“Amadeus” MILWAUKEE reviewed by Amy Menzel

**** Skylight prides itself as “Milwaukee’s Home for Music Theatre,” so their decision to stage the play Amadeus is a bit unorthodox. Artistic Director, Michael Unger, acknowledges this. “Amadeus is only the second play in Skylight’s history. But being a beautifully crafted work of historical fiction about competing composers…it belongs here.” He explains that the play has been given the “‘Skylight Treatment,’ with far more music that the script customarily calls for, plus a live chamber ensemble.” It’s an ambitious undertaking.

Ambition is also at the heart of the story here – albeit explored with a sinister twist. Did Antonio Salieri, a talented musician tortured from being shadowed by the prolific work of his contemporary, kill Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Salieri, portrayed by the phenomenal Matt Daniels, tells the tale, in a narration that oozes with jealousy and spite.

Daniels can whip up an audience into rapt attention like few other actors (which explains the glowing reviews he’s received for his Ebeneezer Scrooge in The Milwaukee Rep’s A Christmas Carol for the past four years), so this role suits him, and vice versa. Zach Thomas Woods’ Mozart is his perfect foil: exuberant, playful, and altogether unaware of Salieri’s animosity. And the spirited and expressive Rachael Zientek rounds out the leading roles as Constanze Weber, Mozart’s wife, who clearly sees through the faults of Salieri, and lovingly looks beyond the faults of her partner. The cast of Amadeus is strong, and still notably elevated by these three leads. Karen Estrada allows each performer to shine in her Skylight directorial debut.

Amadeus is also a visually stunning production. The entire artistic design team deserves applause: Jonathan Berg-Einhorn (Scenic Designer), Kristina Sneshkoff (Costume Designer), Noele Stollmack (Lighting Designer). The opulence of the era bursts from the stage, and the gilded Cabot Theatre is the perfect setting for it all.

It feels like a rich experience, deepened by the addition of the live chamber ensemble, led by Musical Director Janna Vinson. I get the “Skylight Treatment,” and I like it. The creative vision comes to fruition in Amadeus.

I – like many others, I presume – am grateful that, despite the frigid temperatures, Skylight decided that the show must go on. Opening night was full of energy, a successful start to this three-week run.

★★★★

Amadeus runs now through February 8 at Skylight Music Theatre located at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. Tickets start at $43 and can be purchased online at skylightmusictheatre.org.

Amadeus is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, plus a 15 minute intermission.

Fridays – 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays – 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. matinee Saturday, January 31)
Sundays – 2 p.m.
Wednesdays – 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. matinee Wednesday, January 28)
Thursday, February 5 – 7:30 p.m.

Special Events

Pride Night: Saturday, January 24 – 7:30 p.m.

Veterans’ Night: Friday, January 30 – 7:30 p.m.

Skylight Insights: In-depth discussions with Artistic Director, Michael Unger and special guests take place one hour before all Wednesday and Sunday performances.

ASL Performance: Amadeus will be interpreted in American Sign Language on Friday, February 6, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets for this performance,  tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org or call Skylight Music Theatre’s Box Office at (414) 291-7800. Mention ASL performance for seating in the appropriate section.

I highly encourage patrons to take advantage of the insight collected and shared by Skylight on their website (skylightmusictheatre.org) to make the most of their trip to Milwaukee’s Third Ward.