welcome to the bay view lounge & alchemist theatre

 
The Alchemist Theatre
is nothing without the amazing groups that work out of the venue:

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAST ALCHEMIST PRODUCTIONS

2008-2009
In its first year The Alchemist Theatre proved that small venue theatre can be just as exciting and vibrant as "professional" shows that the big guys struggle to produce.
Smaller "black box style" productions at The Alchemist Theatre typically range in price from $5 to $10 with our more elaborate, full-scale productions modestly priced at $15.
The Alchemist has been lucky enough to have a wide range of talented artists supporting the venue.  Most of Milwaukee's funniest comedians have performed on the stage and cycle through groups such as The Gentlemen's Hour, Broadminded, Meanwhile At..., and shows such as Sketch 22.
Many of Milwaukees up-and-coming, young, dramatic and experimental artists have also strengthened the foundation of this small, yet immediately prominent artistic venue.

♦The Alchemist Theatre's debut year was met with not only many sold-out shows, but several completely sold-out productions with both critical and popular acclaim.

♦The Alchemist outlasted the publication MKE which named us as one of the "8 things to watch in '08."

♦The Alchemist was listed as having the third most comfortable theatre seats in all of Milwaukee by the Shepherd Express.

♦The Alchemist owners were voted by Shepherd Express readers as "local entrepreneur of the year"  AND you crazy kids voted the theatre as runner-up winner of "best local landmark" just after The Oriental Theatre and the ART MUSEUM! 

Speaking of art, the lounge side of the venue features a rotating selection of work from some of Milwaukee's most exciting painters, sculptors and photographers.

In 2008 The Alchemist also offered support to local charities and hosted successful fundraising events for groups such as AIDS WALK WISCONSIN.

One of the main goals of The Alchemist is to create a venue where audiences can come and enjoy themselves without being hit too hard in the pocket book.   The Alchemist also set its sights on becoming a venue where artists are paid for their efforts.  Granted, nobody is getting rich from performing on The Alchemist stage, but the majority of productions end with each actor walking away with a sense of accomplishment and between $50 and $200.
The Alchemist continues to be a venue that doesn't beg for money or seek out tax dollars for supplemental support.   Obviously, this all presents a problem with very affordable ticket prices, the desire to pay artists AND the desire to be a self-supporting artistic venue...

A reasonable answer seemed to be to model small theatre after some of the basics already established by the multiple music venues in the city:  attach a bar.

The Bay View Lounge supports The Alchemist Theatre.
We'll never beg for money or funding over and above ticket prices, but please remember that without sales of reasonably priced snacks, beverages and specialty drinks in the Bay View Lounge, the theatre would simply not exist.
The Bay View Lounge is open Tuesday through Sundays, 4:30 until Midnight (unless you're here and enjoying yourself, then we'll gladly hang out and serve you until bar time!)
In 2008, the Bay View Lounge began as a wine and beer venue.  Through popular public support from he community and a thumbs-up from Alderman Zielinski, the Bay View Lounge acquired licenses to serve mixed and specialty drinks, further securing its ability to support theatre and artists.

2009-2010
2009 is already turning out to be an exciting year for The Alchemist Theatre, its resident artists and the ever-increasing audience base.
This year The Alchemist launches several classic theatrical pieces as well as several original works of the type that the venue has become known for.
Alchemist Productions will present 5 "full blown productions" priced at $15 and a handful of quality "black box style" shows priced between $5 and $10.

While The Alchemist's first season was formed simply on a "first come, first serve" system of rental shows and "where can we fit this in" type planning, the second season has been given a bit of design and forethought.

The first portion of the season is meant to be mostly serious drama with the focus sternly on the text and acting.   Plays by Edward Albee and David Mamet highlight this portion of the year.
The dark, dramatic comedy  "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf,"  "Sexual Perversity In Chicago," and a few other not-yet-announced surprises form the first half of The Alchemist Season.
Having built an audience that is approximately 60% non-typical theatre patrons, we wanted to present these "theatre standards" in an exciting and new way to audiences who may not typically take the time to see shows of this type.  

"Virginia Woolf" will be produced on an elaborate set with great talent.  As always, The Alchemist will set the mood in the theatre and lounge to suit the show... and the setting for this show will whisper with brandy breath,  "have a Manhattan, sit back and enjoy!"

"Sexual Perversity" will be produced on a deceptively simple stage that incorporates video and high-style to frame the fast-paced Mamet dialogue and biting humor of this producion.

The second half of the 2009 season is designed to be pure fun.  Maybe too much for anyone to handle... but you should try.
Highlights include "Invader? I hardly Know Her!"  (a sci-fi musical comedy),  "Dracula: The Undead" (a very dark, stylish and sexy new version of Dracula), and "Rudolph: The Pissed-Off Reindeer"  (The return of Patrick Schmitz's holiday ultra-smash-comedy hit!)

"Invader? I Hardly Know Her!"  is a wild, science-fiction, spy-thriller, romantic, musical comedy!  (whew!)   This first full-length script by local comedy favorite, Jason Powell is certain to be a sold-out production.  Tickets are available NOW... buy early!  Seriously!
Featured in this production will be a fantastical sci-fi set with special effects AND the greatest theatre prop ever dreamt up by modern man... or was it sent from the future??   Yep... ROBOT AU2569 will make his debut performance on The Alchemist Stage!!  This possible cousin of "Forbbiden Planet's" ROBBY THE ROBOT is sure to win the hearts and imaginations of theatre patrons!   
(oh... and the music, script and actors are pretty good too.)

"Dracula:  The Undead"  is unlike any Dracula story you've seen before.
Join a band of gypsies deep in the heart of the Transylvanian forest as they ritualistically re-tell the story of Harker, Mina, Lucy and, of course, the creature that is named Dracula who still lives and breathes at the center of this demonic religion.


The Bay View Lounge will continue to evolve through this new year as well, with plans for a solid menu of exotic and tasty specialty drinks,  a swankier appearance and possibly the addition of outdoor seating.

The Alchemist Theatre and Bay View Lounge THANKS ALL OF YOU for your interest, support and cooperation during the successful 2008 season and welcome you all to join us again for the even more exciting 2009!!