Music Theatre of Madison strives to challenge, educate and enrich by performing lesser known pieces that illustrate unique issues, ideas and subject matter. In addition, it strives to provide a quality professional outlet for artists, particularly those who are residents of Madison and the surrounding areas.
Click here to meet our staff
Meghan Randolph founded Music Theatre of Madison in September of 2005 in hopes of creating a theatre company that a) expanded professional theatre opportunities for the many talented artists in Madison, as well as worked towards continuing to establish Madison as a great place to live and work as an artist and b) to establish a unique musical theatre company that focused on a specific type of musical and aimed especially to not only entertain, but have an affect on audiences that lasted long after they left the theatre.
In July of 2006, Music Theatre of Madison premiered with a unique and innovative outdoor production of the classic rock musical Hair. Audiences experienced the Age of Aquarius as it happened in Madison. Upon entering the park they sat right on the grass and were transported into an era that changed the world forever. They were not outsiders or an audience, but rather a group of bystanders surrounded by the outlandish characters, soul stirring music, and shocking similarities between the sixties and the new millenium. As the sky darkened, so did the plot, ending the piece with a cast of thirteen discouraged hippies mourning their friend, now dead in Vietnam, and tearfully begging the audience to "Let the sun shine in" under the starlit sky.
HAIR, 2006
Photo by Steve Lagman
Following the success of Hair Music Theatre of Madison took a different turn and presented a concert version of the lesser known musical Violet, the story of a young woman with a disfiguring scar who believes that she can be healed by a televangelist. This began MTM's yearly effort to present musicals that are virtually unknown to Madison audiences, therefore broadening a local sense of musical theatre offerings while still staying true to the mission statement. Audiences were delighted by the uplifting story and beautiful music, and MTM hopes to have encouraged exploration of lesser known pieces, as there are so many thrilling compositions, old and new, in the musical theatre genre.
Click here to meet our staff
Meghan Randolph founded Music Theatre of Madison in September of 2005 in hopes of creating a theatre company that a) expanded professional theatre opportunities for the many talented artists in Madison, as well as worked towards continuing to establish Madison as a great place to live and work as an artist and b) to establish a unique musical theatre company that focused on a specific type of musical and aimed especially to not only entertain, but have an affect on audiences that lasted long after they left the theatre.
In July of 2006, Music Theatre of Madison premiered with a unique and innovative outdoor production of the classic rock musical Hair. Audiences experienced the Age of Aquarius as it happened in Madison. Upon entering the park they sat right on the grass and were transported into an era that changed the world forever. They were not outsiders or an audience, but rather a group of bystanders surrounded by the outlandish characters, soul stirring music, and shocking similarities between the sixties and the new millenium. As the sky darkened, so did the plot, ending the piece with a cast of thirteen discouraged hippies mourning their friend, now dead in Vietnam, and tearfully begging the audience to "Let the sun shine in" under the starlit sky.
HAIR, 2006
Photo by Steve Lagman
Following the success of Hair Music Theatre of Madison took a different turn and presented a concert version of the lesser known musical Violet, the story of a young woman with a disfiguring scar who believes that she can be healed by a televangelist. This began MTM's yearly effort to present musicals that are virtually unknown to Madison audiences, therefore broadening a local sense of musical theatre offerings while still staying true to the mission statement. Audiences were delighted by the uplifting story and beautiful music, and MTM hopes to have encouraged exploration of lesser known pieces, as there are so many thrilling compositions, old and new, in the musical theatre genre.
2007 brought a new and exciting year, as MTM focused on musicals that were based on true stories. The first was the family classic The Sound of Music, featuring opera singer Kitt Reuter-Foss our largest and most talented cast yet. After The Sound of Music came Assassins, Stephen Sondheim's daring and thought provoking piece about those who will go to the ultimate extreme to acheive the American Dream. MTM assembled an exceptional cast of actors (Deemed "extraordinary" by Jay Rath of the Wisconsin State Journal) and was named in the Capital Times' "Best Bets" for the weekend of August 9-11, 2007.
In 2008 the theatre changed its focus to lesser known and rarely performed musicals, producing the touching john& jen, the simple story of complicated issues within families,which the Isthmus called "a great production" and 77 Square commended for its "exceptional performers", and tick...Tick...BOOM!, the autobiographical show by the composer of Rent. In 2009 the theatre presented the Wisconsin premiere of Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story with the assistance of the show's award winning composer, Stephen Dolginoff. Closing out 2009 was Floyd Collins, which was performed for children from three school districts. Roger Brucker, an expert on the true story of Floyd Collins, saw the original production off-Broadway and about ten others nationwide. He called MTM's "one of the top two or three".
Now entering its fifth season, MTM continues to compensate its artists and offer opportunities to professionals and professionals in training in the Madison area and beyond. The new season schedule begins each December with a concert (most recently the audience favorite Miscast) and continues in May with Music Theatre Idol. Both of these events raise money for organization and for the First United Methodist Church food pantry.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jordan Peterson: Enterprise Network Specialist, State of Wisconsin
Christopher Powers: General Music Specialisy, Madison Metropolitan School District
Ginny Powers: Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin
Meghan Randolph: Music Theatre of Madison founder and Executive Director.
Tracey Wood: Defense attorney and partner, Van Wagner and Wood Criminal Defense Attorneys.