Wisconsin Dance Theatre (WDT), the state’s professional nonprofit dance company, is bringing back its original patriotic ballet A Hero’s Homecoming for an expanded 2026 statewide tour. After a debut season that clearly struck a nerve with audiences and veterans alike, the Hartland-based company is taking the production to three Wisconsin communities this July: Elkhorn, Wales/Kettle Moraine, and — for the first time — Manitowoc.

Set at the close of World War II and inspired by the real experiences of returning American service members and their families, A Hero’s Homecoming pairs professional ballet with theatrical storytelling and a soundtrack built from the beloved standards of the 1940s. Think swing, big band, and the kind of sentimental wartime ballads that defined a generation. If you want a taste of the era that colors the production, cue up the Andrews Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dhHBLh2gYI

This year’s tour is intentionally timed around Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the 250th anniversary of the United States — a heavy trio of milestones that gives the production even more weight. New for 2026, audiences will also catch live music during intermission, performed by local Wisconsin musicians, deepening the show’s ties to both the community and the era it celebrates.

“This production is ultimately about community, remembrance, and human connection,” said Samuel Huberty, Artistic Director of Wisconsin Dance Theatre. “We wanted to create something that honors the sacrifices of past generations while also bringing people together through live performance, music, and storytelling.”

The 2026 cast features 12 professional dancers from across the country, including several returning artists and new company members. Wisconsin natives Ahna Lipchik, Lily Edgar, Caden Pierce, Jordan Curtin, Samuel Huberty, and Joseph Huberty are all coming home for the run. The company is also celebrating the continued momentum of Wisconsin Dance Theatre Conservatory alumni: Caden Pierce joins as a first-year company member after wrapping his first professional season with South Carolina Ballet, and Sadie Curtiss will perform as an apprentice with WDT before beginning her fall contract with Ballet Theatre of Maryland. Student dancers from the WDT Conservatory and local studios throughout Wisconsin round out the cast, sharing the stage with working professionals.

The Manitowoc stop is especially notable. Through a partnership with the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, a portion of ticket proceeds from that performance will support the museum’s efforts to dry dock and preserve the historic WWII submarine, USS Cobia — a fitting nod to the show’s subject matter.

Performance Schedule:

Elkhorn Area High School — Elkhorn, WI
Friday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Kettle Moraine High School — Wales, WI
Friday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Wisconsin Maritime Museum — Manitowoc, WI
Friday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 26 at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets for all performances are available now at http://www.wisconsindancetheatre.com. Veterans receive 40% off, groups of 10 or more receive 10% off, and WDT has partnered with Vet Tix to provide donated tickets to veterans and military families. Grab your seats, bring a family member who’d appreciate the tribute, and settle in for a night that trades stadium spectacle for something quieter, sharper, and a lot more human.