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Artistic Director Michael Unger Reflects On 'Magical' New Home At Skylight Music Theatre

www.ungerdirect.com
Michael Unger became Skylight Music Theatre's artistic director in September.

Skylight Music Theatre's new artistic director is Michael Unger. The New York City theater and opera director has worked on stages from Los Angeles to Russia, yet he sees something unique in the Skylight. 

"I don't know if I've ever seen a more beautiful theater. When you walk in, it feels very magical," says Unger, who attended Skylight's production of Kiss Me, Kate during the interview process. "To be that close to the stage you feel an actor's presence in a different way in that kind of house."

The Chicago native was previously the associate artistic director and director of education at Off-Broadway’s The York Theatre Company. He was also the producing artistic director of NewArts in Newtown, Conn., which he started with a local father in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

Skylight's former Artistic Director Ray Jivoff planned the current season before he retired. That means Unger will spend his first year immersing himself in Milwaukee and local talent. 

"The fact the Skylight has a 60-year history of doing music theater — not musical theater but from opera to operetta to oratorio to concert to musical theater — that’s a unique place. I don’t think there are many theaters in the country that do that sort of thing," Unger says.

Tickets and information forSkylight Music Theatre's 2019-20 season are here

Bonnie North
Bonnie joined WUWM in March 2006 as the Arts Producer of the locally produced weekday magazine program Lake Effect.
Trapper Schoepp
Trapper Schoepp became Lake Effect's assistant producer in August 2019.