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Written by Harry Cherkinian, Contributing writer
Mar 24, 2011
The Skylight Opera Theatre’s 2011 - 12 season features two world premieres, one well-known musical never before presented in the Skylight’s 52 years (is that even possible?), two tributes to great singers of the past, a contemporary musical about a pointillist painter and “Things That Go Ding!” featuring the “Not Quite Ready for the Skylight Pit” Orchestra.
These are all first timers on the Skylight’s stages, and they’re all a part of Bill’s world – the world of veteran director and actor Bill Theisen, who at 50 is rolling out his first season since returning as the theater’s artistic director.
Theisen has been a great favorite in the theater community, professionally and personally. He’s been in great demand both as an actor and director, most recently directing the Florentine Opera’s very successful production of Rossini’s “The Italian Girl in Algiers.”
Last fall, Theisen played classic comic Oliver Hardy in the Rep’s production of “Laurel and Hardy.” Upcoming projects include “Elixir of Love” at the University of Iowa and “HMS Pinafore” at Opera Carolina.
But for the time being, he’s focused on the Skylight, though his return there has been fraught with obstacles, especially the elimination of his position as a way to cut costs. Eric Dillner, who was managing director at the Skylight for about a year, failed to anticipate the outpouring of anger from the community that greeted his 2009 budget decision (perhaps this is becoming a refrain for our times).
Artists publicly protested Dillner’s move, with many refusing to perform at the Skylight. The story received attention from local, national and even international media outlets. By the end of summer 2009, Dillner had resigned and Theisen was back in a half-time position, just in time to celebrate the theater’s 50th anniversary season.
“People care so much about the company and what it does,” Theisen says. “It was a little bit about me, more about the Skylight. It was a pretty humbling and overwhelming experience.”
Having not one but two world premieres in the upcoming season is quite a coup. “The Rivals,” the first of the world premieres, has a direct tie to Milwaukee. Composer Kirke Mechem so loved the production of his “Tartuffe” staged by Skylight during the 2006-07 season (with Theisen at the helm) that “he said that he had a new piece he was working on and would love to have it premiere at the Skylight,” Theisen says.
“The Rivals,” which is loosely based on the 18th-century comedy of manners by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, kicks off the season. “It’s hard to find a contemporary comic opera,” Theisen says, “but this is a great fit.”
The second world premiere is “Daddy Long Legs.” Theisen put it on the schedule after seeing a tryout of the play in Louisville, Ky., where he was doing “Hairspray.” He knew instantly it was a perfect fit for the Skylight.
Based on a novel by Jean Webster, “Daddy Long Legs” tells the story of a wealthy patron who chooses a boy from an orphanage each year to sponsor. One year he sees the potential in an 18-year-old girl, and he becomes her mentor. The story is set to music and told in a series of letters between the two. The book is by John Caird, internationally known for his work as a director.
Skylight is presenting “Daddy Long Legs” in conjunction with a number of other theater companies and producers. It will feature the original actors, director and production team, but Skylight will hire local musicians.
The first time Skylight did this type of production was during the 2003-04 season, again under Theisen’s tenure, when he presented “The Little Prince,” which first commissioned and performed at the Houston Grand Opera before coming to Milwaukee.
“We’re so rare in what we do,” Theisen says. “The upcoming season is a fascinating mix of shows. And I’m thrilled and inspired to do it and have people grow with us and try something new.”
For more information about the Skylight Opera Theatre and its upcoming season, call 414-291-7800 or visit www.skylightopera.com.
