volume 31, issue 1 volume 2020 nov “ Why THE CHRISTIANS? by David Cecsarini

In August of 1999, the 30th IT’S HUGE to be exact, Deborah Staples – As you stand in the nave (the in front of so many of our dear center where the two main friends, family members and col- structures cross) you can look leagues – agreed to step into a up to see the dome’s interior, lifetime partnership with me. starting about 100 feet above your own. Covering this massive, The wedding celebration was eight-sided structure is a fres- held at Wintergreen, “the ski co painting which depicts The hill,” on the south bank of the Last Judgment, as described in Wisconsin River across from Christian tradition. From that far Spring Green. Naturally it was away, you can tell that there’s a held on a Monday, since Deborah lot going on in the six rings of fig- was in the midst of her APT sea- ures and events. But it’s not until son and Next Act was in rehears- you climb the hundreds of steps als for HAUPTMANN. This caused and Italy*, we really didn’t have taking you up to the walkway us to delay the typical post-wed- any sense of heightened dan- around the dome’s base that you ding honeymoon until well into ger during the trip, other than see the enormity of the work. It October, when I had the bright the presence of Italian soldiers covers 38,750 square feet; that’s idea that visiting Glacier National sporting their automatic rifles a canvas the length of a football Park would be just the thing. at the train stations. Of course field and 129 feet tall. OK, besides the snow, the possi- there were still the usual dangers Continued, next page ble presence of our grizzly bear of pickpockets, tourist prices and friends and the complete lack of an overabundance of museums iconic bighorn sheep scampering and cathedrals. across mountaintops, it wasn’t One such cathedral is in Florence: too bad. Looking back, that sin- it’s one of the largest churches on gular, solitary blue grouse sitting earth. It took 140 years to build, on the forest floor as we hiked by, and much longer to complete- bear-whooping, was pretty im- ly finish the façade. No doubt, pressive, if only for its impudent, many readers have been to the beady-eyed stare. That’s when enormous Duomo al Firenze, Deborah, in one of her first exec- with its tri-color white, pink and utive actions in the partnership, green marble cladding, gorgeous established the mutual goal of a vaulted ceilings and the third real honeymoon to be taken in tallest dome in the world, top- the not-too-distant future. ping out at 375.5 feet above the cobbles below. Combined with its OFF TO EUROPE Inside This Issue Well, two years later, it was innumerable artworks, soaring all planned. We headed for a dimensions and layer upon layer Producer’s Circle 3 European adventure just weeks of history – both religious and ar- Inbusch Challenge Grant 3 after the terrorist attacks on chitectural – the building is truly Connect Your Laptop to Your TV 4 a testament to the determina- New York, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Curbside Concessions tion, ambition, vision, engineer- 5 Never a dull moment with us. *Tuscany on Wheels 6 It must be said, though, that ing, craftsmanship and faith of its throughout Holland, France human creators. Board Spotlight 7 THE CHRISTIANS is generously co-sponsored by Angela Jacobi and The Einhorn Family Foundation Why THE CHRISTIANS continued PRODUCER’S CIRCLE by Jane Flieller during the 1960s did not result in my adherence to the faith. (Perhaps the only way in which this son p r o·d u c·e r (/prəˈd(y)oosər/) a person responsible • Receive complimentary beverages at every has disappointed his mom.) Nevertheless, I find the for the financial aspects of staging a play Next Act Theatre performance ideas in this play completely engaging, and further, cir·cle (\ˈsər-kəl) an area of action or influence • Find your name highlighted in playbills and on the personal crises that characters are grappling our website with, humanly compelling. Pastor Paul’s revelation Producer’s Circle donors are among Next is deeply felt and rendered with eloquence, but as Act’s most dedicated contributors and are passion- • Have the satisfaction of knowing you bring our a convert to a new idea, he is blind to the dam- ate about the arts and Milwaukee’s vibrant cultural stories to life. age and hurt he will cause. Joshua, the Associate community. Consider joining this special group of Next Act Pastor, pushes back in front of the entire congrega- These distinguished individuals unite to support Theatre friends. tion, and the debate becomes a public display and Next Act by committing to gifts of $1,000 or more competition for power. The drama is firmly-rooted each season. Your participation in Next Act Theatre’s Producer’s in Hnath’s “testing ground.” Circle level of giving means you are directly respon- These gifts have a direct impact on Next Act’s abil- sible for bringing our artistic and educational pro- YIKES AS THE INSIDER ity to produce the outstanding plays you’ve come gramming to fruition. Not being well-versed in Christian and Catholic In that 2015 interview, Hnath was asked how the play to love: stories designed to engage the hearts and theology, I can only guess at all the stories these was going over, among Christians and non-Chris- minds of audiences, and promote the development Please contact Jane Flieller, Development Director, artists have told – and are still telling - with their tians alike. He said he was careful to not make the of new perspectives and understanding. at 414-278-7780 or [email protected] for more in- monumental work. But in the lowest ring of figures play about, “Do you believe in Christianity or not,” formation. You can make your gift directly at www. By joining our Producer’s Circle, you: and goings-on just above our upturned heads, but about an internal, doctrinal argument which, in nextact.org or by mail to: Next Act Theatre, P.O. there are some unmistakable images of a classic, effect, brings reluctant audience members inside • Gain exclusive access to behind-the-scenes Box 394, Milwaukee, WI 53201. fiery-furnace and brimstone-slingin’ Hell. Nasty, the belief rather than letting them sit outside of it. production preview events snarling beasts are busily chasing their wretched Hnath quips, “Not that agnostics or atheists con- p r o· d u c· e r ’s (/prəˈd(y)oosər/) cir·cle ( \ˈs ə r - k ə l ) prey toward molten caves. What can only be de- vert when they watch the play, but that’s where the • Enjoy history-rich backstage tours hosted by people like you, who define who we are mons are pouring burning liquid down the throats stakes are.” Producing Artistic Director David Cecsarini of hapless individuals marked for a roasting eterni- The “stakes” center upon the question of the exis- ty. The roiling backdrop of intense reds and yellows, tence of Hell. Christian doctrine holds that question- punctuated by torturing monsters and grotesquely ing the existence of hell is heresy, and the Inclusion twisted faces of doomed souls, give the impression Doctrine (all are saved) is simply the same heresy Bree Beelow (standing), that the heat is intense, intolerable, and impossibly by a new name. One current champion of Inclusion & Leah Dutchin everlasting. is Bishop Carlton Pearson, an African-American And this fate, many Christians believe, awaits all Baptist who, over many years, had formed a huge those who do not come to acknowledge Jesus church in Tulsa, OK, in the 1990s. Pearson had a Christ as their Lord and Savior. And they don’t just similar change of heart to Hnath’s Pastor Paul, and mean other Christians; they mean all mankind. though this is not Pearson’s story, his is perhaps the most well-known incidence of a crisis in belief THE PLAY which took down an institution. In a 2015 interview, playwright Lucas Hnath said, “I knew I wanted to write a play about a very large JUST WHAT WE NEED church, because as a child, I went to a very large One final thought: at the outset, Hnath’s characters Photo: Timothy Moder church.” In his play THE CHRISTIANS, Hnath has are absolutists, and yet through the course of the THE REVOLUTIONISTS, LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, 2019 Next Actors fulfilled that wish. He takes us to Pastor Paul’s conflict, the search for progress and peace with one mega-church one auspicious Sunday, where Paul another leads them to introspection, self-doubt, HEAR YE! HEAR YE! THE GAUNTLET HAS BEEN THROWN! by Jane Flieller delivers, not so much a sermon, but a change of and a more generous place of understanding the mind and heart to his congregation of thousands. other. In the end, there is nothing absolute in the The Dorothy Inbusch Foundation has made a very generous offer to Paul’s radical change in philosophy runs squarely ideas, or the people. There is only questioning, Next Act Theatre! Make a donation and they will match it dollar-for-dollar up into absolutist doctrine already in place. The con- hope and love. What a terrific play. to $10,000 for any new or increased gifts made through December 31, 2020. flict brings upon the church an extreme test of be- I’m left with this question: I wonder whether THE In what will surely be a very challenging time for performing arts groups, lief and loyalty, and results in a schism with serious CHRISTIANS would have shaken up the Florentine repercussions for all involved. Hnath comments: world beneath that massive dome, all those cen- Next Act is incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Inbusch Foundation “When you have people who are absolutists com- turies ago? I suppose much would have depended and to you – our loyal supporters, for helping us secure a successful season. ing together in a play, it becomes a testing ground upon the translation: Italian or Latin? for ideas.” This additional funding will go a long way toward the realization of our 2020-21 See you at the (video) theatre! I believe I’ve mentioned before that my time in season as we navigate our way through an ever-changing landscape. Please the pews at Brookfield United Methodist Church consider a gift to Next Act Theatre today and double its impact! 2 3 Your Home Theatre Experience by A.J. Magoon Curbside Concessions by A.J. Magoon

You can watch our virtual production of Along with our virtual production of THE and we’ll bring your treats out to you! Weekday res- THE CHRISTIANS on your phone, tablet, laptop, CHRISTIANS, we’re very excited to announce a new ervations must be made by 5:00 pm the day before desktop computer or a number of other devices. program: Curbside Concessions! During the online your pickup time. Weekend reservations must be For the most enjoyable viewing experience, how- run of the show, from November 23 – December 13, made by 3:00 pm on Friday. ever, why not create a full home theatre experience you’ll be able to order some of your favorite snacks Additionally, if you order $50 worth of snacks and using your television? and drinks from the Next Act bar and pick them drinks, we’ll upgrade your order to include special, Once you have the correct cable and you’ve con- up at our building. It’s the perfect way to complete There are a few ways to view THE CHRISTIANS from show-related keepsakes including a church fan, a nected your laptop, phone or tablet to your TV, it will your home theatre viewing experience. your TV at home: either automatically begin sharing your screen or CD of gospel music and more! These are special Ordering Curbside Concessions is easy: all you have mementos that you can’t get anywhere else and will HDMI CONNECTION you will need to go into your TV’s menu using your remote control to change the source or input to to do is place an order on our website or call us at help you get in the spirit to watch THE CHRISTIANS. The easiest way to view THE CHRISTIANS is to con- (414) 278-7780 to reserve your snacks and drinks HDMI – this will correspond to the HDMI slot you’ve We are also offering a limited, non-alcoholic menu nect a laptop, phone or tablet to your TV through and set your pickup time. Then, drive up to the front connected to on your TV. There may be more than for delivery. Delivery orders can be placed online an HDMI cable. For this to work, your TV will need doors of Next Act Theatre at your reserved time an HDMI port, located either on the side or back. one from which to choose. like pickup orders. Once you’re connected, the sound should be coming out of your TV rather than your device. If Cocktails (w/choice of mixer) – $7 Beer – $5 Cookies – $4 not, check your device audio settings by selecting Rehorst Vodka (Great Lakes Distillery) Spotted Cow Chocolate Chip the arrow next to ‘Mute’ on the bottom right of the Rehorst Gin (Great Lakes Distillery) Riverwest Stein Oatmeal Raisin screen and either choose ‘Same as system’ or your TV speakers if that appears as an option under Kinnickinnic Whiskey (Great Lakes Lakefront IPA Peanut Butter ‘Select a speaker.’ Distillery) Miller Lite Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Spiced Rum (contains nuts) Wine by the Bottle – $16 Dewar’s White Label Scotch Cabernet Soda & Juice – $2 Merlot Coca-Cola Pinot Noir Depending on the device you’re connecting, you Diet Coke Pinot Grigio will need to plug the other end of the cord into the 7Up Chardonnay device’s HDMI port (often the case with a laptop) Diet 7Up Wine (individual size) – $6 Root Beer Riesling Ginger Ale White Zinfandel Squirt CASTING FROM ANOTHER DEVICE Lemon Sparkling Water The other way to get our show to your television is Champagne to stream or “cast” it from another device. This re- Club Soda (individual size) – $4 quires you to have an accessory like a Chromecast, Tonic Water Amazon Fire Stick, Roku or Apple TV attached to Orange Juice your TV. Cranberry Juice or a charging port (often the case with a phone or tablet). They can look like this: When your phone, laptop or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the accessories listed above, you should be able to find a “cast” option on your device. This is sometimes also called “Screen Mirroring,” “Quick Connect,” “Smart View” or other names. To find it, look in your options or settings. Once you’ve found it, turn it on to cast your device’s screen to your TV accessory, and start the video! Our website will also feature a video walkthrough and more in-depth explanations on perfecting your home theatre setup. For the best results, we The type of device you’re connecting will change suggest testing out your setup before the day you the type of cable you need, so make sure you’ve plan to watch the show and contacting us with any got the right kind ready to connect! remaining questions! Call our Home Theatre Hotline at (414) 278-7780 between 10am and 2pm Monday thru Friday Spend $50 and we’ll add a Curbside Congregation box, including exclusive 4 5 and we will do our best to help answer your questions! mementos and items that connect you directly to the show! Photo: Sara Stathas Stathas Sara Photo: Tuscany on Wheels by David Cecsarini Spotlight on Board of Directors Members Mohammad ElBsat & Haly Besaw by Jane Flieller

Innovation is one hallmark of the human spe- Mohammad ElBsat hails from Saida, Lebanon. He In true Board of Director fashion, Mohammad cies; we are quite adaptable after all. Deborah and arrived in Milwaukee in 2006 to study at Marquette leaves us with one final thought: “Live theatre I were staying within the old walls of Florence in a University where he earned a Masters in the field needs support now more than ever. With the pan- comfortable B&B, and during an early trip to the of electrical engineering. He now works for Johnson demic at hand, theatre is one of the most affected washroom, I heard a sort of grinding noise kick in Controls, applying advanced algorithms for energy industries. Being on the board, I know what it takes just as I flushed the toilet. Inquiring at the desk, we cost and occupant comfort optimization. to keep theatres afloat. Consider making a dona- tion to Next Act and other theatres in Milwaukee to were told that the noisy device was a shredder, de- Mohammad went on to help keep the theatre community alive.” signed to shred the paper and waste before the ugly earn a PhD at Marquette, mess hits the sewers. It turns out that the ancient during which time he Haly Besaw is a new addition to Next Act Theatre’s sewers of Florence were in constant danger of get- discovered their theatre Board of Directors, having arrived just prior to ting clogged. I thought, how ingenious. The sewage department. He landed the onset of the pandemic. Haly is originally from treatment process begins at the source rather than a role in THE CHERRY Oneida, Wisconsin, and she went to high school upon its central location arrival. Maybe something ORCHARD and then went in Green Bay. She attended MSOE in Milwaukee, Milwaukee’s Sewerage District could use? on to perform the title graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Haly ROUND AND ROUND role in THE BIG FRIENDLY and her husband, Mike, spent ten “glorious” years A PASSING PHASE Returning to Florence from our car trip, we hit hor- GIANT. From Marquette, in California, but ultimately returned to her roots I had never driven a car in Europe on any previous rible traffic on a Saturday evening. It was backed he went on to work for in Wisconsin. She cur- visit so I was looking forward to heading out onto up for miles, well outside the city’s old walls and other theatre companies rently works at Baird the Italian byways in our snazzy Opel rent-a-car. our final destination, the rental car garage. After a such as Windfall Theatre, Milwaukee Entertainment Wealth Management as a We had booked a week’s stay in the country which good hour of creeping along, we were getting close Group and the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Financial Advisor. would serve as our base for local shopping, good to Avis Italia, when we found ourselves in a massive cooking and day trips. While tooling along a very traffic circle in front of the train station. As imagined A friend recommended Mohammad to Next While not an actor her- nice stretch of two-lane highway, I was taught a on a clock face, we came into the circle at 12 o’clock, Act Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, David self, Haly loves attending new technique in the art of passing. Approaching driving counter clockwise, needing to get to 2 Cecsarini, for consideration of the role of Asfoor in live theatre and enjoyed us was one car going about the speed limit, fol- o’clock where our side street turned off. The circle BACK OF THE THROAT (2015-16). He considers it one watching her kids per- lowed closely by a second, impatient to pass. was clogged bumper-to-bumper, six lanes across, of the best experiences in the theatre he’s ever had. form over the years. Her Naturally, I expected the second driver to wait for with cars, service trucks, taxis, tour buses and, al- “The quality of the production, the professionalism creative energies are now a clear opening on our side of the road. Instead, ways, the weaving vespas and incessant horns. Our of the cast and crew, and the family-like atmo- spent playing the flute in he smoothly slid out into the middle, straddling the progress was excruciatingly slow, literally by inches sphere all contributed to making that experience the Lakeshore Symphonic center line, while at the same time, the car he was and constantly challenged by the slow-motion ag- great. I was curious as to what it took to serve on Band and spending a lot of time outside in her passing slid over a half-lane toward the shoulder. I gression of undeterred Florentines behind wheels. the board. I expressed interest to the Development garden. quickly realized it was my turn to do the same on Director, she put me in touch with [Next Act’s Board We were at last within feet of our turn, when a fe- Haly was referred to Next Act by former NAT Board our side, thus creating a miraculous, new center President] Dave Anderson and I was on from that male Italian cop blew her whistle and was waving member and Baird colleague, Beth Kavelaris. Haly’s lane where there had been none just three seconds point forward.” us away from the side street. It looked like we were reaction to serving on the board was one of ex- before. Speedy Giuseppe gunned his Lamborghini about to be sent for another rock around the clock. Mohammad feels the most rewarding aspect to citement to be involved in “such a wonderful or- and disappeared quickly in our rearview mirror. I couldn’t hold it in any more. I leaned out the win- serving on [Next Act’s] Board is “knowing that you ganization. I’m looking forward to building a great Now, that’s collaboration! dow, and using the hand gestures of my ancestors are helping a theatre company maintain its ground relationship with all of the Board members. I look Continued, next page and prosper. As we all know, live theatre faces many forward to engaging in creative ways to help Next NEXT ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS challenges, so to have the opportunity to help the Act through this pandemic.” SKYLINE CATERING theatre overcome its challenges and continue its Creating events for the downtown Milwaukee area since 1997. PRESIDENT In her spare time, Haly enjoys participating in triath- mission of community engagement while raising We are proud sponsors of Next Act Theatre! Dave Anderson lons, swimming and hiking. She is a self-professed societal issues, is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY “cat lady”. Daniel P. Murray Joyce Mielke TUSCANY, continued TREASURER IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Tom Gauthier Cathryn Jakicic and impassioned, loud and very-broken Italian, I the bus with our right wheels up on the sidewalk. Terri Alioto Michael Burzynski* John McGivern argued our case. While Deborah was certain we’d Good thing no one needed their luggage just then. Paul Barno Mohammad N. ElBsat Sean Rierdon be arrested, I think the lady cop thought it best Exchanging the trusty Opel’s four wheels for our Contact Ernie or Robin for your next corporate or personal Haly Besaw Kelsey Lawler Susan Schoenfeld to let this ill-spoken American go on his way for four strong legs was one of the most satisfying and breakfast, lunch, dinner or appetizer event. Brooke Billick Steve Marcus* Sandra Zingler fear of creating a needless, international incident relief-bringing events of that long day. [email protected] | [email protected] | 414.294.4808 Donna Martynski * Past President of language butchery. Heading for home, there Ciao! was one more impediment: an enormous tour bus WHAT’S NEXT is a quarterly publication of Next Act Theatre was nearly blocking the tiny street, with Avis not 255 S. Water Street | Milwaukee, WI 53204 • 414-278-7780 www.nextact.org • email [email protected] far beyond. By that time, I had fully adapted to the Editors A.J. Magoon & David Cecsarini Layout Rose Delaney chaos around us and gently but firmly eased past 6 7 PO Box 394 Milwaukee, WI 53201

Box Office 414-278-0765 Administration 414-278-7780 255 S. Water St. • Milwaukee, WI 53204 www.nextact.org E-mail [email protected]

THE CHRISTIANS by Lucas Hnath A special video presentation

Twenty years ago, Pastor Paul’s church was a modest storefront. Now he presides over a congregation of thousands, with Sunday school classrooms, vestibule coffee shop and a swimming pool-sized baptismal font. Today’s mortgage burning should be a day to celebrate. But Paul is about to deliver a sermon that will shake the faith of his flock to the core. Will the rock on which they stand be cracked, or strengthened, by Paul’s powerful change of heart?

Directed by: Edward Morgan Featuring: David Cecsarini, Marti Gobel, Andrew Muwonge, Rick Richter & Emily Vitrano

Available for viewing November 23 – December 13, 2020 Single Tickets on sale through the Box Office (414) 278-0765 or online atnextact.org (NAT Subscribers will receive pre-arranged access.)

THE CHRISTIANS is generously co-sponsored by Angela Jacobi and The Einhorn Family Foundation