CELEBRATING ALL VOICES
First Stage's Amplify Festival invites artists and audiences from all different backgrounds to share with our community in the creation of new work, fostering a place of creation where all voices are heard and the work developed is an authentic reflection of our community. Following each reading, there is a talkback where audience members are encouraged to engage in dialogue with the playwrights, helping shape the development of potential future productions at First Stage.
FROM PAGE TO STAGE!
Originally part of the Amplify series, EMILY SONG AND THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT and ESPERANZA RISING can be seen at the Todd Wehr Theater during the 2024–2025 Season!
EMILY SONG AND THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT
Book, Lyrics, Music, and Orchestrations by Marcus Yi
EMILY SONG AND THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT was part of the 2023 Amplify series and we are thrilled to be bringing that story to the stage this winter! We hope you will join us between January 31 and February 16, 2025 to see this incredible work brought to life.
ESPERANZA RISING
Adaptation by Alvaro Saar Rios
Original Music by Dinorah Marquez
From the book by Pam Muñoz Ryan
ESPERANZA RISING was originally commissioned by First Stage, Jeff Frank, Artistic Director and was part of the 2023 Amplify series and we are thrilled to be bringing that story to the stage this spring! From May 2 – May 18, 2025 join us to see Esperanza triumph over adversity.
2024 AMPLIFY FALL FESTIVAL
LILLY AND THE PIRATES THE MUSICAL
A new musical by
John Maclay, Brett Ryback, and Will Eno
Based on the book LILLY AND THE PIRATES
By Phyllis Root © 2010 All Rights Reserved
A sighting of the rare
frangipani fruit fly sends Lilly's
scientist parents off in search of thefabled
Shipwreck Islands. In this Smithsonian's Notable Book for Children, Lilly awaits their
return at the home
of her great-uncle Ernest, the chief
librarian of Mundelaine, a town that seems to have more than its share of piratical-looking characters lurking about. When news comes that her parents' ship has wrecked, she must overcome her
fear of the sea,
find the hidden
island, and outsmart
a bunch of treasure-hungry pirates to
save the day.
THE PIGEON AND PALS BIG TIME HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!
Mo Willems, Co-Writer/Creator
Deborah Wicks LaPuma, Composer
Adam Tobin, Co-Writer
Megan Alrutz, Dramaturg
Inspired by his book DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH, Mo Willems and his team are crafting a new musical holiday classic featuring Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie, and Unlimited Squirrels! When Zoomy Squirrel shares their dream of hosting a holiday party, all the Squirrels spring into action to make it the biggest, bestest holiday party ever. A joyful chaos ensues as the Squirrels get carried away, Elephant and Piggie start to feel anxious about their gift-giving, and Pigeon gets more than he planned for at the North Pole. Will Mo Willems’ friends all find the holiday cheer they are hoping for? Join the party this holiday season and discover the magic with them!
COURAGE HOUSE
Music by Sheridan Stevens
Lyrics by Michael Liebhauser
Book by Patrick Swailes Caldwell, Michael Liebhauser, and Sheridan Stevens
Concept by Elyse Edelman
Inspired by the interviews conducted by Elyse Edelman and Michael Liebhauser
COURAGE HOUSE: A NEW
MUSICAL draws from five years of interviews and experiences at Milwaukee’s Courage House, a sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ youth facing homelessness. Set over one transformative—and often
hilarious—week at the group home, the musical follows Ajax, the longest-standing resident, Wren, a fresh face at the house, and others as they navigate self-discovery and the formation
of chosen family.
Recommended for families with young people ages 11+ and theater lovers of all ages.
Special Thanks to Brad, Nick Schlaikowski, and the Courage Milwaukee family—the staff, board members, volunteers, social workers, supporters, teachers, and residents (past and present)—who have welcomed us into their space and allowed us to spend time with them at the house over the years.