Junk @ Milwaukee Rep
Quadracci Powerhouse
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
THE MIDWEST PREMIERE DIRECT FROM BROADWAY
Milwaukee’s own Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar returns to The Rep with his epic new play, Junk.
Immediately following its acclaimed Broadway run at Lincoln Center and featuring one of the largest casts ever on the Quadracci Powerhouse stage, this riveting story is set in the financial world of the 1980s. Inspired by the real junk bond kings of the day, it’s a battleground of titanic egos, where magnates are pitted against workers, lawyers against journalists, and everyone against themselves. With Junk, debt is an asset, and we see from the inside how money became the only thing that mattered.
Video Preview: A Conversation with Junk Playwright, Ayer Akhtar (1:34)
Video Preview: Rep Artistic Director and Junk Director's Take on Junk (1:47)
Feature Article: Ayad Akhtar's 'Junk' depicts corporate takeover as mortal combat. Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Feature Article: Wall Street Raiders on The Rep's Stage: a conversation with playwright, Ayad Ahktar on 'Junk', John Schneider, Shepherd Express
Review: Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 'Junk' turns corporate takeover into a street fight. Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Run Time: Approximately two hours (no intermission)
Learn more by visiting the Junk website regarding the cast, video clips of cast performances, interviews & rehearsals, and all the latest news as opening day (January 15) draws near.
Junk will be staged in the large, yet intimate Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. For information including photos about this unique theater venue, click here.
Directions to the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater: From the Milwaukee Rep’s Wells Street entrance, walk straight ahead under the atrium dome. The Powerhouse Theater is located on the Mezzanine Level. Take the elevator or walk up the white marble stairway. From the Mezzanine Level elevator exit, walk around to the right into the Powerhouse Theater entrance.
The Quadracci Powerhouse Theater is handicapped accessible. There is handrail support on each row as you descend and ascend the aisle.
Rep-in-Depth: An optional, but highly recommended, lively and informative 30-minute pre-talk which starts 45 minutes before every performance in the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater and runs from 12:45 PM to 1:15 PM. It is free and you can drop in any time during the course of the talk.
Accessibility Policy. On the Badger Bus, you must be able to climb steps to board and exit the bus. If you need assistance, we require that you bring a friend to give you a hand.
Guest Policy. Members must register their guests. Each PLATO member is entitled to bring one non-member guest per bus trip. (Members may bring more than one guest near the registration Deadline Date if seats are available. Check with trip organizer.) Non-member guests pay an additional $15.00 registration fee. PLATO Membership is $60.00/year.
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Free Time for Lunch, Shopping & Exploring
LUNCH is on your own*
*Group Lunch Option is available to those who want to register, but may be hesitant...not knowing anyone and uncomfortable eating alone. The group option lunch addresses this concern and is a good way to make new theater trip friends. Just answer "Yes" to Group Lunch questions on the registration form and we will take care of the rest.
Group Lunch will be held in the Stackner Cabaret. We will be attending the Rep Speaker Luncheon. Speaker will be Deanie Vallone, Junk Dramaturg. She will discuss the playwright's updates from Junk on Broadway to its Milwaukee Rep production, as well as, historical basis and underpinnings of this production. $21. 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
11:00 AM - Arrives at Milwaukee Public Market
There are nine unique eateries contained within the Milwaukee Public Market.
There are also many nearby Third Ward restaurants from which to choose.
Historic Third Ward Official Restaurant List
Historic Third Ward Official Shopping List
11:15 AM - Arrives at Milwaukee Rep, Wells Street entrance
There are a number of restaurants within easy walking distance of the Milwaukee Rep located on both sides of the Milwaukee River and between the Milwaukee Public Market and the Milwaukee Rep.
A list of the Milwaukee Rep restaurant recommendations from past PLATO theater trip participants, including websites and map, will be provided.
Milwaukee Museum Independent Study Option
Select one of three museums to visit while others are attending the play
- Grohmann Museum
- Milwaukee Art Museum
- Milwaukee Public Museum
PLATO bus will drop you off and pick you up. Museum admission and lunch is on your own. Check with trip organizer for details.
Itinerary
Bear in mind that our boarding bus route is like Madison Metro or any other municipal bus service. Please arrive early at your boarding stop so you don’t miss the bus. When everyone is aboard and seated, we leave. Arrive early and we will all arrive in Milwaukee on time to begin our adventure.
– Don’t be late. We can wait just 5 minutes at any one location.
– Pack water bottles and snacks for sustenance on the trip.
Leave Madison
8:15 AM Bus arrives Oakwood University Woods for boarding
8:45 AM Bus departs Oakwood University Woods
9:05 AM Bus departs Capitol Lakes
9:20 AM Bus departs East Towne Sears for Milwaukee (or sooner if everyone is aboard)
In Milwaukee
11:00 AM Arrive Milwaukee Public Market and other nearby Third Ward restaurants
11:15 AM Arrive Milwaukee Rep Wells St. entrance for nearby downtown restaurants
12:25 PM Bus returns to Milwaukee Public Market for those who need a ride to the Rep-in-Depth pre-talk and would rather not walk the five blocks to the Milwaukee Rep. (See Walking Map)
12:45 PM Rep-in-Depth pre-talk begins
1:30 PM Junk performance begins
3:30 PM Junk performance ends and bus boarding begins. There will be adequate time for coat check retrieval and restroom use.
3:50 PM Depart for Madison (or sooner if everyone is aboard)
Arrive Madison (Estimated)
5:20 PM Bus returns to East Towne Sears
5:40 PM Bus returns to Capitol Lakes
6:05 PM Bus returns to Oakwood University Oaks
For further information, contact Junk theater trip organizer, Bob Blitzke, bblitzke@gmail.com or 608-271-7741.
