Kelsey Lawler

What did our critic think of ALCINA at MILWAUKEE OPERA THEATRE?

A baroque-style opera about a lovelorn sorceress, staged in a local vintage shop—that's Alcina, a collaboration between Milwaukee Opera Theatre and Early Music Now. Incredibly intrigued by this production, I was itching to chat with Milwaukee Opera Theatre's Producing Artistic Director, Jill Anna Ponasik about the upcoming show (November 12–17th, 2024): 

Read BroadwayWorld's review of the national tour of Beetlejuice at the Marcus Center. Learn more about the show and see what our critic thought.

Forte Theatre Company is kicking off its main stage season with the classic musical She Loves Me, running October 4–13.

It’s a new season of theater in Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Rep is kicking it off with The Coast Starlight, written by Keith Bunin and directed by Mark Clements. Direct from Lincoln Center, this funny and heartfelt 90-minute, no-intermission play tells the stories of six travelers on an overnight train from Los Angeles to Seattle. Each has their past and future to reckon with—to varying degrees of intensity. But for the hours aboard the Coast Starlight, the outside world can wait.

What did our critic think of MOULIN ROUGE! at National Tour At Marcus Center? Are you a millennial who listened to “Elephant Love Medley” on repeat? Then this perspective is for you. But quickly, for those who need some background: Moulin Rouge! is the tragic love story of a poor writer, Christian, and the Moulin Rouge’s star burlesque performer, Satine.

Joshie says respect your parents, follow your dreams, and take your kids to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical at First Stage. Directed by Julie Woods-Robinson with musical direction by Paula Tillen, this spunky show runs through May 5th in Milwaukee and is a great one for young kids.

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY follows the lives of the soldiers of G Company based in Hawaii in the days leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The story was inspired by author Jones’ own experiences during the war—but how does that story translate to the stage?

'The Chosen' is easily one of the best things the Milwaukee Rep has staged this season. For lovers of gripping and intimate family drama that will have you laughing, crying, and introspecting, this play is not to be missed.

It’s a big story to tell in a brief amount of time, but the heroic cast and crew at First Stage complete their quest for Percy Jackson success.

What did our critic think of XANADU at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE? Who’s having more fun: the audience or the cast of Xanadu at Skylight Music Theatre?

What did our critic think of LITTLE WOMEN at Milwaukee Repertory Theater? Real. Just as you are. Those are a couple of the key themes in Kate Hamill’s new adaptation of the classic Little Women. On stage now at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater under the direction of Marti Lyons, Little Women opens with a cozy scene: a miniature house with a smoking chimney set against sumptuous red velvet curtains.

What did our critic think of GUYS ON ICE at MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER? In the Milwaukee Rep’s 25th anniversary production of Guys on Ice, heaven is a place where there’s always “a couple two-tree” Leine’s in the cooler and every day is Packers Sunday. At a glance, this hit show may feel like a precursor to that Charlie Berens brand of Midwest-focused “ya der hey” humor—and it is. It’s also more than that.

For a splendiferous evening of holiday cheer (and ghostly mischief) there remains no better show in town than the Milwaukee Rep’s annual Christmas Carol, now in its 48th year.

Altogether, with the show’s eye-popping look, energetic choreography, top-notch cast, and story that hits the spot this holiday season, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a blast for the whole family.

What did our critic think of SCHOOL OF ROCK at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE? School of Rock at Skylight Music Theatre is a super-fun musical that will take you straight to the top of Mount Rock. Based on the 2003 movie starring Jack Black, the stage show debuted in 2015. It’s written by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Glenn Slater.

What did our critic think of DIAL M FOR MURDER at MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER? Seat-gripping and immensely satisfying -- that’s Dial M for Murder, a new adaptation by playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, now on stage at the Milwaukee Rep. Under the direction of Laura Braza, this updated take on Frederick Knott’s 1952 original and Hitchcock’s 1954 film stays true to the source with some refreshing updates. But blackmail and revenge, passion and plot twists all remain in this thrilling piece of theater.

True crime connoisseurs, lovers of local lore, fans of the Violent Femmes: the Milwaukee Rep has a world premiere rock musical with your name written all over it.

What did our critic think of SUPERYOU at SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE?

I've been a fan of Hadestown since its concept album release in 2010. With music and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell, the album featured vocals by Mitchell herself alongside the likes of Justin Vernon and Ani DiFranco. Called a 'folk opera' at the time, this album laid the foundation for what would become the 2019 Tony-winning Broadway musical Hadestown.