Skylight Music Theatre Announces 2016-17 Season

Milwaukee, Wis. (April 8, 2016) — Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Viswa Subbaraman today announced Skylight Music Theatre’s 2016-17 Season.

“Our 2016-17 Season showcases exactly what Skylight is best known and best loved for – presenting the full breadth of music theatre, from Tony Award winning musicals to off-Broadway gems, from operas to revues,” said Subbaraman.

The season includes a Milwaukee premiere, Violet (Sept. 30 – Oct. 16, 2016) and titles never before seen at Skylight, including La Cage Aux Folles (Nov. 18 – Dec. 23, 2016) and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Feb. 3-19, 2017). The 2016-17 Season will feature the Wisconsin premiere of a Baroque opera, Zémire et Azor (March 17-26, 2017) based on the story of “Beauty and the Beast,” and closes with the return of a Skylight favorite, Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece, Sweeney Todd (May 19 – June 11, 2017).

“This season our productions highlight what we call ‘Skylight Style’ — our trademark ability to bring fresh approaches or interesting twists to all our shows,” said Subbaraman.

The season was selected based on a renewed focus on Skylight’s mission and strength of producing the full spectrum of music theatre works.

“Our goal is to create meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but with the audience as well,” said Subbaraman. “We wanted a season that allowed us to create those kinds of exciting connections on a full array of topics and emotions. And because we perform in the beautiful, intimate Cabot Theatre, audiences are able to feel close to the powerful emotions on stage.”

The 2016-17 Season is as follows:

Violet September 30 – October 16, 2016

Milwaukee premiere

An accident has left Violet with a disfiguring facial scar, so she journeys through the segregated South in 1964 to meet a faith healer who she believes can make her beautiful. Along the way, she meets an African-American soldier whose love helps her discover the true meaning of beauty. A powerful, moving musical with music by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori.

The Music

Soaring anthems incorporating country, gospel, blues, folk and honky-tonk rock.

The Credits

Music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Caroline, or Change, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Shrek, The Musical)

Lyrics and Book by Brian Crawley (A Little Princess)

Based on “The Ugliest Pilgrim” by Doris Betts

The Awards

Four Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical

Two Best Musical Awards, New York Drama Critics’ Circle and Lucille Lortel Award

Three Drama Desk Award nominations, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical

La Cage Aux Folles November 18 – December 23, 2016

First time at Skylight

A glittering musical with a heart of gold celebrating old-fashioned love and family values – with an untraditional twist. After 20 years of un-wedded bliss, Georges and Albin, two men partnered for better or worse, prepare to meet the straight-laced parents of the fiancé of Georges’ son. It’s a hilarious night of complications, chaos and a tender triumph of love.

The Music

Exuberant, hummable Broadway melodies ranging from big, brassy show-stoppers to heartfelt ballads, written by one of Broadway’s legendary composers, Jerry Herman.

The Credits

Book by Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots)

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!, Mame)

Based on the play by Jean Poiret

The Awards

Five Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book and two-time Best Revival

Three Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Revival (twice) and Outstanding Music

Three Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Revival (twice)

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change February 3 – 19, 2017

First time at Skylight – in time for Valentine’s Day

Love and relationships in all their glory are celebrated in this tuneful and witty musical comedy revue that broke records off-Broadway where it ran for over 5,000 performances and became the second-longest running off-Broadway musical in history.

The Music

Clever, catchy show tunes in a variety of musical styles from rhythm & blues and doo-wop to jazz and country.

The Credits

Book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (Tony Award winner for Memphis and nominee for Nice Work If You Can Get It)

Music by Jimmy Roberts (The Thing About Men, The Velveteen Rabbit)

The Awards

Outer Critics Circle Award nominee for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical

Zémire et Azor (Beauty and the Beast) March 17 – 26, 2017

Baroque opera, in English, returns to Skylight

Based on the story of Beauty and the Beast, this 1771 comic Baroque opera by French composer André Grétry showcases the well-known fairy tale in a new light, while remaining true to its message of the redemptive power of love and the true nature of inner beauty. The production will also feature dance.

The Music

A playful and effervescent score with lush, melodic orchestrations and ornamental flourishes, including La Fauvette, in which the soprano imitates birdsong.

The Credits

French composer André Grétry

French text by Jean François Marmontel based on La Belle et la bête (Beauty and the Beast) by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, and Amour pour amour by P. C. Nivelle de La Chaussé.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street May 19 – June 11, 2017

Returns to Skylight by Popular Demand

Sweeney Todd, a broken barber whose life and family were stolen from him by an unscrupulous judge, finds bloody revenge through a cut-throat alliance with the lonely and enterprising Mrs. Lovett and her unsavory pies. A haunting, heart-stopping tale of culinary crime and chilling, dark humor.

The Music

An epic, sophisticated score that showcases Sondheim’s genius for expressively marrying words and music

The Credits

Music and Lyrics by multi-Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods)

Book by Hugh Wheeler (Tony Award winner for A Little Night Music and Candide)

From an Adaption by Christopher Bond

Originally Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince

The Awards

Eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score; multiple Tony Awards and nominations for Broadway revivals

Nine Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Book, Lyrics and Music; multiple Drama Desk Awards and nominations for Broadway revivals

Theatre Location

All productions in Skylight’s 2016-17 season will be presented in the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center located at 158 N. Broadway (Milwaukee, Wis.) in the Historic Third Ward.

Subscriptions and Ticket Sales

Skylight season subscriptions, which range in price from $59 to $325, can be purchased by calling the Broadway Theatre Center Box office at (414) 291-7800, Monday through Saturday from noon to 6:00 pm.

Single tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, July 18, 2016.

Cabot Theatre within the Broadway Theatre Center

A hidden jewel in Milwaukee, the Cabot Theatre is a 358-seat replica of an 18th Century European opera house, complete with intimate seating, an ornate chandelier and an awe-inspiring ceiling mural of historic Milwaukee scenes and people.

Skylight Bar & Bistro

The Skylight Bar & Bistro is open two hours before each performance and at intermission. Located on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center, it features a pre-theatre menu by Indulge Wine Room.

Skylight INSIGHTS

Skylight enriches theatre experiences with Skylight Insights—up-close and personal conversations with the creative Skylight staff. Free and open to the public, Insights are held every Wednesday and Sunday one hour before performances.

About Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre’s mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition. Skylight presents productions “Skylight Style” – bringing fresh approaches or interesting twists to music theatre works, creating meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but with the audience as well. The beautiful, intimate Cabot Theatre allows audiences to feel close to the powerful emotions on stage.

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.