The donor newsletter of Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Issue 4 • Winter 2017
Anthony Crivello COMES HOME TO
MEET UP WITH AL MCGUIRE – AGAIN! Growing up on Holton Street between Lloyd Street and Garfield Avenue, Anthony “Tony” Crivello always knew he wanted to perform. During his sophomore year at St. Thomas More High School, he received strong encouragement from his teachers to pursue a career as an actor and, with the full support of his parents behind him, Crivello embarked on his dream. His professional journey began in 1974 at Marquette University where he worked toward a degree in Communications. After just two years, Crivello left his hometown to study vocal performance at DePaul University in Chicago. Crivello is enjoying impressive success by any standards. His big Broadway break came with Kiss of The Spiderwoman, for which in 1993 he won the Tony for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He has appeared in major films and on television and is perhaps most well known for his role as The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas from 2006-2012.
Anthony Crivello
Crivello at The Stackner Crivello has been a sports fan all his life. So it comes as no surprise when Crivello agreed to star as the larger-than-life Marquette University basketball coach Al McGuire in The Rep’s production of McGuire, a play written by McGuire’s longtime collaborator, Dick Enberg. At this point, you are likely asking, “Wait, if Crivello was at Marquette from 1974-76 doesn’t that mean he was there at the same time as Al McGuire?” Not only did Crivello attend Marquette right before the infamous championship season of 1977, he also had an unusual vantage point as a cheerleader for the basketball team. “My freshman year was the first year Marquette was going to have a co-ed squad,” explains Crivello. “Three of my friends and I auditioned for the fun of it. When I got the call a week later telling me we all made the squad, I thought it was a joke and hung up.” Crivello still remembers getting to watch McGuire up close and talking with him. Over the past several months, Crivello has been hard at work learning more about the man behind the legend and developing the script with Enberg and Brent Hazelton, The Rep’s Associate Artistic Director. “We all know the Al McGuire who was the icon, but we want to show the more human side of his life. It’s surreal looking at video of him – I knew Al but I know him so much better now,” comments Crivello. Crivello is enjoying the opportunity to portray Al McGuire in his hometown. Even so, he says “I’ve never done a one-man show. It’s daunting. It’s you alone on a stage having to captivate the audience.” He is grateful his family and friends have lined up to see the production and provide the same support they gave him at the start of his career. McGuire runs January 20-March 19 in the Stackner Cabaret. n Tony Crivello rallies the crowd at a Marquette Men’s Basketball game during the 1974-75 season.
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DIRECTLY SPEAKING Dear Friends, What a season it has been so far! I Love a Piano blew audiences away in the Stackner Cabaret, Broadway veteran Nathaniel Stampley gave a stunning performance in Man of La Mancha, and The Royale packed a real punch. Our brand new A Christmas Carol, the most technically advanced production we have ever conceived, played to record-breaking audiences. We are so thankful to our closest friends who donated nearly $1 million to bring our vision for this production to life. Additionally, thanks to the generosity of our audience members who shared in the spirit of the season, we raised a total of $111,628 for our local Boys and Girls Clubs, a community partner of The Rep. A very generous audience member was so moved by our intent to help provide a safe place for local children to learn and grow that he stepped forward with an anonymous matching grant of $50,000. To him and all of our supporters, we are continually grateful for your enduring support. Even though there are some months left to the current season, we are already looking ahead to the 2017/18 Season. Every year we strive for a mix of shows that strikes a balance between entertaining audiences, inspiring meaningful dialogue, and producing new works alongside theater classics. There’s a musical, a murder mystery, some classics and two world-premieres. With shows like One House Over, Our Town and The Who & The What, we will continue to open the doors for meaningful dialogue that ignites positive change within the Milwaukee community all while providing exciting, provocative and inspirational entertainment. Next Season We are frequently asked “How do you choose your seasons?” The planning process for the 2017/18 Season began in earnest in June 2016, but we are always considering productions for future seasons. Some are under consideration for two to three years before landing a spot in our season, and new plays that we commission may take three or more years to complete from start to finish.
Mark Clements
Chad Bauman
We involve a myriad of players in the decision-making process, including the entire Artistic Department and the heads of Development, Marketing, Production, and Finance. As we plan our season, the most important criterion is for each play to meet every component of our mission. Ultimately we select a season that strikes a balance between entertainment, timely conversations, educational value, new productions versus classics, opportunities for diversity and inclusion and, of course, balancing how much a production can generate in revenue versus how much it costs to produce. The Artistic Department reads on average 8-10 plays every week of the year. From June until about October or November, we ask our Department Heads to read two plays a week and provide feedback on the merits of each production from the vantage point of marketing, fundraising, education, etc., as well as their personal reactions to the shows. The process is overlapped by months of budget drafts and revisions, ending in December with a final budget and final season selection. Once our Board of Trustees approves the final budget and season selection in January, we formally announce the season in early February. The entire process takes upwards of 5,000 staff hours to complete. Our success would be nothing without you – our loyal donors, audience members, volunteers and supporters. Thank you for being with us every step of the way. Enjoy the rest of the season! All our best,
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Mark Clements Artistic Director
Chad Bauman Managing Director
SPOTLIGHT ON THE DONOR
MARIE & MICHAEL JOHNSON STEP FORWARD Despite subscribing to The Rep for 30+ seasons and being longtime donors to the United Performing Arts Fund, it was only a few years ago that Marie and Michael Johnson started giving to The Rep. When asked what compelled them to step forward to become Rep donors for the first time, they respond, “We first decided to give directly to The Rep when the theater made a special appeal for help to stabilize the building’s foundation. How could we not support the work to strengthen the theater where we spend so many enjoyable hours? We knew it was time to contribute directly. We have chosen to continue to give because we enjoy The Rep experience so much. “Ticket prices alone don’t cover The Rep’s expenses. We support The Rep’s commitment to its mission, community outreach and engagement,” they add. They realize that their support helps keep ticket prices affordable and accessible to the entire community. Marie Johnson’s interest in theater started in high school and continued during her college years, so it was no surprise that she became a Rep Subscriber when she moved to Milwaukee in1984. When she and Mike married in 1987, the tickets came with the marriage. Now, more than 30 years later, they look back on all the dramas, comedies, and musicals they have seen at The Rep.
Marie and Michael Johnson
“How could we not support the work to strengthen the theater where we spend so many enjoyable hours?”
Among their favorites are the1986 production of A Flea in Her Ear (they say they never laughed so much!) and more recently The Diary of Anne Frank and Fences. They are also thrilled with the artistic decision to launch each recent season with musicals such as Cabaret and Dreamgirls. They have been very impressed with some of The Rep’s new work too, including Five Presidents in 2015 and American Song in 2016. In recent years, Marie and Mike have enjoyed various opportunities offered to donors, including Backstage Tours and Tech Talks, where they receive an insider’s view of how productions are developed, how sets are built and painted, how costumes are sewn, and how props are created. “We are always amazed to experience the hard work that goes into getting a production to opening night,” Mike comments. n
DONOR EVENT RECAP
TECH TALK In September, 22 individuals joined Production Manager Jared Clarkin and Director Kevin Ramsey for our donor Tech Talk during the rehearsals for The Royale. They learned about the production and rehearsal process of this spectacular show and then watched a portion of technical rehearsal where all the elements of the show come together for the first time. Well before the show opened to preview audiences, this fortunate group caught a glimpse into the rigorous work that goes into the timing and pacing of the lights, sound, dialogue, and movement. As the group departed that evening, many commented about what an eye-opening experience it was and how it made them all the more excited to see it all come together as a finished product on stage.n
Jared Clarkin (left) and Kevin Ramsey share production insights with donors.
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THE LIMELIGHT LEGACY SOCIETY
AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT
When John Dillon, who served as Artistic Director from 1977-1993 returned to The Rep on November 18, 2016, it was not for nostalgia’s sake. Rather he was the guest of honor at the first annual Limelight Legacy Society luncheon. Dillon was joined on stage by current Artistic Director Mark Clements and Associate Artistic Director Brent Hazelton to discuss The Rep’s celebrated history of new play development, as well as hear exciting news about plays the theater is currently developing. The timing was apt with The Foreigner opening that night on the Quadracci Powerhouse stage, as it was Dillon who encouraged Larry Shue to turn his comic genius to playwriting, with Grandma Duck is Dead, The Nerd and The Foreigner emerging as the result. Participants at the lunch were delighted as Dillon recounted hilarious anecdotes from his time collaborating with Shue. As Limelight Legacy Society members, Barb and Chuck Murphy commented,
John Dillon
“Having the opportunity to see John Dillon, a creative dynamo in his time and still a keenly vibrant man, made us even more enthused about making the future of The Rep as significant as its past with a planned gift.”n
Limelight Legacy Society members have made gift arrangements for The Rep in their wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or may have identified The Rep as beneficiary of a life insurance policy. A legacy commitment to The Rep gives supporters the opportunity to continue giving to this theater far into the future. Members receive benefits such as being invited to special events throughout the year, granted use of The Rep’s Donor Lounge, and recognition in The Rep’s playbills. For more information about the Limelight Legacy Society, please contact Chuck Rozewicz at crozewicz@milwaukeerep.com or 414-290-0717.
From left, Mark Clements and Brent Hazelton ask John Dillon about his time at The Rep.
DONOR EVENT RECAP
BACKSTAGE TOUR
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The Backstage Tour is by far our most popular donor benefit experience. In August, nearly 100 donors enjoyed an exclusive behind-the scenes look at the many different spaces here at The Rep. This group visited everything from the carpentry and costume shops (where preparations were under way for our first shows of the season including Man of La Mancha) to the rehearsal halls and administrative offices.n
Donors visit the Costume Shop during the Backstage Tour.
DISGRACED PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIALOGUE In conjunction with Disgraced, Ayad Akhtar’s play about identity in America, we launched the next phase in our Community Conversations Series – TALK IDENTITY (#TalkIdentity). These conversations focus on who we are, where we come from, and why understanding each person’s sense of identity is crucial to the success of our communities. Hundreds of Milwaukee community members from diverse backgrounds gathered to attend The Rep’s Intercultural Dinners during the run of Disgraced. Led by moderators from the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, participants shared their experiences in a safe place every Monday during the run of the show. Perfect strangers formed strong bonds talking about the complexities of navigating identity – the factors and decisions that define us, the pressures that make us question ourselves, and the forces that change who we are.
As part of TALK IDENTITY, The Rep invited the entire community to join the conversation and share their stories through the following: • Post-Show, Small Group Facilitated Dialogues. After most performances, audiences gathered to discuss themes in the play in small groups facilitated by the Zeidler Center for Public Discussion. With the success of these discussions following performances of American Song, these dialogues are now a sought-after experience. • Panel Discussions. After select performances, experts in areas of politics, community relations, and business discussed themes in the play with Rep audiences. Panel topics included: Identity Politics; No Politics at Dinner: How do we discuss difficult topics?; Being Brown: The complexities of identity in post9/11 America; Identity in the Workplace; and Journeys of Self: Evolving Identities.
Patrons participate in moderated discussions as part of TALK IDENTITY.
• Intercultural and Actor Talkbacks. Each week, community members shared their personal experiences and insights gained from the Intercultural Dinners. Actors from Disgraced also shared their perspectives. • Conversation with Playwright Ayad Akhtar. Community members joined the playwright for a special pre-show conversation on Wednesday, January 18. There are still opportunities to TALK IDENTITY and share your story! Visit www.TalkIdentity.com for the latest updates and to tell your unique story. You can also engage in this conversation through our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtag #TalkIdentity.n
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Masthead Photo: The cast of “Disgraced”: Maboud Ebrahimzadeh, Janie Brookshire, Austene Van and Jason Babinsky. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
What are the dream shows on your bucket list to direct? The Crucible. The show serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when you have dissention and intolerance within a society, so the play is just as relevant today as it ever was.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dear Evan Hanson. This is the “it” musical on Broadway right now next to Hamilton, and with good reason. The music is very similar to Next To Normal with its melodic rock score. The production itself is such a timely piece as it tells the story of a young person trying to navigate his way amidst different social circles, of wanting to belong and be accepted in this age of social media. I think it’s especially great that a play like this is resonating so strongly with millennials – that they so easily can identify with this show, and that shows like this are helping to cultivate the next generation of theatergoers.
February 24, 2017 Grounded Opening Night
West Side Story. Many consider this to be one of the greatest musicals of all time and such a game changer when it was first produced. I would love to do a massive production with a full MSO orchestra in the pit, but I don’t know how everything and everyone would fit in the Powerhouse!
March 10, 2017 The Glass Menagerie, Opening Night VIP Opening Night Dinner ($5,000+ Donors) March 26, 2017 An Evening with Groucho Opening Night March 27, 2017 Magic in the Making: Artistic Experience with Jim Medved and Jim Zinky ($500+ Donors)
One House Over. I am very excited to be directing this world-premiere show in our 2017/18 Season. Despite its heavier themes of loneliness, isolation, and prejudice, at its core this show is about very likeable people who just happen to be deeply flawed.n
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR MARK? Submit your questions to onthemark@milwaukeerep.com and see his answers in an upcoming issue!
April 13, 2017 Rep Lab Opening Night
Issue 4 • Winter 2017
April 28, 2017 Jane Eyre, Opening Night VIP Opening Night Dinner ($5,000+ Donors)
Milwaukee Repertory Theater • Development Department 108 E. Wells Street • Milwaukee, WI 53202 • 414-290-5366
May 13, 2017 2017 Gala Ignite
Marina S. Krejci Chief Development Officer mkrejci@milwaukeerep.com
Meghan Roesner Associate Director of Annual Giving mroesner@milwaukeerep.com
For a full list of events, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com
Chuck Rozewicz Director of Major and Planned Giving crozewicz@milwaukeerep.com
Shannon Theiss Development Events Manager stheiss@milwaukeerep.com
Amy Dorman Director of Annual Giving adorman@milwaukeerep.com
Nicholas Pjevach Development Database Manager npjevach@milwaukeerep.com
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