This fresh take on Shakespeare's classic features a down-on-his-luck playwright, pizza, and a whole lot of hijinks!
Get ready for a side-splitting twist on Shakespeare's timeless love story! Skylight Music Theatre is excited to announce the world premiere of Juliet and Romeo, a brand-new musical that reimagines the iconic tale with a modern twist.
This hilarious production follows the journey of Sawyer Bloom, a struggling writer/director who stumbles upon a way to travel back in time and meet the REAL Juliet. But when he brings her back to present-day New York City, things get messy – think Shakespearean drama colliding with modern life, with a dash of New York pizza for good measure.
The production will be directed by Skylight’s Artistic Director Michael Unger and will feature a talented ensemble, showcasing some of the top performers of the region. This new work has a book by Paul Gordon and music and lyrics by Paul Gordon and Curtis Moore.
“New works are some of the most challenging and exciting material to explore, and I am thrilled the authors of this hysterical new musical have trusted Skylight to premiere this piece,” said Michael Unger, Artistic Director of Skylight Music Theatre and director of the show. “To put the Skylight and Milwaukee spin on this piece, featuring a phenomenal, predominantly local cast, is an honor we do not take lightly.”
Meet the Cast
Bloom - Frankie Zabilka
Shakespeare - Allie Babich*
Rachel/Juliet - Jamie Mercado
Romeo - Mason Hanizeski
First Watchman/Sampson/Mercutio/Ensemble - Connor Nekich
Capulet/Mars/Ensemble - Ben George
Lady Capulet/Ensemble - Samantha Sostarich
Benvolio/Ensemble - George Lorimer
Tybalt/Ensemble - Matthew Torkilson
Gregory/Ensemble - Alexis Cimoch
*Appearing through an agreement between Skylight Music Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.
Book by Paul Gordon
Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon and Curtis Moore
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Unger**
Choreographed by Tori Watson
Musical Direction by David Bonofiglio
What to Expect
The story follows Sawyer Bloom, a community theatre director rehearsing Romeo and Juliet in New Jersey. When he thinks he can come up with a better ending, he conjures up his childhood imaginary friend, William Shakespeare, for help. The Bard sends Bloom back to Verona in the 15th Century, where he meets the original characters from the play. Bloom falls in love with the real Juliet and brings her back to modern-day New York City, leading to a series of hilarious twists and turns.
Get Your Tickets
Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind musical experience! Tickets for Juliet and Romeo are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.skylightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office at (414) 291-7800.
Biographies
Allie Babich (Shakespeare) is buzzing at this chance to play ‘the Man Who Pays the Rent.’ Her work spans musicals new and old, nearly half of Shakespeare’s canon, a Disney orchestral tour in Japan, and contemporary feminist clown plays. She is represented by SW Artists. Her favorite Shakespeare quote is from Measure for Measure: Our doubts are traitors / And make us lose the good we oft might win / By fearing to attempt. www.alliebabich.com
Alexis Cimoch (Gregory/Ensemble) is a Milwaukee-based performer and is ecstatic to be in another world premiere at Skylight! She was last seen onstage in SuperYou (Super Ensemble U/S Young Katie) and Evita (Ensemble U/S Mistress). As an Early Career Professional alum, Alexis has various understudy credits from Skylight’s 63rd season. She is also part of the Education team and teaches musical theatre at Pink Umbrella Theater Co. Alexis holds a BA in musical theatre from UW-La Crosse.
Ben George (Capulet/Mars/Officer/Ensemble) is returning for his fifth production at the Skylight Music Theatre. Past roles include Martin in Candide, Harry in Mamma Mia!, Sascha in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine and Ensemble in The Producers. He has also performed in Belgium as Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Brussels Light Opera Company and locally as Bobby in Company at Off the Wall Theatre and Guiteau in Assassins at Windfall Theatre.
Mason Hanizeski (Romeo) is a musician/actor from Greendale, Wisconsin. He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2024 with BFA in Music Theater. Recent credits include Harry Karstens in Fannie’s Roadhouse at Alaska Cabin Nite and Armand St. Just in The Scarlet Pimpernel at Jerome Mirza Theatre. He would like to thank his parents for their endless support. He is very excited to make his first appearance with Skylight Music Theatre and hopes you enjoy the show!
George Lorimer (Benvolio/Ensemble) is thrilled to return to Skylight Music Theatre after last playing Troy in Fortunate Sons. Other recent favorite roles include Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol with Milwaukee Rep, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet with Door Shakespeare, Frank Churchill in Emma with Door Shakespeare, and Mischa in Ride the Cyclone with the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio. George is also Co-Founder and Executive Director of Vanguard Productions, an independent theatre company here in Milwaukee.
Jamie Mercado (Rachel/Juliet) is delighted to be back at Skylight for this exciting new production! You may recognize her from previous Skylight shows including From Here to Eternity, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Newsies. Other credits include: Beehive at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Dad’s Season Tickets at Northern Sky Theater, and Matilda at First Stage. Jamie also works as a costume stitcher and is currently in the process of writing her first musical. Much love to her friends and family for their support. Follow her on Instagram! @jamielynnmercado
Connor Nekich (First Watchman/Sampson/Mercutio/Ensemble) is thrilled to return for his second show at Skylight! Before appearing as Noah Claypole in Oliver! at Skylight Music Theatre, he understudied as Gerald in Elephant and Piggie's "We are in a Play" at First Stage Children's Theater and as Scratch and Cuddy in Witch at Renaissance Theaterworks. He was also delighted to perform as Finn in a staged reading of Black Bear Island at Br!nk Theater Festival.
Samantha Sostarich - she/her (Lady Capulet/Actor 3/Ensemble) is thrilled to be continuing into the New Year with Skylight Music Theatre after spending the holidays playing Mrs. Sowerberry in Oliver! National Tour: Emojiland the Musical. Regional: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Annie (Lily St. Regis), Boeing Boeing (Gretchen), Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), Fortuna the Timebender vs. The School Girls of Doom (Fortuna), The Taming (Katherine), and Who’s Holiday! (Cindy Lou). samanthasostarich.com
Matthew Torkilson (Tybalt/Actor 1/Ensemble) is absolutely thrilled to be making his Skylight debut. Recent credits include Demetrius/Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Summit Players Theatre), Ensemble in All Is Calm (Vanguard) and Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd (Marquette University). Matthew would like to thank his friends, family, and former theatre professors for always believing in him. Enjoy the show!
Frankie Zabilka (Bloom) returns to Skylight where he previously appeared in Paul Williams’ Fortunate Sons. TV/Film: Rebel (ABC) w/ Katey Sagal, Chang Can Dunk (Disney+). National Tour: Rudolph… (Hermey) Regional: Something Rotten! (Nigel), Newsies (Davey), Cinderella (Jean-Michel) at 5-Star Theatricals, Fiddler (Motel) at Western Playhouse, and the world premiere of Grumpy Monkey at Pasadena Playhouse. Frankie recently appeared in a campaign with Will Arnett and holds a BFA from Ball State University. Love to Tianna. For Erica.
Creative Team
Michael Unger (Director/Artistic Director) For Skylight, Michael has directed Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (nine BroadwayWorld Awards – including Best Director and Best Musical), the Deaf and Hard of Hearing production of Spring Awakening, Oliver!, School of Rock, Noises Off, Little Shop of Horrors, A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits, as well as Me, Myself and I for Skylight’s Education program. Amongst many virtual offerings, he directed Skylight’s BroadwayWorld Award-winning Being Earnest (also by Paul Gordon), now available worldwide online. He was previously the Associate Artistic Director of Off-Broadway’s York Theatre; credits there included You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and Big. For nine years, he was the Producing Artistic Director of NewArts, started with a local father in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy; directing 17 productions working with over 650 area-children. Other selected directing credits include A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre for 18 years), Two Point Oh (NY Times Critics’ Pick), Time Stands Still (Cape Cod Chronicle Best 2015), My Sister in This House (Deaf West, Ovation Recommended), and new versions of Kander and Ebb’s The Happy Time and The Rink. World premiere directing credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Caligula, and A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream (featured in the award-winning documentary film “Midsummer in Newtown”). He has directed 14 operas plus benefit concerts honoring Susan Stroman, André DeShields, Maltby and Shire, and Leslie Uggams, as well as for the communities of Sandy Hook, CT and Parkland, FL.
David Bonofiglio (Music Director) holds a BFA in piano performance from Cardinal Stritch University. Selected credits as musical director: Oliver!, Xanadu, School of Rock, Evita, Mamma Mia!, The Full Monty, Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Oklahoma! for Skylight Music Theatre; Little By Little, Scrooge In Rouge, A Cudahy Caroler Christmas, and Jesus Christ Superstar for In Tandem Theatre; Sunday In The Park With George for Windfall Theatre. As assistant musical director: A Christmas Carol for Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Tori Watson (Choreographer) is thrilled to be back choreographing for Skylight after her debut with School of Rock last season. After building her artistic career for over a decade in NYC, she is delighted to be back as a theatre artist in her hometown of Milwaukee! She was last seen in Pete the Cat with First Stage Milwaukee and will be featured in Theatre Gigante’s TERMINUS later this Spring. Favorite choreography projects include Firebringer (Hi-Five Arts) Yippy! The Musical (Beggar’s Group, NYC), Cymbeline (Optimist Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (University School of Milwaukee) Singing in the Rain, Rock of Ages, Bright Star, Shrek, and the upcoming The Lighting Thief (Wauwatosa East High School). Proud graduate of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University.
Susan Varela (Executive Director) Originally from Milwaukee and a graduate of UW-Stevens Point, her professional career as a performer landed her in New York City for 20 years. She performed on Broadway in Les Misérables and at Radio City Music Hall in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Other notable performances include Jo March in Little Women: The Musical; Grizabella in Cats and Eva Peron in Evita. Susan performed in world premieres at both the Denver Center Theater (for their Tony-award winning season) and the Yale Repertory Theater. Before joining the Skylight staff, she appeared on the Cabot stage in Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, and Les Misérables. Susan has produced, directed, performed and written for the stage and television alongside her husband, actor Andrew Varela. Susan currently serves on the board of directors for Brew City Opera and The Historic Third Ward Association.
Paul Gordon (Writer and Composer) is a Tony Award-nominated composer for his musical Jane Eyre. Other works include Sense and Sensibility (winner of the 2015 Jeff Award for Best New Work), Daddy Long Legs (2009 Ovation Award, 2 Drama Desk Award nominations, Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination and 3 Outer Critic Circle award nominations). He is the co-founder of StreamingMusicals.com, where his musicals Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Estella Scrooge, Being Earnest and No One Called Ahead can currently be streamed. Knight’s Tale, written with John Caird, has had multiple productions in Japan. His other shows include: Stellar Atmospheres, Little Dorrit, Schwab’s, Analog and Vinyl, The Front, Juliet and Romeo, Sleepy Hollow, First Night, The Circle, Ribbit, Greetings From Venice Beach and The Sportswriter. In his former life, Paul was a pop songwriter, writing several number one hits. Paulgordonmusic.com
Curtis Moore (Lyricist) is a three-time Prime Time Emmy Award-nominee for his songwriting on the Amazon Prime hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. On Broadway, he composed the score for Nora Ephron’s play, Lucky Guy starring Tom Hanks. At the Public Theater, he composed the music for Venice with Matt Sax and Eric Rosen, as well as the score for Barry Edelstein's Timon of Athens. With Thomas Mizer, he was awarded the Fred Ebb and Jonathan Larson awards. His musical Triangle was commissioned by Williamstown Theatre Festival, and went on to win six Theatre Bay Area Awards and two SF Bay Area Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical for the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley production. He teamed up with Amanda Green, Mizer, and Matthew Brookshire on the Fringe Festival hit, For The Love Of Tiffany, and is currently working on new musicals Regency Girls and The Amazing Mr. X. He composed the score for the Fox animated show HouseBroken staring Lisa Kudrow. He conducted and performed the music in The Bridge Project’s critically acclaimed world tour of Richard III directed by Sam Mendes, and wrote and performed the music for Todd Solondz’ film Palindromes. For more information go to www.trickybox.com.
What Makes This Production Special?
World Premiere: Be among the first to experience this groundbreaking new musical.
Time-Traveling Shenanigans: This isn't your average Romeo and Juliet ! Get ready for a whirlwind adventure through time.
Local Talent: The show features a phenomenal cast, showcasing some of the top performers in the Milwaukee area.
Award-Winning Creative Team: The production boasts a team of seasoned professionals, including director Michael Unger (known for his Skylight hit "The Hunchback of Notre Dame") and composer Paul Gordon (Tony Award nominee for "Jane Eyre").
Show Information:
Dates: January 17 – February 2, 2025
Location: Skylight Music Theatre (Cabot Theatre), Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee, WI
Tickets: On sale now at www.skylightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office at (414) 291-7800.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this world premiere event! Juliet and Romeo promises to be a laugh-out-loud adventure that will leave you wanting more.