April 19 & 21, 2024
Friday at 7:30 PM | Sunday at 2:30 PM
Uihlein Hall at Marcus Performing Arts Center
Run Time 2h 35m, with one intermission
Performed in Italian with English supertitles
* Rated PG. Adult theme: Death.*
Performance Events
Opening Night Dinner: April 19 at 5:30pm Saint Kate Hotel in the Arc Theater
Pre-Opera Talk: April 19 at 6:30pm and April 21 at 1:30pm Anello Atrium (MPAC)
Donor Champagne Reception at intermission, Anello Atrium
Opening Night Post-Show Party April 19 after the show Saint Kate Hotel (Cash bar)
One of the most beloved romances ever written. Experience this beautiful powerhouse opera, now set in Milwaukee’s 1940s Bronzeville. Luxuriate in the lush movie music and an all-star cast telling this double love story and bromance in a fresh way. Enjoy stage art created by 2019 Nohl Fellowship winner Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma. Bronzeville expert and dramaturg Sheri Williams Pannell helps us explore this thriving-again city within our city, and the artists and citizens who built it. Original sets will bring Bronzeville alive for all of us to celebrate.
Production Sponsors
Donald and Donna Baumgartner
Music Director Debut Season Sponsors
Donald and Kathleen Wilson
Opening Night Sponsors
Plunkett Family Foundation in honor of Gwen and Jim Plunkett
Role Sponsor of Rodolfo
The Marie Z. Uihlein Artist Fund
Role Sponsor of Mimi
Nita Soref Charitable Trust
Community Circle Sponsor
Murph Burke
Schools on Stage Sponsors
William and Sandy Haack
This performance is brought to Milwaukee by:
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
The Burke Family
John Shannon and Jan Serr
National Endowment for the Arts
Ralph Evinrude Foundation
Edessa School of Fashion
Artists & Cast
By Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Conducted by Francesco Milioto
Stage Directed by Nadja Simmonds
Assistant Stage Directed by Eboni Adams*
Scenic Designer Lawrence E. Moten III
Lighting Designer Kathy Perkins
Asst. Lighting Designer Jasmine Williams
Costume Designer Mieka van der Ploeg
Wig & Makeup Designer Erica Cartledge
Supertitles Designer Dyan Yoder
With the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Featuring the Florentine Opera Chorus, and St. Marcus Lutheran School
Dr. Benjamin Rivera, Chorus Master
Rodolfo Chaz'men Williams-Ali*
Mimi Michelle Johnson*
Marcello Brian Major*
Musetta Kelebogile Besong*
Colline Allen Michael Jones*
Schaunard Leroy Davis^
Benoit / Alcindoro Vince Wallace
Parpignol Cameo Humes*
Custom-House Officer Avery Sujkowski
Sergeant Mason Cooper
Child Soloist Malia Hutchinson*
Prune Man Benjamin Burney
*Indicates Florentine Opera Debut | + Baumgartner Studio Artist | ^ Baumgartner Studio Artist Alum
