Today in peak ’80s/’90s Milwaukee news, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced that its upcoming 2023/24 season (its 70th) will include “an original World Premiere musical on the mainstage commissioned by Milwaukee Rep about Milwaukee’s infamous femme fatal, Run Bambi Run.”
Yep, Milwaukee Rep is doing a musical about Lawrencia Bembenek. And it’ll feature “rock songs from Grammy-nominee Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes.” Expect a musical about the Cryptosporidium outbreak of 1993, with songs from the BoDeans, for the 2024/25 season.
Run Bambi Run is set to, ahem, run September 13 – October 22, 2023. Here’s the full synopsis:
The truth is indeed stranger than fiction in this new musical ripped from the headlines! An outrageous ‘true crime’ saga that took the nation by storm, Lawrencia “Bambi” Bembenek’s fall from Milwaukee Police Department cop to Playboy Bunny lands her in the slammer, convicted of a murder that she didn’t commit. Or did she? Fueled by original rock songs and lyrics from Grammy-nominee Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes, a captivating book by Academy Award-winner Eric Simonson (Lombardi), and Artistic Director Mark Clements’ directorial showmanship, this rollicking hometown story about truth and justice is a wild ride that you have to see to believe.
Incredible.
Bembenek’s story is indeed a wild/tragic one. A 1981 murder, crooked cops, naked volleyball parties at Tracks, mysterious wigs, a daring escape from Taycheedah Correctional Institution in 1990, multiple books, multiple TV movies, and an unfortunate appearance on the Dr. Phil show all figure into it. Was Bembenek—who died in Portland in 2010 at the age of 52—also the subject of a recent true crime podcast? Of course she was.
As for Gano, well, he’s the lead singer of Milwaukee’s beloved and forever-awesome Violent Femmes! He even appeared on an episode of The Adventures Of Pete & Pete back in the day! And the last few Femmes records have been pretty good! This Run Bambi Run musical is gonna be super weird!
Here’s Milwaukee Rep’s full 2023/24 schedule:
Country Sunshine: The Legendary Ladies of Nashville With Katie Deal
Presented by Artists Lounge Live
September 8 – October 29, 2023
Stackner Cabaret
The Women Who Made Music City
Celebrate the queens of classic country as award-winner Katie Deal honors a mighty lineage of artists: Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and more! Seen previously in Milwaukee Rep’s Back Home Again: On the Road with John Denver, Deal leads a band of superb musicians and shares heartwarming stories with authentic southern charm. Sing along to hits including “Stand By Your Man,” “Crazy,” “Harper Valley PTA,” “Jolene” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” An Artists Lounge Live Production.
World Premiere Event
Run Bambi Run
Book by Eric Simonson
Music & Lyrics by Gordon Gano
Directed by Mark Clements
September 13 – October 22, 2023
Quadracci Powerhouse
A New Musical about Milwaukee’s Infamous Femme Fatale
The truth is indeed stranger than fiction in this new musical ripped from the headlines! An outrageous ‘true crime’ saga that took the nation by storm, Lawrencia “Bambi” Bembenek’s fall from Milwaukee Police Department cop to Playboy Bunny lands her in the slammer, convicted of a murder that she didn’t commit. Or did she? Fueled by original rock songs and lyrics from Grammy-nominee Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes, a captivating book by Academy Award-winner Eric Simonson (Lombardi), and Artistic Director Mark Clements’ directorial showmanship, this rollicking hometown story about truth and justice is a wild ride that you have to see to believe.
World Premiere Event
Parental Advisory: a breakbeat play
By Idris Goodwin
September 26 – October 29, 2023
Stiemke Studio
Hip-Hop, Humor and the History of Censorship
In this high-energy World Premiere by award-winning playwright Idris Goodwin (HBO’s Def Poetry Jam), two Hip-Hop artists mix slick beats and rhymes with important questions about censorship and expression in popular music. This engaging new play – half DJ jam session, half TED Talk – uses wit, humor and the uncanny powers of the Wu-Tang Clan to enter a conversation on parenting, identity and survival. At what age is it appropriate to introduce our children to music, life and an uncertain world – however controversial it may be?
Nuncrackers
Book, Music and Lyrics by Dan Goggin
November 3, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Stackner Cabaret
Enjoy Holiday Hijinks with the Singing Sisters of Nunsense
The hilarious sisters of Nunsense are back, spreading yuletide laughs, cheerful carols, and the gift of festive mischief. From the basement of Mount Saint Helen’s Convent, they take to the airwaves to broadcast a new cable access Christmas special: complete with (mostly) traditional holiday songs (“Here We Come-a-Waffle-ing,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are Us”), a silly secret Santa contest, a not-so-graceful take on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet and loads of laughs that only the Little Sisters of Hoboken can provide. Can this show get its act together? You’ll be laughing all the way through New Year’s finding out!
Dial M for Murder
By Frederick Knott
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Directed by Laura Braza
November 14 – December 17, 2023
Quadracci Powerhouse
Jealous Husband. Wealthy Wife. The Perfect Crime.
Passion, blackmail and revenge combine into a breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat murder mystery. Jealous suspicion gives way to cold-blooded vengeance when a gold-digging husband’s perfect crime misfires, trapping all parties in a sinister and dangerous web of lies. This classic, which inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece, has been newly adapted by acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher (Holmes and Watson) and is brimming with shocking surprises that will keep you guessing until the end.
Guys on Ice
Book & Lyrics by Fred Alley
Music by James Kaplan
Directed & Choreographed by Jeffrey Herbst
January 12 – March 17, 2024
Stackner Cabaret
A Knee-Slappingly Funny Wisconsin Favorite
One of the Stackner Cabaret’s most popular musical comedies makes its encore as we celebrate our 70th Anniversary Season and the 25th Anniversary of when this show premiered at Milwaukee Rep! Life on the lake is easy, especially when the fish are biting, the jokes are funny, there’s a ‘couple two three’ beers in the bucket and the Green Bay Packers are on the field. From the warmth of their shanty ‘up north,’ old pals Marvin and Lloyd spin wit, wisdom and hilarious songs about life, love and the one that got away. Don’t miss this Wisconsin musical tradition, featuring songs like “When On Thin Ice,” “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit” and “The Wishing Hole.”
Presented by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
Little Women
By Kate Hamill
Adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
January 16 – February 18, 2024
Quadracci Powerhouse
A Timeless Tale for a New Generation
This endearing tale of family, friendship, love, and adventure never fails to tug on the heartstrings, and with a new adaptation by prolific playwright Kate Hamill, it’s never been more resonant. During the years of the Civil War, ambitious 15-year-old Jo March and her sisters must navigate hardships, heartbreak and humility as they come of age in a world bound by class and tragedy. Tender and playful, this incredible production will help you fall in love all over again with these four young dreamers as they discover themselves in a country divided. Little Women is the third production in our Classic Play Initiative.
Pulitzer Prize Finalist
What the Constitution Means to Me
By Heidi Schreck
Directed by Laura Braza
February 6 – March 10, 2024
Stiemke Studio
Direct from a Sold-Out Broadway Run
Since its premiere in 2019, this Pulitzer Prize finalist has taken the theatrical world by storm, breathing new life into our Constitution by imagining how it will shape the next generation of Americans. As a teenager, Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the country. In this hilarious, witty, and refreshingly honest new play, she revisits her fifteen-year-old self to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the lasting impact of the document that shaped their journeys.
The Chosen
Adapted by Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok
From the Novel by Chaim Potok
March 5 – March 31, 2024
Quadracci Powerhouse
A Deeply Emotional Story of Faith, Family and Friendship
One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family and friendship. In 1940s Brooklyn, two brilliant young Jewish boys grow up sharing a love of baseball. Although they live just five blocks from each other, the shadows of their fathers keep them a world apart. As they reach adulthood, their complicated friendship will test the bounds of belief, understanding and reconciliation. Set against the backdrop of WWII and the creation of the state of Israel, Chaim Potok’s acclaimed story balances transformation and tradition, growing up and growing wise, and living out your truths – no matter the consequences.
Piano Men 2
Created by Mark Clements
March 22 – May 19, 2024
Stackner Cabaret
From Bach to Broadway – and Back Again!
Come ready to laugh, clap and sing along as two virtuoso pianists play dazzling renditions of YOUR favorite hits, live! Piano Men 2 transforms the Stackner Cabaret into a sizzling, anything-can-happen Piano Bar where the best of rock, pop, classical, Broadway and more combine to create an unforgettable and unbelievably fun experience. No two shows are ever the same, so bring your song requests as this hit production makes its return by popular demand.
Nina Simone: Four Women
By Christina Ham
April 16 – May 12, 2024
Quadracci Powerhouse
Fiery Anthems from “The High Priestess of Soul”
The creator of some of our nation’s most powerful Civil Rights anthems, Nina Simone shook the world with her music. After the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Simone’s tribute song “Four Women” transformed her from gifted pianist to trailblazing activist, charting a new course as an agent of change and healing. This play with music shines a light on how she found her true calling and gave voice to a movement through impactful and inspirational songs like “Mississippi Goddam,” “Go Limp” and “Sinnerman.”
OFF –SUBSCRIPTION
Jay Franke & David Herro Present
Sponsored by West Bend Mutual Insurance
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Directed by Mark Clements
November 28 – December 24, 2023
Pabst Theater
Milwaukee’s Favorite Holiday Tradition
A Christmas Carol is one of the best-known and well-loved stories in the English language. During the course of one memorable Christmas Eve, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future help Ebenezer Scrooge discover that it is never too late to change his miserly ways. Milwaukee Rep favorite Matt Daniels returns to play Scrooge, as enchanting music, dance, costumes, scenery and special effects will once again fill the theater to tell this timeless tale of love, hope and redemption.
*All plays, artists and dates subject to change.
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