Skylight Music Theatre Announces 2022-2023 Season

Season Opener “MAMMA MIA!” Begins September 23, 2022

Milwaukee, Wis. (April 25, 2022) — Artistic Director Michael Unger today unveiled Skylight Music Theatre’s 2022-2023 season at an in-person announcement event featuring staged highlights of all the shows to be presented in the new season. Unger was joined by Skylight performers and an on-stage band to introduce what he described as “an unforgettable, not-to-be-missed season.”

Highlights include a Broadway-bound new musical, the regional premiere of a sparkling revue celebrating Disney’s Broadway hits, and the Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster Evita, being presented as a full production following two pandemic delays.

“Last season showed us that audiences are ready, willing and eager to enjoy live music theatre again,” said Unger. “We have put together a thrilling season. It features some exciting “firsts” – premieres, blockbusters, major partnerships, and a few surprises that let us spread our wings and soar.”

Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company, located at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

Season Begins with Audience Favorite ‘Mamma Mia!’

The 2022-2023 season launches with the smash Broadway hit Mamma Mia! from Sept. 23 – October 16, 2022. This ultimate feel-good show features hit music from one of the most popular international groups of all time, ABBA. Mamma Mia! tells the humorous and touching story of a young woman’s search for her birth father on the eve of her wedding. The musical ran on Broadway for almost 15 years and has been performed in more than 40 countries and across five continents. It will mark a Skylight premiere.

Celebrate Disney’s Broadway Hits for the Holidays

Skylight will ring in the holidays with a brand-new musical revue, A Jolly Holiday – Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits from Nov. 18 – Dec. 31, 2022. Featuring 30 favorite songs from Disney’s biggest Broadway hits, this will be only the second time the show has been staged and marks a regional premiere. A Jolly Holiday is sure to be an instant family classic. A host of phenomenal singers alongside an ensemble of talented youth performers welcome you to a holiday party that entertains with such memorable and hummable songs as “Be Our Guest” (Beauty & the Beast), “Under the Sea” (The Little Mermaid), “Santa Fe” (Newsies), “Step in Time” (Mary Poppins), “Circle of Life” (The Lion King), “Bare Necessities” (The Jungle Book), “Let it Go” (Frozen) and many more. Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Unger will direct.

‘Evita’ Seven-Time Tony Award Winner

Originally scheduled as a concert version and then delayed due to the pandemic, Evita will be presented as a fully staged production from Feb. 3-19, 2023. This is the first time Skylight has produced the seven-time Tony Award-winning megawatt musical considered a Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece. The story follows Eva Duarte and her meteoric rise from impoverished child to wife of Argentine president Juan Perón to becoming the most powerful woman in Latin America. The production features Rána Roman as Eva Perón and Andrew Varela as Juan Perón.

Fizzy Tunes Meets Showbiz Shenanigans

In a first-of-its-kind production, Skylight presents one of the most hilarious plays ever written – and adds live music! Noises Off by Michael Frayn will be presented March 17 – April 2, 2023. This side-splitting backstage farce is given a Skylight twist with the addition of live accompaniment by a singer and house band, “The Sardines,” playing songs written by Combustible Edison, a 1990s group inspired by a 1950s-cocktail-lounge groove. Effervescent tunes and zany showbiz shenanigans will create a Noises Off unlike any other. Skylight Artistic Director Michael Unger will direct.

Season Closer Marks Premiere of Frank Wildhorn Broadway-Bound Musical

The final show of the 2022-2023 season will be The Song of Bernadette, presented May 19 – June 11, 2023. This world premiere developmental production, presented in partnership with Indie Theatrical and by Special Arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical, is a breathtaking musical based on the novel ‘The Song of Bernadette’ by Franz Werfel. It tells the true story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young and impoverished girl living in the French town of Lourdes who sees a vision that would change her life, the town of Lourdes, and the world forever. This inspiring and empowering story of hope and perseverance is composed by Broadway’s Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, Bonnie & Clyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Disney’s Newsies, My Fair Lady, Schmigadoon!), with a book by award-winning playwright, Rinne B. Groff, lyrics by CMA winner and Grammy-nominee, Robin Lerner, and music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Jason Howland.

Skylight Music Theatre Celebrates 63^rd Season in 2022-2023

Skylight Premiere!
MAMMA MIA!
Sept. 23 – Oct. 16, 2022
Music and Lyrics by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
And some songs by Stig Anderson
Book by Catherine Johnson
Originally Conceived by Judy Craymer
Travel to a Greek island paradise for this ultimate feel-good show! Hit music from the super group ABBA tells the humorous and touching story of a young woman’s search for her birth father on the eve of her wedding. A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. 23 songs. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!
Production sponsors Herb Zien and Liz Levins
“A certified hit…. A giddy guilty pleasure.” – Variety

Regional Premiere!

A JOLLY HOLIDAY
Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits
Nov. 18 – Dec. 31, 2022
Book by Sandy Rustin
Directed by Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Unger
Ring in the holidays with a brand-new musical revue featuring 30 favorite songs from Disney’s biggest Broadway hits. A cast of phenomenal singers including an ensemble of talented youth performers will celebrate the season in style with a festive holiday party for the ages.
Sponsored by Private Asset Management Baird
“Embraceable, energetic, and effervescent!”  – New Jersey Stage

Skylight Premiere!

EVITA
Feb. 3-19, 2023
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
With Rána Roman as Eva Perón Andrew Varela as Juan Perón
Originally scheduled as a concert version and then delayed due to the pandemic, Evita will be presented as a fully staged production. It is the first time Skylight has produced the seven-time Tony Award-winning megawatt musical. Considered a Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece, the story follows Eva Duarte and her meteoric rise from impoverished child to wife of Argentine president Juan Perón to becoming the most powerful woman in Latin America.
“A total triumph. A technical knockout, a magnificent earful, a visual triumph and a wow.”– Daily Mirror

Skylight Premiere!

NOISES OFF
March 17 – April 2, 2023
By Michael Frayn
With Music by Combustible Edison
Directed by Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Unger
Skylight presents one of the most hilarious plays ever written – and adds live music! This hit, side-splitting backstage farce has live accompaniment by a singer and our house band, “The Sardines,” playing songs written by Combustible Edison, a 1990s group inspired by a 1950s-cocktail-lounge groove. Effervescent tunes and showbiz shenanigans create a first-of-its-kind production on Skylight’s stage.
“The most dexterously realized comedy ever about putting on a comedy. A spectacularly funny, peerless backstage farce. This dizzy, well-known romp is a festival of delirium.” – The New York Times

Broadway Bound!

THE SONG OF BERNADETTE
May 19 – June 11, 2023
Book by Rinne B. Groff
Music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, Bonnie & Clyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel)
Lyrics by Robin Lerner
Directed & Choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Disney’s Newsies, My Fair Lady, Schmigadoon!)
Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements by Jason Howland
Based on the novel ‘The Song of Bernadette’ by Franz Werfel
Presented in partnership with Indie Theatrical and by Special Arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical
See this Broadway-bound major new musical first at Skylight! This world premiere developmental production is composed by Broadway’s Frank Wildhorn. The breathtaking musical is based on the true story (made into a novel and film) of a young girl from the French town of Lourdes who sees a vision that changes her life, and her town, forever.
Presented as part of World Premiere Wisconsin Statewide Festival

Subscriber Add-Ons

While not part of a subscription package, subscribers have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the following at subscriber prices before they go on sale to the general public. 

MKE MaKEs Premiere!

BIPOC NEW MUSICAL WORKS FESTIVAL

Staged Concert Readings

Dates to be Announced

After a pandemic delay, these concert readings of never-before-produced musicals by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) writers and composers will be presented in concert readings. Finalists were selected from over 30 submissions from across the country for the MKE MaKEs New Musical Works series.

New Skylight Series!

SKYLIGHT PRESENTS! One-Night-Only Concerts

Join Skylight in the beautiful Cabot Theatre for one-night-only events featuring guest artists presenting tributes to some of the best-known names in pop music.

Sweet Baby James

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Nashville’s Sweet Baby James presents his popular acoustic “Walking Man” show featuring the timeless music of six-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member James Taylor. Bill Griese (aka “Sweet Baby James”) is like listening and seeing the legend himself. Griese is not a James Taylor impersonator, but an artist paying tribute to an American original.

An Evening with Prince and Michael Jackson

Friday, January 20, 2023

An evening with Prince and Michael Jackson pays tribute to the music of two icons who brought such hits as “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Pretty Young Thing,” “Rock with You,” and “Purple Rain” performed by Gabriel Sanchez (The Prince Experience) and Sam Guyton (Generation Z). In addition to their electrifying vocals, Sanchez and Guyton are also featured on guitar and keys. Special guest artists: Iman Khan (background vocals) and Nicole Marie (flute).

Dancing Queen – An ABBA Salute

Friday, February 24, 2023

If Skylight’s Mamma Mia! made you hungry for more ABBA, this ultimate tribute by the Midwest’s longtime #1 ABBA tribute band will give those disco shoes another workout. Offering musical precision, flair and fashion, this ABBA experience is led by the dynamic duo of Agnetha and Frida featuring a repertoire of over 30 all-time favorite hits from “Waterloo” to “Mamma Mia,” and “SOS” to “Knowing Me Knowing You,” and from “Honey Honey,” to “Voulez-Vous.”

Artists, titles and schedule subject to change. 

Performance Information

Skylight performances are in the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee, Wis.

Tickets & Box Office

Subscriptions are on sale now. Subscribers get the best seats at the best prices. Single ticket prices will go up in August. Subscriptions can be purchased through the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office (414) 291-7800, Monday – Friday, from noon – 6 p.m. or by emailing tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org. Subscription information at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/subscribe

Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Email tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org for more information.

For ticket discounts and more information, sign up for Skylight’s email newsletter at www.skylightmusictheatre.org or call the Box Office (414) 291-7800.

Health & Safety Protocols

Skylight Music Theatre has joined other Milwaukee performing arts organizations in lifting Covid-19 safety protocols. Currently Skylight does not require proof of vaccination or negative Covid tests. Masks are optional. For up-to-date information, please visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org/health. Health and safety protocols may be revised pending updated government and CDC guidelines. Skylight offers a risk-free guarantee to exchange, credit, or refund tickets for any canceled performances.

Parking Vouchers

Purchase discounted parking vouchers from the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office for use in the Historic Third Ward parking garage at 212 N. Milwaukee Street (one block east and one block north). Vouchers can be purchased for $5 during normal Box Office hours. Vouchers are valid starting at 5 p.m. for evening performances and from 12-5 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees. Not valid for Wednesday matinees. Voucher sales are not available during intermission.

Sponsors

Skylight Music Theatre thanks its season sponsors: United Performing Arts Fund, Wisconsin Arts Board and CAMPAC – the Milwaukee County Arts Fund. Thank you to production sponsors Private Asset Management Baird and Herb Zien and Liz Levins.

Skylight 2022-2023 production sponsorships are available. For more information, please contact Director of Development, Kelly Gerlach: KellyG@skylightmusictheatre.org or 414-299-4962.

About Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre is a proud Cornerstone Member of the United Performing Arts Fund.

Founded in 1959, Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company and the largest employer of Wisconsin actors in the state. Skylight produces the full spectrum of music theatre ranging from blockbuster Broadway musicals to reimagined operas, and from exciting world premieres to contemporary off-Broadway hits. Skylight’s mainstage home is the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, which was built by Skylight in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward in 1992. Considered to be one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful theatres, the Cabot Theatre is based on the design of an 18^th-century French opera house. With just 350 seats it offers audiences great views of the action onstage. Skylight Music Theatre marks its 63rd season in 2022-2023.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.