First Stage Announces its 2014-2015 Season!

First Stage’s 28^th season promises adventure, wonderful stories and even bigger dreams. We hope that you will join us to discover, imagine and explore this season!  

The season opens with the highly anticipated world premiere inspired by one of the most daring figures in literature in SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE BAKER STREET IRREGULARS, October 17 – November 15, 2014.  When Sherlock Holmes goes missing, the Baker Street Irregulars – a gang of street kids hired by Sherlock himself to help solve cases – accept the challenge of defending the Victorian city against the forces of evil.  “The Baker Street Irregulars wield their blend of brains and moxie, proving what they’ve learned from the great Sherlock Holmes,” said First Stage Artistic Director Jeff Frank.  “It’s a bold, fast-paced adventure with plenty of action including a battle under the streets of London, and a chase on top of a moving train.”  Inspired by the series of graphic novels by New York Times Bestselling Graphic Novelist Tony Lee (with art by critically acclaimed Dan Boultwood), this show features live music and action that promises to kick off our season with a bang! 

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL™ returns from November 28 – December 28, 2014. Celebrating its 50^th anniversary, the beloved holiday classic makes its leap from the small screen to the stage once again.  “Rudolph has quickly become a First Stage holiday classic – and one of the best-selling shows in our history,” said Frank.  “After taking the show to Chicago last year, we’re bringing it back home to Milwaukee with new surprises including brand new orchestrations by Timothy Splain and a new and improved Bumble.”

The New Year begins with STARGIRL from January 16 – February 15, 2015.  Y York’s adaptation of the critically-acclaimed young adult novel by Jerry Spinelli, tells the story of first love, individualism, and the similarities that connect us all.  “Stargirl faces a choice – conform and take the path of least resistance or stay true to herself,” said First Stage Associate Artistic Director John Maclay.  “I’m not sure that there is a more important story to present to today’s young people.”

The season continues with the madcap misadventures of Nate Wright in BIG NATE:THE MUSICAL from February 27 – March 29, 2015.  Based on the popular comic strip and book series by Lincoln Peirce, this story will rock your world.  “Big Nate boldly springs from the page to the stage in this raucous and outrageously funny musical,” said Frank.  The story includes a bit of everything that makes the school world go round including an arch-nemesis, a love interest, struggles to avoid detention and a happening battle of the bands.

Spring marks the world premiere of LUCHADORA! April 10 – 26, 2015, the next play in the Wisconsin Cycle, First Stage’s new play development initiative honoring the local history and heritage of Wisconsin.  Written by Alvaro Saar Rios, LUCHADORA! explores questions of identity and honor, the meaning of family, and the world of wrestling.  “Audiences will love this story,” said Frank.  “It’s a journey of discovery told boldly and with humor that celebrates the rich culture of Mexico, and the secret world of the Lucha Libre wrestling tradition.” 

The Family Series at the Todd Wehr Theater concludes with a splash with a new Theatre for Young Audiences musical adaptation of BIG FISH May 8 – 31, 2015. Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest.  Broadway veteran Jeff Whiting (Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish) returns to choreograph this enchanting musical.  “After working on the Broadway production, I’m so thrilled to have the chance to bring this touching story to life for audiences in Milwaukee,” said Whiting.  “It’s a story full of life, heart and, of course, fantastical big fish tales that will leave you honoring the storytellers in each of our lives – for it is the dreamers that inspire all of us.” 

Next season First Stage’s First Steps Series presents THE THREE LITTLE PIGS November 1 – 23, 2014 and GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS January 31 – February 22, 2015 by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Mary Poppins and Honk!).  Introducing children ages 3 to 6 to theater in a fun, interactive setting, these performances take place at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.

First Stage’s award-winning Young Company’s eleventh season includes ONCE UPON A MATTRESS December 12- 14, 2014 – a beloved and side-splitting American musical comedy based on the story of The Princess and the Pea; Thorton Wilder’s masterpiece OUR TOWN March 13- 15, 2015; and finally the Young Company will collaborate with professional Shakespearean actors to produce HAMLET May 15 – 17, 2015.  

First Stage Family Packages for our exciting 28th season are available online now!