Marcus Performing Arts Center

Dirty Dancing in Concert
2025-02-16 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE TIMELESS ROMANCE OF THE ICONIC FILM
Join us for DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT, the classic film’s first live film-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit film like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT promises to bring a thrilling new and unique experience to the 80s classic. Directly following the film, the band and singers will throw an encore party that will surely take you back to the time of your life as you sing and dance along to your favorite Dirty Dancing songs. Immerse yourself in the timeless romance and experience one of the most memorable movies of the past 35 years – now live!

The Magic of Rob Lake
2025-02-21 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Experience the impossible with The Magic of Rob Lake! One of the world’s most celebrated illusionists, Rob Lake brings his mind-blowing show to Milwaukee for the first time ever.
Named “The World’s Greatest Illusionist” by NBC, Rob is internationally acclaimed for his mesmerizing and award-winning performances that combine awe-inspiring storytelling with grand-scale illusions.
In 2008, Rob became the youngest magician in history to receive the highest honor in the magic world — The Merlin Award – as ‘International Stage Magician of the Year.’
In addition to his live performances, Rob Lake is the go-to illusion consultant for major productions, including Broadway shows, Harry Potter philharmonic arena tours, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Adele’s Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of magic and wonder with Rob Lake, and witness why he is hailed as the top illusionist of our time.

YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan
2025-03-05 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Passion meets tradition with the explosive energy of YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan. The internationally acclaimed group performs a powerhouse program featuring over 40 traditional Taiko drums, each with its own unique character and sound.
From the massive 1,100-pound “Odaiko,” crafted from a 400-year-old tree, to smaller drums with intricate tones, the performance creates a complex soundscape of rhythm and harmony.
Founded over 30 years ago in Nara Prefecture, said to be the birthplace of Japanese culture and civilization, YAMATO travels the world to share this longstanding cultural tradition.
In this spectacular show, the highly skilled, athletic drummers channel the heartbeat and spirit of their homeland. Japanese Taiko drumming is truly an electrifying experience like no other, and YAMATO represents the best of the best.

“This is a show of unbridled enthusiasm and great musical variety” – The Scotsman
“A genuinely theatrical experience, delivered with balletic grace and infectious humour” – The Times (UK)

Martha Graham Dance Company
2025-03-15 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Since 1926, the Martha Graham Dance Company has been a leader in the evolving art form of modern dance. Today, the world’s oldest modern dance company is embracing a new programming vision that showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works by contemporary artists.
Returning to Milwaukee for the first time in over 50 years, the Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an extensive series of programs and events exploring the diversity and depth of Graham’s extraordinary artistic legacy in GRAHAM100 – The First and The Future.
Known as one of the most influential forces of the 20th century, Martha Graham’s groundbreaking and uniquely American style of dance has influenced generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. During its 100-year history, the Company has received acclaim from audiences and critics in more than 50 countries. The Los Angeles Times noted, “They seem able to do anything, and to make it look easy as well as poetic.”
“These men and women easily embody the choreographer’s sense of dancers as angelic athletes.” – The Wall Street Journal
“This is contemporary dance at its very best.” – BroadwayWorld
“One of the great companies of the world.” – The New York Times
This show is part of the 2024/25 MPAC Presents Dance series. To learn more, click here.
Bonus Experiences:
Join us for a pre-show talk led by Milwaukee Ballet’s Michael Pink in the Atrium at 6:30PM!

About the Company The MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY has been a leader in the evolving art form of modern dance since its founding in 1926. It is both the oldest dance company in the United States and the oldest integrated dance company. Today, the Company is embracing a new programming vision that showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works by contemporary artists. During its 90-year history, the Company has received acclaim from audiences and critics in more than 50 countries. "These men and women easily embody the choreographer’s sense of dancers as angelic athletes,” says Robert Greskovic of The Wall Street Journal, while Marina Kennedy of Broadway World notes, “This is contemporary dance at its very best.” Siobhan Burke of The New York Times asks, “Can this please never go away?” About Martha Graham MARTHA GRAHAM (1894–1991) is recognized as a primal artistic force of the 20th century, alongside Picasso, James Joyce, Stravinsky, and Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1998, TIME magazine named Martha Graham “Dancer of the Century,” and People magazine named her among the female “Icons of the Century.” As a choreographer, she was as prolific as she was complex. She created 181 ballets and a dance technique that has been compared to ballet in its scope and magnitude. Her approach to dance and theater revolutionized the art form and her innovative physical vocabulary has irrevocably influenced dance worldwide.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
2025-03-21 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent, and a show so hot it carries a health warning! The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, a multi-platinum, award-winning Celtic rock back from Scotland, are bringing their signature “BAGROCK” sound back to Milwaukee.
Their energetic and infectious music appeals to all ages, with fans that include Ewan McGregor, Sir Paul McCartney, and Samuel L. Jackson. The Chillis’ blend of traditional Scottish music and rock creates an electrifying experience that you have to see to believe. Feel the Chilli heat: it’s time to come closer to the fire!

Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
2025-03-22 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Relive the rock and roll magic of Fleetwood Mac with Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show!
Formed in Los Angeles in the summer of 2012, they have toured all over North America and meticulously put together a show that will transport you back to the era of 1975-1987.
Rumours recreates the band’s legendary persona, from period accurate equipment and costumes to spot-on characterizations and musical performances, taking you back to a time when music was still an unbridled cultural experience.
The band is comprised of Jesika Miller as Stevie Nicks, Kate Sland as Christine McVie, Ned Brower as Mick Fleetwood, John Rogers as Lindsey Buckingham, and Nic Johns as John McVie.

Ladies of Hip Hop
2025-04-04 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Ladies of Hip Hop (LOHH) is an all-female intergenerational dance collective that creates dance works illuminating the strength, power, and diversity of women in Hip Hop. Under the direction of founder Michele Byrd-McPhee, LOHH interweaves the embodied experiences of women, creating a communal fabric that paints a picture of a more global women experience. Through their work, LOHH is reclaiming and transforming spaces, not only in the realm of dance but also within the broader cultural landscape.
The Black Dancing Bodies Project is an initiative to uplift and celebrate Black women in street and club dance culture, addressing the erasure and miscoding of Black women’s contributions to American dance culture. Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind reclaims community stories, gestures, mannerisms, hairstyles, dances, and cultural norms. With neck rolling, eye rolling, tongue popping, teeth sucking, hand clapping, and finger snapping, we will be loud, expressive, gentle, and soft. We will be authentically ourselves. We will speak our minds.
SpeakMyMind was commissioned by Works & Process, developed in Works & Process LaunchPAD residencies at Bethany Arts Community (2022, 2023, and 2024) and Catskill Mountain Foundation (2022), Office Hours Residency at The Kennedy Center, and Jacob’s Pillow Lab.
SpeakMyMind is a 2023 New England Foundation for the Arts’s National Dance Project grantee, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and Mellon Foundation.
Bonus Experiences:
Post-Show Q&A – Join us for a post-show Q&A with some of the cast after the show! Simply move up near the front of the stage once the house lights go up

Lakecia Benjamin
2025-04-11 19:30 | Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 121 E State St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
With her deep jazz roots, electric presence, and fiery sax work, Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional concepts of jazz, hip hop, and soul to create a fresh new sound. A dynamic young performer, Benjamin has shared stages with many legendary artists, including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Christian McBride, Gregory Porter, and The Roots and was voted “Rising Star Alto Saxophonist” in the 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll and “Up and Coming Artist of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association.
For her MPAC debut, Benjamin features the quartet from her 2023 release, Phoenix, an album that featured cameos by some of Benjamin’s heroes including Wayne Shorter, Angela Davis, Dianne Reeves, and Patrice Rushen.
“Lakecia Benjamin plays jazz that is sprinkled with the rich flavors of funk and soul—she’s a crafty traditionalist who remains in step with the rhythms of the young generation.” — The New Yorker
“This is musical storytelling at its finest.” — Downbeat

This show is part of the 2024/25 MPAC Presents Jazz series.

The Cher Show
2025-04-19 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture – breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. THE CHER SHOW is the Tony Award®-winning musical of her story, and it’s packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the bright-eyed kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon.

THE CHER SHOW is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy®, and enough Tony Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!

DRUMLine Live
2026-02-05 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
DRUMLine Live embodies the soulful, high-stepping style of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band tradition. With riveting rhythms, bold beats, and ear-grabbing energy, this stage show is a synchronized musical showcase of the HBCU experience.
Incorporating original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of top 40 hits, group performances range from colorful, choreographed routines to heavy doses of drum riffs and cadences.
DRUMLine Live is a show-stopping performance that will bring you to your feet by halftime!
See the band that performed with Beyoncé in her headlining performance at Coachella!
“DRUMLine Live dazzles with explosive choreography and thrilling spectacle.” – ShowbizChicago
“DRUMLine Live has made its way across the country, showing the thrill, the musical genius, and the true flavor of the ever-exciting HBCU halftime show.” – The Star-Ledger

One Night Of Queen
2026-03-20 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Get ready for an unforgettable night of rock anthems, soaring vocals, and unstoppable energy as Gary Mullen & The Works bring Queen’s legendary music to life. This internationally acclaimed tribute captures the power, passion, and theatricality of Freddie Mercury and Queen’s greatest hits.
Fronted by Gary Mullen on vocals with David Brockett on guitar, Malcolm Gentles on keyboards, Jon Halliwell on drums, and Alan McGeoch on bass, the band has been thrilling audiences worldwide for over two decades, selling out venues from Europe to the U.S. One Night of Queen captures the magic of Queen like never before in this unforgettable tribute. The show DOES go on!

Happy Together Tour 2026
2026-09-03 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
2026 will mark the 17th year of the highly successful, hit-filled summer package, THE “HAPPY TOGETHER” TOUR. The touring sensation that has crisscrossed the nation delighting audiences for over a decade and a half returns this summer with a show full of chart-topping hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s – an undeniable 60+ BILLBOARD Top 40 smashes. The Tour is once again joined by THE ASSOCIATION, THE TROGGS, CHICAGO lead singer 1985-2016 JASON SCHEFF, GARY PUCKETT, THE FORTUNES, RON DANTE from The Archies and The Turtles, THE VOGUES and THE COWSILLS. Joining THE “HAPPY TOGETHER” TOUR 2026 are THE ASSOCIATION, who enjoyed massive radio success in the ‘60s, with such #1 hits as “Cherish,” “Windy,” “Never My Love” and “Along Comes Mary”. This iconic vocal group was a staple on the radio airways in the 1960’s

Madeleine Peyroux
2026-09-13 19:30 | Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 121 E State St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
The American singer Madeleine Peyroux began her career as a street performer in Paris, where she honed her unique blend of jazz, blues, and folk. Her breakthrough came with the release of her 1996 debut album, Dreamland, which showcased her Billie Holiday-esque vocal style and earned critical acclaim. Over the years, Peyroux has released several albums, each demonstrating her growth as an artist and songwriter. She has collaborated with notable musicians and producers, continually evolving her sound while staying true to her roots. Peyroux’s music is celebrated for its emotional depth, lyrical sophistication, and her ability to convey complex feelings with a timeless, soulful voice.

The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration
2026-10-04 19:00 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Few voices in pop history are as instantly recognizable, or as deeply loved, as Karen Carpenter’s. THE CARPENTERS SONGBOOK: A LIVE CELEBRATION, brings the icon’s extraordinary voice and the brother-sister duo’s unforgettable music back to the stage in a beautifully crafted all-new production from the creative team behind The Simon & Garfunkel Story.
With a full band and heartfelt storytelling, this concert captures the warmth, emotion, and musical brilliance of The Carpenters. It’s a touching tribute that invites audiences to sing-along, reminisce, and fall in love all over again. Expect to relive all of their favorites including “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Close to You,” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” with this heartfelt love letter to the quiet magic of Karen and Richard Carpenter.
The Carpenters Songbook VIP Experience The Carpenters Songbook VIP Experience Includes: One Ticket with seating in the first ten rows A private 20-minute acoustic performance with the lead performers of The Carpenters Songbook for VIP attendees only, featuring exclusive Carpenters songs not performed in the main show.· A Meet & Greet and photo opportunity with the two lead performers of The Carpenters Songbook.· A limited edition, collectible VIP laminate.

Ghostbusters in Concert
2026-10-09 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Experience the beloved 1984 classic film like never before, with the music performed on stage by an orchestra. Audience members will enjoy the ultimate movie concert experience as Ghostbusters is presented on a large HD cinema screen, fully synced to a live performance of Academy Award®-winning composer Elmer Berstein’s spine-tingling score.

Sugar Skull
2026-10-30 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores. Vita thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. Why throw a party for the dead? But when a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos.
Meet Sugar Skull, a charismatic skeleton with a secret or two. With her skeletal new friend, Vita dances with ancient ancestors, sings with a sorrowful sorceress, escapes the trickster Chaneques, and even meets the famous Catrina Calavera. But can this clever youth gather the missing pieces needed for her Family ofrenda before it’s too late

Gravity and Other Myths
2026-11-13 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Everybody is a master of something. Blink, step, jump, balance, flip, fly. This is an ode to the countless hours needed to achieve great things. A tribute to the dedication required to realise our physical ambitions. An acknowledgement of the backstory that is often more spectacular than the finished product. Eight world class acrobats investigate physical skill; how we obtain it, how we perfect it, and how it can transform our lives. Through highlighting the nuance of high-level acrobatics, audiences experience a heightened appreciation of the countless hours required to master the skills they are witnessing. This is a love letter to our bodies and the amazing things they let us do every day. This is an invitation to watch us work.

Sean Heely's Celtic Christmas
2026-12-19 | Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 121 E State St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Kilts and tartan abound as US National Scottish Fiddle Champion Seán Heely and a cast of nationally-acclaimed Celtic performers take you on a magical winter tour through the Scottish Highlands and across the rugged Irish coast. The fiddle and bagpipes will sweep you away to Christmastime and Winter Solstice celebrations that are sure to lift your holiday spirits and warm your heart. The festive journey follows ancient Gaelic carols and songs, tucked in perfectly with lively Irish tunes and familiar Christmas melodies with a Celtic twist.
Seán Heely Bio: Seán Heely is a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, National Champion in Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) Song, and one of the most dynamic Celtic artists of his generation. A virtuoso fiddler, singer, harpist, and composer, Seán blends the fire of traditional music with classical finesse—praised by Irish fiddle legend Liz Carroll as “one powerhouse of a fiddler.” He has performed internationally and at top U.S. venues like the Kennedy Center and Strathmore, and has shared the stage with icons such as Natalie Haas, Bonnie Rideout, and Paddy Keenan. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Seán made his classical debut with the Virginia Symphony and was a 2019 Artist in Residence at Strathmore Music Center. His latest album, Dramagical, has received international acclaim with features on BBC, RTÉ, and NPR. Based in Washington, D.C., Seán tours with the Seán Heely Celtic Band, The Glencoe Lads, and Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra, and serves as a passionate ambassador for Gaelic culture through performance and teaching.

Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra
2027-04-10 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Due to Unforeseen Circumstances, Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic Orchestra originally scheduled for this Sunday, August 30th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center has been rescheduled. The new date will be Saturday, April 10, 2027 at 7:30pm.
When was the last time you witnessed; strings, horns and piano at a Hip-Hop concert? Add to that, a party-rocking DJ, a soul-stirring female vocalist and a fire-breathing MC and that is still but a fraction of what you’ll see when you catch Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra in action!
Combining the raw energy and passion of Hip-Hop, with the beautiful sounds of orchestral accompaniment, The Illharmonic is just the 3rd Hip-Hop group to headline their own performance at the famed Carnegie Hall. The ensemble will be making their Milwaukee debut on August 30th!

Dirty Dozen Brass Band
2027-05-21 19:30 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Celebrating over 45 years since their founding in 1977, the GRAMMY Award-winning New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres, including bebop jazz, funk, and R&B/soul. This unique sound, described by the band as a “musical gumbo”, has allowed the Dirty Dozen to tour across five continents and more than thirty countries, record twelve studio albums, and collaborate with a range of artists from Modest Mouse to Widespread Panic to Norah Jones. Forty-five plus years later, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a world-famous music machine whose name is synonymous with genre-bending romps and high-octane performances.
The History of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band In 1977, The Dirty Dozen Social Aid and Pleasure Club in New Orleans began showcasing a traditional Crescent City brass band. It was a joining of two proud, but antiquated, traditions at the time: social aid and pleasure clubs dated back over a century to a timewhen black southerners could rarely afford life insurance, and the clubs would provide proper funeral arrangements. Brass bands, early predecessors of jazz as we know it, would often follow the funeral procession playing somber dirges, then once the family ofthe deceased was out of earshot, burst into jubilant dance tunes as casual onlookers danced in the streets. By the late '70s, few of either existed. The Dirty Dozen Social Aid and Pleasure Club decided to assemble this group as a house band, and over the course of these early gigs, the seven-member ensemble adopted the venue's name: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
