Next Act Theatre — Attraction in Milwaukee

Although I thought the play Circle Mirror Transformation was done poorly, I loved the theater. Intimate, the audience on three sides, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Acoustics are good and the lighting excellent.

As for Circle, the casting was ludicrous, especially the younger women who didn't fit their roles at all. Their performances were less than high school level. They played into over-acting, exaggerating every facial expression and movement. It was embarrassing. This play’s staging is all about mirror placement. The audience should be able to see the reactive expressions of the actors from different angles. This director placed one mirror at the back of the stage, barely reflecting the audience. What the heck was that? It served no purpose.

I understand the Next Act Theater has a low budget, but hire actors who look the part of the characters they play. There are hundreds of wonderful theatrical artists in the Milwaukee area who would give anything for one of these parts. There is no excuse.

All that being said, the Next Act Theater is still a fantastic venue to see a production, most are much better than this version of Circle Mirror Transformation, an Obie award...

this comment is really about the play 'pipeline' which i saw as an usher on thursday 2/10. i hope many people see this play, i hope that it is well advertised in the african american community. the acting is outstanding especially that of kristin ellis(nya) and ibraheem farmer(omari). ellis is good from the start, believable, genuine and heartfelt. i think farmer had to warm up and got better and better. unfortunately, tami workentin over played her part as the only white cast member teaching in a primarily black school. this is more the directors problem than workentin whom i've seen in a number of plays and she is an outstanding actor. at times, the playwright seems heavy handed but on the whole 'pipeline' is one story of one family's crisis. although, i also think the playwright wanted to express, and does, a universality about black teens in a hostile world. we need to hear these words of a black mother who worries about her black son just living his life. thank you next...

I visited Next Act Theatre for the first time and was very impressed. You might not see a lot of fluff and glitz like some other theatres, BUT this place has everything that you need to have a wonderful experience. There is a comfortable area to hang out before the doors open, you can stop at Charles' Place for a beverage, bathrooms are clean and easy to get to and parking is very easy and close by - and free! The theatre itself is very versatile and you won't find a bad seat. It is an intimate setting that really brings you close to the performance. I was fortunate to RIP - A Musical Comedy of Life & Death at Next Act and was thrilled with the whole experience. The RIP team made it so every section could see what was happening and I don't think anyone missed out. You won't be disappointed with the venue if you are able to take in a show at this...