Feeling Miserable?
Here are 11 Christmas plays in Milwaukee to cheer you
Before we plunge willy-nilly into the holiday theater season, I would like to say a few words in defense of Ebenezer Scrooge. In the opening scenes of “A Christmas Carol,” Scrooge is annoyed by the festive spirit of others, irritated by requests from charities for money and just wants to be left alone. Now tell me, over the next five weeks, don’t you think it’s likely you will feel exactly the same way, maybe even more than once? Familiar holiday stories help us reduce our frustrations and anxieties with this season by watching characters suffer through them on stage. At the beginning of the story, Scrooge may seem a monster, but he’s no stranger to us.
In key moments of Mark Clements’ stage adaptation of the Charles Dickens story for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present briefly freeze Scrooge and seek the audience’s blessing to continue. The audience becomes cocreators of the miser’s passion play.
The Milwaukee Rep’s production begins Nov. 27 at the Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. Leda Hoffmann directs, with Jonathan Wainwright returning for the third year as Scrooge. The ample cast includes familiar local performers Deborah Staples, James Pickering, Mark Corkins, Angela Iannone, Rána Roman, Reese Madigan, Claire Zempel and Jack Trettin. For tickets, visit milwaukeerep.com or call (414) 2249490. This production continues through Dec. 24.
Here’s a quick look at some other local theater productions with Christmas content.
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“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”: In this touring Broadway musical adaptation of the Dr. Seuss story, Max the Dog narrates the tale of a holiday hater whose heart starts out two sizes too small, but doesn’t end there. Through Nov. 25 at the Marcus Center’s Uihlein Hall, 929 N. Water St. Visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.
“Sanders Family Christmas”: Janet Bouman Peterson directs Acacia Theatre’s holiday bluegrass gospel musical, a sequel to “Smoke on the Mountain.” It’s 1941 in North Carolina, with the Sanders kin gathering for Christmas, and World War II in the background. Through Dec. 2 at Concordia University Wisconsin’s Todd Wehr Auditorium, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon. Visit acaciatheatre.com or call (414) 7445995.
“The Twelve Dates of Christmas”: After a painful breakup, a likable woman (played by Susie Duecker) goes through a year of dating mishaps and heartbreaks, with side helpings of family commentary and intrusion. Director David Cecsarini enhances the production by fully incorporating the Doo Wop Girls, Kelly Doherty and Marcee Doherty-Elst, into the action. They’re a kind of humorous musical Greek chorus, but when they do sing it straight, they sing beautifully. Through Dec. 9 at Next Act Theatre, 255 S. Water St. Visit nextact.org or call (414) 278-7780.
“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”: In Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s sparkling production, four Bennet sisters from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” meet for the holidays at Lizzie and Darcy’s home, with the spotlight on Mary. This witty play opens with and makes regular comedy of a German custom new to England, the Christmas tree. Through through Dec. 16 at the Quadracci Powerhouse, 108 E. Wells St. Visit
or call (414) 2249490. Marcee Doherty-Elst (left) and Kelly Doherty (right) wind a garland around Susie Duecker (center) in “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” at Next Act Theatre.
Robinson’s popular story, the unruly Herdman kids seem to wreck everything good and proper, including the annual Christmas show. Molly Rhode directs an impressive grown-up cast, including Cynthia Cobb, Jonathan Gillard Daly, Laura Gordon and Karen Estrada, plus alternating casts of First Stage youth, who are only unruly when the script says so. For people 4 years and older. Through Dec. 26 at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water St. Visit firststage.org or call (414) 273-7206. Deanna Myers (seated) greets Margaret Ivey in Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.”
Mike Fischer called “Month Before Christmas” “a funny play that manages to be irreverent while nevertheless making the case that Christ’s birth truly is the reason for the season.” Nov. 28 through Dec. 2 at the Marcus Center’s Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 929 N. Water St. Visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.
“Merry Chris-mess”: In Tandem Theatre, stalwart elves of Yule spoofery, present a songs-and-sketches show anchored by Anthony Wood’s parody, “It’s a Life.” Jane Flieller directs; the cast includes Chris Flieller, Jocelyn Ridgely and Liz Shipe. Recommended for people 16 and older. Nov. 29-Jan. 6 at Tenth Street Theatre, 628 N. 10th St. Visit intandemtheatre.org or call (414) 2711371.
“It’s a Wonderful Life”: Morning Star Productions stages a theatrical version
of Frank Capra’s popular holiday film. For ages 5 and older. Dec. 1-9 at Eastbrook Church, 5385 N. Green Bay Ave. Visit morningstarproductions.org or call (414) 228-5220, ext. 119.
“Black Nativity 2018”: Bronzeville Arts Ensemble presents the fourth annual installment of Langston Hughes’ gospel play at the Marcus Center. Each production has been distinctly different from the others. Malkia Stampley, directing for the third time, brings timely Milwaukee issues and concerns into the timeless story of Mary and Joseph. Past productions have responded to the Sherman Park unrest and the shooting of unarmed black men. Dec. 7-16 at the Marcus Center’s Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 929 N. Water St. Visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.