As Milwaukee’s Theater District continues to grow, the 2025/26 season promises an array of must-see performances across its iconic venues. From Broadway sensations to intimate dramas, the city’s theaters offer a stunning variety of productions that are certain to captivate and entertain any lover of live entertainment. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or a first-time visitor, the Milwaukee Theater District is the perfect destination for experiencing the performing arts at their finest. Let’s take a look at what some of the city’s top theaters have in store for you next season.
First Stage
First Stage’s 2025–26 season is poised to enchant audiences of all ages with productions like "Disney’s Frozen," the spooky "Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium," and the world premiere of 'The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!" Other family-friendly offerings include "Lovabye Dragon" and a fresh adaptation of "Peter Pan and Wendy." Plus, enjoy a youth-driven take on "Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar." Learn more at firststage.org/2025-2026-Season.
Florentine Opera
The Florentine Opera’s 2025–26 season is a celebration of both timeless classics and bold new works. The season opens with Mozart’s "Don Giovanni" and concludes with Puccini’s "Tosca." In between, experience the Milwaukee-set "La bohème," a reimagining of the classic opera set in the city’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, as well as the comic opera "Scalia/Ginsburg" exploring the unlikely friendship between two Supreme Court Justices. Learn more at florentineopera.org.
Marcus Performing Arts Center
The 2025/26 season at the Marcus Performing Arts Center is bursting with big names and exciting performances. The Johnson Financial Broadway Series will feature "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Kimberly Akimbo," "The Wiz, & Juliet," and classic favorites like "Les Misérables" and "Hadestown." Dance lovers can enjoy performances by world-renowned companies including Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, BODYTRAFFIC and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Plus, jazz fans will revel in shows like "Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: The Great American Crooners" and "ARTEMIS." Learn more at marcuscenter.org.
Milwaukee Ballet
The Milwaukee Ballet’s 2025/26 season features both classic and contemporary works that will leave audiences in awe. The season opens with "Giselle," a romantic tragedy, followed by "The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium," an enchanting twist on a holiday favorite. The company will also present "ALICE (in wonderland)," a whimsical take on Lewis Carroll’s classic, and "Encore," a thrilling mixed repertory performance. Learn more at milwaukeeballet.org.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
The 2025/26 season at Milwaukee Repertory Theater marks the grand opening of the Associated Bank Theater Center, a cutting-edge facility housing the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater, Herro-Franke Studio Theater and Stackner Cabaret. With 12 exciting productions, highlights include the Tony Award-winning "Come From Away," the U.S. premiere of Ayad Akhtar’s "McNeal," and the heartwarming world premiere of "George & Gracie: A Love Story." The season also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beloved holiday tradition "A Christmas Carol." Learn more at milwaukeerep.com/202526-season.
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s 2025–26 season blends timeless masterpieces with exciting pops performances. Classical highlights include Beethoven’s "Symphony No. 9" and Tchaikovsky’s "Piano Concerto No. 1," while the Pops Series will bring Broadway hits like "The Wizard of Oz" with live orchestra and festive favorites like "Holiday Pops." Other special events include "The Godfather" film with live score and a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Learn more at mso.org.
Next Act Theatre
Next Act Theatre’s 2025–26 season offers a diverse range of compelling stories. Highlights include Martyna Majok’s "Sanctuary City," a powerful exploration of DREAMers, and "Swing State" by Rebecca Gilman, which examines life in rural Wisconsin. The season culminates with the U.S. premiere of "Dinner with the Duchess," a gripping drama by Nick Green. Learn more at nextact.org.
Renaissance Theaterworks
Renaissance Theaterworks’ 2025–26 season is filled with gripping dramas and beloved comedies. Highlights include "Switzerland," a psychological thriller set in the Swiss Alps, and "Cardboard Piano," a poignant love story set in war-torn Uganda. The season wraps with the romantic comedy "Barefoot in the Park," bringing laughter and warmth to the stage. Learn more at rtwmke.org.
Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre’s 2025–26 season offers an exciting mix of classics and innovative collaborations. Don’t miss "Fiddler on the Roof" with Violins of Hope, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" featuring local youth choirs and "Amadeus" with a live chamber orchestra. The season also includes the 25th-anniversary return of "The Spitfire Grill" and a rock-and-roll reimagining of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" from Skylight’s Artistic Director, Michael Unger. Learn more at skylightmusictheatre.org/25-26.
This is just a glimpse of the incredible performances coming to the Milwaukee Theater District in 2025/26! Be sure to stay tuned for additional season announcements from Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, The Constructivists, Peck School of the Arts and more. Sign up for the Milwaukee Theater District newsletter to stay up-to-date on all the latest shows and ticket information. Don’t miss your chance to experience the best of Milwaukee’s showstopping theater scene!
