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World Premiere Event

The Nativity Variations

By Catherine Trieschmann
Directed by Shelley Butler

November 16 – December 11, 2022

Quadracci Powerhouse

Approximate Running Time: 2 hours including intermission
Recommended Age: 16 and up
This performance contains profanity and adult themes.

O Holy (Moly) Night!

In a small midwestern town, auteur theater director Jules and her experimental community theater troupe face their biggest and most ambitious challenge yet – staging the Christmas pageant at St. Ignatius Episcopal Church. As their adventurous vision for the greatest story ever told hilariously evolves to include Shakespearian comedy and even foul-mouthed puppets, Jules – with a gentle nudge by Father Juan – is left to consider the purpose of her art and the true meaning of the holiday season. Modern cynicism meets emotional tenderness in this hilarious and heartfelt World Premiere by award-winning playwright Catherine Trieschmann (One House Over).

A John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program Production

Executive Producer
Judy Hansen

Associate Producers
Catherine & Buddy Robinson

Special Dates

Pay What You Can
Wednesday, November 16, 7:30pm
Sunday, November  20, 7pm
(Based on availability)

Early Bird Performance
Tuesday, November 22, 6:30pm

Audio Described Performance
Tuesday, November 22, 6:30pm

ASL Performance
Tuesday, December 8, 7:30pm

Captioned Performance
Sunday, December 11, 2pm 

Bus Matinee Performance
Wednesday, November 23, 1:30pm

TalkBacks

Wednesday afternoons after the 1:30pm performance
November 23 and December 7

Resources

Program

PlayGuide

Teacher Guide

Media Gallery

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Photo Gallery

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Milwaukee Rep presents The Nativity Variations in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 16 – December 11, 2022. Pictured: Adam LeFevre, Sami Ma and Ann Arvia. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents The Nativity Variations in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 16 – December 11, 2022. Pictured: Ryan Alvarado and Chiké Johnson. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents The Nativity Variations in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 16 – December 11, 2022. Pictured: Ryan Alvarado and Adam LeFevre. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents The Nativity Variations in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 16 – December 11, 2022. Pictured: Chiké Johnson (top) and Adam LeFevre. Photo by Michael Brosilow. 
Milwaukee Rep presents The Nativity Variations in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 16 – December 11, 2022. Pictured: Adam LeFevre, Sami Ma and Ann Arvia. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents The Nativity Variations in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 16 – December 11, 2022. Pictured: The cast of The Nativity Variations. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents The Nativity Variations in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 16 – December 11, 2022. Pictured: The cast of The Nativity Variations. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Reviews

"An early Christmas gift!"
“I haven't heard people snorting laughter in a long time.”
“Imagine a mashup of ‘Noises Off’ and ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ only edgier and performed by adults, you are in the right ZIP code.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Raunchy, unexpectedly wholesome and downright delightful… is a must-see for anyone looking for some unconventional holiday cheer.”
“Equal parts moving, heartwarming and downright funny hilarious absurdity.”
Shepherd Express
“With characters both zany and deeply relatable, this cast is one you can’t help but root for.”
“The production is a refreshing reminder of the power of human kindness. The play’s message of forgiveness, understanding, in addition the hysterical gimmicks and unorthodox take on the nativity, leaves an uproariously funny good time.”
Shepherd Express

Cast

Headshot photo of Ryan Alvarado*
Ryan Alvarado*
Mateo / Father Juan
Headshot photo of Ann Arvia*
Ann Arvia*
Peggy
Headshot photo of Chiké Johnson*
Chiké Johnson*
Karl
Headshot photo of Adam LeFevre*
Adam LeFevre*
Hank
Headshot photo of Sami Ma*
Sami Ma*
Jules
Headshot photo of Eva Nimmer*
Eva Nimmer*
Devon
Headshot photo of Sadieh Rifai*
Sadieh Rifai*
Vanessa
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Headshot photo of
Ryan Alvarado*
Mateo / Father Juan
Headshot photo of
Ann Arvia*
Peggy
Headshot photo of
Chiké Johnson*
Karl
Headshot photo of
Adam LeFevre*
Hank
Headshot photo of
Sami Ma*
Jules
Headshot photo of
Eva Nimmer*
Devon
Headshot photo of
Sadieh Rifai*
Vanessa

Creative Team

Headshot photo of Shelley Butler
Shelley Butler
Director
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Headshot photo of
Shelley Butler
Director

Takeshi Kata
Scenic Designer
Sara Ryung Clement
Costume Designer
Alan C. Edwards
Lighting Designer
Sinan Refik Zafar
Sound Designer
Wesley T. Daniel
Fight Director
Dale Brown Casting
Casting Director
Michelle Lopez-Rios
Dialect Consultant
Reese Madigan
Tai Chi Consultant
Kira Neighbors*
Stage Manager
Jade Bruno*
Assistant Stage Manager
Emily Newmark
Assistant Director
Laura Braza
Line Producer
Annika Perez-Krikorian
Line Producer
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Takeshi Kata
Scenic Designer
Sara Ryung Clement
Costume Designer
Alan C. Edwards
Lighting Designer
Sinan Refik Zafar
Sound Designer
Wesley T. Daniel
Fight Director
Dale Brown Casting
Casting Director
Michelle Lopez-Rios
Dialect Consultant
Reese Madigan
Tai Chi Consultant
Kira Neighbors*
Stage Manager
Jade Bruno*
Assistant Stage Manager
Emily Newmark
Assistant Director
Laura Braza
Line Producer
Annika Perez-Krikorian
Line Producer

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Featured Articles

"Directing Kids' Christmas Pageant Led Playwright To Comic 'Nativity Variations'"
By Jim Higgins / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
When Catherine Trieschmann was commissioned to write a new Christmas play for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, she decided to have her fruitcake and eat it, too...
Learn More
Need A Laugh This Holiday Season? Milwaukee Rep Has Just The Ticket!
Need A Laugh This Holiday Season? Milwaukee Rep Has Just The Ticket!
By Mike Fischer
I’ve attended scores of opening day rehearsals, during which a cast reads through the script together for the first time. I’ve rarely laughed as much as I did in watching this one, in a play featuring a community theater troupe tapped by a local church to direct its annual Christmas pageant...
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The Nativity Variations: Community Theater in Popular Culture
The Nativity Variations: Community Theater in Popular Culture

The Nativity Variations tells the story of a group of people that sign up for their local community theater to participate in the telling of the Nativity. Of course they have no idea what they are in for when the director puts her own spin on the traditional story. Explore how community theater has played a large part of pop culture throughout the years.

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Allusions in The Nativity Variations
Allusions in The Nativity Variations

The Nativity Variations is full of fun theatrical and pop culture references, including Long Day's Journey Into Night, RuPaul's Drag Race, Ingmar Bergman and more.

Learn More

Featured Events

College Nights
College Nights
Wednesday, November 16
Calling all college students! College Nights at Milwaukee Rep are back. Join us for a hilarious holiday comedy The Nativity Variations on Nov. 16. Event includes discounted ticket, free pizza and beverages.
Learn More
Panel Discussion: The Impact of Community Theater on Milwaukee
Panel Discussion:
The Impact of Community Theater on Milwaukee
Tuesday, November 22 • Post-Performance
Join us for a post-show conversation as we celebrate Community Theater Night.
Learn More
PRIDE Night
PRIDE Night
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Celebrate PRIDE with our fabulous hosts BJ Daniels, Dear Ruthie, Karen Valentine and members of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Learn More
Dinner Dialogues Series Announced
Dinner Dialogues Series Announced

Join us this season for a series of Dinner Dialogues around Rep productions. Enjoy a delicious meal with fellow community members in relevant and impactful conversations around the themes our productions. 

The Nativity Variations Dinner Dialogue
December 5, 5:30-7:30pm
Three Lions Pub
4515 N. Oakland Ave.

Learn More
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