When Artistic Director Cody Estle picked dramas about undocumented immigrants and politically polarized Wisconsinites for Next Act Theatre’s forthcoming season, he thought they’d serve as looks back at recent challenging times.
But then came the 2024 presidential election and the day-one priorities of the new chief executive. Now those shows may have a ripped-from-the-headlines feel.
“I hate to say it, but … the plays are now more relevant than ever,” Estle said of Martyna Majok’s “Sanctuary City,” a drama about undocumented teenage immigrants, and Rebecca Gilman’s “Swing State,” a story about politically polarized neighbors set in Wisconsin’s Driftless region.
In a bonus for Wisconsin theater fans, Next Act also will perform a play written by one of the founders of Renaissance Theaterworks, the women-led company that also performs in Next Act’s theater at 255 S. Water St.
Here’s a capsule look at the 2025-’26 lineup, which features four plays by living playwrights:
“Sanctuary City,” Sept. 10-Oct. 5. In Majok’s drama, set circa 2001, two teenagers who are undocumented immigrants come to rely on each other, because there is almost no one else they can rely on. Their paths — and fates — diverge in dramatic ways that make their future connections complicated. There are a few time-specific elements to their stories. But everyone seeing this play will understand the perils of life under the imminent threat of deportation. Majok’s other plays include the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Cost of Living”; Renaissance Theaterworks staged a compelling production of that play here in 2023.
“Boswell,” Nov. 19-Dec. 14. His “Life of Samuel Johnson” has made James Boswell about as legendary as a biographer can be — and that’s before considering his own wild life. Wisconsin playwright Marie Kohler’s dramedy mixes up a 1950s American grad student with JB himself for a life-altering adventure. Published in 2024 by Dramatic Publishing, “Boswell” has been developed and adapted from her earlier play “Boswell’s Dreams,” which Renaissance Theaterworks, the company Kohler co-founded, produced in 2005. Estle said he met Kohler before moving to Milwaukee, while he was still artistic director of Chicago’s Raven Theatre. He credits their mutual friend, sound designer and composer Joshua Schmidt, with suggesting he apply for the Next Act position. Incidentally, Kohler is directing Next Act’s imminent production this season of “The Children” (Feb. 12-March 9).
Next Act Theatre will perform Marie Kohle’s “Boswell” in November and December of 2025.
“Swing State,” Feb. 11-March 8, 2026. Estle will direct Gilman’s drama, a play he’s been aching to stage for some time. An Alabama native and then a longtime Chicagoan, the playwright moved to Wisconsin’s Green County a few years ago. The isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic is in the background of “Swing State,” set in 2021. But its story of a widow, her younger neighbor and local law enforcement is primarily about the hostile ways neighbors treat each other these polarized days.
“Dinner With the Duchess,” April 22-May 17, 2026. In Canadian playwright Nick Green’s drama, a recently retired classical violin star gives her “final” interview to a combative journalist, leading to some fierce consideration of art and the person behind it, and of what a woman must do in a competitive field historically dominated by men. Estle said the play was suggested to him by Laura Gordon, who is scheduled to play the title role.
Next Act also will tweak its performance schedule next season, discontinuing several 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening performances. Wednesday evening performances will be staged only in the first two weeks of each show’s run.
All performances are at 255 S. Water St. For subscription and ticket info, visit nextact.org or call (414) 278-0765.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Drama about immigrants makes Next Act Theatre’s next season timely
