Musical MainStage

Our first tribute to that totally righteous decade—the ‘80s–was an absolute sell-out! So rinse and repeat
and this one’s getting close.  BEAT IT! Back to the ’80s – April 29 & 30, 2019.

With an all-star cast it’s no surprise—just look who we’ve got!

ALLIE BABICH was one of this series’ very first Rising Stars. That was ten years ago and oh, the places she’s gone! A graduate of the University of MN/Guthrie program, Allie has appeared across the country singing and speaking Shakespeare. Favorite roles include VIOLET at Skylight Music Theatre, Rosalind (AS YOU LIKE IT) at the American Shakespeare Center, and Ela (CHARLEY'S AUNT) at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Allie looks forward to making her Door Shakespeare debut this summer.

TOMMY HAHN is on his some-teenth Musical MainStage appearance because well, he’s Tommy Hahn. Among his credits: MAN OF LA MANCHA (Milwaukee Rep); RENT, LES MISERABLES, and MUSIC MAN (Skylight); JC SUPERSTAR (Rochester Civic Theatre), PUMP BOYS & DINETTES at the Fireside; PHANTOM, EVITA, MISS SAIGON (Marriott Lincolnshire); and DEE SNIDER’S ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS TALE (Broadway Playhouse, Chicago).

JOSH KRAUSE’s credits include SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME (Two Crows Theater); A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Children’s Theater of Madison); THE RECRUITING OFFICER, BORN YESTERDAY, and OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD (American Players Theater, where he’ll spend the summer); EQUIVOCATION (Next Act); MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET and GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Milwaukee Chamber Theater); and VISITING MR. GREEN and JEEVES AT SEA with Artists’ Ensemble.

BETH MULKERRON appeared Off-Broadway in REDHOOK (H.C., Lambs Theatre). Regionally: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Linkup Series), MAN OF LA MANCHA and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Milwaukee Rep), FALLEN ANGELS (Milwaukee Chamber), WINTER'S TALE (Optimist Theatre), BIG (First Stage), SIZZLIN' 60's (Fireside), CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES (Marcus Center), SUNDAY IN THE PARK… (Windfall Theatre), and A CHORUS LINE (MOT/TheaterRED).

ELLA ROSE KLEEFISCH returns for her second Rising Star turn. She’s been seen on the Sunset Playhouseboards as Baby June in GYPSY!, Little Red in INTO THE WOODS, and Jane in MARY POPPINS. Other credits include Young Violet in Skylight’s VIOLET, Amy in LITTLE WOMEN: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL at Lake Country Playhouse, Opal in Acacia Theatre's OPAL, and Nellie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN for Waukesha Civic.

Plus KERRY HART BIENEMAN on keys, CASEY OLSON on guitar, TIM KARTH behind the drums, and the usual SUSAN LOVERIDGE-BOB HIRSCHI combo platter doing play-by-play. Missing this one will be grody to the max. Word.

Tickets available at the box office at 262-782-4430 or at SunsetPlayhouse.com

Five of the area’s busiest performers will kickstart the new year with Billboard’s Best–a salute to some of the music industry’s biggest, chart-topping hits:

ALISON MARY FORBES’ credits include work with Skylight Music Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, In Tandem, Bunny Gumbo, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Optimist Theatre, and Off the Wall. A Musical MainStage regular, she’s also appeared in the SideNotes Cabaret productions SONGS OF THE SILVER SCREEN and THE HARMONETTES.

TOMMY LUECK was featured in our very first Musical MainStage concert and many more over the years. He’s probably best known as the front man vocalist for Swing Nouveau and as one quarter of the Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets, but he’s also a remarkable director of musicals, both at Sunset Playhouse and for his students at Brookfield Central High School.

CASEY OLSON, singer and guitarist extraordinaire, has quickly risen to cult status around the Playhouse, with credits that include YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: A TRIBUTE TO CAROLE KING & JAMES TAYLOR; HOMEWARD BOUND: SIMON AND GARFUNKEL; and QUEENS OF COUNTRY. This season brings half a dozen more appearances for both the SideNotes Cabaret and Musical MainStage series. 

It’s always fun to introduce a new performer to our family. This time around we welcome HAYLEY SAN FILLIPPO. With a BFA in Theater Performance from UW-Whitewater, her area credits include work with First Stage Children’s Theatre, All in Productions, ComedySportz, Soulstice Theatre, Alchemist Theatre, Greendale Community Theatre, and Sunset Playhouse.

In her second Rising Star appearance, we welcome back KYLEE HENNES, who has wowed our audiences with her talent as both vocalist and bass guitar player. Recent credits include THE BAD SEED (Sunset), ANNIE and VIOLET (Skylight Music Theatre), and THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Lyric Opera of Chicago). KyLee also rocks out with her sisters in the BAND Hennes.

On keys will be superstar music director KERRY HART BIENEMAN. She’ll be joined by our resident drummer-man, TIM KARTH, along with Susan Loveridge and Bob Hirschi in the play-by-play chairs. You’ll be All Shook Up if you miss this one!

Musical MainStage celebrates the holidays with that mellow fellow, singer-songwriter John Denver. Our talented singers and musicians will cover both his Christmas tunes and his classic hits. Meet the cast:

A big welcome back to LYDIA ROSE EICHE, whom we first met exactly ten years ago when she was a Rising Star! Her Sunset credits include Babette (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) and Rapunzel/Cinderella’s Mother (INTO THE WOODS). Also: Yitzhak (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH) with All In Productions, Milica (SVADBA—WEDDING) with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and Ensemble for SWEENEY TODD at Skylight Music Theatre.

CARRIE GRAY is also back for her second Musical MainStage concert. Her many credits include work with Skylight Music Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and Greendale Community Theatre. Carrie’s favorite roles include The Baker’s Wife in INTO THE WOODS for Sunset and Diana in NEXT TO NORMAL with All In Productions.

TOMMY HAHN, one of your favorite performers, is back in his 14^th or 15^th or 16^th appearance—we’ve lost track! Local credits include Milwaukee Rep (MAN OF LA MANCHA) and Skylight Music Theatre (RENT, LES MISERABLES, MUSIC MAN). Regional: Fireside Theatre (PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, ROCKIN’ AT THE FIRESIDE), Marriott Theatre at Lincolnshire (PHANTOM, EVITA, MISS SAIGON), Northlight Theatre (SIDE SHOW), and DEE SNIDER’S ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS TALE (Broadway Playhouse, Chicago.)

CHAD LARGET, who made his Broadway debut in the ‘97 revival of CANDIDE, directed by Harold Prince, makes his Musical MainStage debut. Other credits include PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Frederic), DIE FLEDERMAUS (Dr. Blind), and MOST HAPPY FELLA (Pasquale), all for Skylight Music Theatre, featured soloist with the Milwaukee and Racine Symphony orchestras, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Florentine Opera. At Sunset: MARY POPPINS (Bank Chairman) and SHE LOVES ME (Kodaly).

Our Rising Star is Divine Savior Holy Angels High School sophomore CLAIRE BECKER. Her credits include the school’s production of Les Miserables, along with performances for the Hartford Players, Lake Country Playhouse, and Falls Patio Players.

In addition, we have KERRY HART BIENEMAN on the keys, CASEY OLSON on guitar, and JASON LOVEALL on violin. As always, Susan Loveridge and Bob Hirschi will offer the play-by-play.

Start your holidays out right by letting those country roads take you home!

A JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS

December 3, 2018, 7:30 pm

December 4, 2018, 2:00 and 7:30 pm

Note:  Performances are almost SOLD OUT.  We are considering adding a performance on Sunday, December 2nd at 7:30 or Monday, December 3 at 2:00.  If you are interested in attending one of these shows if added, please call our box office ASAP at 262-782-4430

Oconomowoc resident Ella Kleefisch has been named a Rising Star for Musical MainStage, a professional concert series at Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove.

The daughter of Rebecca and Joel Kleefisch, Ella is a freshman at Oconomowoc High School. Her favorite theater credits include GYPSY (Baby June) at Sunset Playhouse, VIOLET (Young Violet) for Skylight Music Theatre, LITTLE WOMEN: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL (Amy) with Lake Country Playhouse, OPAL (Opal) for Acacia Theatre Company, and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Nellie) with Waukesha Civic Theatre. Ella also enjoys archery, horseback riding, drawing, and painting.

Sunset Playhouse, now in its 58^th season as one of the area’s premier community theaters, is also home to three professional series, including Musical MainStage. Each of its themed concerts offers one promising high school student an opportunity to work alongside professional singers and musicians.

Ella will join Karen Estrada, Johnny Rodgers, Alison Mary Forbes, Casey Olson, and Kerry Hart in a show called “Homeward Bound,” a 90-minute concert featuring songs from the popular duo, Simon and Garfunkel. Performances are on Monday and Tuesday, December 4^th and 5th.

For more information about the production or tickets, you can visit sunsetplayhouse.com or call its box office at 262-782-4430.

Our first Musical MainStage of the 2017-18 Season is ELVIS!  The show runs September 18-19, 2017. 

Are You Lonesome Tonight? Then put on your Blue Suede Shoes ’cause we’ll be rockin’ and a-rollin’ all the way to Graceland. 

Meet our cast: