Milwaukee Rep Honors 50 Years of A Christmas Carol with Special VIP Walk-Ons from City Leaders and Community Icons

October 30, 2025 (Milwaukee, WI) – Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol celebrates its 50th anniversary November 25 – December 24, 2025, in the historic Pabst Theater, making it the second longest professional production of A Christmas Carol in the United States. To celebrate this milestone, Milwaukee Rep is pleased to welcome five VIP walk-on guests to appear onstage in A Christmas Carol this holiday season. Each of the VIP walk-ons will be fitted in period costumes and join the cast onstage to share the spirit of Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition.

50th Anniversary VIP Walk-Ons

Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Dominique Johnson – Saturday, December 13 at 7pm

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce CEO Dale Kooyenga – Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm

TMJ4 Reporter Cassandra McShepard – Wednesday, December 17 at 7pm

Special Events Genius David Caruso – Thursday, December 18 at 7pm

Despite the August flood that destroyed Milwaukee Rep’s production facility that stored the A Christmas Carol set and many props that make the Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition so special, Milwaukee Rep was able to build back better than ever to make the 50th anniversary production one to celebrate. “We are thrilled to welcome some of Milwaukee’s most valued community leaders to be part of our beloved holiday tradition for its 50th anniversary,” said Chad Bauman, Ellen & Joe Checota Executive Director. “Many don’t know that MMAC gave us a grant to produce the very first A Christmas Carol in 1976, recognizing then how it would draw families downtown and ignite a festive spirit throughout the city. We’re proud to carry on this cherished tradition now, 50 years later, and to celebrate this milestone with their current CEO, Dale Kooyenga, our city’s Mayor, and many other special guests who help us honor the season of giving and joy.”

Join them on their special day by purchasing tickets at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, call the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or visit in-person at 108 E Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee. A Christmas Carol runs November 25 – December 24, 2025, in the historic Pabst Theater.

For decades Wisconsinites have enjoyed A Christmas Carol as their favorite holiday tradition. Experience the magic of this beloved tale as Ebenezer Scrooge’s heartwarming transformation inspires holiday cheer with the timeless message of peace, hope and joy. With beautiful music, lively dancing, stunning sets and eye-popping special effects, it’s a dazzling Christmas feast with enough theatrical goodies to fill any sized stocking hung by the chimney with care.

Milwaukee local favorite Matt Daniels returns in the celebrated performance of Ebenezer Scrooge, along with Jordan Anthony Arredondo as Fred, Mark Corkins as Ghost of Marley, Todd Denning as Ghost of Christmas Present, Kevin Kantor as Ghost of Christmas Past, George Lorimer as Young Scrooge, Reese Madigan as Bob Cratchit and newcomers Emily S. Chang as Belle who recently performed in The Coast Starlight this past season and local standout Lachrisa Grandberry as Mrs. Cratchit. James Pickering, who performed the role of Bob Cratchit in the first 1976 production and has since played various roles including 14 years as Scrooge, returns this year alongside his wife Tami Workentin as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig.

A Christmas Carol features 19 young performers from across the greater Milwaukee area. This year’s young performer cast includes Finley Rose Brown as Want, Isaac Bruce as Matthew Cratchit, Luke Drope as Ensemble, Cooper Felkey as Ensemble, Zoah Hirano as Ignorance/Sniffer, Connor Keigher as Ensemble, Ira Kindkeppel-Longden as Thomas, Gus Kolbe as Peter Cratchit, Olive Krutsch as Emily Cratchit, Ziva Lavoe as Ensemble, Luca Lombardo as Ensemble, Olivia Loomis as Ensemble, Clara Mintie as Ensemble, Annalise Nordstrom as Turkey Kid, Rocco Onorato as Teen Scrooge, Vivian Staffeldt as Belinda Cratchit, Mari Streicher as Martha Cratchit, Lainey Techtmann as Boy Scrooge, and Harold Wagner as Tiny Tim.

A Christmas Carol is adapted and directed by Mark Clements. The creative team includes: music director Dan Kazemi, scenic designer Todd Edward Ivins, costume designer Alexander B. Tecoma, lighting designer Jeff Nellis, sound designer Barry G. Funderburg, original score and music arranged by John Tanner, stage movement by Milwaukee Ballet’s Michael Pink, dialect coach Jayne Regan Pink, violence coordinator Reese Madigan, associate director and casting Jonathan Hetler, associate lighting designer Jason Fassl, orchestrations by Larry Moore, stage manager Terence Orleans Alexander and assistant stage manager Kimberly Carolus.

A Christmas Carol is presented by Jay Franke and David Herro and Corporate Sponsor West Bend Mutual Insurance with Executive Producers Molly and Tom Duffey, Associate Producer Saints Andrew and Mark Charitable Gift Trust and Equipment Sponsor Studio Gear.

For more information please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

About Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is one of the nation’s first regional theaters and Wisconsin’s largest performing arts organization, presenting a variety of world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire audiences. Led by Ellen & Joe Checota Executive Director Chad Bauman and Artistic Director Mark Clements, Milwaukee Rep is as an anchoring civic, economic and cultural institution in the downtown Milwaukee Theater District. Through staging new plays, beloved classics, compelling dramas, and full-scale musicals from emerging and established voices; its John D. Lewis New Play Development Program that incubates new work from a wide spectrum of innovative voices; education initiatives that eliminate barriers to the arts; and community engagement programs that bring people together to explore new perspectives, Milwaukee Rep inspires meaningful dialogue and enacts positive change within the Milwaukee community. With the opening of its new home in the Associated Bank Theater Center, Milwaukee Rep deepens and expand its reach with three state-of-the-art, fully accessible theaters, a dedicated education and engagement center, and a variety of welcoming community spaces. For more information, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

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.