Category: Todd Wehr Theater

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The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza AND We Get One Too! A WORLD PREMIERE

Over the past several years I have probably reviewed more than a dozen big stage musicals presented by First Stage, but I have never experienced an audience who were so fully engaged in the action…answering questions asked by the characters of one another…shouting or groaning when there was a controversy…or swaying and waving along with the cast in the big production numbers. It was incredibly heartwarming to feel the intensity and excitement from these young theatergoers. And once again, I was at a loss, since I didn’t have the backstory on the Pigeon, but I obviously am not in on the ‘joke’.

Are you ready for a song?

YES! This is after all a big stage musical and the music flows joyfully and easily tells the story rather than just illustrating it, in remarkable solos, duets, and ensemble pieces that just resonate through the Todd Weir Theater. AND I forgot to mention this is a WORLD PREMIERE. Oh I guess it’s in the title.

This is a holiday extravaganza but isn’t just about holidays. There are I think, three stories here. Pigeon feels lost and a bit outside the community and searches for meaning in life and his place in the world. Elephant and Piggie extol the virtues of BFF (best friends forever), and then things start to get squirrelly, with a whole cast of squirrels representing community engagement and social involvement. All incredibly brought together with the thought of a holiday extravaganza.

Kailey Azure Green in The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

Let’s start with the star of our show, The Pigeon! The Pigeon is played by Kailey Azure Green, not in costume, but as the vehicle for a pigeon puppet. Our pigeon rests on Green’s forearm while one hand activates the bill and the other the wings of the pigeon. Although deftly handling the puppeteering chores, the most fun is watching Green themself as they voice the pigeon and sing the parts and emphatically displays the pigeons emotions in their body language, voice, and the expressions of their face. A lot of fun and joy in their actions.

Now, none of the other actors are dressed in costumes or represent their characters in puppet form despite portraying any number of animals…because their feelings and actions are just so peoplely.

James Carrington and Rachael Zientek in The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

And our best friends? They are James Carrington as Elephant Gerald and Rachel Zientek as Piggie. Carrington and Zientek are obviously fan favorites since they got a spontaneous round of applause on their first appearance on stage. I have seen Carrington in a number of First Stage productions now and he embodies the spirit of what First Stage is all about. And he and Zientek have a very very engaging chemistry on stage…this is the third time they’ve worked together reprising their roles of Gerald and Piggie. And they have their own little drama as they are sure they have picked out precisely the perfect gift for their friend until they are overcome with a dread that their friend might not like it. Songs and drama ensue…and a little humor as well. They are simply delightful to watch!

So that covers the three adult actors in our big holiday extravaganza, and here’s where things start to get squirrelly! All of the other roles are filled by young people!

Adyson Ries (front) and cast in The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

And it seems we have a squirrel for every occasion. Our main team is planning the extravaganza…a lot of excitement and a lot of energy…and great plans get planned and great plans go awry…until In-Between Squirrel sparks an idea and the day is saved. Some highlights include the trio of Catchy Holiday Squirrels who sing a festive holiday song and appear to reprise it a number of times during the play. It becomes an ear worm for the Pigeon but is a delight for those of us in the audience who hear snippets of traditional holiday songs stolen or satirized in the song…until smack in the face…there it is: a pigeon in a pear tree! And watch for Defining Squirrel, a real fan favorite with the young audience, who enters the stage with a placard for ‘bigger’ words and their definition. The trope itself is funny on its face but there is bigger humor later in the play that I won’t spoil by revealing it here.

But everyone comes together in the end and a holiday extravaganza is enjoyed by all and I guarantee that you will enjoy it too. And Santa’s sleigh and an unnamed reindeer make cameo appearances.

Cast in The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

This is a challenging musical to stage because of the number of actors involved and the number of songs involved but director Michelle LoRicco has done an incredible job of bringing it all together. And as always the sets and lighting is first rate First Stage quality which stands on a par with any theater group in town.

I didn’t mention the young actors because First Stage always uses two casts of young actors. I saw the Hotdog cast and they stole my hearts…but from my experience, the Cookie cast will do the same. But keep in mind that there are two casts. So if you are hoping to see a particular young performer check the listings for which day their cast will perform when buying tickets!

But I do have one question that perplexes my aging brain. So if one of our young readers could fill me in. Why did the pigeon walk to the North Pole? I mean, one cool thing about being a pigeon is being able to fly.

The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza runs about 65 minutes plus a short intermission and is being presented at the Todd Wehr Theater in the Marcus Performing Arts Center through December 28, 2025.

Recommended for families with young people ages 4-14 and festive celebrators of all ages

Ticket information and further details can be found here:

And extra credit readings: the Playbill and the Enrichment Guide

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R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom Of The Auditorium @ First Stage!

When my son was a youngster, R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series was golden in our home. Whether a parent reading them to him or reading them himself as he got older, they never were out of circulation. I don’t know how many books we acquired…but more than a few. It’s been a few years so I don’t remember any of the stories, but that experience certainly piqued my interest in First Stage’s: R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium.

Director Jeff Frank and adapters John Maclay (book and lyrics) and Danny Abosch (music and lyrics) have given us a spooktacular musical. Yeah, that’s trite but it’s fun to say and this presentation finally put me in the Halloween spirit. But let’s talk about the scary element for a moment. Yes, Phantom of the Auditorium is eerie and spooky. Delightfully so. But on the scary rating chart I would put it down as a healthy Halloween BOO! and nothing more. First Stage recommends this for young people 8 to 18 but when I attended on Saturday there were many youngsters who were younger than 8. And they seemed to have a great time!! Now, there are a number of black outs that allow the actors to accomplish some sleight of hand scene changes and some flashing lights just before the spooky bits…but what fun!

Just a little background for those not familiar with First Stage. First Stage presents dynamic theater for children, most often at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. These main stage productions are amazing large cast musicals with boisterous music, colorful costumes, brilliant sets, and dramatic lighting. The casts involve a lot of young people and a number of adults. Most often the adults rather anchor the plays and guide the action for the younger stars. Phantom is all of that except there are only two adult actors…and the young actors carry this show. Literally. The two adult roles are Ms. Walker, the school teacher, and Emile, the night janitor. Older young actors could have played these roles and the play would have been just as amazing!

Opening Stage for Phantom of the Auditorium. Photo © Ed Heinzelman 2025

And now the fun begins! Brooke and Zeke are best friends in middle school and bond over horror movies. So when Ms. Walker announces that she is holding auditions for a very very scary play, well they are all in! The play is The Phantom and Brooke wins the role of Esmeralda and Zeke is the phantom. And then it turns out that Ms. Walker’s grandmother tried to present this play years and years ago but it was canceled under mysterious circumstances. The play was banned and all the scripts destroyed…except the one Ms. Walker inherited from her grandmother…which is the script that she is using here.

Zoah Hirano in Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium. First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

Brooke is an intriguing middle schooler, confident, curious, sure of herself, and maybe a little of a tomboy yet. She is determined to make the most of her chance to play Esmeralda and is taking it very seriously. Zeke on the other hand is more playful, a bit lazy, hasn’t read the script, and is something of a prankster. This gets him into a bit of trouble and introduces a number of the spooky transitions. Tina thinks she should be the lead. She is the understudy. She is an overly aggressive over achiever who just oozes contempt in her loss. Assigned to build the set and select the props she bosses it over the others. And then there is the new kid Brian who would like to be in the play but joins his new school too late. Ms. Walker assigns him to assist Tina. And oh oh, the internal love story found in every great drama or musical develops as Brian and Brooke find it difficult to speak in each others presence and for the first time Zeke experiences a bit of jealousy.

Jenna Krysiak (left) and Ryan Stepanski (right) in Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium. First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

And of course: as the rehearsals begin, there start to be strange occurrences. Flashing lights, strange apparitions, spooky movements in the background, light failures, and an underground labyrinth. Like her predecessor, Ms. Walker wants to cancel the play but her intrepid cast demand that they continue. So Brooke, Zeke, and Brian take it upon themselves to discover the source of all of the mysterious events. And I leave the story there!

For those of you who have followed my reviews of First Stage presentations, hopefully you remember that they use two casts of young actors for each play. In this case the Thrills cast and the Chills cast. I got to see the Chills cast. Jenna Krysiak is a very compelling and sincere Brooke and is often the most visible actor on stage even when the spotlight is elsewhere. Maryn Davis is just a boundless source of energy and the perfect mischievous teen as Zeke. Harper Fornstedt is over the top intriguing as Tina and Ryan Stepanksi is a solid , calm, and maybe a bit older than he seems character as Brian. The adult actors are included in both casts: Karen Estrada as the quintessential school teacher Ms. Walker and Zach Thomas Woods as the officious and distant night janitor, Emile.

I had a few moments of conversation with director Jeff Frank before the show. I mentioned that in order to review the work at First Stage, I always flew solo, but wished I had a child or grandchild to bring along. But even as an adult I enjoyed each and every show, even the ones that tended more toward a silly side. He said he had friends who didn’t come because they didn’t have child to bring along or a child in the cast. He suggested that they just come down anyway. I agree! If you are curious about First Stage, just come down. And this might the perfect musical to get started with. It is complex in music, story, and choreography. The actors and sets are amazing and as always the presentation is as professional as you’re going to see in Milwaukee! And it will get you in the mood for Halloween…a perfect place to start the holiday seasons.

Harper Fornstedt (front) and cast in Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium. First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

If you plan to go and want to see a particular actor make sure you pick the day that their cast is featured! Thrills or Chills! Tickets can be purchased here. Phantom of the Auditorium is playing at the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Performing Arts Center though November 2, 2025.

Extra Credit Reading: The Playbill. The Enrichment Guide. And the Social Narrative Pamphlet

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First Stage Presents The World Premiere Of: Esperanza Rising.

Esperanza Rising is a world premiere commissioned by First Stage. It is adapted for the stage by Alvaro Saar Rios with original music by Dinorah Marquez and is based on the book by Pam Munoz Ryan. This is the most personal and poignant play that First Stage has presented this season and maybe in the period that I have been enjoying their plays.

First Stage is a tremendous youth theater opportunity for both audience members and young aspiring actors. When they play at the Todd Wehr theater they usually present large scale musicals with wonderful choreography and of course, music, with large ensembles of adult and young actors, and dynamic presentations around characters well known to their young audience.

(left to right) Ashley Marie Rodriguez, Laura Crotte, Miranda Rose, and Aria Martinez in ESPERANZA RISING. First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

Esperanza Rising is a bit different. Dinorah Marquez has provided some very memorable songs and music that celebrates Mexican culture and family. These songs are sometimes sung by the ensemble and sometimes by individual characters in the play. But here they support the storytelling instead of being a major force in the play. And that adds to the personal. And the storytelling is key.

And a quick reminder. When First Stage presents these larger plays at the Todd Wehr, the core cast of adults remains constant, but the young actors rotate via alternating casts. So I saw the Hope cast on Sunday May 4th, 2025. So if you are hoping to see a particular young actor, check the link below to see which cast (Hope or Dream) they are a part of and when they are performing.

The play is set in the 1930s and begins in Mexico where Esperanza is growing up on her family’s farm. Her father is a very wealthy land owner and the 1930s were a turbulent time and after a pair of family tragedies, Esperanza’s mother decides to move to California along with some of the staff from their farm. They settle in a migrant farm camp and for the first time in her life Esperanza confronts hardship and poverty and the need to work. It is a growing experience for a young girl who is about to turn 13 when we meet her. And this is a very special story about the importance of family and community.

Laura Crotte (left) and David Flores in ESPERANZA RISING. First Stage,
Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

There are five adult roles around Esperanza, but three adult actors. Ashley Marie Rodriguez is Mama. A confident and strong woman who so obviously loves her family but makes a tough decision in the face of adversity and wishes nothing more than a better future for her daughter. Laura Crotte plays both Abuelita and Hortensia. As Abuelita she is the doting grandmother to Esperanza who lovingly teaches her to knit. She too has to make some tough decisions. And Crotte smoothly transitions to Hortensia, a practical and emphatic woman who befriends Esperanza’s family in California. And David Flores is Papa and Alfonso. First a caring and doting father who always gives his daughter a doll for her birthday and does so again for her 13th. But this one takes on more meaning and Esperanza cherishes it. Flores is also simply solid and practical as Alfonso as he moves his family to California and helps Mama and Esperanza reach there as well.

Now, there are two storytellers per the cast list. They are the narrators who fill in the back story and history of the period as well as fill in the relationships of the characters and at times tell us what the characters are thinking. They also get to play a number of small parts: the ‘bad’ guys in Mexico in silly silly mustaches, the immigration agent in California, and a police officer. The storyteller roles are played by young actors from the alternating casts. On Sunday they were played by Lucia Harris and Eleanor Dysart with flair and grace but a bit of comedic posturing when on stage as the ‘bad’ guys, and a certain bit of menace as the border agent or police officer.

Miranda Rose (left) and Thomas Alberto Bastardo (right) in ESPERANZA
RISING. First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

There are three other young person roles. Miguel who is Alfonso’s son, childhood friend of Esperanza, and shall we say, love interest. Thomas Alberto Bastardo makes a suave and thoughtful Miguel, an optimistic youth and like his father, someone who can get things done. And Isabel, a young girl at the migrant farm who is paired with Esperanza to baby sit Isabel’s younger siblings. Aria Martinez is a delight with her curious questions and disbelief that Esperanza needs to be taught to change a diaper. They end up being very close in the end. And Marta, an activist and union organizer on the farm. Erin E. Frailing presents a very determined and focused Marta but… The storytellers are eager to march and chant her slogans.

There is some Spanish spoken at times but you don’t need to be bi-lingual to understand the meaning…it is apparent from the situation. And First Stage recommends Esperanza rising for young people 7 to 17 and theater lovers of all ages, I highly recommend this to adult theater goers even if you don’t have a child in tow. This story and these situations are pure drama and I think anyone interested in theater will enjoy this. And despite the era, the topics are very contemporary in their feel. First Stage has done an incredible job and again, I will say, this is a very poignant and rewarding presentation.

Cast in ESPERANZA RISING. First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

Esperanza Rising will continue from now until May 18, 2025 at the Todd Wehr Theater in Marcus Performing Arts Center. The play runs about 75 minutes with a short intermission.

Additional information and tickets can be found here.

And extra credit reading: The Playbill

Ashley Marie Rodriguez (left) and Isabel Scardino (right) in ESPERANZA
RISING. First Stage, 2025. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

And the final word from Isabel: “My Heart Is Dancing”.