September 25, 2015
SOCIAL MEDIA: @MilwRep | #TheLionMKE
THE LION, A GRIPPING COMING-OF-AGE STORY,
BEGINS PERFORMANCES AT MILWAUKEE REP SEPTEMBER 30.
***FEATURING NEXT-GENERATION TROUBADOUR BENJAMIN SCHEUER***
(Milwaukee, WI) Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Stiemke Studio Season roars open with The Lion, “…the best original musical of the year…” according to London newspaper The Sharp. The focus of unparalleled critical acclaim, The Lion debuted Off-Broadway and went on to captivate viewers on both sides of the Atlantic after its West End premiere. Awards include an Offie Award, Drama Desk Award, a Theatre World Award, and nominations from the Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, and United Solo Special Awards.
The second stop in a two-year North American tour, Milwaukee will come to know the redemptive power of music in this deeply affecting journey from adolescence to adulthood. The Lion begins with writer and performer Benjamin Scheuer losing his father at a young age, becoming estranged from his family, and fighting Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It ends as a testament to the power of courage in the journey to heal. “…we all have our version of the same story,” he says, and asks, “…how do you become yourself?” The Lion is his answer. “Director Sean Daniels mentioned this phenomenal production to me some time ago,” says Artistic Director Mark Clements. “But we had no idea it would become an international sensation! We at The Rep are proud to share Scheuer’s stirring story and breathtaking music with our audience.”
Benjamin Scheuer is the recipient of the 2015 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance and a 2015 Theatre World Award for Exceptional Off-Broadway Debut. Scheuer is co-creator of the book “Between Two Spaces,” from which 50% of proceeds go to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. He has been a writer-in-residence at the Goodspeed Theatre, the Weston Playhouse, and the Johnny Mercer Songwriting Workshop. Additional awards include the 2013 ASCAP Foundation Cole Porter Award for songwriting and the 2013 Musical Theatre Network Award for Best Lyrics.
For more information, please visit: http://TheLionMusical.com
The creative team for The Lion includes: Benjamin Scheuer (Writer and Performer); Sean Daniels (Director); Neil Patel (Scenic Designer); Ben Stanton (Lighting Designer); Leon Rothenberg (Sound Designer); Jennifer Caprio (Costume Consultant); Dan Ruggiero (Stage Manager); Mind The Gap Productions (Technical Supervisor); Maximum Entertainment (General Management); and Eva Price (Producer). For full bios of the creative team please visit: http://www.milwaukeerep.com/On-Stage/2015-16-Season/The-Lion/#artists
The Lion runs in the Stiemke Studio from September 30 – November 8 (Opening Night is October 2). Tickets (starting at $30 and subject to change) can be purchased online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by phone at 414-224-9490 or at the Ticket Office (108 E Wells Street). The Stiemke Studio Season is sponsored by Ed Seaberg & Patrick Smith. The Rep is sponsored in part by The United Performing Arts Fund.
The Lion Public Performance Calendar
Artists, dates and ticket prices are subject to change
::Fact Sheet::
The Lion
September 30 – November 8, 2015 in the Stiemke Studio
Written and Performed by Benjamin Scheuer | Directed by Sean Daniels
Talks and Events
Rep-in-Depth: Approximately 45 minutes before each performance, join a member of the cast or artistic team for an insightful talk about the history and production of The Lion.
TalkBacks: Join members of the cast and artistic team for a conversation about the production after Thursday evening performances (excluding previews).
Access Services
Audio-Described Performance: Thursday, October 15, 7:30pm – the show will be described for patrons who are blind or have low vision.
American Sign Language Interpreted Performance: Thursday, October 22, 7:30pm – the show will be signed for patrons who are deaf or have low hearing.
Information
Tickets: www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by phone at 414-224-9490, or at the Ticket Office at 108 E Wells Street, Milwaukee.
Hours: 12noon – 6pm; on performance days, the office remains open until 15 minutes past curtain.
Student Discounts: Students 18 and under can purchase $20 tickets for select seating areas.
35 & Under: Select tickets available for $20 for patrons 35 & under. (Select 35 & under price at checkout online)
Group Sales: Discounted tickets for parties of 10+. Call 414-290-5340.
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About Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee Rep is a nationally-recognized company that presents compelling dramas, powerful classics, award-winning contemporary works and full-scale musicals housed in its three unique performance venues – the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio and Stackner Cabaret. The Rep
also produces an annual production of A Christmas Carol, celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2015, at the beautiful and historic Pabst Theater. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Managing Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity.
