. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

And the suspense starts immediately as twins Eric and LeeAnn enter a darkened Marty’s separately each thinking that they are alone…and surprise each other with a certain fright. Matt Bowdren, returning the MCT after his appearance in A Doll’s House, is Eric. And Bowdren’s Eric, is sullen, un-trusting, depressed, and a bit jumpy. LeeAnn is portrayed by Bree Beelow as fluid, self-assured, and ready to take control whether Eric approves or not. Both of them are clearly still mourning their mother, Marty, who died in a car accident. Questions still remain about the accident and they are mourning in very different ways, but Bowdren and Beelow both present as people at wit’s end…just at different ends of their wits. Eric is coping by keeping Marty’s alive and just settling for the status quo. LeeAnn has escaped town and found another life, so to speak, but as Eric reminds her, she keeps coming back. So has she actually escaped at all? In her bio notes in the Playbill, Beelow says she hopes to KILL IT on stage as LeeAnn…and rest assured she has done just that.

Armbruster has drawn three more very intriguing and very strong characters here. All denizens of Marty’s but not blood relatives…but given the small town vibe and atmosphere around the supper club…and the way the treat each other, they might as well be.

L to R: Joe Lino, Carrie Hitchcock, Colleen Madden, and Matt Bowdren. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

Director Brett Hazelton (also Executive Artistic Director fo MCT) has pulled together a cast that plays very believable as small town service employees. Let’s start with Ted. A gentleman with a bit of background issues himself, Joe Lino gives us the strong silent type, well until all heck breaks loose and then he seems to be the strong anchor in a sea of chaos…often just being the support that everyone else needs. Carrie Hitchcock assumes the ideal caricature of a small town waitress as Charlotte…with a quick imagination, willingness to blurt out her ideas and thoughts, and protective of Marty’s and the staff no matter what the daily chores of the job introduce. And her perfect foil is the Other Charlotte. A really delightful role played by American Player Theater’s Colleen Madden. What incredible fun to see Madden outside of her trusting environment and seeming to be completely enjoying herself in this dark murderous comedy. She shows that she can be very very funny,

The Charlottes! My favorite characters. Left to Right: Colleen Madden and Carrie Hitchcock. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

Murder? Mayhem? Yes and there are suspicions, suppositions, conspiracy theories, secrets, and more secrets…but all will be revealed in the marvelous language woven together by Armbruster and the pliant and engaging ensemble put together by Hazelton. Murder? Well there is a missing young woman, Emily, who was a waitress at Marty’s. She may or may not have had a variety of non-supper club relationships or interactions with our other characters. And there is her distraught mother, Jen, also a Marty’s waitress, who only appears as a disembodied voice on the recurring news casts played on Marty’s TV. And there are clues and clues and plenty of opportunities to tumble down a rabbit hole (or two). But the answers to all of this are going to be left between you and Armbruster!

Bree Beelow and Matt Bowdren, Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

Murder Girl at the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre has been extended through December 7, 2025. Additional information and tickets here!

From the MCT website:

Run time: approximately 90 minutes, no intermission​​​

​Can you bring your family? Well, you betcha!
We’d be delighted to welcome your whole crew for this homegrown holiday whodunnit! MURDER GIRL does include some strong language, as well as references to drinking, violence, and death. If this were a movie, we’d call it PG-13. 

L to R: Matt Bowdren, Bree Beelow, and Carrie Hitchcock. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
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PSA: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre To Present Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll House”, In A New Adaptation By Amy Herzog

It is not often that we are fortunate to have Ibsen performed in Milwaukee. From our friends at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre:

MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE’S A DOLL’S HOUSE EXAMINES GENDER ROLES AND SELF-IDENTITY IN TONY-NOMINATED NEW ADAPTATION FROM AMY HERZOG


Directed by Leda Hoffmann, the timeless masterpiece will feature Milwaukee favorites Jennifer Vosters, Josh Krause, Libby Amato, Matthew Bowdren, and Kat Wodtke alongside visiting artist Anand Nagraj


MILWAUKEE, WI – December 26, 2024 – Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) continues its landmark 50th Anniversary 2024/25 Season with Henrik Ibsen’s revolutionary classic A DOLL’S HOUSE, presented in an incisive new version by acclaimed American dramatist Amy Herzog.


Directed by Leda Hoffmann, the production will run from January 24 to February 9, 2025, in the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre. Tickets are available online at www.milwaukeechambertheatre.org or by calling the Broadway Theatre Center box office at 414-291-7800.


For only the second time in 50 years, world-changing dramatist Henrik Ibsen appears in an MCT season! His most famous play, presented here in a devastatingly compact and celebrated new adaptation, shocked audiences and ushered in a new era of theater when it premiered in 1879. Culminating in what George Bernard Shaw described as “the door slam heard ‘round the world,” its unsparing examination of gender roles, marital dynamics, and the ongoing struggles for equality and self-knowledge remains blisteringly relevant today. Variety praised award-winning dramatist Amy Herzog’s Tony-nominated bold and compact adaptation as “gravitational… a pure view of what Ibsen meant to convey.


“Amy Herzog’s adaptation of A DOLL’S HOUSE gives us an extraordinary opportunity to connect this timeless story with modern audiences in a way that feels both urgent and personal,” said MCT Artistic Director Brent Hazelton. “At its core, this play is about the courage it takes to challenge societal norms and embrace the complexity of our individual identities—conversations that remain as vital today as they were when Ibsen first sparked them. For MCT, producing this piece during our 50th Anniversary Season is not just exciting; it’s a chance to reaffirm our commitment to telling stories that ignite meaningful dialogue in our community.”

Director Leda Hoffmann returns to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the first time in almost a decade, after previously directing Tennessee Williams’ A LOVELY SUNDAY FOR CREVE COEUR. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called that production “exceptionally well-acted… funny and poignant,” while OnMilwaukee’s Dave Begel described it as “four women… guided down individual and common paths under the delicate touch of Leda Hoffmann.” “Returning to Milwaukee to direct A DOLL’S HOUSE is a dream come true,” says Hoffmann. “When this play was written over 140 years ago it changed the world. Coming back to it now in a fresh, contemporary, energetic adaptation, the play feels as important as ever. What freedom exists in honestly seeing the world around us? What opportunities exist when we are able to imagine something different? I cannot wait for audiences to experience this dynamic and thrilling drive towards realization.”


The cast of A DOLL’S HOUSE is led by Milwaukee’s own Jennifer Vosters in her MCT acting debut as Nora Helmer opposite MCT favorite Josh Krause (INDECENT, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, JEEVES AT SEA). “When I first read A DOLL’S HOUSE as a senior at Brookfield East (thanks, Ms.
Bustle!), the play—and the character of Nora—challenged me in ways I never forgot,” Vosters shared, “confronting me with questions about my place as a young woman in the world I was about to enter. Returning to it right here in Milwaukee feels like a full-circle moment, and the chance to tell this story with the brilliant team MCT has assembled is deeply meaningful both professionally and personally.”


The cast also includes MCT and Milwaukee favorites Kat Wodtke (MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, acclaimed Milwaukee band Long Mama) as Kristine Linde and Libby Amato (MOUSETRAP, A THOUSAND WORDS) as Anne-Marie. Matthew Bowdren (Arizona Theatre Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare) and visiting artist Anand Nagraj (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Disney’s ALADDIN, Chicago Fire and Chicago PD) will round out the cast in their MCT debuts as Nils Krogstad and Dr. Peter Rank, respectively.


The production will be designed and created by Jimmy Balistreri (Lighting Designer), Gina Cornejo (Intimacy Follow), KaiLee Evans (Intimacy Director), Bri Humke (Assistant Stage Manager), Dani Kuepper (Stage Movement Director), Lisa Schlenker (Scenic Designer), Josh Schmidt (Sound Designer), Simone Tegge (Associate Scenic and Properties Designer), Emily Marie Wilke (Stage Manager), and Winter Olamina (Costume Designer).


Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s production of A DOLL’S HOUSE is generously supported by Executive Producers Deborah and Jamshed Patel and Mike Reavis; Producers Emily and Leopold Shircel, Chris and Judi Collins, and the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin; and Associate Producers Kelly Schlicht and Steve Weber. A DOLL’S HOUSE is produced in partnership with TEMPO, Girls Rock/Ladies Rock, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM), and the Cactus Club’s
Cactus Plus.

Here2Play Community Launch Event
Join MCT for the launch of A DOLL’S HOUSE in the community on Wednesday, January 8th from 6-8pm at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin. Here2Play sets the stage for meaningful conversations by highlighting each production’s community partners and contextualizing the play’s themes within Milwaukee. Enjoy themed hors d’oeuvres from the Woman’s Club’s celebrated kitchen, a cash bar, live local music, and sneak-peek readings from the play. A lively panel discussion featuring local leaders will explore the play’s timeless relevance, followed by an exclusive ticket discount for attendees. The event is free and open to the community! RSVP highly encouraged. Complimentary valet parking available.
RSVP: HERE!!!

KEY DATES + EVENTS:
Ibsen’s A DOLL’S HOUSE, in a new adaptation by Amy Herzog, will run from January 24 to February 9, 2025 at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre, 158 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

ASL Interpretation: Friday, February 7 at 7:30 PM

Preview: Friday, January 24 at 7:30 PM

Opening Night: Saturday, January 25 at 8:00 PM

Pay-What-You-Choose: Monday, January 27 at 7:30 PM (walk-up tickets available starting one hour before the show)

Talkbacks: Thursdays, January 30 and February 6, following the 7:30 PM performances

SipStudio: Saturday, February 1 (complimentary drinks and exclusive experiences for matinee and evening attendees)

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets can be purchased by phone at 414-291-7800 (M-Sa 12-6 pm and 2 hours prior to BTC show times) or online at www.milwaukeechambertheatre.org/a-dolls-house


Throughout the run of A DOLL’S HOUSE, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s 3-Play Flex Pass subscriptions will still be available for purchase. Learn more about subscriber benefits and lock in your seats for the season at www.milwaukeechambertheatre.org/shop.

ABOUT MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE
Founded in 1975 by Montgomery Davis and Ruth Schudson, guided until 2020 by Michael Wright and Kirsten Finn, and now led by Brent Hazelton, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) partners with other arts organizations, community-based organizations, and universities to produce thought-provoking productions and innovative outreach programs on an intimate, human scale, to create conversations among multicultural and multigenerational audiences that bring our community closer together. As part of its five-decade commitment to
strengthening Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s local artist community, MCT provides regular employment and a stable artistic home to professional artists through a five-play subscription series, the Young Playwrights Festival (YPF), and the Montgomery Davis Play Development
Series (MDPDS).