Revised 2020-2021 Season

Our new season begins November 13

Revised 2020-2021 Skylight Music Theatre Season

The schedule below is subject to change, and will be revised pending updates from government officials, the status of Covid-19 in the community and other factors to ensure health and safety.

Our Commitment to Patrons

We offer a risk-free guarantee to exchange, credit or refund tickets for any canceled performances.

Skylight Revival

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

November 13 – December 27, 2020

Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman

Music by Alan Menken

Directed by Michael Unger

Based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith

Previously produced at Skylight in 2003

Sponsored by Private Asset Management - Baird

Little Shop of Horrors is a worldwide phenomenon, devouring the hearts of theatregoers for over 30 years. In this disarmingly funny and quirky love story, our hapless hero journeys from obscurity to fame and fortune, unwittingly allowing an opportunistic plant to grow from innocent little flytrap to unstoppable man-eating force. With a tuneful score by creative geniuses Ashman & Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin), the music blends pop, doo-wop, Broadway and Motown into hilarious and heartfelt songs including “Suddenly Seymour” and “Somewhere that’s Green.”

"Leaves the audience... feeling just like Audrey II between victims – ravenous for more" —The New York Times

First Time at Skylight

EVITA

A Staged Concert Version

March 12-28, 2021
Lyrics by Tim Rice

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed by Michelle Lopez-Rios

This staged concert version of the seven-time Tony Award-winning megawatt musical. The story follows Eva Duarte and her meteoric rise from impoverished child to wife of Argentine president Juan Perón and finally, to becoming the most powerful woman in Latin America. Evita is presented with minimal sets, costumes and staging to focus on the magnificent performances and music combining Latin, jazz, pop and more traditional influences. Among the unforgettable songs in the Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber score are “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and “Buenos Aires.”

"A total triumph. A technical knockout, a magnificent earful, a visual triumph and a wow." —Daily Mirror

First Time at Skylight

RAISIN

May 7-23, 2021

Music by Judd Woldin

Lyrics by Robert Brittan

Book by Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg

Based on the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Sponsored by Jan Serr & John Shannon

This powerful, uplifting musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin in the Sun was nominated for nine Tony Awards and won two, including Best Musical in 1974. Set in Chicago in 1951, it follows the struggles of a Chicago family who are the first African Americans to buy a house in the then, all-white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. With a terrific Grammy-winning score that combines jazz, gospel and 70’s pop, Raisin travels from jubilation to heartbreak to triumph against the backdrop of a critical period in our country’s racial history.

“A warm and loving work!” —The New York Times

New Milwaukee Adaptation

FLEDERMAUS MKE

June 4 -20, 2021

Original adaptation of the operetta by Johann Strauss II, Karl Haffner, and Richard Genée

(Performed in English)

Directed by Jill Anna Ponasik

Choreographed by Michael Pink

Based on the original Die Fledermaus, which premiered in 1874 Vienna, a team of local writers have exchanged champagne for beer in this witty, contemporary adaptation. Fledermaus MKE delivers all the opulent waltzes, mistaken identities, practical jokes, and plot twists that make this one of the world’s frothiest and most-performed operettas. The instantly recognizable and effervescent score of 1870s Vienna comes to life in modern-day Milwaukee, going beyond beer & bratwurst to capture our modern, dynamic and diverse city.

“Effervescent score …contagious energy!” —The New Yorker

BEING EARNEST
Skylight's First Virtual Musical
October 16 – November 12, 2020 (Streaming presentation)
Oscar Wilde meets Austin Powers in Skylight's online/virtual full-length musical Being Earnest by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska. This groovy musical is adapted from Wilde’s satirical comedy of manners, The Importance of Being Earnest with a score that is a sparkling homage to 1960’s rock groups. All of the brilliant wit in Wilde’s most popular play remains intact in this effervescent musical about two young upper-crust men trying to court two similarly-stationed young women. Being Earnest was rehearsed, performed, and recorded virtually, to assure social distancing for the cast. It will be available for online streaming.

MKE MaKEs
BIPOC NEW MUSICAL WORKS FESTIVAL
Staged Concert Readings
Spring, 2021 Dates TBD
These readings of never-before-produced musicals by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) writers and composers from across the country will be selected from submissions in the MKE MaKEs New Musical Works series. The submission process continues through November 1, 2020 and writers will be notified in February 2021 if their work has been selected. Skylight hopes to present one or more of the finalists in concert readings in spring 2021.

Dennis DeYoung's
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
One Night Only Concert Reading
Spring 2021 Date TBD
Adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo
Like no Hunchback you’ve seen before, this musical version of Hugo’s epic and romantic tale of love, lust, and obsession is written by Dennis DeYoung, lead singer/songwriter of the legendary rock band Styx. Its soaring pop score explores the beauty, hypocrisy, and tragedy of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece. This reading will showcase the script and score, which are still being revised in anticipation of being performed in Skylight’s 2021-22 season.

1. Why did Skylight revise the original list of 2020-2021 season shows?

The revised line-up for the 2020-21 season are shows that allow us to prepare, rehearse and perform while adhering to rigorous safety protocols and physical distancing. We chose outstanding musicals with flexibility in areas including the size of casts and orchestras, backstage interactions (such as quick costume changes) and physical staging requirements, in order to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible

2. What are Skylight’s Health & Safety Protocols?

Productions will be presented in Skylight’s beautiful Cabot Theatre with physically distanced houses and extensive health and safety protocols. The Cabot, which seats 358, will be limited to approximately 40% capacity with a maximum of 130-150 patrons, based on seating configurations of family groups. New procedures for entering and exiting the theatre, enhanced cleaning, electrostatic disinfectant spraying, contactless ticket scanning, mask requirements, and other safety protocols are in place to protect patrons, casts, orchestras, volunteers and staff and adhere to all CDC and governmental orders. Skylight consulted with several area doctors to develop the plans. Read the list of Health & Safety Protocols here.

3. What happens to the shows originally announced for the 2020-21 season?

We are working to reschedule all shows for future Skylight seasons and will announce dates as soon as possible. Those shows include Candide, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Oliver!, Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, The Full Monty and Spring Awakening

In spring 2021, Skylight will present a one-night-only concert reading of Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Dates for the reading to be announced soon. This will be an opportunity for a limited number of Skylight patrons to get in on the ‘ground floor’ as Skylight develops this exciting work by one of rock and roll’s biggest names. Artistic Director Michael Unger is working with DeYoung to revise the script and score. The full production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is tentatively scheduled for the 2021-2022 season.

4. What is your risk-free guarantee?

Our Commitment to Patrons: we offer a risk-free guarantee to exchange, credit or refund tickets for any canceled performances.

5. Will you have video and streaming options for each show?

Streaming and recorded options are available for select titles. Digital recording rights are subject to approval by show licensors. Currently, digital recording is confirmed for Fledermaus MKE.

6.What if plans change again?

All plans are subject to change. Protocols will be revised pending updates from government officials, the status of Covid-19 in our community, advice from medical professionals and other factors to protect health and safety. Skylight will provide updates if things change.