R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps- Phantom of the Auditorium Opens First Stage 2025-2026 Season
MILWAUKEE, Wis (August 29, 2025)—First Stage will open its 2025-2026 season with the return of the hit musical R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium, October 11 – November 2 at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater. Adding to the fun will be pre-show Halloween parties—featuring hands-on activities, eerie games, and candy—before every performance!
Originally co-commissioned by First Stage and Oregon Children’s Theater in 2016, R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium has since been staged throughout the country. The studio cast recording featuring multiple Broadway stars has had over 20 million streams globally.
Based on the world’s bestselling children’s horror book series by R.L. Stine, the story follows horror fans Brooke and Zeke as they rehearse for roles in a mysterious middle school production called The Phantom. When strange messages appear and a masked menace starts to disrupt rehearsals, they begin to wonder: what if there is a ghost haunting their school, determined to stop the show!
“We’re thrilled to bring this global phenomenon back to Milwaukee,“ said First Stage Executive Artistic Director Jeff Frank. “This scary good musical is the perfect fit for families this Halloween season.”
Directed by Frank, the performance features professional adult actors Zach Thomas Woods* and Karen Estrada* with music, lyrics, orchestrations, and arrangements by Danny Abosch, and book and lyrics by John Maclay. Alongside the professionals will be 16 amazing young actors working in two different 8-person casts that alternate performances. Full cast and creative team listed here.
This production is recommended for families with children ages 8-18 and thrill seekers of all ages. The show runs approximately 90 minutes, including a brief intermission. Tickets can be purchased here. Prices range from $24 to $45 for most shows. A “Pay What You Choose” performance will take place on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m., as well as a Sign Language Interpreted Performance on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m., and a Sensory Friendly Performance on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
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.
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