Milwaukee, Wis. (March 25, 2023) — Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company, is thrilled to unveil its transformative 2024-2025 season, brimming with captivating musicals, heartwarming classics, and world premieres.
“This season promises something for everyone,” says Skylight Artistic Director Michael Unger. “All of the stories we are telling will not only take our audiences on magnificent journeys, but also the characters in these wonderful musicals as well. We will be offering five productions that will empower, inspire, delight, mystify, and celebrate our world and the extraordinary people in it.”
The Season Opens with Award-Winning Waitress (October 4 – 27, 2024)
The season kicks off with the smash-hit musical Waitress. Based on the beloved 2007 film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a talented pie baker trapped in a loveless marriage. She dreams of a new life and finds solace in her quirky coworkers and the creation of her mouthwatering pies. With a score filled with beautiful ballads and empowering anthems,
Waitress is an unforgettable story of friendship, courage, and finding the sweetness in life.
“The musical Waitress was a sensation from the moment it opened in Boston in 2015 and throughout its Broadway run, tour, and record-breaking filmed presentation,” said Michael Unger, Artistic Director of Skylight Music Theatre. “We are extremely proud to present this slice-of-heaven story about a remarkable woman’s journey to discover her power as our 65th season opener.”
Skylight Premiere: Celebrate the Holidays with Oliver! (November 15 – December 29, 2024)
Just in time for the holidays, Skylight presents the joyous and heartwarming musical Oliver! This Skylight premiere is a captivating adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver Twist. Filled with unforgettable characters, humor, and toe-tapping tunes, Oliver! is a cherished holiday tradition that the whole family will enjoy.
“Who in the world does not have a warm spot in their hearts for the character and the musical Oliver!?,” said Michael Unger, Artistic Director of Skylight Music Theatre. “This classic musical, based on one of the greatest stories ever written, is chock-full of great music, dancing, drama, humor, and heart. All of the above, combined with two dozen of Milwaukee’s finest youth performers, promises to be a show that the whole family can enjoy again and again during the holiday season."
World Premiere: A Modern Take on a Classic Love Story – Juliet and Romeo (January 17 – February 2, 2025)
Skylight is proud to present the world premiere of a brand-new musical, Juliet and Romeo. This reimagining of Shakespeare’s timeless tale promises a fresh perspective on the star-crossed lovers. With a captivating new score and a new take on a well-known story, Juliet and Romeo is sure to be one of the highlights of our season.
“This world premiere musical, written by the author of Skylight’s hit virtual musical, ‘Being Earnest’ is a hilarious take on Shakespeare’s most romantic and tragic play,” said Michael Unger, Artistic Director of Skylight Music Theatre. “Be of the first audiences to enjoy this brand-new musical in which 16th Century Verona and modern-day New York City collide. This romp bounces back and forth between rehearsing a production of one of The Bard’s best-known plays, and the actual characters within the play as Shakespeare is writing it. Many hijinks ensue as centuries and love stories get twisted in the freshest look yet at Juliet, Romeo, William Shakespeare... and down-on-his-luck community theatre director and aspiring novelist, Sawyer Bloom."
Midwest Premiere: Frankenstein: The Musical (February 21 – March 9, 2025)
Skylight brings this electrifying stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece, Frankenstein, to the Midwest for the first time. Frankenstein: The Musical is a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of the power of discovery, the responsibility of creation and the fragility of the human condition.
“This intimate, chamber musical version of the classic story of Victor Frankenstein and the creature he creates is told in a way that uniquely honors Mary Shelley’s novel,” said Michael Unger, Artistic Director of Skylight Music Theatre. “With ingenuity in all design departments, this production will be laser-focused on the blessings and perils of innovation, and the powerful connection between the creator and the created as their worlds spiral out of control."
Season Finale: Skylight Premiere: Sister Act (April 4 – 27, 2025)
The season concludes with the Skylight premiere of the divine musical comedy Sister Act. This hilarious and uplifting show follows Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer forced to hide out in a convent after witnessing a murder. Disguised as a nun, Deloris uses her musical talents to transform the convent choir and inspire the community.
“This story, as are all the stories in our 65th Season, is about transformation. Everyone evolves in unexpected ways by revolving around nightclub singer-turned-postulate, Ms. Delores Van Cartier. But perhaps the biggest transformation is Delores herself. Her goals move from self to selflessness as she becomes the inspiration to a community that needs it in more ways than anyone realizes. The joyful noise that is Sister Act will lift spirits, hearts, and copious amounts of laughter as this hit film turned hit musical graces the Cabot stage for the first time.”
Season Subscriptions on Sale Now
Season subscriptions for the 2024-2025 season are now on sale. Subscribers enjoy the best seats, ticket exchange privileges, and special discounts. For more information or to subscribe, call the Skylight Box Office at (414) 297-3688 or visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org.
Skylight Music Theatre Celebrates 65th Season in 2024-2025
WAITRESS
October 4 - 27, 2024
Book by Jessie Nelson
Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly
Brought to life on Broadway by a groundbreaking, all-female creative team, Waitress features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave,""Love Song"), and a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson. Nominated for four Tony Awards (including Best Musical), Waitress is inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film and offers a special recipe for finding happiness in unexpected places. Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Supported by her quirky crew of fellow waitresses and loyal customers, Jenna summons the secret ingredient she's been missing all along — courage.
Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Skylight Premiere!
OLIVER!
November 15 – December 29, 2024
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lionel Bart
Freely adapted from Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist'
Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart's classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to also win an Academy Award for Best Picture. The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of a large ensemble cast, including two dozen local youth performers, to bring these classic characters and score to life.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
World Premiere!
JULIET AND ROMEO
January 17 – February 2, 2025
Book by Paul Gordon
Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon and Curtis Moore
In this delightful and hilarious re-imagining, Bloom is a community theatre director and failed novelist currently directing a mediocre production of Romeo and Juliet. But when the ghost of Shakespeare turns up, Bloom insults him by criticizing the ending to his greatest tragedy. Bloom tells The Bard he could write it better, resulting in an unexpected twist from Shakespeare, who sends Bloom INTO the play. Once inside, as Bloom tries to “improve” the ending from within, he must navigate the twists and turns of the plot all while trying to fit in with the renowned fictional characters we all know and love. But once Bloom meets Juliet, his plans unravel as he falls for her and risks changing the story, past and present, in ways no one expected.
Recommended for ages 11 and up.
Midwest Premiere!
FRANKENSTEIN: THE MUSICAL
February 21 – March 9, 2025
Music by Mark Baron
Book and Lyrics by Jeffrey Jackson
Original Story Adaptation by Gary P. Cohen
Frankenstein: The Musical tells the timeless, cautionary tale of Victor Frankenstein, whose noble dreams of grandeur unleash a litany of terror and tragedy. In this stage adaptation, authors Mark Baron and Jeffrey Jackson have sought to create a work that is uniquely faithful to Mary Shelley’s original novel while offering a bold, new experience for modern theater audiences. Forget all you have seen in the movies—this is not a Hollywood scare-fest populated by lumbering ghouls and wild-eyed maniacs. This is Mary Shelley’s original, brilliant, romantic terror—a dark vision of what lies at the depths of the human soul and what happens when its full power is unleashed.
Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Skylight Premiere!
SISTER ACT
April 4 – 27, 2025
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Book by Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner
Additional Book Material Douglas Carter Bean
Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture written by Joseph Howard
Come REJOICE with us as we close our 65th season. This story, as are all the stories in our 65th Season, is about transformation. Everyone evolves in unexpected ways by revolving around nightclub singer-turned-postulate, Ms. Delores Van Cartier. But perhaps the biggest transformation is Delores herself. Her goals move from self to selflessness as she becomes the inspiration to a community that needs it in more ways than anyone realizes. The joyful noise that is Sister Act will lift spirits, hearts, and copious amounts of laughter as this hit film turned hit musical graces the Cabot stage for the first time.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Artists, titles, and schedule subject to change.
Performance Information
Skylight performances are in the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee, Wis.
Tickets & Box Office
Subscriptions are on sale now. Subscribers get the best seats at the best prices. Single ticket prices will go on sale in Summer 2024. Subscriptions can be purchased through the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office (414) 291-7800, Monday – Saturday, from noon – 6 p.m. or by emailing tickets@skylightmusictheatre.com Check for updates at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/subscribe
Sponsors
Skylight Music Theatre thanks its season sponsors: United Performing Arts Fund, Wisconsin Arts Board and CAMPAC – the Milwaukee County Arts Fund.
About Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre is a professional theatre company that produces high-quality musical productions that entertain, educate, and inspire. We are committed to providing a platform for local talent and showcasing the best of Broadway and beyond.
Founded in 1959, Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company and the state's largest employer of Wisconsin actors. Skylight produces the full range of music theatre from blockbuster Broadway musicals to reimagined operas, and from exciting world premieres to contemporary off-Broadway hits. Skylight’s mainstage home is the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, which was built by Skylight in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward in 1992. Considered to be one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful theatres, the Cabot Theatre is based on the design of an 18th-century French opera house. With just 350 seats it offers audiences great views of the action onstage and an undeniable connection with the performers. Skylight is considered the Crown Jewel of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward which was named by USA Today as one of the top five arts districts in the US in 2024. Skylight Music Theatre marks its 65th season in 2024-2025. Skylight Music Theatre is a proud Cornerstone Member of the United Performing Arts Fund.