Marcus Performing Arts Center’s 20th Annual BASH to Feature Exclusive Performance by Joshua Henry on June 6

MILWAUKEE (May 13, 2025) – Milwaukee’s most anticipated Broadway celebration will take over the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) with show-themed food and cocktail stations, an award presentation, and special performance by Grammy Award®-winning, and Tony-nominated Broadway star Joshua Henry, as part of the 20th Annual BASH on Friday, June 6. This signature fundraiser directly supports MPAC’s education and engagement programs, providing over 10,000 youth with access to the transformative power of the arts at little or no cost each year. This year’s event is hosted by special guest Portia Young.

Full Gala tickets for the 20th Annual BASH are available for $300. Tickets include the dinner and cocktail reception, awards presentation and program, priority seating for the intimate Joshua Henry performance as well as the after party and complimentary parking. Performance & After-Party tickets are available for $125. Performance & After-Party tickets include the award presentation and program, the Joshua Henry performance, the post-party and complimentary parking.

All tickets for the 20th Annual BASH can be purchased online at www.MarcusCenter.org, by calling 414-273-7206, or visiting the MPAC Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee.

The evening’s highlight will be an exclusive performance by Joshua Henry, a Grammy Award®-winning artist and Broadway star, bringing Milwaukee a soulful, captivating set filled with iconic songs that have defined generations. With a powerhouse voice and undeniable stage presence, Henry is one of Broadway’s most electrifying leading men. A three-time Tony Award® nominee, Henry has captivated audiences with unforgettable performances in Hamilton (Aaron Burr), Carousel (Billy Bigelow), Into the Woods, Waitress, and Shuffle Along. His acclaimed portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime at New York City Center further cemented his status as a Broadway powerhouse and his return to role in the Broadway revival this fall has just been announced. Offstage, Henry has dazzled on screen in Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, Tick, Tick…Boom!, and Apple TV’s SEE.

The 20th Annual BASH will once again feature a themed dinner reception with interactive food stations highlighting the upcoming 2025/26 MPAC season with décor and entertainment throughout the building. Guests will partake as they celebrate the much-anticipated future productions & Juliet, Hadestown, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot and more. The program includes a live auction and award presentations, culminating with a cabaret-style special performance by Joshua Henry, followed by a lively 70’s themed after party celebrating The Wiz and featuring dancing, late-night bites, and cocktails in MPAC’s Bradley Pavilion.

MPAC President & CEO Kevin Giglinto stated: “We are very proud to welcome Joshua Henry to Milwaukee for this special milestone event. The 20th Annual BASH is more than just a celebration – it’s a vital opportunity to support MPAC’s mission of making the performing arts accessible for all. This memorable evening will not only showcase the best of Broadway but also help us to continue to inspire and connect our community through the power of the arts while also celebrating those who make it possible.”

This year’s award recipients are Broadway Title Sponsor, Johnson Financial Group and Milwaukee Downtown, Bid #21 executive Beth Weirick. These awards provide an opportunity to showcase partners who have supported the work at MPAC and made an indelible impact on the community.

The Visionary iMPACt Award is presented annually to an individual or company who exemplifies an inspired, creative vision for arts and culture in the region. MPAC will recognize Johnson Financial Group for their philanthropic commitment to the Broadway Series and the broader Milwaukee arts community. Johnson Financial Group’s extraordinary commitment has played a vital role in ensuring Broadway remains an integral part of Milwaukee’s cultural fabric. Since the beginning of our partnership, the Broadway Series at the Marcus Center has generated over $151 million in regional economic activity and drawn an average of 140,000 patrons each season.

The Community Legacy Award recognizes an individual or company who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to bettering the region through the spirit of giving. MPAC will honor Beth Weirick for her profound impact on the Greater Milwaukee region and in recognition of her long-standing career as CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District (BID) #21 since its founding in 1998. MPAC is proud to partner with BID #21 on Rainbow Summer. With Beth’s passion and support we have been able to secure large scale interactive art installations helping to make MPAC’s outdoor grounds a focal point for free summer entertainment and community gathering.

Support for the 20th Annual BASH is provided by the following:

Dinner Sponsor – Sazama’s Fine Catering

Beverage Sponsors – Casamigos, Deep Eddy Vodka, and Maker’s Mark

Encore Sponsors – Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, Brewers Community Foundation, and CG Schmidt

Premier Sponsors – Fields Auto Group and ManpowerGroup

Arts Advocate Sponsors – Ambassador Hotel, Johnson Financial Group, Northwestern Mutual, MGIC, We Energy, and Ray & Kelly Wilson

Media Sponsors – Milwaukee Magazine and Upload Partners

Supporting Sponsors – Broadway Across America, 54 Hands Productions, HGA, IATSE, Local 18, KEI Landscaping, Lexico, Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, Milwaukee Downtown BID #21, DR. Waleed & Janan Najeeb, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Stamm Tech, and Ticketmaster

Sponsorships are available ranging from $3,500 to $50,000. For additional information or to sponsor the BASH, contact Linnea Booher, Director of Development, at lbooher@marcuscenter.org.

About Joshua Henry

Joshua Henry is a Grammy Award-winning performer and recording artist best known for his Tony-nominated leading roles in Carousel, The Scottsboro Boys, and Violet, as well as for his show-stopping performance as Aaron Burr in the cultural phenomenon Hamilton.

He most recently starred as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime at New York City Center, portrayed Gaston in ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration Special, and appeared in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film Tick, Tick…Boom!

On television, Henry starred in Steven Knight’s Apple TV+ drama SEE and played a leading role in the action film American Renegades for Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp, opposite J.K. Simmons and Sullivan Stapleton.

A three-time Tony Award® nominee, Henry has delivered unforgettable performances on Broadway, starring in the Grammy-winning revival of Into the Woods and Waitress as the charming Dr. Pomatter. His acclaimed run as Billy Bigelow in Carousel earned him a Tony nomination, and he previously portrayed Aaron Burr in Hamilton in Chicago and on the first U.S. tour. He also starred as Noble Sissle in Shuffle Along opposite Audra McDonald and earned another Tony nomination for his performance in Violet alongside Sutton Foster. His breakout role came in The Scottsboro Boys, for which he received his first Tony nomination.

In September he will reprise his role, starring as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in the much-anticipated Broadway revival of Ragtime.

Beyond the stage, Henry is an accomplished recording artist. He has opened for Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl, performed with Common at The Kennedy Center, and his album GROW is available on all streaming platforms.

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.