Peck School of the Arts Theater Season Opens Oct. 14 with Socially Distanced Social Satire

MILWAUKEE _ Peck School of the Arts Department of Theatre presents “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” from Oct. 14 to Oct. 18. This work by playwright Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) opens the Peck School’s 2020-21 theater season, and will be presented to a masked and socially distanced audience in the Mainstage Theatre, 2400 E. Kenwood Blvd.

The Mainstage Theatre’s 300+ capacity is reduced to 40 seats during the show’s run. Patrons are required to purchase tickets in advance, wear masks and follow assigned seating arrangements and seat dismissal times. Cast, crew and faculty producing “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” have been following health and safety standards as outlined in the university’s Fall 2020 Updates.

Written in 1941 and first staged in 1958, “Arturo Ui” chronicles the rise of Nazism. Brecht wrote this satirical piece as a cautionary tale about “the complacency of the people who were able to resist [Hitler] but didn’t.” Brecht sets the action in mob-era Chicago and portrays the titular Arturo Ui as an Al Capone-like gangster. Director and Peck School faculty Ralph Janes selected an adaptation by Bruce Norris that brings the political and social corollaries of the last 75 years into clear focus.

“This production certainly reminds us of Santayana’s famous words: ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,’” Janes said. “However, I believe strongly that this work is, ultimately, a call to action – not a passive acceptance of our fate.”

This production of “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” features original set and sound design and period costumes by the school’s faculty of professional theatre artists and student artists. Music and theatre students composed music and designed the lighting for “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.”

For more information about “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” or the Peck School of the Arts 2020-21 theater season please contact Ralph Janes or Robin Mello. Please note: ASL interpretation is available Oct. 17-18. “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” features adult language, an audio recording of gunfire, prop replica guns and flashes of light.

Peck School of the Arts patron safety protocol

When attending a face-to-face event in the Peck School of the Arts, please observe the following safety standards:

Maintain social distance of six feet or more between yourself and fellow patrons and between yourself and the performers and crew at all times.

Note that seating may take longer than usual because socially distanced seating will be enforced in all Peck School of the Arts facilities.

Keep your mask on at all times while visiting the Peck School of the Arts and throughout the UWM campus.

During an intermission, remain seated until your row has been dismissed. At the end of intermission, our ushers will reseat you.

Note that all restrooms have a maximum occupancy of one. Feel free to exit the theater during any scene shift to use the restroom. An usher will assist you back to your seat.

At the end of the performance, remain seated until your row has been dismissed.

If you are planning to meet up with members of your party or with cast and crew after the show, please meet up outside the theater so that our crew can begin cleaning and social distance can be maintained.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.