Construction means Milwaukee Repertory Theater will perform several 2024-'25 shows offsite
While Milwaukee Repertory Theater plans a full schedule of 11 productions plus "A Christmas Carol" in 2024-'25, a big construction project means some of those shows will be in non-traditional places, including three off-campus.
The Rep is building a new theater complex at its current site downtown on East Wells Street, completely redoing two of its three theaters as well as expanding its facilities into some little-used loading dock space.
In May, the Rep will break ground on a major element of the project: transforming its largest theater, which will be renamed the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater. So during the 2024-'25 season, the five mainstage productions the Rep normally performs in the Powerhouse will be staged in other theaters.
The Rep announced its 2024-'25 plans Monday evening. Here's a summary of next season's shows, in chronological order by opening date:
'The Coast Starlight'
Sept. 3-Oct. 6, Stiemke Studio, 108 E. Wells St.
Mark Clements directs Keith Bunin's drama with humor about the passengers on a long-distance train journey on the west coast.
'Women of Rock'
Sept. 6-Nov. 3, Stackner Cabaret, 108 E. Wells St.
Rep artistic director Clements is creating this music revue, which will span the '50s to the present, with songs associated with Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Alanis Morissette, Brandi Carlisle, P!nk and other expected.
'Prelude to a Kiss: The Musical'
Sept. 10-Oct. 20, Wilson Center for the Arts, 3270 Mitchell Park Drive, Brookfield
In a co-production with California's South Coast Repertory, the Rep will stage this world premiere musical adapted from Craig Lucas' play about how a kiss at a wedding changes the lives of three people.
'Marie and Rosetta'
Oct. 22-Dec. 22, Stiemke Studio
The Rep welcomes back powerful vocalists Bethany Thomas and Alexis J. Roston as groundbreaking electric guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her acolyte, musical partner and companion in George Brant's play with music.
'Lumberjacks in Love'
Nov. 8-Jan. 12, 2025, Stackner Cabaret
Flannel-flying Wisconsin musical comedy created by writer Fred Alley, composer James Kaplan and director-choreographer Jeffrey Herbst — the same team behind "Guys on Ice."
'A Christmas Carol'
Nov. 26-Dec. 24, Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St.
Matt Daniels returns as Scrooge in Clements' adaptation of Dickens' holiday ghost story.
'The Craic'
Jan. 17-March 16, 2025, Stackner Cabaret
Clements and Deanie Vallone are writing this world premiere filled with traditional Irish music, set in a South Kerry pub.
'The Woman in Black'
Jan. 21-March 23, 2025, Stiemke Studio
The Rep will bring to Milwaukee from London the West End cast and touring production of this ghost story, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill's novel.
'Romeo and Juliet'
Feb. 25-March 30, 2025, Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St.
Director Laura Braza is setting Shakespeare's romantic tragedy in Appalachia. This production will incorporate folk and bluegrass music, akin to the way Braza's "Much Ado About Nothing" (2023) was flavored with grunge.
'The Last Five Years'
March 21-May 18, 2025, Stackner Cabaret
In Jason Robert Brown's intimate musical, a woman and a man sing the story of their romance, with his songs going from beginning to end, but hers in reverse chronological order.
'Espejos: Clean'
April 8-May 11, 2025, Stiemke Studio
In Christine Quintana's bilingual play, with Spanish translation and adaptation by Paula Zelaya Cervantes, two women from different worlds are thrown together by torrential flooding.
'Million Dollar Quartet'
April 22-May 25, 2025, Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Performing Arts Center
Braza directs this popular show about the remarkable night when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins jammed together in the Sun Records studio.
"Prelude to a Kiss," "Marie and Rosetta," "Romeo and Juliet," "The Woman in Black" and "Million Dollar Quartet" constitute the traditional Powerhouse season.
"The Coast Starlight" and "Espejos: Clean" comprise the traditional Studio season.
For Rep subscription and ticket info, visit milwaukeerep.com or call (414) 224-9490.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Rep's 2024-'25 season includes three shows at other venues