April showers bring May shows in the Milwaukee Theater District! Whether you're looking to feel the depths of heartbreak and conflict or perseverance and redemption, witness generation-defining artists or uncover the whimsical wonders of Dog Man, here are all the top shows to see in MKE this month.
Grand Finale
May 4, Bradley Symphony Center
To kick off the month of May, you can see the next generation of talented musicians perform at the Bradley Symphony Center. In this grand celebration of up-and-coming talent, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s (MYSO) Senior Symphony (primarily ages 10-12), the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (primarily high school students) and the Brass Choir all come together to put on a show filled with the rich sounds of strings, brass and woodwinds, carrying you through an afternoon with the lush rush that only a symphony can create. Get your tickets today for the Grand Finale!
“Million Dollar Quartet”
Now – May 24, Marcus Performing Arts Center
Elvis Presley, Jery Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. Need we say more? Based on a true story, “Million Dollar Quartet” tells the tale of a December night in Memphis that brought these four icons together in what can only be described as one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. Watch this slice of rock ‘n roll history spring to life in front of your eyes, accompanied by tracks like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Hound Dog” and more. Get your seats here!
“TOPDOG/UNDERDOG”
April 25 – May 11, Broadway Theatre Center
In this 2023 Tony Award-winning production, brothers Lincoln and Booth are roommates just trying to get by with the hand they’ve been dealt. Deserted by their parents as teenagers and left with an inheritance of $500 a piece, the two brothers’ approach to life could not be more different. Lincoln, a former three-card monte hustler, works at an arcade, and Booth shoplifts, aspiring to learn his older brother’s crafty ways at the card table. Tensions flare, and sibling rivalries are renewed, setting up a thrilling climax you’d never see coming. Who’s the top dog, and who’s the underdog? You’ll have to go to the show to find out for yourself!
“Esperanza Rising”
May 2-18, Todd Wehr Theater
This world premiere production and reimagination of the award-winning children’s book tells the story of Esperanza, a wealthy Mexican girl whose life is rocked by tragedy. Fleeing to a Californian migrant labor camp during the Great Depression, Esperanza perseveres through adversity and finds herself along the way. Told by two young storytellers alongside an ensemble of actors who bring it to life, this First Stage production brilliantly breathes life into this story. Find your seats here.
"Dog Man: The Musical"
May 3-4, Uihlein Hall
He’s part dog. He’s part policeman. He can smell crime from 12 miles away and enjoys chewing on a nice piece of furniture after a long day at the office. He is Dog Man. Is he a good boy? Well, that’s too much of an existential question, but he tries his best. Watch as Dog Man saves the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings and Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to take down this canine crimefighter. It’s hilarious. It’s whimsical. And it’s a musical. What’s better than that? Fetch your tickets today!
Ben Folds with the MSO
May 3, Bradley Symphony Center
For over 20 years, Ben Folds has been a multi-instrumental talent, influencing the sound of an entire generation of musicians. Beginning with his solo career in 2001 all the way through his work with Ben Folds Five, collaborations with Nick Hornby, yMusic and beyond, Folds time and again proves why he’s a master of the craft. Kicking off the month of May, Folds is bringing his body of genre-bending pop music to the Bradley Symphony Center for an evening of piano renditions of his works accompanied by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Don’t wait! Tickets are going fast for this one. Get yours before this show sells out!
Neil deGrasse Tyson
May 8, The Riverside Theater
Have you ever awoken in a cold-sweated panic and, sitting bolt upright in bed, wondered aloud, “What’s new with the universe these days?” Well, this one’s for you. Neil deGrasse Tyson (yes, the Neil deGrasse Tyson) is coming to the Riverside Theater to give you a rundown of all the latest and greatest in the field of cosmic discovery. It’s written in the stars – this is one show you just must see for yourself. Find your seats!
Alice Cooper
May 14, Miller High Life Theatre
Alice Cooper is a regular visitor here, but Milwaukee has certainly had its share of visitors. In fact, the Detroit-based rocker last performed in the Good Land a little under a year ago, last performing at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater last summer. Ever the showman, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer returns to Milwaukee in mid-May to declare “School’s Out” for summer...forever…Does this guy know how to party or what? Get your tickets today!
Nikki Glaser
May 30, The Riverside Theater
She's shockingly honest, unfiltered and has a no-holds-barred style that has made her one of the biggest names in comedy. Nikki Glaser is a wickedly funny comedian blazing her own trail. She's the first woman to host the Golden Globe Awards solo and also publicly put the winningest quarterback of all time in his place. Amassing a huge following, her most recent special, “Someday You’ll Die,” premiered a little under a year ago to a record-breaking audience as the No. 1 largest streaming audience for a comedy special in HBO Max/Max history. Catch her as she returns to Milwaukee for the first time in four years. Get your tickets here!
Adaptive Performances
Milwaukee Theater District shows are for all! Here are some of the adaptive performances from these can’t-miss shows.
"TOPDOG/UNDERDOG"
