Skylight Music Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for "Amadeus"

Performances January 23 through February 8 in the beautiful Cabot Theatre

MILWAUKEE, WI (Dec. 22, 2025) – Skylight Music Theatre proudly announces the cast and creative team behind the Tony® and Academy Award®-Winning Amadeus, running January 23 through February 8, 2026.

Making her Skylight directorial debut will be Karen Estrada, who has performed on the Cabot stage in multiple Skylight productions, such as Ruddigore (2019), The Full Monty (2021), and our award-winning virtual production of Being Earnest. Amadeus features a mix of 17 opera-trained and music theatre actors, Skylight favorites, debuts, and a new University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee partnership which includes four undergraduate students in the ensemble. The production will also feature a five-piece chamber orchestra on stage, offering underscoring and accompaniment to the tension, intrigue, and brilliance at the heart of Peter Shaffer’s story.

“Returning to Skylight as director for Amadeus is incredibly meaningful after having had the fortune of working with this company and on the beautiful Cabot stage many times." says director Karen Estrada. "I'm extremely excited to work with a phenomenal cast consisting of some of the finest actor-musicians in Milwaukee. Adding to the power and immediacy of the play is a five-piece chamber orchestra, helmed by Janna Vinson, supporting one of theater's most acclaimed and enduring plays with live performance of the most beloved music of Mozart."

Amadeus is the dramatic exploration of court composer, Antonio Salieri, who grapples with bitter jealousy as the audacious young Mozart arrives in Vienna with a talent so extraordinary it seems touched by the divine. This gripping drama unveils a battle of wits and egos as Mozart rises to the upper echelons of 18th-century classical music. Leading this production is Julliard graduate, the renowned Matt Daniels, last seen in Noises Off (2023) and Earnest Shackleton Loves Me (2022), as Salieri. Mozart will be portrayed by prominent Milwaukee performer Zach Thomas Woods, who appeared in The Full Monty (2021), Les Misérables (2013), Urinetown (2018).

“This brilliantly written work is about music and musicians and therefore is a perfect play for Skylight to present,” says Artistic Director Michael Unger. “Amadeus is only the second play in Skylight’s 66-year history, but is made a musical event with a live chamber ensemble supporting this gripping drama.”

Tickets and 25-26 season subscriptions are on sale now and can be purchased at SkylightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the box office at (414) 291-7800.

Meet the Cast:

Antonio Salieri – Matt Daniels*

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Zach Thomas Woods

Constanze Weber – Rachael Zientek

Emperor Joseph II – Joe Picchetti

Count Johann Kilian von Strack – Mohammad N. ElBsat

Count Franz Orsini-Rosenberg – Joel Kopischke

Baron Gottfried van Swieten – Ben George

Venticello 1 – Doug Clemons

Venticello 2 – Samantha Sostarich

Theresa Salieri/Ensemble – Nicole McCarty

Katherina Cavalieri/Ensemble – Brennan Martinez

Guiseppe Bonno/Ensemble – Shayne Patrick

Major-Domo/Ensemble – Alex Daspit

UWM Ensemble:

Jocelyn Dummert, Lexington (Lars) McKillop, Ailie Snyder, Skylar Staebler

Musicians:

Violin – Pamela Simmons

Viola – Olga Tuzhilkov

Cello – Braden Zitoun

Flute – Scott Metlicka

Creative Team:

Directed by Karen Estrada

Music Direction by Janna Vinson

Scenic Designer – Jonathan Berg-Einhorn

Costume Designer – Kristina Sneshkoff

Lighting Designer – Noele Stollmack

Sound Designer – John Tanner

Production Stage Manager – Kathleen Dickinson*

Assistant Stage Manager – Miranda Roberts

Intimacy and Fight Director – Marcee Doherty 

Movement Consultant – Jake Horstmeier 

*Appearing through an agreement between Skylight Music Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Performance Details:

• Title: Amadeus

• Dates: Jan. 23 – Feb. 8, 2026

• Location: Skylight Music Theatre | 158 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202

• Tickets and Information: www.skylightmusictheatre.org, (414) 291-7800

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About Skylight Music Theatre:

Skylight Music Theatre is a professional theatre company that produces innovative, high-quality musical productions that entertain, educate, and inspire. Skylight is 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, the state's largest employer of Wisconsin actors, and a proud Cornerstone Member of the United Performing Arts Fund. Skylight Music Theatre marks its 66th season in 2025-2026.