The Milwaukee Repertory Theater is celebrating the music of Fats Waller with an ensemble presentation of over 30 of his songs in the Stackner Cabaret. And if you don’t have fun, it’s your own dang fault.
Pictured Amahri Edwards-Jones and Jarran V. Muse Photo by Michael Brosilow. Photo Courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Yes, indeed, Director E. Faye Butler has put together a solid ensemble of performers and then given them the room to move: sing, vamp, tease, and perform like there is no tomorrow but like they’ve been doing this forever. And Choreographer Kenneth E. Ingram weighs in with on stage moves that delight and allow the cast to swing, jump, jitterbug, waltz, etc in any number of ways that enhance the stories in Waller’s songs.
And it is the stories in the songs that drive this play…so some numbers are full on ensemble pieces but many break down into duets or solo pieces, and Butler and Ingram make those changes and shifts fluid and essentially invisible to the audience, but Lighting Designer Maaz Ahmed, knows just where to light and whom to light and what lights are best for the mood of the piece being performed. That helps draw cleanly the audience along the story lines.
Pictured L to R: Brad Raymond, Rae Davenport, Amahri Edwards-Jones, Katherine Alexis Thomas, Jarran V. Muse. Photo by Michael Brosilow. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
And on to the ensemble/cast: We have five outstanding performers, and again I have to give credit to Butler for pulling together these strong singers and strong personas and making it feel like family on stage. Our cast is Rae Davenport, Amahri Edwards-Jones, Jarran Muse, Brad Raymond, and Katherine Alexis Thomas. And in fact they do feel like family particularly when they are teasing or kidding around with each other. Now you will notice that there aren’t any roles assigned to our five here. That’s because their roles and relationships shift and mutate as they progress through the Waller songbook. So as the stories shift and as we transition from one song to the next, the roles they are playing shift as well. But all of them can move from shy to coy to flirty to sexy to sultry to seductive to suggestive to elegant and back again depending on what they are singing about. And where are they performing? Well, from speakeasy to fancy nightclub to downtown at the Waldorf to a radio station studio (WMKE is back on the air YKIYK) and back with just a bit of vaudeville thrown in.
Pictured L to R: Amahri Edwards-Jones, Rae Davenport, Katherine Alexis Thomas. Photo by Michael Brosilow. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Our three women, Davenport, Edwards-Jones, and Thomas are fearless and willing to use their entire range. So at times they are in solid aria mode, full throated with vibrato in full display but when the mood calls for it, they aren’t afraid to go high to the point of break up and brittle to make a comedic point! And the men, Muse and Raymond, are willing to go that route too from fill the room to a bit up there from confidence and swagger to vocal eye-rolls and laughter. Raymond and Edward-Jones in particular are our comedic foils, just watching them move is a delight.
Pictured William Foster McDaniel. Photo by Michael Brosilow. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
But none of this would work without the solid piano work of William Foster McDaniel. This 85 year old musical conductor and keyboard phenom is front and center on a grand (pun intended) sounding upright piano that so perfectly projects McDaniel’s playing . Piano is the only accompaniment and McDaniel is flawless and totally in tune with the music, working without sheet music. The Rep is lucky to have him…he’s been conducting or performing Ain’t Misbehavin’ for quite a while now, all across the country.
Spoiler alert: As we move into the finale, the cast gets to step out of character just a bit and instead of lyrics, gets to scat perform as different jazz musical instruments. It’s a lot of fun.
Pictured William Foster McDaniel. Photo by Michael Brosilow. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Now, most of these songs are nearing 100 years old, so the lyrics may seem dated and at times the content is defined by its place and time in America’s musical history…but there is nothing but happy here.
And now for a personal sartorial decision: fedora or bowler. I think the bowler…
I am about a month late on getting this out here…it’s been a very busy month! But it might be a good thing. If you missed the announcement, here’s your chance to dream about the Rep’s 2026/2027 season and if you saw it but forgot to act, here’s your chance to buy tickets. What follows is from the Milwaukee Rep itself so all of the good details are baked in already!
An Expanded Lineup of 13 Bold Contemporary Plays, World Premieres, Musicals and Returning Favorites across the Checota Powerhouse Theater, Herro-Franke Studio Theater, Stackner Cabaret, and Pabst Theater.
February 3, 2026 (Milwaukee, WI) – Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Wisconsin’s largest performing arts organization and one of the nation’s leading regional theaters, today announced its 2026/27 Season—its second full season in the state-of-the-art Associated Bank Theater Center. Building on the momentum of this year’s inaugural slate, the new season showcases a mix of Broadway hits, world premieres, intimate new works, and audience favorites across four performance venues.
The 73rd Anniversary Season runs September 2026 through May 2027 and reflects Milwaukee Rep’s commitment to producing entertaining, provoking, and inspiring theater that sparks conversation and celebrates the diverse stories of the community.
“With our 2026/27 Season, we continue to discover what’s possible inside the recently opened Associated Bank Theater Center,” said Artistic Director Mark Clements. “With an expanded 13-production season, including three new plays, one in each of our performances spaces, every production reflects the heart of Milwaukee Rep with bold new award-winning voices, world-class artistry, and stories that celebrate the full spectrum of our shared humanity.”
“Milwaukee Rep’s modernized and expanded home at The Associated Bank Theater Center provides world-class performance spaces in which we can produce the best of American theater,” said Ellen & Joe Checota Executive Director Chad Bauman. “This coming season, we will produce more productions than ever before as we continue to showcase brilliant, boundary-pushing, and deeply challenging work in a space that has quickly become a hub for the community, a place where everyone feels welcome and inspired, and a theater where artists can do their best work.”
The 2026/27 Season highlights:
Three major new‑play development projects through the John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program—including two World Premieres (The Cherry Tortured and MKE MVP) and continued development of the genre‑bending Instructions for a Séance.
A Broadway powerhouse lands in Milwaukee with the seven‑time Tony Award–nominated hit John Proctor Is the Villain.
A landmark special event: Mark Clements directs a star‑studded Wisconsin cast in the iconic courtroom drama Twelve Angry Men as part of a new three-play Herro-Franke Studio Theater season.
A high‑voltage musical opener as Footloose storms the Checota Powerhouse stage under the direction and choreography of Olivier Award-winner Stephen Mear.
A beloved holiday tradition returns as A Christmas Carol once again fills the historic Pabst Theater featuring Matt Daniels as Scrooge.
The Stackner Cabaret launches the season with the high‑energy Broadway celebration The World Goes ’Roundby Kander and Ebb, running September 11 – November 1, 2026. Reconfigured as an actor-musician performance and featuring iconic songs from Chicago, Cabaret, and more, this vibrant revue sets the tone for an unforgettable year. Next, audiences are treated to the return of JP Coletta—who brought the house down in last season’s Million Dollar Quartet—in his brand‑new show JP Coletta’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Piano Man, November 6, 2026 – January 3, 2027. The momentum continues with the World Premiere of Matt Zembrowski’s MKE MVP, a spirited tribute to the Milwaukee Bucks championship run told through the eyes of devoted fans, January 16 – March 14, 2027. Closing out the Stackner season is the beloved hit The Craic, back by popular demand March 26 – May 30, 2027. Sing along to classics like “Danny Boy” and “Whiskey in the Jar” and relive the electric atmosphere that had audiences on their feet.
The Herro‑Franke Studio Theater presents an expanded three production offering highlighting bold voices and intimate storytelling. The season begins with Instructions for a Séance, written and performed by Katie Bender, October 6 – November 8, 2026. Equal parts hilarious, haunting, and heartbreakingly honest, this one‑woman show blends memoir and live magic to explore ambition, motherhood, and the extraordinary hidden in everyday life. The Studio then hosts Twelve Angry Men, directed by Mark Clements, February 2 – 28, 2027, and featuring a powerhouse cast of Wisconsin favorites including Matt Daniels, Steve Koehler, James Pickering, Marcus Truschinski, Jonathan L. Wainwright, and more. This is a rare opportunity to see this epic courtroom drama in the intimate Studio Theater. The Studio season concludes withPenelope, directed by Laura Braza and running April 6 – May 9, 2027. Inspired by The Odyssey, this captivating one‑woman journey fuses myth, music, and theatrical invention.
The five‑show Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater Season begins with the smash‑hit musical Footloose, bursting onto the stage with high‑octane choreography and electrifying ’80s anthems September 22 – November 1, 2026. Directed by West End legend Stephen Mear—who dazzled Rep audiences with Ragtime and Guys and Dolls—this production promises a thrilling start. Next up is Heist by Arun Lakra, November 17 – December 20, 2026, directed by Blake Robison. A cinematic, twist‑filled crime caper, Heist blends the slick fun of Ocean’s Eleven with the intrigue of a classic whodunnit. The new year brings a bold contemporary reimagining with John Proctor Is the Villain, January 12 – February 7, 2027. Directed by Laura Braza, this seven‑time 2025 Tony Award nominee offers a sharp, provocative look at morality and consequence. The season continues with the World Premiere of The Cherry Tortured, written and directed by Aaron Posner, February 26 – March 28, 2027. Set in modern‑day Door County, this fresh take on Chekhov follows one unforgettable family fighting for love, legacy, and the future of their cherished estate. Closing the Powerhouse season is Somewhere by Tony Award–winning playwright Matthew López, directed by María Amenábar Farias, April 13 – May 9, 2027. Set in 1959 New York City against the excitement of West Side Story, this tender, riveting portrait of the Candelaria family celebrates dreams, resilience, and the power of imagination.
Subscriptions are now available for renewal. Subscription prices for the 2026/27 Season range from $125-$857. Packages available are the Ultimate 11-play package, which includes the entire Subscription season spanning all three of Milwaukee Rep’s performance spaces; Powerhouse/Stackner Cabaret 9-play package; Powerhouse/Studio 7-play package; Powerhouse 5-play package; Stackner Cabaret 4-Play package as well as a Create Your Own Season package and Flex Passes. Subscribers can also add A Christmas Carol and Twelve Angry Men to their packages at this time. Single Tickets will go on sale later in the summer. For additional information on Subscription offerings, please contact Milwaukee Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com/Subscriptions.
The World Goes ‘Round
Music by John Kander | Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Conceived by Susan Stroman, David Thompson, and Scott Ellis
Directed & Choregraphed by Kelley Faulkner September 11 – November 1, 2026
Stackner Cabaret
High-Energy Broadway Celebration
Kicking off the Stackner season, this high-energy musical revue brings to life the legendary songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb, the iconic duo behind the musicals Chicago, Cabaret, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Featuring 36 unforgettable songs, five dynamic performers deliver beloved favorites with heart and show-stopping style. The music moves seamlessly from sizzling showstoppers to intimate, moving moments that reveal the depth of the duo’s remarkable collection of songs. From razor-sharp humor to powerful storytelling, this celebration is pure Broadway joy from start to finish.
Footloose
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford Music by Tom Snow | Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman Directed & Choregraphed by Stephen Mear
September 22 – November 1, 2026
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
The Music. The Magic. The ’80s
Get ready to kick off your heels and feel the beat! The smash-hit film Footloose explodes onto the stage with high-octane choreography and electrifying ’80s anthems, including “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and “Holding Out for a Hero.” When city teen Ren moves to a small town where dancing is banned, he challenges the rules, sparks romance, and inspires a community to rediscover joy, freedom, and the power of music. Helmed by Olivier Award-winning artist Stephen Mear, who wowed Rep audiences with his choreography for Ragtime and Guys and Dolls, this energetic, feel-good Tony-nominated musical will have you laughing, cheering, and jumping to your feet.
Instructions for a Séance
Written & Performed by Katie Bender
Directed by Lily Wolff
October 6 – November 8, 2026
Herro-Franke Studio Theater
A John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Production
Houdini, Motherhood And Mayhem
Step into an unforgettable adventure of mystery, mischief, and messy humanity. Katie Bender transforms the theater into an intimate DIY séance, daring to summon the spirit of Houdini—and maybe wrestle with the chaos of her own life along the way. Equal parts hilarious, haunting, and heartbreakingly honest, this one-woman show fuses memoir and live magic to explore ambition, motherhood, and the craving to break free. Expect laughter and glimpses of the extraordinary hidden in everyday life.
JP Coletta’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Piano Man
Created by JP Coletta
November 6, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Stackner Cabaret
Epic Songs. Electric Energy. One Unforgettable Show.
Step into a world of high-octane piano and legendary hits! Rock ‘N’ Roll Piano Man takes you on a thrilling journey through the history of rock ‘n’ roll piano—from the rebellious roots of Little Richard and Fats Domino to the soulful sounds of Ray Charles, and piano legends Elton John and Billy Joel. JP Coletta, who brought down the house as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet, and his band bring each song to life with electrifying energy, dazzling skill, and irresistible charisma. Experience classics like “Great Balls of Fire,” “Bennie and the Jets” and “She’s Always A Woman” in an unforgettable tribute to the music that shaped generations.
Heist
By Arun Lakra
Directed by Blake Robison November 17 – December 20, 2026
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
High-Tech Thrills. High-Stakes Laughs.
A crew with secrets. One last job that could change everything. Heist is a cinematic, twist-filled crime caper brought vividly to life on stage—part Ocean’s Eleven, part mystery-whodunnit, and all heart-pounding theatrical adventure. Featuring sharp dialogue, clever surprises, and unexpected laughs, it takes you on a thrilling ride that keeps you guessing until the final moment. Perfect for the holiday season, it’s the ultimate escape into suspense, humor, and high-tech fun.
John Proctor is the Villain
By Kimberly Belflower
Directed by Laura Braza
January 12 – February 7, 2027
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
A Bold, Contemporary Twist On A Classic Story Broadway smash hit and seven-time 2025 Tony Award nominee John Proctor Is the Villain is a sharp, provocative reexamination of morality and consequence. Set in a modern high school classroom, students collide over truth, power, and whose voices actually get heard. Funny, fearless, and bursting with energy, this contemporary take flips familiar ideas on their head and tackles today’s most urgent questions—leaving you laughing, gasping, and talking long after you leave the theater.
MKE MVP
Book, Music & Lyrics by Matt Zembrowski
January 16 – March 14, 2027
Stackner Cabaret
A John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Production
A New Musical Celebration Of A Championship Team
From the creator of the sold-out hit Dad’s Season Tickets, comes a World Premiere musical comedy that celebrates the Milwaukee Bucks unforgettable championship journey through the eyes of a close-knit group of lifelong fans. From the arrival of a franchise-changing MVP in 2013, to the final buzzer in the Summer of 2021, the glorious end of a 50-year wait reveals how one extraordinary season, one electrifying talent, and the exceptional people around us—can make a lasting impact on our lives. Joyful, funny, and full of hometown pride, sports fans and theater fans won’t want to miss this musical that captures the soul of our city when its team took the world stage.
The Cherry Tortured
Written & Directed by Aaron Posner
February 26 – March 28, 2027
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
A John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Production
Chekhov’s Classic. Door County Freshness.
Milwaukee Rep favorite Aaron Posner (The Chosen) returns for the World Premiere of his gloriously funny, brilliantly sharp reimagining of Chekhov’s masterpiece, The Cherry Orchard. Set in modern-day Door County, one unforgettable family fights for love, legacy, and tradition as the future of their beloved family estate teeters on the edge of change. The Cherry Tortured is the latest in Posner’s award-winning series of bold and clever Chekhovian adaptations that rank among the most produced plays in the country—and you can be the first to see this cheeky, free-spirited take on an all-time classic.
The Craic
By Mark Clements and Deanie Vallone
Directed by Mark Clements
March 26 – May 30, 2027
Stackner Cabaret
Back By Popular Demand After A Sell-Out Run!
Join the fun that made The Craic the biggest hit in Stackner Cabaret history. Set in a lively Irish pub, five friends share an evening full of music, stories, and unforgettable camaraderie. Enjoy classics like “Danny Boy,” and “Whiskey in the Jar,” and feel the excitement that had audiences jumping to their feet. From laughter to music-filled moments, every second is full of warmth, humor, and charm. Whether you’re returning for the experience or discovering it for the first time, this joyous celebration of friendship and laughter is pure Irish delight—Sláinte!
Penelope
Music, Lyrics & Arrangements by Alex Bechtel
Book by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz
Based on writings in The Odyssey by Homer
Directed by Laura Braza
April 6 – May 9, 2027
Herro-Franke Studio Theater
The Legend You Know, The Story You’ve Never Heard
Step into Penelope, where myth, music, and theater collide in a captivating one-woman journey. The legendary wife of Odysseus waits, weaves, and wrestles with love, loss, and life on the edge of the sea. With a bourbon in hand and a three-piece band, she shares her heartache, humor, and unshakable resolve with songs ranging from jazz to folk to indie rock. Confiding in us about her son, her suitors, and the faith she must place in herself, this ancient tale is reborn for a modern audience. Penelope is funny, heartfelt, and utterly alive, asking what it truly means to wait for the ones we love.
Somewhere
By Matthew López
Directed by María Amenábar Farias
April 13 – May 9, 2027
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
Family, Hope And A Rhythm All Their Own
From Tony Award–winning playwright Matthew López comes Somewhere, a tender and riveting portrait of a tight-knit Puerto Rican family in 1959 New York City. Set against the excitement and energy of Broadway’s West Side Story, the Candelaria siblings chase their dreams of dancing on stage, buoyed by their mother’s love and infectious enthusiasm. When their building is slated for demolition to make way for Lincoln Center, the family must navigate heartbreak, hope, and the unshakable bonds that hold them together. Bursting with music, dance, humor, and heart, this joyous, moving story is a celebration of family, resilience, and the American Dream.
Now I know you are smiling and trying to figure out which play will be your favorite. Am I right? But we aren’t done, there are two more offerings that are outside the normal subscription offerings…as always, A Christmas Carol AND:
Twelve Angry Men
By Reginald Rose
Directed by Mark Clements
February 2 – February 28, 2027
Herro-Franke Studio Theaterr
Twelve Strangers. One Impossible Choice.
Step inside a sweltering jury room where the fate of a young defendant rests with 12 ordinary citizens. What begins as an open‑and‑shut case unravels into a gripping battle of logic, prejudice, and moral courage. Tensions flare, alliances shift, and the path to justice becomes anything but clear in this timeless, razor‑sharp drama that feels as urgent today as ever. This all‑star production featuring Wisconsin favorites, including Matt Daniels, Steve Koehler, James Pickering, Marcus Truschinski, Jonathan L. Wainwright and more,brings electrifying intensity and unforgettable humanity to one of the most celebrated courtroom dramas of all time.
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted & Directed by Mark Clements
December 2 – 24, 2026
Pabst Theater
Presented by West Bend Insurance
Milwaukee’s Favorite Holiday Tradition
One night. Three spirits. A chance at redemption. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical journey that reminds us all of the power of generosity, connection, and hope. Featuring Matt Daniels as Scrooge, Milwaukee Rep’s A Christmas Carol sparkles with festive music, breathtaking visuals, dazzling stagecraft, and heart—bringing joy, wonder, and the true spirit of the season to audiences of all ages.
Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson is certainly one of the preeminent American playwrights of the 20th Century. Particularly his ten play Pittsburgh Cycle (aka the Century Cycle). One play was written for each decade of the century and represents the Black experience and culture for that time. The stories are told in great detail through the interactions and daily lives of typical Black Americans. They are all set in Wilson’s home town of Pittsburgh PA. The Milwaukee Rep has been presenting one of the cycle every few seasons and now, one of his Pulitizer Prize winning plays, The Piano Lesson is gracing the new Checota Powerhouse Theater.
The set of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
It is 1936 and we are in the home of Doaker Charles in Pittsburgh. He shares the home with his niece, Berniece, and her daughter, Maretha. It is a comfortable home, not lavish, but comfortable. Doaker has worked for the railroad for decades and is currently a porter. So his home has a lovely couch and matching chair, a fairly modern refrigerator and stove, and a magnificently carved upright piano. And this lovely piano will be the focus of The Piano Lesson.
It is 1936. It is just over 70 years since the Civil War has ended. All of our characters, of course, are the descendants of enslaved people. Many of the adults most likely knew relatives who had actually been enslaved people. And that piano has a long and storied history. The elaborate carvings were done by an enslaved grandparent. The carvings represent enslaved family members of that time. And it belonged to the land owner who held their ancestors in slavery. But now the Charles family owns it (Doaker has a great long story about that,that you need to hear from him) and the question is what to do with it. How do you honor the past and how can that past provide for the future. The family dynamic differs in opinion in dramatic fashion and that drives Wilson’s narrative here.
L to R: Nubia Monks, Lester Purry, James T. Alfred, La’Tevin Alexander, Ny’ajai Ellison. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Yes, Doaker and Berniece are comfortable in their home until Berniece’s brother Boy Willie bursts in at 5 AM and insists on waking the entire household. Boy Willie has just arrived from Mississippi with his buddy Lyman with a truckload of watermelons which they intend to sell on the street. Lyman, along with Doaker and Berniece, are examples of the diaspora of Black Americans migrating from the South to the industrialized North. Lyman wants to use his money to stay and find his way in Pittsburgh…but for Boy Willie, it’s another story. Boy Willie wants to sell the heirloom piano and add it to the watermelon proceeds and return home to purchase a portion of the land where his family was enslaved, becoming a landowning farmer rather than continue as a sharecropper. And here is the rub between the members of the family…what to do with the piano…and how do you honor the family legacy?
Pictured James Craven. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Doaker Charles has worked on the railroad for decades and is now a porter. James Craven gives us a Doaker who has dignity and gravitas and acts as the nominal head of the family. But he also can show a man at wit’s end at times and just backs away to keep his own counsel. Nubia Monks presents initially, a strong and in control young woman as Berniece. A loving and a bit stern mother, she is certainly intent on bringing up Maretha right. But Monks also brings an edge and sometimes a brittleness to Berniece when Boy Willie pushes her buttons just the wrong way. Berniece is a bit superstitious though and maybe with good reason…it seems that the piano may actually be haunted and the spirit of the dead plantation owner may have followed Boy Willie to Pittsburgh or came to seek out the piano. Monks tries to keep her cool while sensing these spirits but eventually overcomes her fears and takes on her future head on!!
L to R: James T. Alfred and La’Tevin Alexander. Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Boy Willie is a loud self interested obsessive man. James T. Alfred plays him loud and obnoxious and self-centered and just moving all of the time…at full voice! How Alfred maintains that intensity and activity level is truly a wonder. His friend Lyman is played by La’Tevin Alexander as a quiet easily swayed young man. Alexander wants to listen to everyone without taking sides but is too often distracted by the last person he’s spoken to and that too often is Boy Willie. Anthony Irons’ Avery is a thoughtful, quiet, and patient man who is trying to become a preacher and start his own congregation. He too is from Mississippi and his newly arrived friends tease him a bit but also show him some respect. He is trying to woo Berniece but she is not quite ready to give up her mourning for her late husband. And the last Charles family member is Wining Boy, who is Doaker’s brother. Lester Purry plays him as a player…a piano player too…and a gambler who it seems could be something but instead is something of a ne’er do well. Purry certainly finds his braggart ways to be the pivotal personality trait for Wining Boy.
L to R: James T. Alfred, La’Tevin Alexander, Lester Purry Photo by Michael Brosilow and courtesy of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Director Lou Bellamy certainly has a fundamental feeling for Wilson’s play here. It can’t be easy to put all of these aspects and characters together when the period is, on the one hand nearly 90 years ago, but on the other all too real, fresh, and contemporary at times. And with a run time of about three hours it must be hard to keep the flows going from start to finish.
The Piano Lesson runs at the Checota Powerhouse Theater in the Associated Bank Theater Center from now through March 22, 2026.
