Dear Friends,
You are probably aware that Wisconsin is currently experiencing a troubling increase of COVID-19 cases. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the safety of our patrons, artists and staff has been our top priority and will continue to be. While we have developed a safety plan in coordination with leading doctors and epidemiologists, to safely reopen it must be implemented when virus spread is on the decline. That unfortunately is not the case and therefore, we must sadly cancel the live performances of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol in compliance with the City of Milwaukee’s Public Health Order establishing Phase 4.2 of the Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely Plan.
While disappointing, we will not let 2020 cancel Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition! We know how much A Christmas Carol means to generations of Wisconsinites and at the end of a very difficult year, we are going to spread more holiday joy than ever before with the support of Wells Fargo and Jay Franke & David Herro. As well as our Executive Producers: Richard & Jo Ann Beightol; Tom & Molly Duffey; Sandra & William Haack and Saints Andrew & Mark Charitable Gift Trust.
This year only — we will have two full productions of Dickens’ timeless tale available to stream worldwide. In partnership with HMS Media, a 20-time Emmy Award winning multimedia company specializing in the broadcast of live performances, Milwaukee Rep will bring a high-definition, multi-camera recording of two productions to your homes this December.
Mark Clements’ Classic Production of A Christmas Carol
Each year, nearly 40,000 people experience Artistic Director Mark Clements’ epic production at the beautiful, historic Pabst Theater. We are opening our video vault to bring a never-before-seen recording of the record-breaking 2016 production filmed and produced by HMS Media. The production will be available for FREE to view during the month of December on our website as our gift to theater lovers worldwide. Donations encouraged and welcomed.
Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the incomparable Lee E. Ernst playing more than a dozen characters in the Dickens’ classic with a unique soundscape developed by foley artist Dan Kazemi, under the direction of Artistic Director Mark Clements. Our fully realized production will be taped and distributed to a limited number of people on a first come, first served basis. The production will be available to view for $20 during the month of December. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to employ and compensate artists involved in the production. Look for more details on how you can purchase tickets later this month.
These are two fully realized productions (not Zoom readings) and sitting in your living room, your experience will be as near as possible to viewing these incredible productions from the best seats in the house at the Quadracci Powerhouse and Pabst Theater. Your support of these productions either by purchasing a ticket or via a tax-deductible donation to our RepRising Emergency Relief Campaign helps keep our artists and staff employed while our theater heads into our ninth month of being closed due to COVID-19.
If you have already purchased tickets to attend Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol in-person your tickets will automatically be refunded starting Thursday, November 5. If you have any questions, please contact our Ticket Office at tickets@milwaukeerep.com or 414-224-9490.
We appreciate your understanding and support during these unprecedented times. We look forward soon to having an environment that supports the return to live performances using our nationally recognized safety protocols. Until then, please enjoy these two productions, keep safe, and mask-up to help us return soon.