Comedy! Songs! Entertainment! Step right up as Heidi Armbruster chronicles the rise and fall of the Ringling Brothers: five boys from Baraboo, Wisconsin. The story of their circus—the greatest show on Earth—is bookended by the brothers’ scrappy beginnings and difficult ends. THE BOYS FROM BARABOO tells the uniquely American story of a death-defying entertainment empire: music, storytelling, grit and charm create a tale that’s equal parts vaudeville revue and prestige drama.

Associate Sponsors Bob Balderson and The Holman Family
Co-Sponsors Margaret Dethloff and Teri Zeh, John McGivern and Susan and Howard Schoenfeld

THE BOYS FROM BARABOO is part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals running throughout 2026. To learn more visit www.worldpremierewisconsin.com.

Cast

Featuring

Brian Mani as John Ringling

Laura Gordon as Charles/Edith/Heidi

Kat Wodtke as Alf T./Mable

Karen Estrada as Otto/Ina

Molly Rhode as Al/Ida

Sarah Zapiain as Younger John/Frankie/Julie

Creative Team

Cody Estle, Director

Alissa Rhode, Music Director

Caroline Norton, Assistant Director

Jeffrey D. Kmiec, Scenic Designer

Noele Stollmack, Lighting Designer

Izumi Inaba, Costume Designer

Josh Schmidt, Sound Designer

Jim Guy, Properties Designer

Deanie Vallone, Dramaturg

Molly Rhode, Choreography/Movement

Nat Goeller, Stage Manager

Beck Trumbull, Assistant Stage Manager