News / Media Updates

Madeline Caleis-King as Joan reading Boswell's journal with Josh Krause as Boswell in the background.

Next Act’s Adventurous Pathway to a Literary Past

Next Act’s Boswell takes the audience on parallel adventures dealing with companionship, prejudice and identity. And for someone who knew very little about Boswell going in … I felt that I had … “tunneled to a different world,” coming out on the other end with improved knowledge and perspective.

Read the Full Review

The cast of BOSWELL looking on at the first meeting of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson

Next Act Theatre presents Wisconsin premiere of Boswell

Actors Madeline Calais-King and Sarah Zapiain joined me at the CBS 58 studio on November 26 to talk about Next Act Theatre’s production BOSWELL, running November 19 – December 14, 2025.

Watch the Interview

**Bringing BOSWELL to Life**

Laura Gordon and I joined Sandy Maxx in the studio to talk about BOSWELL’s journey – from its earliest days as BOSWELL’S DREAMS, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, to its Off-Broadway run, and finally to its most recent production at Next Act Theatre.

Brian Mani as Samuel Johnson and Josh Krause as James Boswell having a drink.

‘Boswell’ Brings to Life a Scottish Biographer’s ‘Illicit’ Journal

Within the beloved library of her parents’ estate, a young Marie Kohler spent hours with her nose buried in special-edition copies of old books. And as the youngest of her siblings, she often entertained herself, particularly rummaging through the journals of Scottish biographer James Boswell.

Read the Milwaukee Magazine Article

Mark Your Calendars for The Upcoming Production of Boswell

Marie Kohler, Playwright for Boswell, and Laura Gordon, Director for the Next Act Theatre production BOSWELL, joined The Morning Blend to discuss the meaningful collaboration for the production of BOSWELL.

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GreenSheet article from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

**MARIE KOHLER PUTS THE BAWDY VOICE OF ‘BOSWELL’ ON STAGE ONCE AGAIN**

Though Marie Kohler is happily married to actor Brian Mani, there’s another man she’s been obsessed with for years. Decades, actually.

An Evening with Marie Kohler

It was a thrill to be part of this unique event sponsored by Next Act Theatre and Boswell Book Company. We munched on light hors d’oeuvres while I chatted about my plays, my inspiration and projects I have in the works. In addition, we heard a reading from Next Act Theatre’s Wisconsin-Premiere production of BOSWELL performed by Josh Krause and Brian Mani.

Milwaukee's Next Act Theatre presents: Boswell

Actors Madeline Calais-King and Brian Mani stopped by the FOX6 News Milwaukee studio on November 8 to talk about Next Act Theatre’s production BOSWELL, running November 19 – December 14, 2025.

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Maybe We’ll Fly Gets New Play Reading

I’m psyched to have a reading of MAYBE WE’LL FLY be part of Milwaukee Opera Theatre’s 2025–26 season! Collaborating with Jill Anna is a dream come true – as is continuing work with my great artistic colleagues, the amazing international composer Josh Schmidt and the Jeff-Award-winning director Elizabeth Margolius.

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The Arts Page with Sandy Maxx

In February 2025, I sat down with The Arts Page to explore my journey and deep love for theater. A huge thank you to Milwaukee PBS, Arts Page producer Adam Lilley and host Sandy Maxx. It was fun to share my story!

Watch Segment

Boswell show image with various silhouette figures

Boswell gets production at Next Act

I’m so excited to announce Next Act Theatre’s upcoming production of BOSWELL – the first offering of this new version of my play to Wisconsin audiences. Playing November 19 – December 14, 2025, the play will be directed by Laura Gordon.

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