There’s something quietly radical about a ballet that trades tulle-and-tiara fantasy for GI duffel bags and the ache of a front porch reunion. Wisconsin Dance Theatre is betting Wisconsin audiences are ready for exactly that, and honestly, they’re right.

The Hartland-based nonprofit company is bringing back “A Hero’s Homecoming,” an original patriotic ballet set in post-World War II America, for a three-city run this July. Blending professional dance, cinematic storytelling, and a live jazz score built on beloved 1940s standards, the production leans into the emotional heavy lifting of what it actually means to come home — the celebration, the sacrifice, and everything unspoken in between.

If you want to get in the mood before curtain, cue up the era’s soundtrack — Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters, and the swing-era catalog that scores the show. Spin the classics here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX4wta20PHgwo

The cast is stacked with 10 professional dancers pulled from companies across the country, including a handful of Wisconsin natives coming back to perform on home soil. Artistic Director Samuel Huberty (formerly of Jerusalem Ballet and South Carolina Ballet) leads the lineup alongside Conservatory Director Jordan Curtin, with featured artists Ahna Lipchik (Grand Rapids Ballet), Joseph Huberty (First State Ballet Theatre), Caden Pierce (South Carolina Ballet), and Sadie Curtiss (incoming to Ballet Theatre of Maryland). Guest artists and student performers from the WDT Conservatory and local studios round things out — a nod to WDT’s mission of developing homegrown talent alongside seasoned pros.

What separates this production from your standard summer stage fare is how deep the community roots run. Through ongoing partnerships with veteran organizations and Vet Tix, WDT makes performances accessible to veterans and military families — and the response has been genuine. “The choreography, the music, the cast, the dancing, the theme, the vibe — all was amazing and great entertainment,” shared Michael, a U.S. Army veteran who attended last season through Vet Tix. Another veteran, Glenn, noted the show became a family gateway to the art form: “My family and I very much enjoyed the ballet. Because of this we will probably be going to more ballets.”

This year, WDT is also partnering with the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, where a portion of ticket sales will support preservation efforts for the USS Cobia, the museum’s historic WWII submarine. Fitting, given the source material.

“This production is about honoring stories that matter,” said Huberty. “We want audiences to leave feeling moved, connected, and reminded of the power of community and live performance.”

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 are on sale now at http://www.wisconsindancetheatre.com. Veterans receive 40% off, groups of 10 or more get 10% off, and donated veteran tickets remain available through Vet Tix. Whether you’re a lifelong ballet devotee or someone who’s never once considered buying a ticket to one, “A Hero’s Homecoming” is the kind of night out that hits harder than you’d expect — and lingers longer than you’d think.