Skylight Music Theatre Announces New Weekend Cabaret Series And 'One Night Only' Salon Series

Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Ray Jivoff today announced two new music series as part of Skylight's commitment to the full spectrum of music theatre.

The Cabaret Series and Salon Series will be held in two of the distinctive venues at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, home of Skylight Music Theatre.

The 2018-19 Cabaret Series offers intimate performances on the cabaret stage in the Skylight Bar & Bistro on select weekends and Monday nights. The new 2018-19 Salon Series celebrates the art song tradition with "One Night Only" concerts in the elegant Dorothea C. Mayer Salon on select Monday nights. Both venues are on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center.

"Skylight's cabarets are always popular, with everything from Broadway hits to standards to contemporary pop," said Jivoff. "I am delighted to also introduce a new Salon Series to capture the essence of the art song tradition, but with a twist."
Cabaret Opener Celebrates Lee Dougherty Ross Debut Artist Award Winner The Cabaret Series kicks off with Something to Say featuring 2018 Lee Dougherty Ross Debut Artist Award winner Rachael Zientek on Friday Sept. 28 and Saturday Sept. 29 following performances of Pippin, and on Monday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Each season Skylight recognizes an up and coming actor who has made his or her debut at Skylight Music Theatre. Zientek was featured as Hope in Skylight's 2018 production of Urinetown. The award is named for Dougherty Ross, a Milwaukee voice coach and teacher who is a long-time supporter of Skylight. Zientek will be joined by friends Amber Smith and Eva Nimmer, with David Bonofiglio at the piano. This performance features some of Zientek's favorite songs that tell stories through powerful lyrics, including contemporary music theatre works by composers like Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Georgia Stitt and Craig Carnelia.
Inaugural Salon Series Concert Takes Audience on European Vacation The new Salon Series is "an opportunity for patrons to get even closer to the music and listen to Milwaukee's finest artists in the lovely Salon space," said Jill Anna Ponasik, Skylight Artistic Associate. "Not only is Skylight committed to all types of music theatre, but we are determined to find new ways to deliver its impact to audiences."

The first Salon Series performance will be European Vacation featuring Tim Rebers with Maggie Rebers on piano on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The husband and wife team will be joined by Skylight and Broadway favorite Andrew Varela as they take a musical tour through Italy, France, Germany and England. The repertoire will include both classic and popular salon music of the 19th and 20th centuries. Admission for each Cabaret and Salon performance is $10 plus tax and fees. Advance purchase is recommended. Seating is limited to 110 for Cabarets and 65 for Salon performances.

Tickets are available at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/Cabaret or www.skylightmusictheatre.org/Salon, or by visiting the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office at 158 N. Broadway or calling (414) 291-7800. The Box Office is open Monday through Saturday from noon - 6 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for Monday performances. Note that cabaret show times following mainstage performances are subject to change.

Cash bar, beverages, snacks and desserts will be available for purchase, provided by Indulge Wine Room at the Skylight Bar & Bistro. All performances are in the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Upcoming Cabaret and Salon Series Calendar September/October Cabaret: Something to Say Rachael Zientek joined by Amber Smith and Eva Nimmer, with David Bonofiglio at the piano. Zientek, the 2018 Lee Dougherty Ross Debut Artist Award winner, is joined by friends for an evening of songs that tell stories through powerful lyrics from composers including Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown and Georgia Stitt. Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29 at 10:20 p.m. following performance of Pippin and Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. October Salon Series: European Vacation Tim Rebers and Maggie Rebers on piano. Special guest Skylight favorite Andrew Varela. Enjoy a musical tour through Italy, France, Germany and England from the comfort of Skylight's Salon with both classic and popular salon music of the 19th and 20th centuries. Monday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

November Salon Series: Self-Portraits: Diva, Nurturer, Lover... Colleen Brooks with Janna Ernst on piano Each set views womanhood from a different perspective -- women as nurturers, women on the verge, women who are grateful, etc. The repertoire includes arias, art songs and cabaret. Monday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. November/December Cabaret: Christmas on the Rocks Jimmy Kaplan, Kay Stiefel and Lisa Marie Gatewood Singer/songwriter Lisa Gatewood, songwriter Jimmy Kaplan (Guys on Ice, Lumberjacks in Love) and cabaret favorite Kay Stiefel join forces to celebrate the season in story and song. Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. following performance of Hairspray and Monday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. January 2019 Salon Series: A Grand Night for Singing Natalie Ford with Janna Ernst on piano Natalie Ford, seen in Skylight musicals including Pippin, My Fair Lady and Into the Woods, is also an area vocal teacher. She will be joined by some of her voice students for this interactive performance in which teacher and students highlight how musicians enhance our community. Monday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m.

February 2019 Cabaret: Three Sisters Named Flo! Sheri Williams Pannell and friends Performer, singer, director, writer and teacher Williams Pannell will be joined by friends for a night of songs including "Natural Woman," "Foot Prints," "Call Tyrone," "Respect," "Do Right Woman," "Long Walk," "Both Sides Now," "Rollin' In the Deep" and "We Are Family." Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. following performance of Five Guys Named Moe and Monday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 pm.

March 2019 Salon Series: Low Notes Jean Broekhuizen and guest violist, with Janna Ernst on piano Mezzo soprano and viola step into the spotlight performing contemporary and classic duets, such as the sublime Brahms Opus 91. Note: performance may include tacky viola jokes! Monday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.

March 2019 Cabaret: We STILL Can't Stop the Beat! Young performers from the cast of Hairspray These two Sunday afternoon cabarets feature talented young performers from Skylight's 2018 holiday show Hairspray singing a wide array of solo and group musical theatre songs. Sunday, March 24 and Sunday, March 31 at 4:45 p.m. following performance of Carmina Burana.

May 2019 Cabaret: A Tribute to Barbara Cook Linda Stephens and David Bonofiglio at the piano Stephens, last seen on the Skylight stage as Florence Foster Jenkins in Souvenir, performed alongside Broadway and cabaret legend Barbara Cook at the 2002 Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration. Stephens created this concert to pay tribute to Cook who passed away in 2017. Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m.

May/June 2019 Cabaret: Raven and Ryan on Shuffle Raven Dockery and Ryan Cappleman An evening of medleys, mash ups and musical mayhem. Longtime friends and Skylight favorites Raven Dockery and Ryan Cappleman will celebrate some of the most prolific pop music artists who have crossed over into the musical theatre world. Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at 10 p.m. (following performance of Kiss Me, Kate) and Monday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.

All cabaret performances will be held in the Skylight Bar & Bistro, on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center 158 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee. Seating limited to 110.

All Salon Series performances will be held in the Dorothea C. Mayer Salon on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee. Seating limited to 65.

Beverages, snacks and desserts from Indulge Wine Room will be available for purchase at the Skylight Bar & Bistro for both series.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for Monday performances. Admission for each Cabaret and Salon performance is $10 plus tax and fees. Advance ticket purchase recommended due to limited seating. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/Cabaret or www.skylightmusictheatre.org/Salon, or by visiting the box office at 158 N. Broadway or calling it at (414) 291-7800. The box office is open Monday-Saturday from noon-6 p.m.

Skylight Music Theatre's mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition.

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