THE DRAMA DEN

Barnett, Barnsdale, Barton, Barstow, Barbara, and more... Somebody bumped off Barnaby, and nobody seems to know why! From murder mystery to treasure hunt, this Waukesha Civic performance brings it all. It seems that Barnaby had a motive to off any one of his family members, but nobody can conjure up a reasonable motive to end Barnaby. With a storm a-brewin' outside, the suspects are forced to solve the mystery, or else, potentially face the murderer themselves. All photos cou

"We relinquished color when we relinquished sunshine and did away with difference. We gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others." ~ Lois Lowry, The Giver Lowry's young adult novel has been shaping readers in English classrooms since its' 1993 release. The dystopian novel tells the story of a community which has erased its' history and any opportunity for choice, in an attempt to create a perfect society. Jonas, at a mere 12 years old, is selected to receiv

Skirts are getting shorter, bobs are getting sharper, and women are getting bolder... This is 1922! Thoroughly Modern Millie is a quirky classic musical that follows Millie Dillmount on her journey to an advantageous marriage, and love's got nothing to do with it! While the show dates itself with its insensitivity in addressing otherwise serious issues (such as human trafficking), the music is toe-tapping and riotous. Director Jim Padovano has struck gold with his casting - p

Once upon a time, and not so long ago, a certain Walt Disney screwed over our favorite ladies in skirts. Somehow, our badass heroines have been boiled down to secondary tits on a stick. Luckily, hosts Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty have taken over the narration. Outskirts Theatre Company's Disenchanted! The Musical takes the stage at Waukesha Civic Theatre and brings in the female perspective on time-honored tales. Samantha Paige, Gabby Ashlin, and Emma Losey. Th

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Waukesha Civic Theatre's annual holiday revue has yet again arrived to the stage, and it's as foot-tapping, tune-humming, and heart-warming as ever! Candy Cane Tales and Holiday Carols, originally conceived by John Cramer, marks his last of many, many shows for this stage. Co-directing with Kelly Goeller, the duo certainly create a show that goes out with a bang. Immediately, audiences are faced with a spectacle of a set. What appe

1984, Britain. The coal miners strike is in full force, and the turmoil is caught between the change that is so desperately needed, and slipping back into the way things were. The stakes are desperately high, and here we find the Elliot family struggling with their own balance of pride and sacrifice. Oh yeah, and this Billy can dance like Fred Astaire. A large cast fills out the Waukesha Civic stage for the grand numbers of this production, the 2005 stage adaptation of the 20

Oh, it's simply divoon! The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 is a theatrical staple - following last season's Clue: The Musical, the time has come for Waukesha Civic Theatre to tackle another murder mystery farce. This piece features a mixed-bag cast of 10, all gathered in Elsa Von Grossenkneuten's house for more than just an audition... and the Stage Door Slasher is on the loose. Photo by Carroll Studios of Photography. This piece isn't an introspective, serious piece of theat

All photos by James Baker. With its' boldly patterned costumes, brightly colored set, and mime-esque makeup design, the collaborative production of Pippin through UW-Milwaukee Waukesha and Lake Country Playhouse is certainly a lot to look at. Fortunately, the powerful themes of this theatre standard still shine through the frenzied visuals and remind audiences why the tale of Prince Pippin continues to be told 40 some years after its' debut. Romesh Alex Jaya, as the Leading P

All photos by Carroll Studios of Photography. It's the 1960s. Three con men enter into the Hendrix home to acquire a lost doll of grave importance. Sam is away, which leaves none other than his blind wife, Susy, to protect herself and solve the mystery. In her director's note, Kelly Goeller says, "At first, it may seem that [Susy's] blindness would be a disadvantage against Roat, Carlino, and Mike; however, as the story progresses, it turns out that may not be the case." Ella

Was it Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with the candlestick, or Mrs. Peacock in the ballroom with the wrench? Waukesha Civic Theatre's production of Clue: The Musical brings the classic board game to life, giving patrons their hand at detective work as the story unfolds. Rachel Krause and Mike Owens When audiences arrive at the theatre, they are greeted by Evan Crain's set design, which integrates location realism with the angular nature of playing cards and character squ

It's insanity. It's football, and vomit, and kilts, and puppets. It's forwards, and backwards, and inside out. It's William Shakespeare. Waukesha Civic Theatre is taking on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), where three performers tackle all 37 of the Bard's plays in a mere 97 minutes. And, to say the least, it's a whirlwind. The company fits seamlessly together. Jillian Smith brings something fresh to each of her characters throughout the performance, from

As published in the November issue of the KM Perform Express Newsletter. At the strike of 7:30 PM, the city of Waukesha sings the tune of 15th century France to the familiar bells of Notre Dame. Waukesha Civic Theatre, from October 27th through November 12th, takes a small venue and transforms it into the streets of Paris for the 2014 stage adaptation of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, initially based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel. This production melds the movies’ classi