Wonderful, intimate theater in Hartland. Many great shows and much variety. High level of talent…read moretoo, esp for a small theater in a suburban location, Don't miss out on this gem!

This past weekend, my fiancee and I were able to take in a production--Hatter's Madness--held at…read morethe Brumder Mansion. It was such fun!! There was a "tea" before the show; everything was tasty and it was nice to settle in and warm up. The tea smoothly transitioned into Theater Merriment, largely because of the play's content. An original play/production spearheaded by Amanda Hull, Hatter's Madness was a sequel of sorts to Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass. All the performers did exceptionally; the setting, costumes and script were spot on. It was funny and family-friendly. I'm so glad we went!

John McGivern delivered a heartfelt and thoroughly entertaining holiday performance at the…read moreGermantown Performing Arts Center, reminding the audience why he remains such a beloved storyteller. The evening began on a festive note as the Germantown Band welcomed the crowd, immediately setting a warm and celebratory tone for the show. The band also returned during intermission, providing enjoyable live music that kept the holiday spirit alive throughout the evening. Best known for his Emmy Award-winning work on PBS, McGivern brought the same warmth, humor, and authenticity to the stage that viewers have enjoyed for years on Around the Corner and John McGivern's Main Streets. His Christmas show blended laugh-out-loud moments with touching reflections drawn from his upbringing as one of six children in a working-class Midwestern Irish Catholic family. For many in the audience, his stories truly hit home. The themes of family dynamics, traditions, faith, and everyday moments were deeply relatable, especially for those raised in Midwestern Catholic households. McGivern's ability to find humor in shared experiences made the performance both genuinely funny and emotionally resonant. The performance felt intimate and inviting, as if he were welcoming the audience into his own living room for the holidays. John McGivern's Christmas show was a joyful, comforting, and meaningful way to celebrate the season. Supported by the festive contributions of the Germantown Band, the evening left the audience smiling, reflective, and filled with holiday spirit long after the final curtain.

Coming to the Germantown PAC was an excellent experience. We saw The Little Mermaid, which was…read morehands-down the best play I've ever seen. Everyone was beyond incredible in their respective performances. The PAC was so clean, which is great, unlike so many theaters I've been to; this was a refreshing change. The acoustics were great, and we sat in the middle row in front of the stage, maybe 6 rows back. Adequate lighting, friendly staff, and efficient ways to get people served quickly during the intermission were great highlights. Another area of appreciation was upon check-in. There's a pillow area to the left on the floor. Need one to boost a child, for example? Take it and bring it back after the play is over. This was oddly one of the more memorable things about the PAC--we have been to a few, but none where they have these nice pillows to give you a boost if you're a little shorter. The seating was comfortable, and there was enough legroom to endure the entire play without getting sore. Ensure you realize there's no food and drink inside the theater area, but you can have it outside while mingling with others in the lobby.

Date of visit: 3/25/23…read more This was a birthday gift from a friend who wanted a different kind of experience for us and she definitely delivered with the Deceptions Magic Show! If you've seen a Mentalist show in Vegas or elsewhere, the show will seem very familiar to you; we attended such a show last year and there were similar elements but some new things that ensured our attention didn't wane. The evening started with dinner upstairs at The Social. The prix-fixe menu had some good choices and service was attentive, though seating was a bit of a cluster, taking nearly 30 minutes to be seated. I suspect this was to stagger meal prep but could have been handled better. I would recommend having patrons select a 545, 6, or 615 seating to help space things out a bit. I will cover the food in more detail in a review of The Social. After dinner, you head down to the Beman room in the lower level of the hotel. There are plenty of signs and Luka, the entertainer stopped by during dinner and provided reminder instructions as well. Gibbons, the jovial assistant to Luka, checks you in at the door and gives you brief instructions, which is mostly to have fun. Aye aye, captain! The content is borderline risque so take that into consideration if you shy away from R-rated comedies or have prudish tendencies. There is a fair amount of audience participation as well, yet the group is quite small overall and if you do get selected, your embarrassment level is fairly minor. The show has an intermission, which mostly seems like a way to ply you with more alcohol, but we didn't mind it. The first "illusion" involving playing cards is definitely the best, but were came away fully impressed with the entire operation. Really the only reason I can't go five stars is that the design of the room is not ideal to easily see what's going on up "on stage." The person in front of me had just a massive, massive head and I was leaning to the left and/or right for most of the show to be able to see what was going on. Get there early and get seats closer to the front so you don't miss anything.

Wow! What an amazing show right here in Milwaukee. First I have to say thank you for escape from…read morethis insanity. Even though there were masks and distancing, it gave us a little glimpse into the normal world. First of the entree selections were really good. I was told they're constantly evolving too, which keeps me wanting to come back. The safety procedures were as good as could be hoped. In the type of guy who if I'm in public I'm not worried. But it was great seeing everyone wearing a mask and being distanced. Then the magic! Seriously luka is my favorite milwaukee magician. He's charming and funny. Like that strange uncle but with really good magic skills. The floating table was by far the BEST. To be honest I've seen allot of magic and in milwaukee, but deceptions is the BEST! I'll be back!!!

The Liar was an outstanding performance The actors never flubbed a line. It was funny and so fast…read moremoving. A delight to enjoy in an outdoor setting. The lit Lapham Peak Lodge in the background added to the outdoor atmosphere. 5 stars..

Amazing space to watch a show and sit back and relax. Can't wait for the stage to reopen!read more

Show: Newsies Performance: July 24, 2025 (Opening Night)…read more WOW! I am a huge Newsies fan, so it takes a lot to impress me with this show. I can say whole-heartedly that I left this performance stunned, amazed, and eager to come back for closing weekend. I paid $15 for a student ticket, and GCT put on one amazing production well worth my money. I would've willingly paid double for this performance. The cast was amazing and performed better than actors in a professional production of Newsies that I saw in 2018. These actors are going places!!! The lighting and set design was great too. The stylistic choices made (I won't spoil, but I'm giving a special shout out to the Brooklyn newsies for their part in the show) were in good taste and helped involve the audience in the show's setting. My only complaint with this is the seating in the theatre. The wooden armrests allow no room for flexibility, and the seats are not super wide. If you're someone who needs more room or accessibility in your seating, I definitely recommend reaching out to the box office to see what options you may have. GCT also partners with a local charity organization for every show they put on. Donations for this show go to the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, which is super fitting for the themes of this show. I absolutely love that this group gives back to the community. Overall, this is a stellar production, and I HIGHLY encourage everyone to go see it. Well done, GCT!

First stage does a great job hosting shows for children. I bring my nephews every year, and I don't…read moresee that stopping in the future! The space is small, so there truly isn't a bad seat in the house. There is crowd engagement, which is always so fun for the little ones.

Nice set up and the staff very professional. We stopped attending as my daughter was bored with…read moretheir techniques and lost interest. Overall, it was an excellent program, but not what we were expecting

Renaissance Theaterworks is dedicated to improving gender parity in theater. They're the only woman…read morefounded and run theater company in Milwaukee. What's not to love about that?!? My mom and I went recently to their production of Top Girls. The theater space the show was in was perfectly intimate (not a bad seat in the house). I love enjoying plays in such small venues. To be able to see the actors every facial expression and gesture completely captivates me. The play was beautifully acted and thought provoking. It was a great play to see with my mom (who was staying with me for a couple weeks). We ended up having some great conversations about it! If you go to see one of their shows on a Wednesday evening, it's wine Wednesday! You get a complimentary glass of wine with the play. Oh...and they gave us chocolates (like really amazing, rich bites of heavenly goodness) as we exited. What a lovely evening! Get to it!

Founded in 1993, Renaissance Theaterworks is Milwaukee's only women-founded, women-run theatre…read morecompany. Their mission is to "create compelling theater focusing on the exploration of the feminine voice and to offer professional opportunities to emerging local theater artists." I've seen two of their excellent offerings written by 2009 Playwright in Residence (part-founder) Marie Kohler: Boswell's Dreams (2005) and the Dig (2009). Both plays were intriguing and well worth my art dollars. The company has since taken up residence at the 100-person seat Studio Theater in the Broadway Theater complex. With the Third Ward location one can easily find plenty of restaurants nearby to make this a nice centerpiece for a night out. Parking in the lot next door is $5 or you might be lucky to find an open meter space. Renaissance Theaterworks is well worth your time and support! Support the Arts, Milwaukee!