“The Lehman Trilogy” ( Milwaukee) reviewed by Amy Menzel

**** Add The Milwaukee Rep’s run of The Lehman Trilogy to the list of reasons you should make a short trip north in the next couple weeks. The show is playing at the newly, beautifully renovated Checota Powerhouse Theater, which, itself, is another reason to head to Milwaukee. It also means that the word “powerhouse” was likely top of mind when I took in the matinee performance on Sunday; still there really is no better word to describe the three-person cast of this tremendous production. Edward Gero, William Sturdivant, and Max Wolkowitz, collectively, are a powerhouse cast.

There’s plenty of praise to go around, however. I mean, we are talking about a Tony Award-winning play. The scenic design, lighting, and direction are all innovative and integral to bringing this true story to the stage. The saga sweeps from 1844 to 2008. While it starts with and centers around the three Lehman brothers, like all stories, this isn’t just about one family. The family story is merely a lens used to consider a broader, much more complex story.

“This is like a history lesson,” someone said as they settled in for the third act. “Yes,” I thought, “in the best possible way.” First, you have the powerhouse cast that, in addition to portraying three brothers, portray an approximated 50 other characters collectively. The pacing of the dialogue is as quick and crisp as the flow between characters is fluid. Add to that, incredible scenic design (Marsha Ginsberg) that includes mesmerizing projection and use of lighting design (Yi Zhao) that effectively bring expansive scope to the story. It’s like a history book come to life.

I did, in fact, learn a lot. I jotted down names, dates, and events. And I jotted down questions, too. Because, just like any history lesson and every history textbook, it’s all more complex and complicated than it may appear. Even a fantastic 3.5 hour show can’t tell the entire story.

But it can – and does – get you thinking. And the folks at the Milwaukee Rep support continued contemplation. One of the features I most appreciate about their renovation is the dedicated space for additional learning. Just off the main/orchestra lobby is an area for both visual and audiovisual displays that share more information about the content and context for the current theatrical production. It’s this teacher’s dream come true to be surrounded by folks who use such new knowledge as discussion points for talk before the show and during intermission (or, in the case of this production, intermissions – there are two).

So if you’re ready (maybe eager?) to learn and looking to be impressed by an ambitious and remarkable production, start making your plans now. The Lehman Trilogy runs now through February 8.

★★★★

The Lehman Trilogy runs 3 hours and 30 minutes with two intermissions.

Wednesdays – 7 p.m. (12:30 p.m. show on W, 1/21 and W, 2/7)
Thursdays – 7 p.m.
Fridays, 1/30 and 2/6 – 7 p.m.
Saturdays – 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sundays – 12:30 p.m. (7 p.m. show on Sun, 1/25)
Tuesday, January 27 – 6:30 p.m.

Special dates include:
Talkback: Tuesday, January 27 – 6:30 p.m. (also Early Bird Performance date)
Audio-Described Performance: Tuesday, January 27 – 6:30 p.m.
ASL Performance: Friday, January 30 – 7 p.m.
Open-Captioned Performances: W, 1/ 21 (12:30 p.m.), Thurs., 1/29 (7 p.m.), Sun., 2/8 (12:30 p.m.)

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at www.milwaukeerep.com , by calling the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490, or in-person at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee.

Editor note: I am familiar with this amazing play and tell you that it is worth the trip to Milwaukee even for the Chicagoans who are looking for great theater!