"A truly unique pair of performers are given a truly unique platform in which to present their material."
~Russ Bickerstaff, The Small Stage
""Harmonious voices and strings, sparkling face masks, shades of purple and blue in braids, puppets, lighting — this is a striking collaboration, and it’s one that is better seen and heard, not read about."
~Kelsey Lawler, Planet Kelsey
~Russ Bickerstaff, The Small Stage
""Harmonious voices and strings, sparkling face masks, shades of purple and blue in braids, puppets, lighting — this is a striking collaboration, and it’s one that is better seen and heard, not read about."
~Kelsey Lawler, Planet Kelsey
Check out Monique and Chauntee's interview with Fox 6 Milwaukee!
Our second Distance Commission has opened!
Composed and performed by local violin/cello duo Monique and Chauntee Ross (SistaStrings!),
The Sound is a fresh music video featuring string virtuosity, ravishing vocals, and...puppets!
Join us for a Zoireé this weekend!
Performance Dates and Times
Friday, February 26 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 27 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 28 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, February 27 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 28 at 2:00 PM
*All times Central Standard Time
All tickets $22!
Violin and Vocals: Chauntee Ross
Cello and Vocals by Monique Ross
Cello and Vocals by Monique Ross
|
Direction: Jill Anna Ponasik
Video Design: Traveling Lemur Productions Lighting: Encore Theatrical Lighting |
Puppeteers: Elizabeth Ahlstrom, Steve Cook, Liz Getschow, Billy Ray Olsen, Josh Perkins
Backup Vocals: Danny Brylow, Raven Dockery, Shawn Holmes, Josh and Julianne Perkins, Kevin Sievert, & Shayne Steliga
Backup Vocals: Danny Brylow, Raven Dockery, Shawn Holmes, Josh and Julianne Perkins, Kevin Sievert, & Shayne Steliga
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions!
What is a Zoom Zoirèe? We’re so glad you asked! It’s a word we just made up for a soirèe (a gathering typically held in a private home) that occurs over Zoom, allowing theater fans to consume a story while remaining safe during a global pandemic.
What are The Distance Commissions? The Distance Commissions are two brand new music-theatre pieces inspired by the idea of distance, designed to be composed, produced and performed remotely. This is our sneaky way to keep audiences and artists connected and inspired during a dark Covid winter.
What will it be like? After greeting each other in our virtual lobby, we’ll settle down to view three short videos as well as a mini behind-the-scenes documentary. The cast and creative team will be there to share stories and and answer questions. It’s like a Zoom happy hour, but way better, and with theater!
How do tickets work? Tickets are reserved for a specific date and time (remember when you had to get to a matinee?). A single ticket provides one device/household access to a zoirée. A whole household is welcome to tune in on one device together. We are limiting each zoirée to 18 devices, plus MOT team members and cast, to keep the experience
intimate and comfortable.
When will I get my link? The day of your selected performance, you will receive an event reminder and a link to join the Zoirèe!
Why are you doing this? We’ve been hearing from both artists and audiences that they feel isolated and are hungry to connect. And, that they’re tired of streaming productions online. So, we decided to try and address both of those needs. Hence, very short, original works, written and performed by local artists, that meet us where we are right now. This is an experiment, because, if you can’t try new things when the world is upside down, then when can you?
Do I have to have my camera on? No, of course not. You don’t even have to introduce yourself if you don’t want to. We welcome both extroverts and introverts at MOT.
What are The Distance Commissions? The Distance Commissions are two brand new music-theatre pieces inspired by the idea of distance, designed to be composed, produced and performed remotely. This is our sneaky way to keep audiences and artists connected and inspired during a dark Covid winter.
What will it be like? After greeting each other in our virtual lobby, we’ll settle down to view three short videos as well as a mini behind-the-scenes documentary. The cast and creative team will be there to share stories and and answer questions. It’s like a Zoom happy hour, but way better, and with theater!
How do tickets work? Tickets are reserved for a specific date and time (remember when you had to get to a matinee?). A single ticket provides one device/household access to a zoirée. A whole household is welcome to tune in on one device together. We are limiting each zoirée to 18 devices, plus MOT team members and cast, to keep the experience
intimate and comfortable.
When will I get my link? The day of your selected performance, you will receive an event reminder and a link to join the Zoirèe!
Why are you doing this? We’ve been hearing from both artists and audiences that they feel isolated and are hungry to connect. And, that they’re tired of streaming productions online. So, we decided to try and address both of those needs. Hence, very short, original works, written and performed by local artists, that meet us where we are right now. This is an experiment, because, if you can’t try new things when the world is upside down, then when can you?
Do I have to have my camera on? No, of course not. You don’t even have to introduce yourself if you don’t want to. We welcome both extroverts and introverts at MOT.
January's Distance Commission: In the Cloud
The Cast of In the Cloud: Norman Moses (Father), Marilyn White, (Mother), Rae Paré (Daughter)
|
Cast
Father: Norman Moses Mother: Marilyn White Daughter: Rae Paré |
Creative Team
Music, Book, Lyrics: Matt Zembrowski Direction, Editing: Catie O’Donnell Design: Shen Heckel |
From the Critics...
"Short & Sweet" ~Kelsey Lawler, Planet Kelsey
"For the first time in ten months I felt like I was part of a collective moment,
giving artists the adulation that they earned. " ~Gwen Rice, GwendolynRice.com
"Few Milwaukee theater companies are as willing to grab the immediacy of the moment to create art."
~Dom Noth, UrbanMilwaukee
"Smartly bends the video conference format around an engrossingly human story."
~Russ Bickerstaff, Shepherd Express
"For the first time in ten months I felt like I was part of a collective moment,
giving artists the adulation that they earned. " ~Gwen Rice, GwendolynRice.com
"Few Milwaukee theater companies are as willing to grab the immediacy of the moment to create art."
~Dom Noth, UrbanMilwaukee
"Smartly bends the video conference format around an engrossingly human story."
~Russ Bickerstaff, Shepherd Express
And here's what Audiences have been saying...
"Meaningful…Emotional…Poignant…Delightful…Wonderful…Surprising…Beautiful…Brave…Creative…Powerful…Touching...
I honestly cried through the entire show...It just hit SO close to home on SO many levels!...Those songs were just SO powerful and touched my heart!...Anyone who has lived through this pandemic and isolation can truly relate to how the characters were feeling!...This was a story I will never forget...I'm sitting here wondering why my cheeks hurt, I haven't smiled for that long in a very long time...I found myself close to tears...The fact that it was a short piece made it that much more meaningful…
In experiencing this piece, you come to care about and understand each character in way that draws you close to them…"
I honestly cried through the entire show...It just hit SO close to home on SO many levels!...Those songs were just SO powerful and touched my heart!...Anyone who has lived through this pandemic and isolation can truly relate to how the characters were feeling!...This was a story I will never forget...I'm sitting here wondering why my cheeks hurt, I haven't smiled for that long in a very long time...I found myself close to tears...The fact that it was a short piece made it that much more meaningful…
In experiencing this piece, you come to care about and understand each character in way that draws you close to them…"
Now Playing: The Sound
And later this season...
L’Orfeo
We close our season with a co-production of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo,
partnering with Aperi Animam to commission and perform a new
English translation of this masterpiece of early opera.
We close our season with a co-production of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo,
partnering with Aperi Animam to commission and perform a new
English translation of this masterpiece of early opera.
Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021!
Although 2020 has been a challenge for all of us, we've kept the Microbrewey for Opera open, with two productions this past October: first we unveiled our brand new video opera "Orsa ibernata", and then we enchanted the Danceworks parking lot with an art song/dance extravaganza!
We'll always find a way to make opera happen! But we can't do it without your help: your support allows us to continue to produce the local, lyric theater you've come to know and love, and expand the boundaries of what opera in the Age of Coronavirus can be.
We'll always find a way to make opera happen! But we can't do it without your help: your support allows us to continue to produce the local, lyric theater you've come to know and love, and expand the boundaries of what opera in the Age of Coronavirus can be.
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Our season was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board
with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
|
|
MOT is a proud member of Opera America.
|
Our Mission
We are Milwaukee’s micro-brewery for opera, proudly producing small batches of high quality, local lyric theatre.
We tell stories through music...unconventionally.
We tell stories through music...unconventionally.
Milwaukee Opera Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
