Theatre Performances

October 8–October 12

H.M.S. Pinafore
Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre

Full of wit, absurdity and sly social commentary, H.M.S. Pinafore is a hilarious tale of love, honor and duty aboard a Royal Navy ship whimsically named after a woman’s garment. Written by master social satirists W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan—one of musical theatre’s most iconic duos—this classic 19th-century comic opera gets a fresh, imaginative adaptation and staging by Milwaukee Opera Theatre’s Artistic Director Jill Anna Ponasik and UWM Department of Theatre's Jeffrey Mosser. Presented in cooperation with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, this lively production promises sharp humor, infectious music and a delightful twist on tradition.

November 5–November 9

In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom
Kenilworth Square East, Kenilworth Five-0-Eight

In a world silenced by a ban on music, a group of daring teens risks everything to rediscover it. They meet in secret to learn about all things musical, defying an oppressive government determined to keep them silent. But their newfound knowledge comes at a price. In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom is a bold, imaginative new work exploring resistance, identity and the unshakable human need for expression. Presented as part of the UWM Department of Theatre’s New Dramaworks series, this thrilling world premiere amplifies voices that refuse to be silenced.

November 19–November 23

Scapino!
Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre

Set in 1980s Naples, Scapino! is a zany reimagined farce inspired by Molière’s 1671 comedy Les Fourberies de Scapin. This madcap romp bursts with slapstick and fast-paces humor, including tall tales, bad impersonations, ridiculous chase scenes, disgruntled waiters, lovable panhandlers, melodic macaroni, and misbehaving sausages. Overflowing with physical comedy and rapid-fire humor, it’s a theatrical free-for-all that’s as unpredictable as it is hilarious. You’ve been warned: your belly might just ache from laughing so hard!

March 11, 2026–March 15, 2026

The Good Doctor
Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre

A mistimed sneeze, a foolish drowning stunt, a helpful cuckold, an enthusiastic dentist, and a boy reluctant to face manhood—this is just a taste of what unfolds when Anton Chekhov’s short stories meet the wit and whimsy of Neil Simon. The Good Doctor is a clever “tour de farce” filled with absurdity, charm and deeply human foibles and follies. Blending Chekhov’s timeless observations with Simon’s comedic sparkle, this series of vignettes captures the unexpected tenderness of life’s missteps with humor and heart.

April 8, 2026–April 12, 2026

Songs for a New World
Arts Center Gallery

The first musical from three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, Songs for a New World is a moving collection of powerful songs examining life, love and the pivotal choices people make when facing defining moments. From the deck of a Spanish ship in 1492 to the ledge of a Fifth Avenue high-rise, each character confronts a turning point—forced to take a leap into the unknown. With a soaring, contemporary score, this intimate song cycle explores the beauty, heartbreak and hope of ordinary people facing extraordinary change.

April 10, 2026–April 26, 2026

A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream
Skylight Music Theatre

In a first-time collaboration between Skylight Music Theatre and the UWM Department of Theatre, A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream takes the stage in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. Experience a brand-new take on William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. Journey from ancient Athens, into the woods, and back again, as we follow impassioned lovers, hilarious rustics, fantastical spirits and feuding royalty in this magical, rock-and-roll rendition of one of the greatest and most-performed plays of all time.

April 29, 2026–May 3, 2026

The Three Sisters
Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre

Master dramatist and storyteller Anton Chekhov bookends the spring semester with The Three Sisters, offering a poignant contrast to the comedy and farce of Neil Simon’s The Good Doctor. In this tour de force of love, longing and heartbreak, sisters Olga, Masha and Irina languish in a provincial town, far from their beloved Moscow. There, they yearn for the sparkling city of their childhood, where they dream all wishes can be fulfilled. A masterful look at a family navigating the space between reality and dreams, The Three Sisters envelops you with exquisite moments of humor and hope.

May 6, 2026–May 10, 2026

New Dramaworks: Short Play Festival
Arts Center Gallery

The New Dramaworks Short Play Festival is back! The UWM Department of Theatre presents an exciting showcase of original plays celebrating hope and resistance. Don't miss the premiere of these brand-new works written, directed and produced by UWM students.