FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cindy Moran, Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761
August 31, 2007

Doo-wop Musical Romp opens Rep’s 2007/08 Stackner Cabaret season
LIFE COULD BE A DREAM

Written and Directed by Roger Bean
Stackner Cabaret

Generously sponsored by M & I


Previews: September 7, 2007 Opens: September 8, 2007 Closes: November 4, 2007

In a long line of Stackner Cabaret hits – WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE?, THE ANDREWS BROTHERS, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, to name just a few – talented writer/director Roger Bean has created another original sure-fire hit musical comedy for Milwaukee Rep. This one, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, is a '50s doo-wop musical romp which will feature hits like Sh-Boom, Tears on My Pillow, Little Darlin’, The Great Pretender, The Book of Love, Only You and Stay. Tickets can be purchased in person at The Rep Ticket Office at 108 East Wells Street, or by telephone at 414-224-9490. Tickets can also be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com.

Set in 1960 in Denny’s mother’s basement, this is the story about regular guy Denny, his friends and their dreams to become a popular singing group. They want to be the next big thing in music – “a new group that will take us all into the 1960s with a new, hip beat!” Denny is confident that he and pal Eugene as “Denny & Gene Singing Machine” – will win the Evergreen State Fair musical competition. The duo is soon turned trio when Wally joins the group because of his connection to “Bulls-Eye Miller,” the music producer sponsoring the singing contest. Under Wally’s advisement, the group is renamed “Denny and the Dreamers.” With the idea that trios are the “in” thing, there doesn’t seem to be anything holding the group back from winning – that is, except the $300 dollar entrance fee.

In comes attractive gal, Lois. She says she’ll be able to get her father’s business, Big Fred of Big Stuff Auto Repair, to sponsor the group but only if Skip can join the group, making the group a four-some. Amidst the auditioning and practicing for the big gig, all four members are starry-eyed about dreamy Lois. Eugene, Wally and Denny all fantasize about her and claim they are the one for her. To settle the debate, the three resolve to have Lois pick one of them. Lois, when asked to choose, says she doesn’t feel that way for any of them – she loves someone else, or so it seems. The boys soon find out that this someone else is Skip. Skip admits to using Lois to convince the group to let him join. Like Skip and Lois’ relationship, the group’s sponsorship is now up in the air. Skip quickly patches things with Lois, the group goes on stage with a bang and everything works out in the end.

Roger Bean is the writer and director of ten original musicals produced by Milwaukee Repertory Theater. His most recent was last season’s smash-hit, WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE? Mr. Bean’s other original musicals for Milwaukee Rep are: LANA MAE’S HONKY TONK LAUNDRY (2005/06), THE ANDREWS BROTHERS (2004/05), WINTER WONDERETTES (2003/04), BEACH BLANKET BASH! (2001/02), ROUTE 66 (2000/01), THAT’S AMORÉ (1999/00), THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (1998/99), DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL II (1999/00) and DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL (1997/98). Productions of Mr. Beans’ musicals have branched beyond Milwaukee Repertory Theater. His shows have been performed in numerous regional and community-based theaters across the country. Having directed 75 productions and 14 world premiere musicals, Mr. Bean still is not finished. THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES is the longest-running musical in Los Angeles. The show will have an Off-Broadway production in fall 2007. Go to marvelouswonderettes.com for more information. This summer at Utah Shakespearean Festival, Mr. Bean recently directed the world premiere of LEND ME A TENOR: THE MUSCIAL. His work as a choreographer and director has taken place in theaters such as the Delaware Theatre Company, Madison Repertory Theatre, Florida Studio theatre, Utah Musical Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre and nameless others in between. Off-stage, Bean is the Executive Director of Steele Spring Productions, a theatrical licensing company, and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the Dramatists Guild.

Recently when asked what keeps bringing him back to Milwaukee, Mr. Bean responded, "I keep coming back because Milwaukee audiences enjoy my work. It’s extremely fulfilling; and I think that Milwaukee audiences are kind, generous, and a nice mix of all walks of life. That helps me shape my shows for a wider audience. The Rep is also a wonderful place to work – the creative staff lets me do my thing, and the support staff is truly wonderful.”

Included in the cast of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM are: Ben Cherry, (Denny); Richard Israel (Eugene); Carlos Martin (Skip) and Justin Robertson (Wally). Ben Cherry has previously been seen in Rep productions of THE ANDREWS BROTHERS, BEACH BLANKET BASH! and ROUTE 66. This will be the Milwaukee Rep debut for Richard Israel, Carlos Martin and Justin Robertson.

A member of The Rep’s 2007/08 Artistic Intern Company who will also appear in this production is: Julia Graham (Lois/Mrs. Varney voice over).

(To learn more about our Resident Acting Company, Guest Actors, or our Intern Company, please visit milwaukeerep.com).

The production/design team for LIFE COULD BE A DREAM is: Susannah M. Barnes (Scenic Designer); Rachel Laritz (Costume Designer); Jason Fassl (Lighting Designer); Jon Newton (Music Arranger), Paul Helm (Music Director), Pam Kriger (Choreographer) and Richelle Harrington Calin (Stage Manager).

Tickets to LIFE COULD BE A DREAM range in price from $27.00 to $40.00. For more information or to charge tickets, call 414-224-9490. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com. For group sales of 20 or more, call The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.

Special Events for LIFE COULD BE A DREAM

• There will be an Audio-Described performance on Sunday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. for patrons who are blind or have low vision.

For more information about The Rep’s Access Services, please contact The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater
LIFE COULD BE A DREAM
By Roger Bean

FACT SHEET

Generously sponsored by M & I

THEATER: Stackner Cabaret

DATES: September 7, 2007 – November 4, 2007

DESCRIPTION: In a long line of Stackner Cabaret hits, Roger Bean creates another sure-fire hit musical comedy for Milwaukee Rep. This one's a '50s doo-wop musical romp featuring the songs Sh-Boom, Tears on My Pillow, Little Darlin’, The Great Pretender, The Book of Love, Only You and Stay.

PERFORMANCES:

TICKET PRICES:
WEEKDAY/SUNDAY $27.00 & $32.00
FRIDAY/SATURDAY $35.00 & $40.00

TICKETS/INFORMATION: 414-224-9490 or buy tickets online at milwaukeerep.com
TICKET OFFICE LOCATION: 108 East Wells Street in Milwaukee’s Downtown Theater District

TICKET OFFICE HOURS:
Mon – Fri, 12 pm – 6 pm on phones, 12 pm – curtain for window
Sat/Sun 12 pm – 6 pm on phones, 12 pm – curtain for window

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Open to the public before and after all evening performances, Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Stackner Cabaret, located on the second floor of the Milwaukee Center, is our own full-service, smoke-free bar and restaurant. Featuring delicious dinners, as well as late night cocktails, coffee, and desserts, the Cabaret is the ideal meeting place for patrons attending Rep performances. For dinner reservations, call 414-224-9490.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is a nationally recognized theater company that presents a critically-acclaimed selection of compelling dramas, powerful classics, award-winning contemporary works and lively Cabaret shows on three stages from September through May. The Rep also produces an annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The Rep's home, the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex, accommodates the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, the Stiemke Theater and the Stackner Cabaret. The Rep is also home to a Resident Acting Company of 13 actors who perform with The Rep throughout the season.

The Rep is proud to be a member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual financial support. The Rep is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a management association of some of the nation's largest non-profit professional theaters that collectively bargains with the unions that represent the actors, directors and designers that work at The Rep; a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the nonprofit professional theater; and a member of Theatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of non-profit professional theaters. This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The set, costume and lighting designers are members of United Scenic Artists, a national labor union. This theater is an equal opportunity employer. Except in plays where race itself is an issue, casting is decided based on ability, not race.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E Wells St Milwaukee, WI 53202
Ticket Office: 414-224-9490 Ticket Office Fax: 225-5490
Administrative: 414-224-1761 Fax: 414-224-9097

http://www.milwaukeerep.com