A Note from Gail Becker: The Future of Capital City Theatre 

Andrew Abrams and I have been collaborators since I first arrived in Madison in 2009. We eventually co-founded Capital City Theatre in 2014, driven by a mission to bring a specific kind of professional magic to the Madison stage. We have spent the last twelve years building this dream side-by-side, and today, I am sharing some exciting news about the next chapter of our journey. 

Andrew Abrams, my close friend, co-founder and our Artistic Director, will be stepping down from his current position effective June 1, 2026. 

Andrew has decided to head across the pond to London, UK, to focus on his own writing and creative aspirations for an indefinite period. Receiving the UK Global Talent Visa is a monumental milestone, serving as a formal testament to his exceptional professional achievements and marking the start of an ambitious new chapter within the UK’s world-class innovation landscape. While he is moving physically, he isn’t leaving the CCT family entirely; I am thrilled to share that Andrew will remain involved as an External Artistic Advisor. His influence and brilliance, which gave us original premieres like It’s A Wonderful Life: A New Musical and Shining In Misery: A King-Size Parody, will continue to be a part of our DNA. 

As we look toward the next ten years of growth, my role at the theater is shifting, too. I’ll be moving from Managing Director to Executive Artistic Producer, a role where I’ll still handle the theater's business and operations, but with a new, hands-on focus on shaping the creative heart and quality of the stories we bring to our stage. 

For those who have known me throughout my 35 years in professional theatre, you know that I have worn nearly every hat possible: performer, director, music director, choreographer, stage manager, and producer. Taking on this expanded role allows me to integrate all those experiences together to lead CCT into its second decade. 

Andrew and I have passionately steered this ship together since the very beginning. While the view from the bridge will look a little different starting this summer, the destination remains the same: producing world-class musical theatre and nurturing the next generation of talent. 

I am so proud of what we’ve built since 2014, and I am even more excited for what is to come. Thank you for being part of our audience, our family, and our future. 

Warmly, 

Gail Becker  
Founder, Capital City Theatre