Marcus Performing Arts Center

Mamma Mia!
2026-09-22 - 2026-09-27 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads.
And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!
Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago.
For over 25 years, people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story, and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show.
All Show Dates Tuesday, September 22, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, September 23, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Thursday, September 24, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Friday, September 25, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, September 26, 2026 @ 2:00 PM Saturday, September 26, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, September 27, 2026 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, September 27, 2026 @ 6:30 PM

Churchill Starring David Payne
2026-10-01 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 121 E State St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Winston Churchill, has just been awarded honorary US citizenship by President John F. Kennedy. In recognition of this unprecedented occasion, The American-Oxford Society has asked the former Prime Minister to address them and discuss what this honor means to him.
In this often funny, sometimes touching and always engaging one-man-show… veteran British actor David Payne brings Churchill to life onstage. Audiences will be delighted to hear of his exploits during the Boer War, his constant battles with Britain’s fellow politicians, and his special relationship with America and America’s presidents. But most telling of all, Churchill enlightens the audience with intimate and touching details of the two special women in his life—his wife Clementine and Queen Elizabeth.
With elements of The Crown and The Darkest Hour, David Payne once again gives audiences an opportunity to spend an evening with one of the greatest historical figures in the world—Sir Winston Churchill.

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.

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.

Florentine Opera: La Traviata
2026-10-16 - 2026-10-18 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
She lives fast, loves freely, and throws a better party than anyone in Paris. But beneath the champagne and charm, Violetta knows her days in the spotlight won’t last forever. When she dares to trade pleasure for true love, society—and Alfredo’s very proper family—are quick to remind her just how unforgiving Paris can be.
Verdi’s La Traviata is all romance, sacrifice, and a story where “happily ever after” takes a hard pass.
At a Glance Blurb: She lives fast and loves freely, but Violetta’s time is running out. Trading pleasure for true love sets her on a collision course with a judgmental society. Experience Verdi’s La Traviata—where “happily ever after” isn’t part of the program.
Bonus Content:
Pre Opera Talk: Featuring head of music and education and community engagement manager- October 16, 2026 at 6:30pm & October 18, 2026 at 1:30pm

Jersey Boys
2026-10-20 - 2026-10-25 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
The original Broadway sensation returns to the road! Celebrating 20 years – Jersey style!
They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of.  But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The show features all their hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Beggin’” and “Working My Way Back to You.”
Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award®-winning, original Broadway sensation, JERSEY BOYS.  From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s too good to be true.

All Show Dates Tuesday, October 20, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, October 21, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Friday, October 23, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 6:30 PM

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.

Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
2026-11-21 - 2026-12-27 | Todd Wehr Theater, 123 E. State St, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Based on the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason | Music by Mel Marvin
Additional Music and Lyrics by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss

Directed by Jeff Frank
Music Directed by Paul Helm
Experience the wit, wonder, and larger-than-life spirit audiences know and love, wrapped in toe-tapping songs and Seuss-ian spectacle. Bursting with humor, heart, and holiday magic, this musical celebration is a must-see event that invites audiences of all ages to rediscover the joy of the season.

The Sound of Music
2026-11-24 - 2026-11-29 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed – it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing.
Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music.
Featuring beloved songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss,” THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the iconic tale of a spirited nun who chooses not to live behind closed doors – and, by following her heart, learns to climb every mountain.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. The 1965 Oscar®-winning film recently celebrated its 60th anniversary and continues to be one of the most successful movie musicals of all time.
All Show Dates Tuesday, November 24, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Friday, November 27, 2026 @ 1:00 PM Friday, November 27, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, November 28, 2026 @ 2:00 PM Saturday, November 28, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, November 29, 2026 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, November 29, 2026 @ 6:30 PM

Buena Vista Social Club™
2027-01-05 - 2027-01-10 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
It’s been years since legendary singer Omara Portuondo last entered a recording studio. Once known as the “Queen of Feeling,” her voice was celebrated throughout Cuba – until she vanished from the spotlight. But when an ambitious young record producer brings her a rare opportunity, the elusive diva must finally reckon with her past.
Hailed as a “jaw-dropping, soul-stirring must see” (The Washington Post), the Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ is a journey through music and memory into the beating heart of Havana. A world-class company brings the story of the iconic album to thrilling life in this tale of big dreams, second chances, and music that needs no translation.

All Show Dates Tuesday, January 5, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, January 6, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Thursday, January 7, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Friday, January 8, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, January 9, 2027 @ 2:00 PM Saturday, January 9, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, January 10, 2027 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, January 10, 2027 @ 6:30 PM

43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
2027-01-18 16:00 | Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 121 E State St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
The Marcus Performing Arts Center has celebrated Dr. King’s Birthday annually since 1984. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration highlights the youth in our community who interpret Dr. King’s words through student contests. Winners will be showcased at a free celebration event held in the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
Theme: “A Look to the Future”

Winnie-The-Pooh: Forever Friends
2027-01-29 - 2027-02-28 | Todd Wehr Theater, 123 E. State St, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Book by Scott Seidl | Music by Alan Stein
Lyrics by Scott Seidl, Alan Stine, and A.A. Milne
Creative Development Associate Robert Penola
Additional Material by Jeff Frank and Michelle LoRicco
From the stories by A.A. Milne
Directed by Michelle LoRicco
WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood in this heartwarming world premiere musical filled with friendship, imagination, and a little bit of honey. When Christopher Robin returns with his granddaughter, Winnie-the-Pooh and friends remind us that the simplest moments together can mean the very most.

SIX
2027-02-02 - 2027-02-07 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!
The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!”
The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed one billion streams worldwide!

All Show Dates Tuesday, February 2, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, February 3, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Thursday, February 4, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Friday, February 5, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, February 6, 2027 @ 2:00 PM Saturday, February 6, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, February 7, 2027 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, February 7, 2027 @ 6:30 PM

The Outsiders
2027-02-23 - 2027-02-28 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, is THE OUTSIDERS.
Adapted from S.E. HINTON’s seminal novel and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by ADAM RAPP with JUSTIN LEVINE, music and lyrics by JAMESTOWN REVIVAL (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Tony Award® winner JUSTIN LEVINE, music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by JUSTIN LEVINE, choreography by RICK KUPERMAN & JEFF KUPERMAN, and direction by Tony Award® winner DANYA TAYMOR. Entertainment Weekly  says, “THE OUTSIDERS has the power to inspire an entire generation.”
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
All Show Dates Tuesday, February 23, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Thursday, February 25, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Friday, February 26, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, February 27, 2027 @ 2:00 PM Saturday, February 27, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, February 28, 2027 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, February 28, 2027 @ 6:30 PM

Disney's Beauty and The Beast
2027-03-16 - 2027-03-21 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Be Our Guest at BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Disney’s first North American touring production of the beloved musical in over 25 years.
This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The show boasts the Oscar®-winning and Tony Award®-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Reuniting to create this new production are members of the original Tony Award®-winning artistic team, including composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, with direction and choreography by Matt West, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and lighting design by Natasha Katz. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the beloved musical that will fill your heart with joy and Disney magic.
All Show Dates Tuesday, March 16, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, March 17, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Thursday, March 18, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Friday, March 19, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, March 20, 2027 @ 2:00 PM (sign-interpreted) Saturday, March 20, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, March 21, 2027 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, March 21, 2027 @ 6:30 PM

The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe
2027-04-02 - 2027-05-02 | Todd Wehr Theater, 123 E. State St, Milwaukee, WI, United States
From the story by C.S Lewis
Dramatized by Le Clanché du Rand

Directed by Jeff Frank
Step through the wardrobe and discover the fantastical world of Narnia like never before! In this imaginative adaptation, Peter and Lucy return to the room where their adventure began — reminding us that even the smallest among us can change the world.

Waitress
2027-04-06 - 2027-04-07 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.
Brought to life by a groundbreaking creative team, this hilarious hit Broadway musical features original music and lyrics by Grammy® Award winner Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), original choreography by Lorin Latarro (Mrs. Doubtfire, Chess) and original direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (1776, Jagged Little Pill, Pippin).
“WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly, and is “sweet, sassy and passionate,” according to New York Magazine.
“It’s an empowering musical of the highest order!” raves the Chicago Tribune. Don’t miss this uplifting and hilarious musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

All Show Dates Tuesday, April 6, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, April 7, 2027 @ 7:30 PM

Florentine Opera: The Magic Flute
2027-05-14 - 2027-05-16 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Prince Tamino sets out to rescue Princess Pamina from the formidable Queen of the Night (yes, her mother), armed with a magical flute and an anxious companion, Papageno. What begins as a straightforward mission quickly opens into a world of rigid traditions, obscure rules, and trials that test far more than bravery.
This is not just Tamino’s journey. Pamina faces the same ordeals, makes the same choices, and proves herself every bit his equal. Inspired by classic epic fantasy in the spirit of The Wheel of Time, Mozart’s The Magic Flute is a fantastical and occasionally heart-stopping adventure, where the world is strange, the path is uncertain, and—against all odds—love still wins.
Bonus Content
Pre Opera Talk: Featuring head of music and education and community engagement manager- May 14, 2027 at 6:30pm & May 16, 2027 at 2:30pm

Broadway Junior Revue: Pure Imagination
2027-05-14 - 2027-05-23 | Todd Wehr Theater, 123 E. State St, Milwaukee, WI, United States
THEATER ACADEMY PRODUCTION
Featuring Songs by (in alphabetical order):
Lynn Ahrens • Kristen Anderson-Lopez • Howard Ashman • Chad Beguelin • Leslie Bricusse • Morris “Moose” Charlap • Martin Charnin • Anthony Drewe • Stephen Flaherty • Zina Goldrich • Marcy Heisler • Carolyn Leigh • David Lindsay-Abaire • Robert Lopez • Alan Menken • Tim Minchin • Anthony Newley • Tim Rice • Richard M. Sherman • Robert B. Sherman • Matthew Sklar • George Stiles • Charles Strouse • Jeanine Tesori • Deborah Wicks La Puma • Mo Willems

Celebrate 40 years of First Stage with a brand new musical revue featuring our Theater Academy students performing songs from Broadway hits and Disney favorites, alongside stories that showcase the creativity and collaboration at the heart of First Stage since 1987.

The Bodyguard
2027-06-08 - 2027-06-13 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
THE INTERNATIONAL, AWARD-WINNING SMASH-HIT MUSICAL THE BODYGUARD IS BACK!
Based on the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, THE BODYGUARD is a thrilling, romantic musical that combines high-stakes suspense with unforgettable music. Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Both expect to be in charge of their situation – what they don’t expect is to fall in love.
A “BRILLIANT” (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a whole host of unforgettable classics including “Queen of the Night,” “So Emotional,” “I Will Always Love You,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Saving All My Love,” and “One Moment in Time”, alongside thrilling plot twists and emotional drama. THE BODYGUARD is an electrifying combination of romance, suspense and chart-topping music that will captivate audiences from start to finish.
All Show Dates Tuesday, June 8, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, June 9, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Thursday, June 10, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Friday, June 11, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, June 12, 2027 @ 2:00 PM Saturday, June 12, 2027 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, June 13, 2027 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, June 13, 2027 @ 6:30 PM

Beetlejuice
2027-06-22 - 2027-06-24 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!
All Show Dates Tuesday, June 22nd @ 7:30 PM Wednesday, June 23rd @ 7:30 PM Thursday, June 24 @ 7:30 PM

Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen
2027-07-20 - 2027-07-25 | Uihlein Hall, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Welcome to HELL’S KITCHEN, the hit musical from 17-time Grammy® Award winning Alicia Keys—inspired by her life, her music, and her community.
Your journey begins with Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, you’ll meet the musical mentor who changes her life, her dynamic family, and the neighborhood that helps her grow. Relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun, HELL’S KITCHEN is a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up.
More than watching a performance, this experience pulls you out of your seat and has you buzzing when you leave, wondering who to tell about it first. The music—a mix of Keys’ greatest hits and new songs written exclusively for the show—is brought to life through exhilarating choreography. It’s a soundtrack of rebellion, life, and love that speaks to you no matter where you’re from, where you’ve been, or where you’re going.
Hailed as a New York Times  Critic’s Pick that is, “thrilling from beginning to end – a rare must-see!” HELL’S KITCHEN is directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen and The Notebook), with choreography by four-time Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, and the music of Alicia Keys.
Feel the energy of this multi-award-winning musical and experience where dreams begin: HELL’S KITCHEN
All Show Dates Tuesday, July 20, 2027 @ 7:30PM Wednesday, July 21, 2027 @ 7:30PM Thursday, July 22, 2027 @ 7:30PM Friday, July 23, 2027 @ 7:30PM Saturday, July 24, 2027 @ 2:00PM Saturday, July 24, 2027 @ 7:30PM Sunday, July 25, 2027 @ 1:00PM Sunday, July 25, 2027 @ 6:30PM
