First Stage Hatches Mo Willems’ Brand-New Holiday Musical, The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (October 23, 2025) — Just in time for the holidays, First Stage and Hidden Pigeon Company (HPC) present The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza, a new stage show based on beloved characters from #1 New York Times bestselling children’s book author and illustrator Mo Willems. Performances run November 21–December 28, 2025, at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater.

When Willems’ characters get together for the holidays, it’s bound to be the biggest extravaganza ever! The Unlimited Squirrels deck the halls and Elephant and Piggie come ready to celebrate. But will The Pigeon join in the festivities, or will he run all the way to the North Pole in search of the greatest gift ever? Catchy tunes, silly stories, goofy gifts, audience antics: they’re all part of this brand-new musical party that sleighs.

Director Michelle LoRicco shared, “The holidays can bring so much pressure: finding the perfect present, waiting for school break, or trying to make everything just right. At its heart, this story reminds us that the greatest gift we can give is our time, attention, and presence with the people we love.”

First Stage is one of seven theaters across the country premiering this Willems musical, following a series of developmental workshops lead by First Stage last season. Audiences—including those in Milwaukee—were given an exclusive sneak peek and the opportunity to provide feedback that helped shape the final production.

Following First Stage’s workshop, Mo Willems shared, “Wow! It was a great experience. It was so filled with fun, joy, and excitement. How lucky are we to have a group like First Stage making theater for the most important audience—kids!”

All opening weekend performances will feature interactive, hands-on lobby activities starting one hour before showtime. Led by First Stage teaching artists, these family-friendly experiences will include literacy adventures, STEM challenges, and sensory play—all designed to spark creativity and connection.

Directed by Michelle LoRicco, the production features adult performers Kailey Azure Green* as The Pigeon, James Carrington* as Elephant Gerald, and Rachael Zientek as Piggie. They will be joined by 18 young performers in two alternating 9-person casts, continuing First Stage’s tradition of youth-focused theater. Full cast and creative team listed here.

Dates: November 21 – December 28, 2025
Venue: Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Performing Arts Center
Run Time: Approx. 75 minutes (including a brief intermission)
Age Recommendation: 4+
Tickets: $24-$45
Pay What You Choose Performance: Friday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Sensory Friendly Performance: Saturday, December 6 at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: www.firststage.org

Willems is the acclaimed author and illustrator of a new generation of children’s classics, well loved by young families around the world. Some of Willems’ fan-favorite titles include Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, the beloved Elephant and Piggie, and Unlimited Squirrels.

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.