Comedy! Songs! Entertainment! Step right up as Heidi Armbruster chronicles the rise and fall of the Ringling Brothers: five boys from Baraboo, Wisconsin. The story of their circus—the greatest show on Earth—is bookended by the brothers’ scrappy beginnings and difficult ends. THE BOYS FROM BARABOO tells the uniquely American story of a death-defying entertainment empire: music, storytelling, grit and charm create a tale that’s equal parts vaudeville revue and prestige drama.
Single tickets for Next Act Theatre’s 2026-27 season will go on sale Monday, July 13, 2026.
Enjoy Next Act Theatre’s full 2026-27 season for less! Buy Fixed Subscriptions to all four shows or Flex Passes for four flexible admissions to the shows of your choosing. Associate Sponsors Bob Balderson and The Holman FamilyCo-Sponsors John McGivern, Susan and Howard Schoenfeld and Margaret Dethloff and Teri Zeh
THE BOYS FROM BARABOO is part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals running throughout 2026. To learn more visit www.worldpremierewisconsin.com.
Cast
Featuring
Brian Mani as John Ringling
Laura Gordon as Charles/Edith/Heidi
Kat Wodtke as Alf T./Mable
Karen Estrada as Otto/Ina
Molly Rhode as Al/Ida
Sarah Zapiain as Younger John/Frankie/Julie
Creative Team
Cody Estle, Director
Alissa Rhode, Music Director
Caroline Norton, Assistant Director
Jeffrey D. Kmiec, Scenic Designer
Noele Stollmack, Lighting Designer
Izumi Inaba, Costume Designer
Josh Schmidt, Sound Designer
Jim Guy, Props Designer
Deanie Vallone, Dramaturg
Nat Goeller, Stage Manager
Beck Trumbull, Assistant Stage Manager