Tag: Musical Theater

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PSA: THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS Returns To First Stage!

Milwaukee, WI – February 15, 2022 – First Stage is delighted to announce that its next mainstage production will be THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, a world premiere co-commission with Oregon Children’s Theatre, which originally premiered in March of 2020. The production features clever, original music from classic rock to dance pop as well as fantastical costumes, sets and puppets that will entertain the entire family. Based on the bestselling book by Drew Daywalt with illustrations by Adam Rex, First Stage Resident Playwright John Maclay wrote the book and lyrics and Eric Nordin wrote the music and lyrics. Choreography is by First Stage alum Molly Rhode and popular Milwaukee actor Kelly Doherty will direct. Kelly made her First Stage directing debut when the play premiered in 2020, but that run was cut short due to the pandemic. Kelly, along with the creative team of THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS and all of First Stage, is eager to share this delightful production and its infectious joy with audience members once again.  

In THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, three fierce warriors return to the stage for a rematch after their brief battle was cut short in March 2020. From the Kingdom of Backyard came Rock, from the Empire of Mom’s Home Office came Paper, and from a messy village in the Junk Drawer Realm came Scissors. They were the strongest, smartest and fastest in all the land. Though they searched far and wide for worthy opponents, no one could beat them . . . until they met each other and a musical battle royale began to see who would come out on top! Sponsored by Molitor Foundation. Performance run time is approximately 60 minutes, with no intermission. Suggested for families with young people ages 4+. 

courtesy of First Stage!!

THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS runs March 5 – April 3, 2022 at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, located at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at firststage.org. 

–A fun, family-friendly world premiere musical about friendship, bravery and teamwork- 

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Milwaukee Repertory Theater Goes LIVE: First Lady Of Song: Alexis Roston Sings Ella Fitzgerald!

What an exciting evening…finally getting back into a theater…for a live performance. Not quite what I would normally expect in the Quadracci Power House Theater. This would be perfectly suited to the Stackner Cabaret, but given the City of Milwaukee Health Department safety regulations around capacity and social distancing…this was a genius solution!

And Alexis J. Roston is just the perfect actor/vocalist to bring us Ella Fitzgerald on stage. She just owns every one of the standards that Ella brought to the American public. Man…what a voice…and what a sense of style…and skat singing! The room was just electric…and you could feel the wave of recognition and satisfaction move across the room when she started in to Summertime! So just expect to sit back and smile as you hear and remember classics from Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin. I don’t think anyone can leave the theater unhappy.

photo by JPM Photography

Ok, I am at a loss here and just a little bit sad. I have been over the Rep’s website and read other reviews and announcements but I haven’t been able to find the names of the musicians playing behind Ms. Roston. But it is a tight hot little quartet with bass, drums, piano, and saxophone /flute. And they provide the perfect musical bed that allows Ms. Roston to do her thing! From my seats I couldn’t see the bass or piano because they were behind the proscenium and the whole combo was pulled back so they could be distanced from Ms. Roston who was centered in the thrust stage and distanced from the audience. But the sound was perfect!

My one quibble…whoever wrote the book could have added more detail on Ms. Fitzgerald’s backstory, career, and the Great American Songbook. I realize the story is just to stitch the songs together, but I would have appreciated more detail.

IF YOU GO! I was there Tuesday night, April 27th, the first performance night. Friday April 30th is the official opening night and the show is currently scheduled to run through May 23, 2021. You can order tickets here!

And for safety?? You will be required to remain masked while in the theater and observe social distancing. When you purchase your ticket please pay attention because they are for timed entry. You will have to pass through an aisle of plexiglass to the theater entry and have your temperature taken. You will scan your own ticket and will be directed to the correct door into the theater. Total capacity is 25% so you will not be seated near anyone other than your own companion(s). And exit is controlled by the ushers when the program completes, starting with those in the back rows. Unavailable seats are taped off so that they can not be used. I can’t imagine how discouraging that must be for the performers to not only see empty seats but to see the obvious tape limiting their use.

But this is an enchanting show and if you are comfortable returning to the theater, here’s a good place to start. So let me leave you with this highlight of the evening: