The Milwaukee Repertory Theater has unveiled an expansive and dynamic lineup for its 2026–2027 season, marking its 73rd anniversary with an ambitious slate of 13 productions spanning musicals, world premieres, intimate new works, and returning audience favorites.
Running from September 2026 through May 2027, the season represents the company’s second full year in the newly opened Associated Bank Theater Center, a state-of-the-art facility that has quickly become a cultural hub in Milwaukee.
Artistic Director Mark Clements emphasized the company’s continued exploration of what is possible within its new home, highlighting a season built on bold storytelling and artistic innovation. Executive Director Chad Bauman echoed that sentiment, noting that the expanded facilities allow the theater to produce more work than ever before while deepening its connection to the community.
At the heart of the season is a strong commitment to new work. Three projects will be developed through the John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program, including two world premieres—The Cherry Tortured and MKE MVP—as well as continued development of the genre-blending Instructions for a Séance. These productions reflect Milwaukee Rep’s ongoing investment in fresh voices and contemporary storytelling.
The season also welcomes a major Broadway hit to Milwaukee with John Proctor Is the Villain, a seven-time Tony Award–nominated play that offers a sharp and modern reexamination of morality and power. Meanwhile, a landmark staging of Twelve Angry Men will bring a celebrated Wisconsin cast together under Clements’ direction, offering audiences an intimate encounter with the classic courtroom drama.
Musical theater plays a prominent role in the lineup, beginning with a high-energy production of Footloose, directed and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear. The season also includes The World Goes ’Round, a vibrant revue celebrating the music of John Kander and Fred Ebb, and the return of The Craic, a fan-favorite musical experience set in a lively Irish pub.
In the Stackner Cabaret, audiences can expect an eclectic mix of performances ranging from nostalgic musical celebrations to world premieres rooted in Milwaukee’s own culture. Highlights include JP Coletta’s Rock ’N’ Roll Piano Man and the debut of MKE MVP, a musical tribute to the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship journey.
The Herro-Franke Studio Theater continues to showcase intimate, thought-provoking works, including Instructions for a Séance, a one-woman blend of memoir and theatrical magic, and Penelope, a reimagining of Homer’s Odyssey through a contemporary lens.
On the larger Checota Powerhouse stage, audiences will encounter a wide range of theatrical styles—from the comedic thrills of Heist to the emotional depth of Somewhere by Matthew López. The latter offers a moving portrait of a Puerto Rican family navigating dreams and displacement in 1950s New York.
Rounding out the season is the return of Milwaukee’s beloved holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, once again bringing festive spectacle and heartfelt storytelling to the historic Pabst Theater.
With its blend of new works, reimagined classics, and crowd-pleasing favorites, Milwaukee Rep’s 2026–2027 season underscores the company’s mission to create theater that entertains, provokes, and inspires—while reflecting the diverse voices and experiences of its community.
2026–2027 Season Shows
Stackner Cabaret
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The World Goes ’Round (Sept 11 – Nov 1, 2026)
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JP Coletta’s Rock ’N’ Roll Piano Man (Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027)
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MKE MVP (Jan 16 – Mar 14, 2027)
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The Craic (Mar 26 – May 30, 2027)
Herro-Franke Studio Theater
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Instructions for a Séance (Oct 6 – Nov 8, 2026)
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Twelve Angry Men (Feb 2 – Feb 28, 2027)
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Penelope (Apr 6 – May 9, 2027)
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
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Footloose (Sept 22 – Nov 1, 2026)
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Heist (Nov 17 – Dec 20, 2026)
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John Proctor Is the Villain (Jan 12 – Feb 7, 2027)
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The Cherry Tortured (Feb 26 – Mar 28, 2027)
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Somewhere (Apr 13 – May 9, 2027)
Special Events
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A Christmas Carol (Dec 2 – Dec 24, 2026)