Tom Strini

Recent Articles

Classical: Why I Love Present Music
Classical

Why I Love Present Music

Tom Strini reflects on Kevin Stalheim's final concert as Present Music's director.

Milwaukee Scribe: Goodbye and Good Luck
Milwaukee Scribe

Goodbye and Good Luck

After 31 years in Milwaukee arts journalism, the last four as senior editor at TCD, Tom Strini turns the page.

The Jazz is back in the Jazz Gallery

The Jazz is back in the Jazz Gallery

Jazz Visions and the Riverwest Artists Association have brought live music back to a classic Milwaukee venue.

Tony Bennett’s voice, unheard, looms over the Rep’s “I Left My Heart”

Tony Bennett’s voice, unheard, looms over the Rep’s “I Left My Heart”

At the Stackner Cabaret, three good tenors still searching for just the right tone in this Milwaukee Rep tribute to Tony Bennett.

Rep Opener: Homage to Tony Bennett
Rep Opener

Homage to Tony Bennett

In "I Left My Heart," three tenors give their takes on Tony Bennett's hits at the Stackner Cabaret, to open the Milwaukee Rep's 2013-14 season.

Guitar Extravaganza at the Wilson Center

Guitar Extravaganza at the Wilson Center

The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center presents classical, jazz, rock and finger-style concerts, competitions and clinics Thursday through Saturday.

Milwaukee Scribe: 7 things I’ve been meaning to tell you…
Milwaukee Scribe

7 things I’ve been meaning to tell you…

Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, the American Philatelic Society, the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Milwaukee Ballet have news to share.

Nomadic Limbs deserve your attention

Nomadic Limbs deserve your attention

Nomadic Limbs, a summer project organized by Thom Dancy, brings eight great dancers and five strong dances to Next Act Theatre.

NomadicLIMBS dance collective to flex this week

NomadicLIMBS dance collective to flex this week

Thom Dancy, formerly of Milwaukee Ballet II, reassembles his company for a second summer, with performances at Next Act Theatre this weekend.

Tattoo art history at the Milwaukee Art Museum

Tattoo art history at the Milwaukee Art Museum

The tattoo art of Amund Dietzel, the dean of 20th century Milwaukee needle men, gets serious curatorial attention at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Red 2: Aging Action Heroes, Having a Ball
Red 2

Aging Action Heroes, Having a Ball

Red 2 doesn't make an ounce of sense, but it's tons of fun.

Milwaukee Scribe: Journalism lesson and five more things
Milwaukee Scribe

Journalism lesson and five more things

"Rooftop Dances" revisited, Florentine's Weil Street Opera House, farewell Joe Aaron, Jason Seed Stringtet, a ballet retirement party, First Stage's Shakespeare.

Rooftop Dances ascend again

Rooftop Dances ascend again

Steven Moses and Jaimi Patterson stage new dances on the sixth floor of the Kenilworth Building. Opens 9 p.m. Thursday.

Fine Arts Quartet: Summer Evenings 3
Fine Arts Quartet

Summer Evenings 3

UWM's string quartet offers Chopin concerto reduced, here-and-gone Stravinsky, sublime Ravel.

Theatre Gigante presents Guy Klucevsek at Paddy’s Pub

Theatre Gigante presents Guy Klucevsek at Paddy’s Pub

Klucevsek, the thinking person's accordionist, played a brilliant concert of his own music -- at an East Side bar.

Guy Klucevsek, composer-accordionist, returns to Milwaukee

Guy Klucevsek, composer-accordionist, returns to Milwaukee

Theatre Gigante presents Klucevsek in concert at Paddy's Pub Thursday and Friday.

Fine Arts Quartet: Summer Evenings 2
Fine Arts Quartet

Summer Evenings 2

UWM's Sunday-night music series continues without a hitch, even with Schubert as a last-minute sub for Tchaikovsky.

UWM Dancing Beneath the Sun and the Moon

UWM Dancing Beneath the Sun and the Moon

UW-Milwaukee's Year of the Arts ends with beguiling site-specific works by Stephan Koplowitz, at the Water Tower and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

UWM Summerdances: Dancing outdoors with Stephan Koplowitz
UWM Summerdances

Dancing outdoors with Stephan Koplowitz

UWM's Year of the Arts grand finale puts 30 dancers at the the North Avenue Water Tower and amid the fountains outside the Milwaukee Art Museum.

American Players Theatre: Music by John Tanner
American Players Theatre

Music by John Tanner

Milwaukee composer's music sets the moods for "Molly Sweeney" and "Too Many Husbands" at APT in Spring Green.

Fine Arts Quartet’s Summer Evenings Opener

Fine Arts Quartet’s Summer Evenings Opener

Guest violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez and guest cellist Denis Brott fit right in with violinists Ralph Evans and Efim Boico and cellist Robert Cohen.

MSO: Music of “Mad Men” makes smart Pops
MSO

Music of “Mad Men” makes smart Pops

MSO Pops might have found a keeper in guest conductor Steve Reineke, a charmer who can deliver musically and knows how to design a marketable program.

PianoArts: A music festival weekend and a competition, too
PianoArts

A music festival weekend and a competition, too

PianoArts hosts its first competition for Wisconsin pianists aged 11-15, even as it puts on an array of concerts focusing on Vienna and Paris.

MSO: Mystical Elgar to end the classical season
MSO

Mystical Elgar to end the classical season

"Dream of Gerontius," Elgar's crowning achievement, is an article of faith for chorus, soloists and orchestra.

Present Music’s wild party of a season finale

Present Music’s wild party of a season finale

Present Music ends its season with a vibrant, raucous party of a chamber music concert at Turner Hall.

MSO, de Waart, and Brahms for the Ages

MSO, de Waart, and Brahms for the Ages

Edo de Waart and the MSO give riveting readings of Brahms' Symphonies Nos. 1 and 4.

Sean Friar among Present Music’s “Multitude”

Sean Friar among Present Music’s “Multitude”

Present Music ends its season with a multitude of pieces, including an electric guitar premiere by Sean Friar.

Skylight: “Porgy & Bess,” distilled at 150 proof
Skylight

“Porgy & Bess,” distilled at 150 proof

The Skylight Music Theatre's "Porgy and Bess" is gripping, intense in Bill Theisen's chamber version of the Gershwin opera.

Skylight: Bill Theisen, exiting with “Porgy and Bess”
Skylight

Bill Theisen, exiting with “Porgy and Bess”

Gershwin's great American opera crowns Theisen's ninth and final year as Skylight Music Theatre's artistic director.

Milwaukee Ballet: Power-Boating on “Swan Lake”
Milwaukee Ballet

Power-Boating on “Swan Lake”

Michael Pink's new version, though Classical in technique, moves the story along and showcases the company brilliantly.

Gullah culture, danced at UWM

Gullah culture, danced at UWM

Ferne Caulker, founder of Ko-Thi Dance Company, draws personal, artistic and academic connections to coastal Carolina African-American culture in the "Sweet Grass" show that opens Friday.

Milwaukee Ballet: Return of the Swans
Milwaukee Ballet

Return of the Swans

Michael Pink takes a second look at "Swan Lake" and makes it even more his own.

Frankly Music’s maestro conducts a concluding concert

Frankly Music’s maestro conducts a concluding concert

Frank Almond puts down his violin and picks up a baton for Frankly Music's season finale Monday at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

The Florentine’s “Marriage of Figaro”: Glorious, funny, poignant
The Florentine’s “Marriage of Figaro”

Glorious, funny, poignant

A brilliant cast and canny direction bring Mozart's score and da Ponte's libretto into full bloom.

Florentine Friends: Soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine, Mezzo Adriana Zabala
Florentine Friends

Soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine, Mezzo Adriana Zabala

Two lead singers in the Florentine's "Le Nozze di Figaro" go way back -- to Rome.

UWM Springdances: Meet Maria Gillespie
UWM Springdances

Meet Maria Gillespie

Gillespie, newly transplanted from Los Angeles, organizes her first Milwaukee show. "Springdances" runs Thursday through Saturday.

Skylight’s “Sing Me a Story”: High-effort cabaret
Skylight’s “Sing Me a Story”

High-effort cabaret

Kay Stiefel and Jack Forbes Wilson work hard -- sometimes too hard -- in their revue at the Skylight.

Brilliant young talent at the MSO this weekend

Brilliant young talent at the MSO this weekend

Violinist Augustin Hadelich and assistant conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong excel in Mozart and Richard Strauss.

Stiefel and Wilson “Sing Me a Story” at the Skylight

Stiefel and Wilson “Sing Me a Story” at the Skylight

Skylight Music Theatre presents singing duo Kay Stiefel and Jack Forbes Wilson in a revue at the Studio Theatre.

“Facade” an irresistible charmer

“Facade” an irresistible charmer

Danceworks, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra and Milwaukee Opera Theatre have a ball with some 1920s vintage British avant-gardiana from Edith Sitwell and William Walton.

Danceworks and Friends revive “Facade”

Danceworks and Friends revive “Facade”

Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra join Danceworks in Sitwell and Walton's 1920's avant-garde entertainment.

Breath of fresh air from Chamber Music Milwaukee

Breath of fresh air from Chamber Music Milwaukee

Woodwind and brass music bring UWM's chamber music series to a charming conclusion.

Milwaukee Scribe: Four things I’ve been meaning to tell you
Milwaukee Scribe

Four things I’ve been meaning to tell you

The Milwaukee Art Museum brings on curator Tanya Hall, Lee Ann Garrison on the late Cissie Peltz, "Eggs Benedict" update, the Pulitzer winner Ayad Akhtar.

Peter Thomas’ Beethoven Cello Cycle, Part 2

Peter Thomas’ Beethoven Cello Cycle, Part 2

Thomas and pianist Matthew Bergey take on a pair of Beethoven's more free-form cello sonatas.

The Milwaukee Choral Artists exit harmoniously

The Milwaukee Choral Artists exit harmoniously

Sharon Hanson and her remarkable women ended their 15-year run of glorious singing Saturday night.

Milwaukee Choral Artists sing their last songs

Milwaukee Choral Artists sing their last songs

Sharon Hansen, preparing to retire, leads the last concert of the professional women's choir she founded 15 years ago. Tonight in 'Tosa.

New Opera both elegant and rowdy at Present Music

New Opera both elegant and rowdy at Present Music

Kamran Ince's "Judgment of Midas" offers sonic delight and plenty of luscious melody; Miriam Seidel's witty libretto will make you smile through this ardent serenade to music.

Present Music: Kamran Ince, Pan, Apollo and Opera
Present Music

Kamran Ince, Pan, Apollo and Opera

"Judgment of Midas" began with an archaeological dig in Turkey, and premieres at UWM Friday.

Milwaukee Ballet: One company, three styles
Milwaukee Ballet

One company, three styles

Darrell Grand Moultrie's warm tribute to Sammy Davis Jr brings tap to the ballet for the first time; Amy Seiwert debuts, Tim O'Donnell gives us plenty to think about.

The Florentine’s 80th season, 2013-14, revealed

The Florentine’s 80th season, 2013-14, revealed

Florentine to stage Verdi and Puccini chestnuts and a Baroque gem by Handel in 2013-14.

Philomusica Quartet: Just right for Paert, Beethoven, Schubert
Philomusica Quartet

Just right for Paert, Beethoven, Schubert

The Philomusica's intelligent, sensitive and distinct approach to each piece of music has won it a large audience.

TCD’s New Look, New Name: Third Coast Daily
TCD’s New Look, New Name

Third Coast Daily

We're Third Coast Daily, now, and we've consolidated to a single landing page, but our passion for Milwaukee's arts and culture burns bright as ever.

MSO Pops takes on ’60s soft rock

MSO Pops takes on ’60s soft rock

The MSO Pops featured Billboard hits from the '60s, but the three guest singers and their arrangements didn't always sync up.

Unruly Music Opener: Percussion refined
Unruly Music Opener

Percussion refined

Percussionist Greg Beyer, pianist Mabel Kwan, cellist Chris Wild play Chenary Ung, others to open a new music weekend.

Milwaukee Symphony Pops’ 2013-14 Season

Milwaukee Symphony Pops’ 2013-14 Season

MSO Pops 2013-14: Doc, American standards, love songs, trumpeters -- and the Indigo Girls!

MSO: Spectacular Baroque Singing
MSO

Spectacular Baroque Singing

Milwaukee Symphony guest soprano Yulia Van Doren, countertenor Daniel Taylor, conductor Nicholas McGegan deliver brilliant Handel, Pergolesi.

MSO: Ilana Setapen and 20th-century moderns
MSO

Ilana Setapen and 20th-century moderns

The Milwaukee Symphony Ilana Setapen ignites Prokofiev's Violin No. 2, the orchestra thrives on Neo-Classic Stravinsky and in Berio's sonic wonderland.

Milwaukee Scribe: Bill Theisen, Frank Almond, Piano Arts, Prints
Milwaukee Scribe

Bill Theisen, Frank Almond, Piano Arts, Prints

MKE arts news: Theisen to Iowa, PianoArts winner returns, Almond & Wolfram's new CD, and print shows abound.

Milwaukee Opera Theatre: Guns N’ Rosenkavalier
Milwaukee Opera Theatre

Guns N’ Rosenkavalier

MOT -- the "O" is for Opera, but it could be for Outrageous, as electric guitar meets Schubert at Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

MSO: Bartok’s thrilling, surreal “Bluebeard”
MSO

Bartok’s thrilling, surreal “Bluebeard”

Milwaukee Symphony, Edo de Waart and singers Michelle DeYoung and John Tomlinson triumph in Bartok's opera; Chihuly glass works dazzle.

Skylight’s 2013-14: A new era begins
Skylight’s 2013-14

A new era begins

Skylight Music Theatre's Viswa Subbaraman's debut season as AD comprises seven shows new to the company.

Milwaukee Symphony: Bartok’s “Bluebeard” revisited
Milwaukee Symphony

Bartok’s “Bluebeard” revisited

"Bluebeard's Castle," with Dale Chihuly's massive glass sculptures, was the MSO hit of 2009. It's back.

Wild Space gets “Luscious”

Wild Space gets “Luscious”

Debra Loewen's Wild Space Dance company luxuriates in the sensual Thursday through Saturday.

Milwaukee Scribe: Hot news from UPAF, MAM, more
Milwaukee Scribe

Hot news from UPAF, MAM, more

UPAF goal; MAM, War Memorial strike deal; Present Music clears up "Midas" seating; young dancer's a winner; Cecsarini honored.

Florentine “Albert Herring” gets funny — eventually

Florentine “Albert Herring” gets funny — eventually

Florentine Opera's staging of Benjamin Britten's 1947 comedy takes a while to find its groove. The show runs through March 17.

MSO: Salerno-Sonnenberg, the intense violinist
MSO

Salerno-Sonnenberg, the intense violinist

Violinist Salerno-Sonnenberg's triumphant return; Higdon's enchanting "blue cathedral;" reinvigorated "New World" Symphony.

Milwaukee Ballet’s 2013-14 Season Announced

Milwaukee Ballet’s 2013-14 Season Announced

Milwaukee Ballet's dance card lists a new take on "Snow White" from Michael Pink.

Florentine Opera: Conductor Christopher Larkin returns to Vogel Hall
Florentine Opera

Conductor Christopher Larkin returns to Vogel Hall

Larkin, who presided over the Florentine's brilliant Baroque double bill in 2011, will conduct Britten's "Albert Herring." It opens Friday.

Milwaukee Scribe: 7 things I’ve been meaning to tell you
Milwaukee Scribe

7 things I’ve been meaning to tell you

The Pfister, Bel Canto, MYSO, Conservatory, Wis. Philharmonic, Lynden Garden and the Haggerty all have news.

MSO, UWM, Chicago Symphony team up for Dvorak

MSO, UWM, Chicago Symphony team up for Dvorak

"Beyond the Score" immerses you in Dvorak's "New World" Symphony. Thursday night only.

MSO: Rachmaninoff rules, Joyce Yang’s cool
MSO

Rachmaninoff rules, Joyce Yang’s cool

The MSO's Rachmaninoff cycle, with pianist Joyce Yang, continues with the Piano Concerto No. 1 and the remarkable "The Bells."

MSO: Rachmaninoff, channeled by pianist Joyce Yang
MSO

Rachmaninoff, channeled by pianist Joyce Yang

Joyce Yang's relationship with music? It's complicated.

Milwaukee Choral Artists honor composer Paula Foley Tillen

Milwaukee Choral Artists honor composer Paula Foley Tillen

The MCA and Tillen have made music together for 15 years. Friday, the choir will feature Tillen's music.

Frankly Music: A violin, a piano. That’s plenty.
Frankly Music

A violin, a piano. That’s plenty.

Frank Almond and William Wolfram team up for a CD preview party concert, with dazzling results.

Frankly Music: A violin, a CD project, a concert
Frankly Music

A violin, a CD project, a concert

Violinist Frank Almond and pianist William Wolfram will celebrate a CD launch, a long partnership and the Lipinski Stradivarius Monday night.

MSO Pops: The American Songbook, abridged
MSO Pops

The American Songbook, abridged

Conductor Sarah Hicks, singers Doug LaBreque and Ashley Brown perform well, but the program is all parts, no sum.

Present (Chamber) Music in morning light

Present (Chamber) Music in morning light

Present Music gives us new music at its most intimate.

Milwaukee Scribe: Seven things I’ve been meaning to tell you…
Milwaukee Scribe

Seven things I’ve been meaning to tell you…

MSO Pops & me; Florentine's Grammy; Hagen's Chicago "Amelia"; "Genesis"; help the jazz kids; Above the Clouds; mandolins!

Prometheus Trio: Sindbad goes post-modern
Prometheus Trio

Sindbad goes post-modern

Harold Meltzer + Donald Barthelme = wacky Arabian Night; plus, some glorious Brahms and solid Higdon.

MSO’s 2013-14 Classical Season: A little different
MSO’s 2013-14 Classical Season

A little different

Edo de Waart conducts nine programs in a season that gives a nod to the mid 20th century.

MSO: Exciting Russians we hadn’t heard
MSO

Exciting Russians we hadn’t heard

Guest conductor Ignat Solzhenitsyn leads an unusual Milwaukee Symphony program with great skill and conviction.

Milwaukee Ballet: Photo finish at the Genesis competition
Milwaukee Ballet

Photo finish at the Genesis competition

Lauren Edson, James Gregg and Gabrielle Lamb created striking dances at Milwaukee Ballet's Genesis contest. And the winner is...

MSO This Week: Russians and a trumpeter
MSO This Week

Russians and a trumpeter

Conductor-pianist Ignat Solzhenitsyn is the MSO's guest, and exec director Mark Niehaus dusts off his trumpet for Shostakovich.

Milwaukee Ballet: The competing choreographers
Milwaukee Ballet

The competing choreographers

Meet Lauren Edson, James Gregg and Gabrielle Lamb, finalists in the Milwaukee Ballet's biennial choreography contest.

TCD.tv: Mark Anderson makes theater out of nothing
TCD.tv

Mark Anderson makes theater out of nothing

Mark Anderson, of Theatre Gigante, in an excerpt from his brilliant monologue: "Me, You, Art and Trout." Video by Val Danculovich.

MSO: Beethoven. That’s All.
MSO

Beethoven. That’s All.

Edo de Waart, Milwaukee Symphony dazzle as they go deep into Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4 and two overtures. Through Sunday.

Danceworks’ “Serendipity,” happy by definition

Danceworks’ “Serendipity,” happy by definition

Just keep dancing. Good things might happen.

Milwaukee Ballet Genesis Competition: Video from the studio
Milwaukee Ballet Genesis Competition

Video from the studio

Three Milwaukee Ballet dancers comment on the company's bienniel competition. TCD videographers capture them in the studio as they create new dances.

Joelle Worm, Danceworks and Serendipity

Joelle Worm, Danceworks and Serendipity

Danceworks' newest member comes home to Milwaukee after years in NYC. Worm figures in the upcoming "Serendipity."

Philomusica: Burning strings at the Conservatory
Philomusica

Burning strings at the Conservatory

The Philomusica was brilliant Monday in quartets by Haydn, Glass and Beethoven.

MSO: Kalichstein/Mozart, Edo/Bruckner
MSO

Kalichstein/Mozart, Edo/Bruckner

The MSO and Edo de Waart triumph in a challenging Bruckner epic.

Skylight: Leslie Fitzwater as Edith Piaf
Skylight

Leslie Fitzwater as Edith Piaf

Fitzwater beats cancer and returns to the stage as the tragic, heroic French singing star.

Milwaukee Scribe: M$O contract details and three more things
Milwaukee Scribe

M$O contract details and three more things

MSO musicians' contract terms, Present Music's February venues, MacDowell Club winners, UWM Winterdances.

MSO: Lecce-Chong leads an eclectic program
MSO

Lecce-Chong leads an eclectic program

The young Milwaukee Symphony conductor excels in Sibelius' Symphony No. 5.

MSO: Itzhak Perlman, exceptional still
MSO

Itzhak Perlman, exceptional still

Itzhak Perlman made every note of Beethoven's Violin Concerto count with the Milwaukee Symphony and conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong. New: Backstage photo.

Frankly Music: Elegance and Passion
Frankly Music

Elegance and Passion

Violinist Frank Almond, cellist Tamas Varga and pianist Stephen Beus play from the heights of the classical tradition.

Beethoven Cello Sonata cycle begins

Beethoven Cello Sonata cycle begins

Cellist Peter Thomas and pianist Matthew Bergey's Sunday-night opener packs the Wisconsin Conservatory Recital Hall.

Frankly Music:Tamas Varga, Vienna Phil’s principal cellist
Frankly Music

Tamas Varga, Vienna Phil’s principal cellist

Frankly Music brings cellist Varga, violinist Frank Almond, pianist Stephan Beus together Monday and Tuesday.

Peter Thomas: MSO cellist, recitalist, bandmate
Peter Thomas

MSO cellist, recitalist, bandmate

MSO cellist Peter Thomas commences a complete Beethoven sonata cycle Sunday. Then he'll get out the electric cello to play with I Am Not a Pilot.

Milwaukee Scribe: Five things I’ve been meaning to tell you
Milwaukee Scribe

Five things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Edo de Waart leads CSO; Rogue Violins debut; Pfister arts; MARN news; Neumeier's Hamburg Ballet in Chicago.

TCD’s 2013 Countdown: Classical Music and Dance
TCD’s 2013 Countdown

Classical Music and Dance

Tom Strini looks ahead to big things happening in Milwaukee music and dance this spring.

MSO: Gershwin’s “Porgy” at the Pops
MSO

Gershwin’s “Porgy” at the Pops

Jeff Tyzik leads the MSO through "Porgy and Bess" and some unusual bits of Gershwiniana.

Strini New Year’s Eve 3: Musical Night on the Town
Strini New Year’s Eve 3

Musical Night on the Town

The Milwaukee Symphony and later, at Via on Downer, the Chris Hanson Band make New Year's Eve a blast.

Strini New Year’s Eve Part 2: Andreas Delfs, MSO
Strini New Year’s Eve Part 2

Andreas Delfs, MSO

Delfs, the orchestra's former music director conducts a Viennese New Year's Eve gala. But he's thinking beyond 2013.

Strini New Year’s Eve Part 1: Chris Hanson Band
Strini New Year’s Eve Part 1

Chris Hanson Band

The Chris Hanson Band celebrates its second year together on New Year's Eve at Via Downer.

Robin Pluer sings “Time Machine,” Eric Segnitz’s new holiday song

Robin Pluer sings “Time Machine,” Eric Segnitz’s new holiday song

The day after Christmas is perfect for a song about second chances and recapturing the past. TCD video by Breanne Brennan.

Your Mother Dances saucy and sweet at Christmas

Your Mother Dances saucy and sweet at Christmas

Elizabeth Johnson's company ranges from sexy cheerleaders to the most beautiful Nativity dance in this must-see dance concert.

Your Mother Dances says Merry Christmas

Your Mother Dances says Merry Christmas

Elizabeth Johnson returns from North Carolina to join her dance company in concert Thursday through Saturday.

Strini Scribe: Four things I’ve been meaning to tell you
Strini Scribe

Four things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Off the Wall's "Gigi," MSO musicians' contract, overheard at "The Nutcracker," arts personnel changes.

Milwaukee’s Holiday Shows: The full list of reviews
Milwaukee’s Holiday Shows

The full list of reviews

Messiah, Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Rudolph, Cudahy Caroler -- seen 'em all. Read TCD's reviews before you go.

MSO’s “Messiah” unto us is born in Hales Corners

MSO’s “Messiah” unto us is born in Hales Corners

Conductor James Judd brings engaging ideas to "Messiah," and orchestra, chorus and Florentine Opera soloists respond.

MSO “Messiah” Florentine soloists

MSO “Messiah” Florentine soloists

The Milwaukee Symphony will feature the Florentine Opera's resident quartet in "Messiah" hometown tour.

Milwaukee Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” an energized holiday tradition

Milwaukee Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” an energized holiday tradition

Milwaukee Ballet: A beautiful sight, we're dancing tonight, dancing in a ballet wonderland.

Piano Arts: Christopher Taylor’s holy, brainy Messiaen
Piano Arts

Christopher Taylor’s holy, brainy Messiaen

Christopher Taylor's shows total command of Messiaen's monumental "Vingt Regards sur L'Enfant Jesus."

Milwaukee Ballet: “Nutcracker” spotlight on Meindersee, Chen
Milwaukee Ballet

“Nutcracker” spotlight on Meindersee, Chen

The Milwaukee Ballet's "Nutcracker" gives Janel Meindersee and Mengjun Chen places in the sun. Or snow.

Piano Arts: Messiaen’s epic “Vingt Regards”
Piano Arts

Messiaen’s epic “Vingt Regards”

Christopher Taylor will play all 20 meditations -- over 2 hours' worth -- on the baby Jesus Friday evening.

The Prometheus Trio exposes, transcends, conceals

The Prometheus Trio exposes, transcends, conceals

Prometheus Trio, guest violist Matthew Michelic find the essence of Martinu, Faure and Haydn. Program repeats Tuesday.

Milwaukee Art Museum names new photo curator

Milwaukee Art Museum names new photo curator

Lisa Sutcliffe to arrive at MAM in January, from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

MSO: Doc’s Swingin’ Christmas Pops
MSO

Doc’s Swingin’ Christmas Pops

Doc Severinsen returns to preside over one of the MSO's best-ever Holiday Pops programs.

“West Side Story” flickers above the MSO

“West Side Story” flickers above the MSO

The Milwaukee Symphony's "West Side Story" is cool enough, but the rationale behind this production is hard to fathom.

This Week at the MSO: Tonight, to-niight… “West Side Story”
This Week at the MSO

Tonight, to-niight… “West Side Story”

The Milwaukee Symphony, led by Sarah Hicks, to Bernstein's score live with the 1961 classic "West Side Story" film.

Six things I’ve been meaning to tell you…

Six things I’ve been meaning to tell you…

Hansen/MCA; Winters/MWA; Lind/Florentine; Alex Ross; UWM King Lear; Met Auditions; Ex Fabula. Catching up.

Present Music’s happy Thanksgiving

Present Music’s happy Thanksgiving

Present Music illuminates St. John Cathedral with mesmerizing Ives and Timothy Andres' beautiful new "Comfort Food."

Early Music Now: Alba Consort (NEW)
Early Music Now

Alba Consort (NEW)

Early Music Now crowd ignores the flaws and flaws and loves the Alba Consort's medieval jams.

David Parsons, vibrant dance in Brookfield

David Parsons, vibrant dance in Brookfield

David Parsons Dance, one of the world's great companies, set the crowd to cheering Saturday at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center.

Present Music: Composer Timothy Andres
Present Music

Composer Timothy Andres

Timothy Andres cooks up "Comfort Food" for Present Music's Thanksgiving program.

Dawn Helsing Wolters to step down at the Rep

Dawn Helsing Wolters to step down at the Rep

Helsing Wolters, the Rep's executive director, will leave Milwaukee's theater company at the end of the current season.

Fine Arts Quartet: Intense Beethoven Opus 130
Fine Arts Quartet

Intense Beethoven Opus 130

The Fine Arts Quartet burns up Beethoven, lulls with Hermann, and plays Beach that makes you go "hmmm..."

MSO + Christoph Konig = thrills

MSO + Christoph Konig = thrills

Christoph Konig, guest conductor, clicks with the MSO in Schubert, Lutoslawski, Weber, Liszt.

MSO: Another brilliant young guest conductor
MSO

Another brilliant young guest conductor

Michael Francis leads us through painterly Hindemith, revelatory Franck; Todd Levy's intense in Weber's Clarinet Concerto.

At UWM, an immense Year of the Arts

At UWM, an immense Year of the Arts

UWM chancellor Mike Lovell, Peck School dean Scott Emmons on the year-long celebration of the School of the Arts' 50th.

Present Dance (and music too)

Present Dance (and music too)

Present Music turns over the stage to dancers from the Milwaukee Ballet and UWM. Repeat performance Saturday (10/27).

Present Music (Kevin Stalheim), present dance (Tim O’Donnell)

Present Music (Kevin Stalheim), present dance (Tim O’Donnell)

Present Music, the Milwaukee Ballet, UWM Dance Department get together for a big concert Friday.

The Florentine Opera’s Carmen and Don Jose

The Florentine Opera’s Carmen and Don Jose

Funny, friendly Audrey Babcock and Noah Stewart, as opera's top dysfunctional couple in Bizet's "Carmen" at the Florentine.

Blues, sex, talent, intensity at the Rep’s Stackner Cabaret

Blues, sex, talent, intensity at the Rep’s Stackner Cabaret

The Rep's "Blues in the Night" honors the Blues and the bluesy, from Bessie Smith to Johnny Mercer and beyond.

Trisha Brown at Alverno: Rational bodies in motion
Trisha Brown at Alverno

Rational bodies in motion

The Alverno Presents series brings Trisha Brown's elegant, skilled dances and dancers back to Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Ballet: “La Boheme” goes dancing
Milwaukee Ballet

“La Boheme” goes dancing

Michael Pink (cough) makes a pretty good (cough) ballet out of (cough) Puccini's "La Boheme." Through Sunday at Uihlein Hall.

Milwaukee Ballet goes to the opera… or vice-versa

Milwaukee Ballet goes to the opera… or vice-versa

Michael Pink's latest narrative ballet is based on Puccini's "La Boheme," with a wordless score arranged by Andrews Sill.

Frankly Music puts Levy, clarinet to the fore

Frankly Music puts Levy, clarinet to the fore

Frank Almond's chamber series opens with guests from the Milwaukee Symphony, with principal clarinetist Todd Levy featured.

Transfer/Via: Art, commerce and employee relations
Transfer/Via

Art, commerce and employee relations

Art, esprit de corps, public relations and just plain fun combine in the "side work" photo show at Transfer and Via restaurants in Milwaukee.

Mamet’s “November”: Political, but not polemical
Mamet’s “November”

Political, but not polemical

Windfall Theatre stages David Mamet's 2007 comedy; it's more farce than satire.

Prometheus Trio: Bridge to Somewhere
Prometheus Trio

Bridge to Somewhere

The Prometheus Trio shows why British composer Frank Bridge deserves attention; and strong Mozart, Saint-Saens.

Barbara Cook, queen of NY cabaret, at Alverno College

Barbara Cook, queen of NY cabaret, at Alverno College

Barbara Cook, Broadway's ingenue of the 1950s, can still deliver the American songbook.

Ravel and Debussy, aglow at the MSO

Ravel and Debussy, aglow at the MSO

Through guest conductor Olari Elts, soprano Karen Wierzba and the Milwaukee Symphony, the French composers cast their spells.

Strini: Three Decades on the scene
Strini

Three Decades on the scene

TCD's Tom Strini has covered Milwaukee's arts for 30 years, as of Oct. 4, 2012.

What’s So Funny? Danceworks and The Show

What’s So Funny? Danceworks and The Show

What has modern dance always lacked? Fart noises. Problem solved.

MSO: Russian brass and flash
MSO

Russian brass and flash

Conductor Sebastian Lang-Lessing makes an explosive MSO debut with "Russian Fireworks."

Mark Anderson: This is your brain on reality. Maybe.
Mark Anderson

This is your brain on reality. Maybe.

Mark Anderson's new monologue, under the Theatre Gigante banner, keeps it light and funny as it runs deep.

Stand-up dancers, step-up comics at Danceworks

Stand-up dancers, step-up comics at Danceworks

"The Show" comedy collective hooks up with Danceworks Performance Company to make jokes move.

MSO: Mozart’s delight, Adams’ 9/11, Mahler’s ascension
MSO

Mozart’s delight, Adams’ 9/11, Mahler’s ascension

Edo de Waart returns to the MSO podium with a brilliant soprano, Miah Persson.

Wild Space, exotic in a parking ramp

Wild Space, exotic in a parking ramp

Debra Loewen's "Milwaukee 360" isn't just about Downtown views from a high perch. It's very much about dancing.

Up on the roof with Wild Space

Up on the roof with Wild Space

Debra Loewen's dance company takes in the view from the top floor of a Pabst complex parking structure. Show opens Thursday.

Elvis Costello at the BMO Harris Pavilion

Elvis Costello at the BMO Harris Pavilion

Elvis Costello and the Imposters pack a rock 'n' roll punch outdoors on Saturday night.

NYC and Portland, Ore., meet at Danceworks

NYC and Portland, Ore., meet at Danceworks

Kelly Anderson, of Milwaukee and NYC, and Suniti Dernovsek's Portland-based bobbevy company land in Milwaukee.

MSO: Mendelssohn, Varga, Almond — Soul Mates
MSO

Mendelssohn, Varga, Almond — Soul Mates

Guest conductor Gilbert Varga and violinist Frank Almond bring four Mendelssohn works to full bloom.

MSO: Mark Niehaus, from trumpeter to orchestra CEO
MSO

Mark Niehaus, from trumpeter to orchestra CEO

Niehaus and symphony board chairman Douglas Hagerman on this unprecedented move.

MSO leadership change: Mark Niehaus, Doug Hagerman interview
MSO leadership change

Mark Niehaus, Doug Hagerman interview

Bold appointment of principal trumpeter as chief executive unprecedented with a major orchestra.

This Week at the MSO: Violinist Frank Almond
This Week at the MSO

Violinist Frank Almond

Almond talks and plays Mendelssohn, in a video with Tom Strini. Almond is the soloist in the MSO season opener.

Presidential “Assassins” sing, dance and shoot

Presidential “Assassins” sing, dance and shoot

The Rep opens its Powerhouse season with Sondheim's funny, bitter musical about the afterlife of audacious killers.

Grete Marks: Small objects, big story at the Milwaukee Art Museum
Grete Marks

Small objects, big story at the Milwaukee Art Museum

Grete Marks' pottery marked a rare business success of Bauhaus ideals, but economic upheaval and Nazi oppression put an end to it.

The Skylight’s new artistic director: First Contact
The Skylight’s new artistic director

First Contact

Viswa Subbaraman comes to the Skylight Music Theatre by way of Paris and Texas.

Six things I’ve been meaning to tell you…

Six things I’ve been meaning to tell you…

A classroom "Candide," Youngblood event, free Frank Almond concert, Hamlisch on the radio, Nohl Fellowships, Uihlein Ushers.

Present Music: Five pieces by four composers
Present Music

Five pieces by four composers

Kevin Stalheim's group plays music by Reich, Haas, Clyne and Greenstein at Marcus Center Vogel Hall.

State of the Milwaukee Arts: Next Act Theatre
State of the Milwaukee Arts

Next Act Theatre

How do you get to Next Act Theatre? Practice practice practice? No. Follow the bird.

TCD.tv: Hypnotic Jade
TCD.tv

Hypnotic Jade

Jade Jablonski recreates the dream-like "Artifact" for videographer Garrett Katerzynske and TCD.tv; a 19th-century bank vault co-stars.

Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples rock Uihlein Hall

Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples rock Uihlein Hall

Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples and their bands shoot out the lights; Paul Cebar a surprise guest.

Update 8/23: Show goes on despite radio bullies
Update 8/23

Show goes on despite radio bullies

This Just In: The show will go on, starting Aug. 31 at Next Act Theatre.

Art to Art: Seven new collaborations at Danceworks
Art to Art

Seven new collaborations at Danceworks

Danceworks pairs choreographers with artists from other fields, with some very good results.

Time slows down at the Alchemist Theatre

Time slows down at the Alchemist Theatre

Time traveler Natalie Ryan returns for another on-stage sci-fi comedy adventure.

State of the Milwaukee Arts: Present Music
State of the Milwaukee Arts

Present Music

Present Music, growing apace and new, improved and even less predictable in 2012-13.

MCT’s “A Thousand Clowns”: Sit-com runs deep
MCT’s “A Thousand Clowns”

Sit-com runs deep

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre reveals the surprising depth of Herb Gardner's vintage, wisecracking comedy.

State of the Milwaukee Arts: Danceworks
State of the Milwaukee Arts

Danceworks

Danceworks keeps growing, as joy trumps recession.

Marvin Hamlisch: The Last Author of the Great American Songbook
Marvin Hamlisch

The Last Author of the Great American Songbook

Marvin Hamlisch, the MSO's principal Pops conductor, died in Los Angeles Monday.

State of the Milwaukee Arts: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
State of the Milwaukee Arts

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre strategizes to make a mark on our theater world. "A Thousand Clowns" opens Friday.

State of the Milwaukee Arts: Milwaukee Ballet
State of the Milwaukee Arts

Milwaukee Ballet

The Milwaukee Ballet, with five years of good balance sheets and the Harmony Initiative, is on a roll.

TCD.tv: Rooftop Dances
TCD.tv

Rooftop Dances

Videographer Garrett Katerzynske and dancers Steven Moses, Jaimi Patterson and friends collaborate on a gorgeous new video for TCD.

The State of the Milwaukee Arts: Skylight Music Theatre
The State of the Milwaukee Arts

Skylight Music Theatre

The Skylight is fixing what needs fixing and moving on -- to Bill Theisen's farewell season as artistic director.

Saturday night improv at Danceworks

Saturday night improv at Danceworks

De Facto Dance, of New York, and a band of locals make it up as they go along.

State of the Milwaukee Arts: The Milwaukee Rep
State of the Milwaukee Arts

The Milwaukee Rep

Mark Clements aims to provoke and have a good time doing it in the Milwaukee Rep's 2012-13 season.

Diana Krall, sexy and smart at the Riverside

Diana Krall, sexy and smart at the Riverside

Krall and her great band spread the jazz tent over standards and rock songs alike.

Three Things I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You

Three Things I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You

Sunday with Alverno Presents at the Lynden, Arthur Miller's "Salesman in Beijing," $ for the ballet's Harmony Initiative,

Steven Moses/Jaimi Patterson: Rooftop Dances
Steven Moses/Jaimi Patterson

Rooftop Dances

Moses, Patterson and friends will be back on the roof overlooking the Milwaukee River for two shows Saturday night.

Six musical things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Six musical things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Catching up with Karen Deschere, Frank Almond, Present Music, Elizabeth Johnson, PianoArts, Rae Cassidy, the Chris Hanson Band.

Dancing in the sky

Dancing in the sky

Steven Moses and Jaimi Patterson, two of the brightest lights of Milwaukee dance, produce their first show -- on a roof overlooking the Milwaukee River.

Fine Arts Quartet: Two violas, no waiting
Fine Arts Quartet

Two violas, no waiting

The FAQ plays viola quintets by Mozart and Brahms to close its Summer Evenings of Music series.

Milwaukee State of the Arts: Florentine Opera
Milwaukee State of the Arts

Florentine Opera

The Florentine, once the stodgiest Milwaukee arts group, has moved to Riverwest. It will evolve further in 2012-13.

On Stage 6/26: The last Summer Evening of Music, Soulstice Theatre hi-jinks
On Stage 6/26

The last Summer Evening of Music, Soulstice Theatre hi-jinks

The FAQ plays on and Kathy Pyeatt sings with the Milwaukee Summer Philharmonic.

Wild Space Dance 25th bash

Wild Space Dance 25th bash

Artistic director Debra Loewen, dancers present and past, audience and friends celebrate a quarter-century of Wild Space dance.

Optimist Theatre’s richly textured “MacBeth”

Optimist Theatre’s richly textured “MacBeth”

Shakespeare's Scottish tragedy hits home, outdoors at Alverno College.

Wild Space 25th: Alums dance at Turner Hall
Wild Space 25th

Alums dance at Turner Hall

Dancers spanning the 25-year history of Debra Loewen's company gather for a celebratory concert at Turner Hall Saturday.

About New York… six things I’ve been meaning to tell you

About New York… six things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Cindy Sherman, Frank Sinatra High, PS1, Whitney Biennial/remarkable Morans, How to Succeed, Life in the East Village.

Present Music’s big finish

Present Music’s big finish

Michael Daugherty's "Labyrinth of Love" is a big hit at its premiere, and Robin Pluer never sounded better.

Present Music: Composer in the rehearsal room
Present Music

Composer in the rehearsal room

The celebrated Michael Daugherty comes to Milwaukee for a Present Music premiere. PM will unveil "Labyrinth of Love" Friday night.

MSO: No one sounds tired at the finish line
MSO

No one sounds tired at the finish line

Guest conductor Matthias Pintscher leads an energized concert of newer music at the end of the MSO's classical season.

This Week at the MSO: Composer-conductor Matthias Pintscher
This Week at the MSO

Composer-conductor Matthias Pintscher

Matthias Pintscher, in his MSO debut, conducts his own "Ex Nihilo."

2010 Winner David Ko returns for PianoArts Competition

2010 Winner David Ko returns for PianoArts Competition

Ko will play a recital Friday, bestow awards to the 2012 piano competition winners, and make several appearances in between.

MSO: Russian thrills from a Peruvian guest conductor
MSO

Russian thrills from a Peruvian guest conductor

Miguel Harth-Bedoya and the Milwaukee Symphony excel with Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" and Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky."

MSO: British Isles, from within and without
MSO

British Isles, from within and without

Conductor Christopher Warren-Green, violinist Jennifer Frautschi and the Milwaukee Symphony play Walton, Bruch and Vaughan Williams.

Off the Wall’s “Roadside”: Rowdy and Touching
Off the Wall’s “Roadside”

Rowdy and Touching

A rare run of Harvey Schimdt and Tom Jones' last musical, directed by Dale Gutzman.

Philomusica Quartet: Bach’s “Goldberg” redux
Philomusica Quartet

Bach’s “Goldberg” redux

A string quintet version of Bach's monumental keyboard work, "Goldberg Variations," at the Conservatory Monday.

The Florentine’s powerful “Idomeneo”

The Florentine’s powerful “Idomeneo”

Spectacular singing and a smart production make Mozart's last opera seria urgent and modern.

Gerald Casel Dance: Complex and compelling
Gerald Casel Dance

Complex and compelling

Visiting dance professor, near the end of his year at UWM, presents dance of high seriousness.

Florentine’s “Idomeneo”: Thoroughly modern opera seria
Florentine’s “Idomeneo”

Thoroughly modern opera seria

Mozart summed up and pushed forward an outdated opera style in in 1780. John LaBouchardiere pushes it a little further.

Gerald Casel: Dislocated dancing
Gerald Casel

Dislocated dancing

Gerald Casel, visiting professor of dance at UWM, gets intense about disorientation. Concert opens Thursday.

MSO at Carnegie Hall: That went well
MSO at Carnegie Hall

That went well

Edo de Waart and the Milwaukee Symphony bring out the ring and shimmer. NEW: Link to NY Times review.

Peter Pan returns to the Milwaukee Ballet

Peter Pan returns to the Milwaukee Ballet

Lighting designer David Grill and set designer Rick Graham are tweaking "Peter Pan" to make the hit even bigger the second time around.

“Veronica’s Position” slightly exaggerated

“Veronica’s Position” slightly exaggerated

In Rich Orloff's comedy, In Tandem Theatre revisits the 1989 Robert Mapplethorpe/National Endowment for the Arts controversy.

MSO: Chen’s spectacular “Unveiling Iris”
MSO

Chen’s spectacular “Unveiling Iris”

Qigang Chen's Chinese/Western musing on a Greek goddess as Universal Woman precedes first-class Brahms.

Milwaukee Museum Mile’s Grand Opening Sunday

Milwaukee Museum Mile’s Grand Opening Sunday

North Point Lighthouse, Museum of Wisconsin Art, Charles Allis, Villa Terrace, Jewish Museum partner up May 6.

Tara Donovan: Humble Magnificence at MAM
Tara Donovan

Humble Magnificence at MAM

The Milwaukee Art Museum showcases dazzling work made from pins, mylar sheets, plastic straws, buttons and plastic rods.

Youngblood Theatre’s Smart Horror Show

Youngblood Theatre’s Smart Horror Show

"Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom," Jennifer Haley's rippin' good yarn about role-play gamers run amok, well-told.

Danceworks: Fifteenth anniversary program
Danceworks

Fifteenth anniversary program

Danceworks celebrates its 15th anniversary with a slate of new dances and revivals.

MSO: Mystic music from Messiaen, Debussy, Bruckner
MSO

Mystic music from Messiaen, Debussy, Bruckner

Edo de Waart transcends with Messiaen, dazzles with La Mer and lays out the Bruckner's drama.

This Week at the MSO: Carnegie Hall Preview No. 1
This Week at the MSO

Carnegie Hall Preview No. 1

The Milwaukee Symphony previews its Carnegie Hall program at home, this weekend and next.

Zombie Horror Chiller (Youngblood) Theatre

Zombie Horror Chiller (Youngblood) Theatre

Youngblood Theatre does Jennifer Haley's "Neighborhood 3" in a basement. Where horror characters should never go.

Prometheus Trio: Schumann and odd stuff
Prometheus Trio

Schumann and odd stuff

At the Wisconsin Conservatory, Jacob, Tisdel and Klabunde find gold in the familiar and the obscure.

Frankly Music: Walton and Elgar at Wisconsin Lutheran
Frankly Music

Walton and Elgar at Wisconsin Lutheran

Frank Almond and friends play British music from the mid-century.

Frankly Music’s Orion Weiss

Frankly Music’s Orion Weiss

Orion Weiss, a young pianist in steep ascent, makes his Milwaukee debut with violinist Frank Almond and friends Monday night.

Present Music: “Buffalo Nation” thrills, then pauses for lecture
Present Music

“Buffalo Nation” thrills, then pauses for lecture

Jerome Kitzke and Kathleen Masterson's spectacular cantata about America's iconic animal to repeat Sunday at Lincoln Center.

Present Music Roams with the Buffalo

Present Music Roams with the Buffalo

Jerome Kitzke and Kathleen Masterson's "Buffalo Nation," to premiere this weekend, sings of America's iconic beast.

Next Act Theatre: “One Time”… I saw a really good play
Next Act Theatre

“One Time”… I saw a really good play

In Richard Lyons Conlon's gentle, ingenious love story, Sonia and Mason are the sum of the stories they tell.

Milwaukee Rep: “Othello” gives Iago his due
Milwaukee Rep

“Othello” gives Iago his due

Gerard Neugent makes an ingratiating devil of an Iago, amid a Venetian militia recast as a modern biker gang.

“Othello” on Two Wheels at the Milwaukee Rep

“Othello” on Two Wheels at the Milwaukee Rep

Director Mark Clements posits Othello's Venetians as a motorcycle gang. It makes sense, especially in Milwaukee.

MSO: Gaffigan and Almond shine
MSO

Gaffigan and Almond shine

James Gaffigan gives us bright Haydn and vivid Dvorak, Frank Almond gets everything to be had from Glazunov's Violin Concerto.

This Week at the MSO: Conductor James Gaffigan
This Week at the MSO

Conductor James Gaffigan

Getting to know James Gaffigan before his third guest-conducting stint with the Milwaukee Symphony.

UPAF Kickoff, New York coolness, Florentine Day, MacDowell Club

UPAF Kickoff, New York coolness, Florentine Day, MacDowell Club

Milwaukee's Art Scribe never runs out of things to tell you.

The Milwaukee Symphony at the Basilica

The Milwaukee Symphony at the Basilica

A chamber-sized MSO and chorus do 20th/21st-century music at the Basilica of St. Josaphat with viola soloist Robert Levine.

Milwaukee Ballet: Spring moderns
Milwaukee Ballet

Spring moderns

The Milwaukee Ballet's Spring Series offers dances by Matthew Neenan, Alejandro Cerrudo and Lila York.

This Week at the MSO: Violist Robert Levine’s new trick
This Week at the MSO

Violist Robert Levine’s new trick

Derek Bermel's bluesy "Soul Garden" takes the violist out of his comfort zone. Fine with him.

The Fine Arts Quartet, all in for Saint-Saens

The Fine Arts Quartet, all in for Saint-Saens

The Fine Arts Quartet and pianist Cristina Ortiz give us to ponder the French composer's place in the scheme of things.

“Honour,” sex, betrayal and confusion

“Honour,” sex, betrayal and confusion

Renaissance Theaterworks opens Joanna Murray-Smith's smart, wicked comedy of sexual manners.

Cellist Robert Cohen, of the Fine Arts Quartet

Cellist Robert Cohen, of the Fine Arts Quartet

British cellist takes the chair long occupied by the late Wolfgang Laufer.

Philomusica Quartet, with guest violist Erin Pipal

Philomusica Quartet, with guest violist Erin Pipal

The Philomusica Quartet, convincing with Mendelssohn and Shostakovich, wrestles Beethoven's Opus 127 to a draw.

Patsy Cline lives — at the Milwaukee Rep

Patsy Cline lives — at the Milwaukee Rep

At the Stackner Cabaret, Kelley Faulkner becomes Patsy Cline and Angela Iannone is her laugh-a-minute pal, Louise.

Early Music Now: Ferrara, Renaissance music’s avant-garde hotbed
Early Music Now

Ferrara, Renaissance music’s avant-garde hotbed

Piffaro and The King's Noyse (strings, winds) survey musical daring in 16th-century Italy.

The Florentine’s “Susannah”: Intense as opera gets
The Florentine’s “Susannah”

Intense as opera gets

A brilliant new Susannah is born as Betty Waynne Allison makes her debut in Carlisle Floyd's 1955 classic.

Theatre MXT’s “Success”: An ad tycoon’s existential afternoon
Theatre MXT’s “Success”

An ad tycoon’s existential afternoon

John Kishline's 1992 play, revived and revised, opens at the Next Act space under the Theatre MXT banner.

The Florentine, Carlisle Floyd and their Susannah

The Florentine, Carlisle Floyd and their Susannah

Soprano Betty Waynne Allison makes her Florentine debut in the title role of Carlisle Floyd's 1955 opera.

Daddy Long Legs: A Smart Sweetie at the Skylight
Daddy Long Legs

A Smart Sweetie at the Skylight

Gordon and Caird's new musical gives us an adorable Modern Girl, vintage 1912.

MSO: Goulding golden in Sibelius Violin Concerto
MSO

Goulding golden in Sibelius Violin Concerto

Young violinist makes a smashing Milwaukee debut, conductor Jun Markl gets everything out of Tchaikovsky's Fourth.

Percussionist Patti Cudd opens Unruly Music

Percussionist Patti Cudd opens Unruly Music

Percussion virtuosity and strange sounds abound in new music by six composers.

The Skylight’s “Daddy Long Legs”

The Skylight’s “Daddy Long Legs”

Rob Hancock plays the title role in a new musical about a man largely dreamed up by a smart, charming young woman.

Tony Bennett: An ageless artist
Tony Bennett

An ageless artist

Tony Bennett and his superb quartet make jazz king again for a night at Marcus Center Uihlein Hall.

A Tony Bennett Q&A

A Tony Bennett Q&A

Tony Bennett and his singing daughter, Antonia, will appear together in Uihlein Hall Tuesday night.

Present Music’s multimedia 30th birthday bash

Present Music’s multimedia 30th birthday bash

Present Music brings dancers, video artists and a talented batch of composers in their 30s to Turner Hall.

Present Music: Amanda Schoofs does it all
Present Music

Amanda Schoofs does it all

Composer, vocalist, visual artist Amanda Schoofs represents Present Music's 30 interdisciplinary years.

Edmund Mathews: TCD’s March Artist of the Month
Edmund Mathews

TCD’s March Artist of the Month

Edmund Mathews' meditations on industry, migration and work grace TCD's window in the Shops at Grand Avenue in March.

Youngblood: Brain fever in “Flu Season”
Youngblood

Brain fever in “Flu Season”

Will Eno shows what happens to the play when the playwright goes to pieces during the writing. Not pretty, but pretty funny.

Youngblood Theatre’s “Flu Season” in the hospital

Youngblood Theatre’s “Flu Season” in the hospital

Will Eno's "Flu Season" to play in UWM's Northwest Quadrant, until lately Columbia Hospital.

Adrienne Danrich’s Harlem Renaissance in Milwaukee

Adrienne Danrich’s Harlem Renaissance in Milwaukee

Brilliant singing, inspiring history and infectious enthusiasm for a crucial time in American life make this a must-see show.

Chamber Music Milwaukee: Sublime Brahms and more
Chamber Music Milwaukee

Sublime Brahms and more

The Arcas String Quartet partners with Todd Levy (clarinet), Gregory Flint (horn) and Margaret Butler (oboe).

Adrienne Danrich: Entrepreneur Diva at UWM
Adrienne Danrich

Entrepreneur Diva at UWM

Soprano Adrienne Danrich wrote "An Evening in the Harlem Renaissance" and will perform it here Saturday.

Blarney at the Boulevard Theatre

Blarney at the Boulevard Theatre

In Conor McPherson's "This Lime Tree Bower," three Irish share their intertwined stories with one another and the rest of us.

Those Florentine Opera “Elmer Gantry” Grammy Awards

Those Florentine Opera “Elmer Gantry” Grammy Awards

Music awards are a dime a dozen. But the Florentine's mean something.

Early Music now: Angels with vielles
Early Music now

Angels with vielles

Shira Kammen & Margriet Tindemans caress 14th-c. Italian songs with vielles, harp and rebec. Danny Mallon adds the dance beat.

Milwaukee Scribe: Four things I’ve been meaning to tell you
Milwaukee Scribe

Four things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Next Act's "Vigil," the Eisner remade, the Pfister seeks a writer, a Haiti conference at the Lynden.

Milwaukee Ballet madness at the Pabst

Milwaukee Ballet madness at the Pabst

Milwaukee Ballet's three premieres include Mauro de Candia's outrageously funny "Purple Fools."

Milwaukee Ballet’s competition champ returns

Milwaukee Ballet’s competition champ returns

Mauro de Candia, winner of the 2011 Genesis Choreography Competition, returns with a new dance this weekend.

Valentine Haikus, love in 17 syllables

Valentine Haikus, love in 17 syllables

Seven haikus for Valentine's Day, 2012. Because we love you all madly.

Prometheus Trio: A tempestuous “Tempest,” after Haydn and Brahms
Prometheus Trio

A tempestuous “Tempest,” after Haydn and Brahms

Clarinetist William Helmers makes a fourth for Paul Moravec's "Tempest Fantasy," after Shakespeare.

MSO: Tchaikovsky’s drama, Copland’s blast
MSO

Tchaikovsky’s drama, Copland’s blast

Milwaukee Symphony: A Russian's take on "Romeo and Juliet," plus some "Nutcracker," and some all-American Copland.

Wild Space Dance: Relax. Enjoy the meal.
Wild Space Dance

Relax. Enjoy the meal.

Choreographer Debra Loewen's "Delicious" advances from casual dining to haute cuisine to a jolly mess.

The Florentine’s romantic for tenor Matt Richardson

The Florentine’s romantic for tenor Matt Richardson

Richardson and the Florentine Opera's other three other young resident singers featured in Valentine's concert this weekend.

Home Cooking with Wild Space

Home Cooking with Wild Space

Debra Loewen and her Wild Space dancers celebrate the joy of cooking. And eating. And making a mess.

Gregory Martens, TCD’s Artist of the Month

Gregory Martens, TCD’s Artist of the Month

Cancer specialists gave Greg Martens a year to live in 2006. Today, he's an artist, about to finish his MFA.

The Rep’s “Mockingbird” memory

The Rep’s “Mockingbird” memory

The Rep's graceful "To Kill a Mockingbird," Harper Lee's landmark novel, is a memoir, not a tract.

MSO: Joyce Yang’s sublime Rach 2
MSO

Joyce Yang’s sublime Rach 2

Edo de Waart and the MSO are serious about Rachmaninoff, and so is Joyce Yang, a great young pianist.

“La Pasion Flamenca” in South Milwaukee

“La Pasion Flamenca” in South Milwaukee

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana comes to SMPAC Saturday. Meet Ms Santana, the company's founding director.

Milwaukee Symphony: Violinist Gil Shaham is special
Milwaukee Symphony

Violinist Gil Shaham is special

Gil Shaham spreads the joy in the Brahms' concerto, de Waart and the MSO reprise Schubert's Eighth.

Lisztomania hits Frankly Music

Lisztomania hits Frankly Music

William Wolfram, Frankly Music's guest pianist, reminds us what all made Liszt's 19th-century groupies scream and faint.

Fine Arts Quartet, with its new cellist

Fine Arts Quartet, with its new cellist

Cellist Robert Cohen gave his first concert Sunday as a full-fledged member of UWM's quartet in residence.

MSO: A powerful “Rite,” luxuriant Schubert
MSO

A powerful “Rite,” luxuriant Schubert

The Milwaukee Symphony's Edo De Waart takes on very different challenges in Stravinsky and Schubert.

Mark Metcalf directs “A Wrinkle in Time”

Mark Metcalf directs “A Wrinkle in Time”

First Stage has a great friend in Mark Metcalf, known for his TV and movie work. He's directing his first show there.

Susanna Phillips: Soprano, chamber music colleague
Susanna Phillips

Soprano, chamber music colleague

Chamber Music Milwaukee: Phillips, Todd Levy, Brian Zeger, Greg Flint and Ted Soluri in a memorable program.

Susanna Phillips: Opera star sings chamber music
Susanna Phillips

Opera star sings chamber music

Susanna Phillips follows up Lyric Opera run as Lucia di Lammermoor with Chamber Music Milwaukee. What's going on here?

MSO: We’re lucky to hear “Carmina Burana”
MSO

We’re lucky to hear “Carmina Burana”

Andreas Delfs conducts an compelling performance of Carl Orff's cantata on medieval poems of lust and Fortune.

Danceworks: The Sequel! Just like in the movies
Danceworks

The Sequel! Just like in the movies

Danceworks Performance Company had a hit last year with a concert based on movies. Time to roll Take 2.

This Week at the MSO: Delfs returns with “Carmina”
This Week at the MSO

Delfs returns with “Carmina”

Carl Orff's spectacular secular cantata is a Delfs specialty; and he and spouse Amy assembled a Brahms/Dvorak "dance mix."

Rep: Crush up your Shakespeare
Rep

Crush up your Shakespeare

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" is really stupid -- and really funny.

Rep’s interns tell us about the dark side

Rep’s interns tell us about the dark side

In the second annual Rep Lab show, the interns take over and give eight miniature plays within two hours.

MSO: Evan Rogister, an eloquent young guest conductor
MSO

Evan Rogister, an eloquent young guest conductor

Rogister gets to the meaning of Tchaikovsky and Sibelius; Mark Niehaus commands Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto.

NEW 1/13! Four Things I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You

NEW 1/13! Four Things I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You

MIAD Interactive, APT succession, Conservatory news, UPAF Ride route.

Jason Powell’s new comix opera a sure hit

Jason Powell’s new comix opera a sure hit

Milwaukee Opera Theatre presents evil schoolgirls in uniform, a shapely superheroine, an oily villain and some of the funniest lyrics since Gilbert & Sullivan.

This Week at the MSO: Mark Niehaus blows his horn
This Week at the MSO

Mark Niehaus blows his horn

The MSO's principal trumpet player will be the soloist in Alexander Arutunian's 1949 concerto.

Present Music: Democracy inaction
Present Music

Democracy inaction

NEW! Now with concert photos by Angela Morgan. Low voter turnout leads to a blast of a concert at Turner Hall.

Seven things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Seven things I’ve been meaning to tell you

Young UWM photogs, Pfister's Krokodiloes, FREE stuff, MSO moves, winter Lynden, Rep talk, First Stage extends.

Present Music by Secret Ballot

Present Music by Secret Ballot

Present Music's 30th anniversary program chosen by audience vote.

Beyond the Ingenue: Charm, yes, but a little TMI
Beyond the Ingenue

Charm, yes, but a little TMI

Niffer Clarke and Richard Carsey's new Skylight show is fun until it gets a little too personal.

ThirdCoastDigest.com: Make the most of it
ThirdCoastDigest.com

Make the most of it

Even if you already love ThirdCoast Digest, we bet we can show you some things you've never seen before. Check out 16 site features you should be using.

Blue Man Group: A Big Show with a Big Heart
Blue Man Group

A Big Show with a Big Heart

Blue Man's dazzling Marcus Center show shakes Uihlein Hall, but the Blue Men remain lovable.

Kay Knight: TCD Artist of the Month
Kay Knight

TCD Artist of the Month

Knight's artworks on vintage pop imagery adorn ThirdCoast's Grand Avenue showcase in January.

Blue Man Speaks: Kirk Massey
Blue Man Speaks

Kirk Massey

Blue Man Group comes to Marcus Center Uihlein Hall Jan. 3-8.

MSO Pops: Sparkling Gershwin to toast in the New Year
MSO Pops

Sparkling Gershwin to toast in the New Year

Marvin Hamlisch, Kevin Cole, Sylvia McNair, Ryan VanDenBoom and the orchestra align in the best Pops concert of Hamlisch's tenure.

Five things I’ve been meaning to tell you (12/22)

Five things I’ve been meaning to tell you (12/22)

"Nutcracker" revisited, Harmony Initiative progress, shows at UWM, Paul Goldberger at MAM, Mad Hot Coffee.

NEW! “Nutcracker” cast rotations

NEW! “Nutcracker” cast rotations

Here are the Milwaukee Ballet principal casts for "The Nutcracker," which closes Dec. 26.

Neil Haven’s R-rated Christmas show

Neil Haven’s R-rated Christmas show

"Who Killed Santa?" is just the thing for those who've have good, clean, family holiday fun up the wazoo.

MSO’s Hometown “Messiah” tour

MSO’s Hometown “Messiah” tour

Handel's oratorio is a Christmas perennial in Milwaukee. And when the performers don't treat it that way -- great!

Milwaukee Ballet’s “Nutcracker”: A little cheekier
Milwaukee Ballet’s “Nutcracker”

A little cheekier

Michael Pink changes "The Nutcracker" just enough to keep you on your toes every December.

Early Music Now: Hearing the Renaissance clearly
Early Music Now

Hearing the Renaissance clearly

Stile Antico shows how a brainy composer, Thomas Tallis, made music that turns off your brain and lifts you to a spiritual plane.

Prometheus Trio: Delving into new rep, mastering the familiar
Prometheus Trio

Delving into new rep, mastering the familiar

Timothy Klabunde, Scott Tisdel and Stefanie Jacob play music by Georges Onslow, Frank Bridge and Dvorak.

Milwaukee scribe: 7 things I’ve been meaning to share
Milwaukee scribe

7 things I’ve been meaning to share

RE: Tim Cuprisin, Laddie Junkunc, Frank Almond, Florentine Grammy, Steve Murphy, First Stage, Rep Artisans Fair.

MSO Holiday Pops: A Gentle Christmas
MSO Holiday Pops

A Gentle Christmas

With Jeff Tyzik conducting, the MSO's Holiday Pops are short on glitz and long on warmth.

“Scrooge in Rouge”: So bad it’s good
“Scrooge in Rouge”

So bad it’s good

In Tandem Theatre's holiday music-hall sendup of "A Christmas Carol," everything goes wrong in exactly the right way.

Frankly Music’s Epic Bach

Frankly Music’s Epic Bach

Frank Almond, Edward Arron and Kyle Armbrust play a sonically lush, rhythmically bracing Goldberg Variations.

MSO: Lawrence Renes spins “The Planets”
MSO

Lawrence Renes spins “The Planets”

Guest conductor Renes leads Holst's astrological suite and Elgar's "Enigma Variations."

Bach’s “Goldberg,” for strings at Frankly Music

Bach’s “Goldberg,” for strings at Frankly Music

Frank Almond mounts a trio take on Bach's epic keyboard piece Monday and Tuesday. In May, the Philomusica Quartet take it up.

Philomusica Quartet + Mathieu Dufour

Philomusica Quartet + Mathieu Dufour

Dufour, the Chicago Symphony's principal flutist, excels with the excellent Philomusica Quartet at the Wisconsin Conservatory.

Present Music: A fitting, coherent Thanksgiving concert
Present Music

A fitting, coherent Thanksgiving concert

Present Music's Kevin Stalheim built an entire program around its venue, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

Early Music Now: Handel, master of opera
Early Music Now

Handel, master of opera

Two splendid singers, countertenor Daniel Taylor and soprano Deborah York, do arias and duets with the Theatre of Early Music.

MSO at the Basilica: Handel floats, Bach sinks
MSO at the Basilica

Handel floats, Bach sinks

Conductor Lecce-Chong and chamber-sized MSO shine in a program with two of Handel's "Water Music" Suites.

TCD.tv: Bud, the African drummer
TCD.tv

Bud, the African drummer

Bud, 6, is a young star of Ton Ko-Thi, the youth company of Milwaukee's Ko-Thi African Dance Company. The kids perform Saturday.

UWM Soccer: Panther women win, advance in NCAA
UWM Soccer

Panther women win, advance in NCAA

An artful 3-0 win over Illinois State means that UWM gets Ohio State next.

MSO Pops: Marvin and two excellent singers do Broadway
MSO Pops

Marvin and two excellent singers do Broadway

Hamlisch, Christiane Noll and Doug LaBrecque open the Milwaukee Symphony' Pops season.

“Maria de Buenos Aires”: Dazzling, ambitious, and a little off
“Maria de Buenos Aires”

Dazzling, ambitious, and a little off

Danceworks, Milwaukee Opera Theater and Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra stage Astor Piazzolla's tango opera.

MSO special concert really is special

MSO special concert really is special

The Milwaukee Symphony, pianist Joyce Yang, conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong and Tchaikovsky have a ball at Uihlein Hall.

Tango opera brings 3 Milwaukee companies together

Tango opera brings 3 Milwaukee companies together

Danceworks, Milwaukee Opera Theater and the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra will open Piazzolla's "Maria de Buenos Aires" Thursday.

This Week at the MSO: Meet Francesco Lecce-Chong
This Week at the MSO

Meet Francesco Lecce-Chong

The new assistant conductor leads his first big public programs Wednesday at Uihlein Hall and Nov. 18-20 at the Basilica.

Jon Peterson is THE Song Man Dance Man

Jon Peterson is THE Song Man Dance Man

At The Rep's Stackner Cabaret, Peterson echoes George M, Astaire, Darin, Sammy Jr., Gene, O'Connor, Newley.

Petronio Dance Company’s “Underland” at Alverno Presents

Petronio Dance Company’s “Underland” at Alverno Presents

Petronio's dark, sexy dance, to Nick Cave's dark, sexy songs, evolves into something heavenly.

Florentine’s “Turandot”: Two intense women
Florentine’s “Turandot”

Two intense women

Calaf gets to sing "Nessun dorma," but Turandot and Liu are the core of this staging of Puccini's Orientalist fantasy.

Florentine Opera’s fairy-tale “Turandot”

Florentine Opera’s fairy-tale “Turandot”

Director Eric Einhorn and soprano Lise Lindstrom on their approach to Puccini's opera and its title role.

MSO: Extreme Violins at the Basilica
MSO

Extreme Violins at the Basilica

Violinists Ilana Setapen and Frank Almond show the unlikely kinship of Piazzolla and Vivaldi in an intense concert.

Milwaukee Ballet’s “Dracula”: Bloody good fun
Milwaukee Ballet’s “Dracula”

Bloody good fun

The vampire tale on the dance stage is a grand entertainment.

This Week at the MSO: Violin-centric at the Basilica
This Week at the MSO

Violin-centric at the Basilica

Concertmaster Frank Almond and associate CM Ilana Setapen to play "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi and Piazzolla.

Meet Deanna Tillisch, UPAF’s new president

Meet Deanna Tillisch, UPAF’s new president

The United Performing Arts Fund has a great story to tell, and Tillisch intends to spread the word.

Choral singing in the Nordic tradition

Choral singing in the Nordic tradition

Milwaukee Choral Artists survey sophisticated Northern European school little known in the US.

Julian Kuerti’s fine MSO debut

Julian Kuerti’s fine MSO debut

The young Canadian conductor leads a program of music by Ligeti, Mozart and Mendelssohn.

Are you tough enough for TCD.tv?

Are you tough enough for TCD.tv?

Video artist Nicholas Strini gets inside New York City's boxing world.

I’ve been meaning to tell you…

I’ve been meaning to tell you…

...about the Met Auditions, democracy at Present Music, UPAF's new prez, the MSO, today's Harry Van Oudenallen Memorial service, and Skylight $.

Chamber Theatre’s “Driving Miss Daisy”: A modest play, done well
Chamber Theatre’s “Driving Miss Daisy”

A modest play, done well

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get the message at the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.

“Gorgons”: Celebrity Catfight at Renaissance Theaterworks
“Gorgons”

Celebrity Catfight at Renaissance Theaterworks

Jennifer Rupp and Marcella Kearns duke it out as thinly-veiled versions of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.

De Waart, MSO shape Schumann, Mahler symphonies

De Waart, MSO shape Schumann, Mahler symphonies

Romantic music doesn't play itself; maestro, orchestra shepherd mass, momentum.

I’ve been meaning to tell you…

I’ve been meaning to tell you…

The topics: Mahler's Titan, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford not quite live, Leslie Fitzwater and Edith Piaf, Chinese on the march at MAM.

Next Act’s “The Exonerated”: Error, malice and death row
Next Act’s “The Exonerated”

Error, malice and death row

Next Act Theatre stages a play crafted from the words of the unjustly convicted.

MSO: Tan Dun’s “Water Concerto,” high-viscosity Schubert and Brahms
MSO

Tan Dun’s “Water Concerto,” high-viscosity Schubert and Brahms

Soloist Yuri Yamashita commands a unique and fascinating concerto.

This Week at the MSO: Wet music
This Week at the MSO

Wet music

Soloist Yuri Yamashita, the MSO and Edo de Waart will play Tan Dun's "Water Concerto."

Next Act Theatre opens its new home

Next Act Theatre opens its new home

"The Exonerated" is the first show in the company's game-changing venue.

Marsalis and the JLCO: Modern jazz with deep roots
Marsalis and the JLCO

Modern jazz with deep roots

Wynton and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra inspire on the Marcus Center Presents series.

Dan Nimmer, jazz pianist, comes home to play

Dan Nimmer, jazz pianist, comes home to play

Milwaukee's own Dan Nimmer plays with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Cellist Joe Johnson drops in for a recital

Cellist Joe Johnson drops in for a recital

The MSO's admired former principal cellist will play at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Tuesday night.

Frankly Music makes big music

Frankly Music makes big music

Violinist Frank Almond, cellist Robert de Maine and pianist Andrew Armstrong burn brightly in difficult music by Rachmaninoff, Zwilich and Brahms.

Fine Arts Quartet, once more with feeling

Fine Arts Quartet, once more with feeling

Guests Menahem Pressler (piano) and Desmond Hoebig (cello) contribute to a strong concert.

MSO opener: Inspired Beethoven
MSO opener

Inspired Beethoven

Conductor Edo de Waart and the MSO show mastery of core repertoire.

Fine Arts Quartet’s Ralph Evans on the FAQ’s next chapter

Fine Arts Quartet’s Ralph Evans on the FAQ’s next chapter

The quartet in residence at UWM enters its 65th season in search of a cellist to replace the late Wolfgang Laufer.

2011 MFF: In “Kinshasa Symphony,” art trumps life
2011 MFF

In “Kinshasa Symphony,” art trumps life

Milwaukee Film Festival: Claus Wischmann and Martin Baers chronicle the life of an all-African symphony orchestra amid the poverty of The Congo.

This Week at the MSO: Balanced budget, Beethoven, new season
This Week at the MSO

Balanced budget, Beethoven, new season

A furious fund-raising drive carries the day; the "Grosse Fugue" challenges ears on opening weekend.

MAM’s big acquisition part of a bigger picture

MAM’s big acquisition part of a bigger picture

Copley's "Alice Hooper," an important Colonial painting, fills a gap in the museum's holdings and signals re-invigoration of the early American collection.

Prometheus Trio plays Lalo, Ysaye, Beethoven

Prometheus Trio plays Lalo, Ysaye, Beethoven

The Wisconsin Conservatory's trio in residence opens its 12th season. Program to be repeated at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Skylight’s clever, tuneful “The Rivals” is a hit

The Skylight’s clever, tuneful “The Rivals” is a hit

Kirke Mechem's new comic opera, after the Sheridan play, charms with melody and crackles with jokes.

Wild Space: Loewen’s intelligent design at the Pritzlaff
Wild Space

Loewen’s intelligent design at the Pritzlaff

Fascinating images by Tom Bamberger, the mystery of a great old building, 14 beautiful women dancing make a great experience.

Kirke Mechem gives The Skylight a new comic opera

Kirke Mechem gives The Skylight a new comic opera

The Skylight will open "The Rivals," by a composer who knows how to tell a joke.

Wild Space is in the (Pritzlaff) building

Wild Space is in the (Pritzlaff) building

Debra Loewen's dance company goes site-specific in the old industrial Third Ward.

TCD.tv: Frank Almond, the Lipinski Strad and the “Devil’s Trill”
TCD.tv

Frank Almond, the Lipinski Strad and the “Devil’s Trill”

Joel Van Haren captures the charm and virtuosity of violinist Frank Almond.

MAM celebrates Calatrava addition’s 10th anniversary

MAM celebrates Calatrava addition’s 10th anniversary

The architect's stream-of-consciousness drawings, never before shown, yield insight into Milwaukee's iconic building.

The Rep’s “Ten Chimneys”: A design for living well, despite everything
The Rep’s “Ten Chimneys”

A design for living well, despite everything

Jeffrey Hatcher's smart play about Lunt and Fontanne shows both the smart set's elegant ways and its human frailties.

Strini’s been meaning to tell you…

Strini’s been meaning to tell you…

Farewells to Tom DuBuque and Harry Van Oudenallen, a new opera in the works, uke fest, failed frieze.

One Piece at a Time: A photo of the passage of time
One Piece at a Time

A photo of the passage of time

The Milwaukee Art Museum is showing Kenneth Josephson's "Chicago 1960." This photo is no frozen moment.

Present Music’s “Water”: More than a concert
Present Music’s “Water”

More than a concert

Present Music about water, about our city, about life, about art, with a beautiful new work by Kamran Ince.

Kamran Ince at the center of Present Music’s “Water” concert

Kamran Ince at the center of Present Music’s “Water” concert

Ince's composition began with the sounds of the sea.

Fall 2011-12 Milwaukee Arts Guide: Dance
Fall 2011-12 Milwaukee Arts Guide

Dance

Dancers work hard for the money, and to bring thrilling stuff your way this fall.

Fall 2011-12 Milwaukee Arts Guide: Music
Fall 2011-12 Milwaukee Arts Guide

Music

TCD's fall classical music guide, looking ahead to Milwaukee's autumn of heart-piercing honied melodies.

Danceworks’ Art to Art: Eurekas and Uh-ohs in the DanceLab
Danceworks’ Art to Art

Eurekas and Uh-ohs in the DanceLab

Great stuff from Steven Moses and Simon Eichinger/Joseph Pikalek, funny mime from Molly Mingey, and pieces that don't get off the ground.

Boulevard Theatre’s “Circle Mirror Transformation”

Boulevard Theatre’s “Circle Mirror Transformation”

Annie Baker's play is scenes from a small-town theater class gone horribly, hilariously and touchingly wrong.

One Piece at a Time: “Landscape (Garden at St. Tropez)”
One Piece at a Time

“Landscape (Garden at St. Tropez)”

Henri Edmond Cross' thousands of dashes evoke the lushness and dazzle of a Mediterranean garden in full summer sun.

APT’s “The Tempest,” all about magic and the magic of theater

APT’s “The Tempest,” all about magic and the magic of theater

American Players Theatre mounts transporting Shakespeare under the stars in Spring Green.

Youngblood’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries”: It hurts to laugh.
Youngblood’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries”

It hurts to laugh.

In Rajiv Joseph's black comedy about self-destruction, Rob Maass and Tess Cinpinski are fearless and honest.

One Piece at a Time: Haim Steinbach’s sly “pink accent2”
One Piece at a Time

Haim Steinbach’s sly “pink accent2”

This Milwaukee Art Museum piece is just wacky, until you think it over.

“Crimes of the Heart”: Hilarious tragedy in Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s opener
“Crimes of the Heart”

Hilarious tragedy in Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s opener

Mary MacDonald Kerr, MCT stalwart, directs Beth Henley's domestic tragicomedy.

Youngblood Theatre’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries” — more than skinned knees

Youngblood Theatre’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries” — more than skinned knees

Meet Kayleen and Doug. In the Emergency Room.

One Piece at a Time: Gregorovius’ “View of Danzig”
One Piece at a Time

Gregorovius’ “View of Danzig”

Strini's ongoing survey of the Milwaukee Art Museum's permanent collection turns to an obscure 1825 celebration of urban architecture.

Angela Iannone peels Katharine Hepburn’s layers

Angela Iannone peels Katharine Hepburn’s layers

In Tandem Theatre brings Iannone back as Hepburn in "Tea at Five."

Journalism and the Arts: A new relationship
Journalism and the Arts

A new relationship

When it comes to the arts, we're not like other media.

A Milwaukee theater “Success” goes to India

A Milwaukee theater “Success” goes to India

John Kishline's "Success," a hit for Theater X in 1991, gets a second life on a six-city tour of success-obsessed India.

Op Ed: The speech Barack Obama ought to give right now
Op Ed

The speech Barack Obama ought to give right now

The debt ceiling deal is an economic and moral disaster for America. The president should say so.

TCD.tv: Dancer Kelly Anderson: languid, sensual, beautiful
TCD.tv

Dancer Kelly Anderson: languid, sensual, beautiful

Kelly Anderson made a dance just for us, in the second in our series of art videos directed by Joel Van Haren.

A rock ‘n’ benefit for the Broadway Theatre Center

A rock ‘n’ benefit for the Broadway Theatre Center

Tommy Hahn's band, Revolush, will play a set and back hits from rock musicals, to benefit the Skylight Opera Theatre and building.

Eiko and Koma: Birth and death again and again and…
Eiko and Koma

Birth and death again and again and…

Alverno Presents opens its season early, with the intensity of Butoh at the Lynden Sculpture Garden.

Eiko & Koma’s “Raven” to hover over the Lynden Garden

Eiko & Koma’s “Raven” to hover over the Lynden Garden

Legendary exponents of the dark Butoh dance style will perform in a dried-up pond Saturday. It's sold out.

Seven (more) things Strini’s been meaning to tell you

Seven (more) things Strini’s been meaning to tell you

HBO's musically savvy "Treme," Marcus Center news, Present Music big show, Public Theater grant, UPAF news, MBC and UWM work together, the Choral Artists up for a prize.

Daniel Burkholder and company, in somber at Danceworks

Daniel Burkholder and company, in somber at Danceworks

Two danced tragedies, one private and implicit, the other public and explicit, from Burkholder's Washington DC PlayGround company.

Daniel Burkholder, from DC to UWM to Danceworks

Daniel Burkholder, from DC to UWM to Danceworks

Washington choreographer and his DC-based PlayGround company will present his master's thesis program in public.

Emmylou Harris, silk and steel at the Pabst Theater

Emmylou Harris, silk and steel at the Pabst Theater

Opener Corey Chisel charms and wins a big ovation from Harris' big crowd.

LeGendre and Foster’s Wonderland at UWM

LeGendre and Foster’s Wonderland at UWM

Don't miss "The Museum of Narrow Places," a performance-art labyrinth concocted by UWM dancers. Just one more showing, 8 p.m. Saturday.

Crime and Punishment, abridged at APT

Crime and Punishment, abridged at APT

Dostoyevsky's novel, in American Players Theatre's 90-minute version, engages, bores, and re-engages.

APT’s “Taming of the Shrew” a sly boost for Shrew Liberation

APT’s “Taming of the Shrew” a sly boost for Shrew Liberation

Surrender to a man is a feminist victory for Woman in this smart APT production.

American Players Theatre’s intimate, subtle and varied “Glass Menagerie”

American Players Theatre’s intimate, subtle and varied “Glass Menagerie”

In Tennessee Williams' classic of American family dysfunction, APT finds the rueful laughter amid the sorrow.

In APT’s “The Critic,” the theater makes fun of itself — and what fun!

In APT’s “The Critic,” the theater makes fun of itself — and what fun!

Director William Brown and a virtuosic American Players Theatre cast brings Sheridan's 1779 burlesque to hilarious life.

These dancers don’t take the summer off

These dancers don’t take the summer off

NEW: Updated times, details. Alverno Presents & Lynden Sculpture Garden, UWM, Danceworks and the Milwaukee Ballet School keep moving right through July.

Seven things Strini’s been meaning to tell you

Seven things Strini’s been meaning to tell you

UPAF, Youngblood, Skylight, MSO, UWM Dance, Creative Alliance, JMKAC, First Stage have been bouncing around in his head and now on our pages.

TCD.tv: Our video series begins with Youngblood Theatre
TCD.tv

Our video series begins with Youngblood Theatre

Video artists Joel Van Haren and Kelly Anderson premiere TCD.tv with a gripping scene from Mickle Maher's "An Apology."

Amy X Neuburg: Chops and charm for Present Music
Amy X Neuburg

Chops and charm for Present Music

Avant-garde diva, a big hit with Present Music in two prior visits, returns Saturday.

MSO ends its season with a gripping Mahler “Resurrection”

MSO ends its season with a gripping Mahler “Resurrection”

Edo de Waart leads the orchestra, chorus and soloists through one of Western culture's greatest musical adventures.

Cellist Wolfgang Laufer has died

Cellist Wolfgang Laufer has died

Laufer was cellist of the Fine Arts Quartet from 1979 until March of this year.

Fine Arts Quartet off and on in Summer Evening 2

Fine Arts Quartet off and on in Summer Evening 2

FAQ veterans mesh, in the end, with guest cellist Eric Kim.

MSO, cellist Xavier Phillips get personal with Elgar

MSO, cellist Xavier Phillips get personal with Elgar

Edo de Waart has his forces fully engaged with music by Elgar, Hindemith and Dvorak.

This Week at the MSO: Cellist Xavier Phillips
This Week at the MSO

Cellist Xavier Phillips

A French cellist, on the eve of his Milwaukee debut, ponders, with disarming frankness, life and art.

Summer Evenings of Music: Good news and a good start
Summer Evenings of Music

Good news and a good start

The Fine Arts Quartet and guests Ilana Setapen (violin) and Xiayin Wong (piano) excel in Wolf, Chausson and Schubert.

The Rep’s Mark Clements reflects, looks ahead

The Rep’s Mark Clements reflects, looks ahead

The artistic director seeks to build on a spectacular first season at the helm of Wisconsin's biggest theater company.

On Stage May 24: Youngblood’s take on Faust, MSO’s Wicked Divas
On Stage May 24

Youngblood’s take on Faust, MSO’s Wicked Divas

Even on Memorial Day weekend, actors and musicians are stirring.

Skylight’s “Adding Machine”: Burlesque, bitter and funny
Skylight’s “Adding Machine”

Burlesque, bitter and funny

In Josh Schmidt's breakthrough musical, life was terrible and hilarious in 1923. Kinda like now.

Milwaukee Ballet’s fun “Coppelia” (Review)

Milwaukee Ballet’s fun “Coppelia” (Review)

Michael Pink's revival eschews the cute and cloying and embraces the fresh and funny. And the style and technique are impeccable.

Composer Josh Schmidt, on “The Adding Machine”

Composer Josh Schmidt, on “The Adding Machine”

The rising-star discusses the Skylight's staging of his 2008 musical, already a hit in Chicago and New York.

“Coppelia” returns to the Milwaukee Ballet

“Coppelia” returns to the Milwaukee Ballet

Actor Dan Mooney will play Dr. Coppelius in Michael Pink's revival of the 1870 comedy.

On Stage May 17-23: Sweet ballet, a tough musical, a uke, more
On Stage May 17-23

Sweet ballet, a tough musical, a uke, more

MBC dusts off "Coppelia," Skylight brings home "The Adding Machine," Bel Canto + MSO, funk in Brookfield, hi-tech art at UWM.

Florentine’s Baroque double bill is pitch-perfect

Florentine’s Baroque double bill is pitch-perfect

The Florentine Opera's "Venus and Adonis" and "Dido and Aeneas" are at once thoroughly modern and authentically Baroque.

MSO: Delfs returns to a warm welcome
MSO

Delfs returns to a warm welcome

MSO Chorus shines in Lauridsen's "Lux Aeterna"; Delfs, in top form, brings Tchaikovsky's Fifth to full boil.

Ed Burgess, chair of the UWM Dance Department, has died

Ed Burgess, chair of the UWM Dance Department, has died

UPDATE Saturday May 13: Blog established for posting memories of Ed Burgess.

This Week at the MSO: Andreas Delfs returns
This Week at the MSO

Andreas Delfs returns

Extensive travel has given Milwaukee's former music director a long view of the classical music world. It's not reassuring.

Alpin Hong, more than a pianist

Alpin Hong, more than a pianist

Hong -- young, hip and hilarious -- will complete a two-week South Milwaukee residency with two programs this weekend.

On Stage 5/10-16: Delfs returns, a three-opera weekend and Mad Hot
On Stage 5/10-16

Delfs returns, a three-opera weekend and Mad Hot

The Florentine stages a Baroque double bill, Windfall puts on a one-man opera, Delfs conducts the MSO, and more.

The Florentine’s charming Venus

The Florentine’s charming Venus

Greer Davis, a Florentine young artist in 2008-09, returns as the goddess of love and beauty on a Baroque double bill.

Performing Arts 2011-12, all in one place

Performing Arts 2011-12, all in one place

Print out this this comprehensive guide to the coming arts season and paste it on your refrigerator. Or just bookmark it. It's quite something.

MSO Pops: Hamlisch excels at Hamlisch and more
MSO Pops

Hamlisch excels at Hamlisch and more

Marvin Hamlisch's love for American popular music runneth over at the Pops, and a Milwaukee high school student has a star turn.

Theatre Gigante: Nijinsky and Isadora, a meeting of minds
Theatre Gigante

Nijinsky and Isadora, a meeting of minds

Um... what were they thinking?

On Stage 5/3-9: No No Nanette, Yes Yes Marvin
On Stage 5/3-9

No No Nanette, Yes Yes Marvin

UWM revives 1920s musical, Marvin Hamlisch does his own thing at Pops, ghosts of Isadora and Nijinsky haunt Gigante, and more.

Early Music Now: One King, Six Royal Weddings
Early Music Now

One King, Six Royal Weddings

The Flanders Recorder Quartet and guests offer a musico/poetic survey of the busy love life of Henry VIII.

Danceworks gets physical and brainy in Bay View

Danceworks gets physical and brainy in Bay View

Danceworks has never done anything like the brilliant "Stone Soup," a 45-minute abstraction of the highest order.

This Week at the MSO: Cirque de la Pops
This Week at the MSO

Cirque de la Pops

Cirque de la Symphonie brings out the artistic side of the circus.

Danceworks, organically grown

Danceworks, organically grown

Danceworks Performance Company takes its latest show to Sweetwater Organics, an indoor aquaponics farm in Bay View.

On Stage 4/26-5/2: A high-brow week, except for those Brain Thieves
On Stage 4/26-5/2

A high-brow week, except for those Brain Thieves

An incredible five theater openings this week, plus Danceworks, Pops, and Early Music Now.

Prometheus Trio: Dazzling French, odd Germans
Prometheus Trio

Dazzling French, odd Germans

Prometheus Trio's season finale includes Ravel, Boulanger, Schumann and Beethoven. Repeat performance Tuesday night.

On Stage 4/19-25: “Les Miz” and more
On Stage 4/19-25

“Les Miz” and more

Touring show lands at the Marcus Center, Boulevard opens a Shaw and Wilder double bill, George Winston's at the Pabst, percussion at UWM, chamber music at the Conservatory.

The Rep’s powerful “Death of a Salesman”

The Rep’s powerful “Death of a Salesman”

In Arthur Miller's classic mid-century play, the worst lies are the ones you tell yourself.

MSO: Uihlein’s amazing accidental acoustics
MSO

Uihlein’s amazing accidental acoustics

The MSO sounds great surrounded by plywood, guest conductor Gilbert Varga and pianist Kirill Gerstein shine.

Wild Space Dance takes us on a pleasant trip

Wild Space Dance takes us on a pleasant trip

"How to Get from Here to There" is less about place and more about the state of Being There.

This Week at the MSO: Back in Uihlein Hall — barely
This Week at the MSO

Back in Uihlein Hall — barely

Marcus Center people are doing what they can to create a suitable environment for the orchestra, in the wake of damage to the acoustical shell in Uihlein Hall.

The Rep’s Laura Gordon, on “Death of a Salesman”

The Rep’s Laura Gordon, on “Death of a Salesman”

Rep veteran Gordon plays opposite long-time colleague Lee E. Ernst in Arthur Miller's mid-century American classic.

Dance in a less Wild Space

Dance in a less Wild Space

Debra Loewen's Wild Space Dance Company performs in a clean, well-lighted theater, for a change.

On Stage 4/12-18: Classic American theater leads a busy week
On Stage 4/12-18

Classic American theater leads a busy week

The Rep and Chamber Theatre revive classic dramas, four nights of Unruly Music, guitar at UWM, Wild Space on stage, two orchestras get busy, doc film at UWM.

Philomusica Quartet: Wild Beethoven, dramatic Brahms, bright Haydn
Philomusica Quartet

Wild Beethoven, dramatic Brahms, bright Haydn

The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music's string quartet in residence concluded its season Monday night.

Mark Morris Dance Group feels the music, at the Wilson Center

Mark Morris Dance Group feels the music, at the Wilson Center

A genius choreographer at the top of his game, with a brilliant company as his muse and instrument.

It’s De-So-So: Hamlisch’s MSO Pops Cole Porter show
It’s De-So-So

Hamlisch’s MSO Pops Cole Porter show

The Pops soldier on at the Riverside Theater while Uihlein Hall is closed for repairs.

Chamber Music Milwaukee: Pleasant breezes from brass and winds
Chamber Music Milwaukee

Pleasant breezes from brass and winds

More rare and wonderful repertoire, expertly played, at UWM's mixed-ensemble chamber series.

Update on Uihlein Hall repairs

Update on Uihlein Hall repairs

Marcus Center management hopes repair the stage and backstage machinery in time for the April 15 MSO concert.

On Stage 4/5-11: Mark Morris dance, MSO’s Cole Porter and more
On Stage 4/5-11

Mark Morris dance, MSO’s Cole Porter and more

Lots of classy stuff, plus a trailer park musical from Carte Blanche. Juicy links inside.

Big week: Rep’s intern show, UWM matters and more
Big week

Rep’s intern show, UWM matters and more

Do see the Rep's interns (last chance 2 p.m. Sunday); and check out the catch-up items to see how much UWM matters in the arts.

Milwaukee Opera Theatre: Virginia Woolf drowns, dolphin rescues Arion
Milwaukee Opera Theatre

Virginia Woolf drowns, dolphin rescues Arion

Singing actresses Diane Lane and Susan Wiedmeyer take on challenging one-woman shows.

Milwaukee Ballet: 3 good dances, lots of great dancing
Milwaukee Ballet

3 good dances, lots of great dancing

Thursday night, Darrell Grand Moultrie's dazzling Frequencies Lit led a strong mixed-rep program. The company looks terrific.

Milwaukee Opera Theatre showcases two big talents

Milwaukee Opera Theatre showcases two big talents

Singing actors Diane Lane, Susan Wiedmeyer featured in monodramas by Dominick Argento and Ben Krywosz.

Milwaukee Ballet: Three Choreographers, three stories
Milwaukee Ballet

Three Choreographers, three stories

Darrell Grand Moultrie, Diane Coburn Bruning and the Milwaukee Ballet's own Petr Zahradnicek bring distinct dances to MBC.

On Stage 3/29-4/4: Sing, sing, sing!
On Stage 3/29-4/4

Sing, sing, sing!

Singing from the Florentine, SMPAC and Wilson Center; Milwaukee Ballet mixed-rep, interns gone wild at the Rep, and big-time jazz at UWM.

Next Act’s “Sleeping Country”: Half funny, half not
Next Act’s “Sleeping Country”

Half funny, half not

Playwright goes for heart-tugging when wisecracks and one-liners would have been enough.

MSO’s lively music from the Age of Enlightenment

MSO’s lively music from the Age of Enlightenment

Conductor Christopher Seaman brings out the nuance in the orchestra, the Naughton twins and Todd Levy deliver the solo goods.

This Week at the MSO: Todd Levy plays Stamitz’s Clarinet Concerto
This Week at the MSO

Todd Levy plays Stamitz’s Clarinet Concerto

Johann Stamitz --not a household name. But he was crucial to the development of the orchestra and the clarinet's place in it.

Joshua Bell, with the MSO and the kids; slideshow

Joshua Bell, with the MSO and the kids; slideshow

Celebrated violinist rehearses Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 with the MSO, then meets MYSO and String Academy kids Wednesday afternoon.

On Stage 3/22-28: It’s like speed dating, but artsy
On Stage 3/22-28

It’s like speed dating, but artsy

This week: violin virtuoso Joshua Bell plays with the MSO, Off the Wall takes on Brecht and We Six takes the "A Train" with Billy Strayhorn.

Frankly Music: Chopin and Schumann con brio
Frankly Music

Chopin and Schumann con brio

Violinist Frank Almond, pianist Adam Golka and cellist Anthony Ross put their stamps on Chopin and Schumann.

Iva Bittova a sensation with Present Music

Iva Bittova a sensation with Present Music

Unique composer-singer-violinist charms and amazes; Present Music ensemble ignites Steve Reich's new "Double Sextet."

“Italian Girl”: Brainless comedy, super singing
“Italian Girl”

Brainless comedy, super singing

The Florentine Opera's staging of Rossini's "Italian Girl in Algiers" charms, amuses, impresses.

Iva Bittova, Present Music’s guest diva

Iva Bittova, Present Music’s guest diva

Czech singer-violinist-composer is one of a kind, and a winning presence.

Skylight: Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” goes Chicago, 1958
Skylight

Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” goes Chicago, 1958

Dmitri Tosca's updated libretto levels the playing field in the battle of the sexes and makes the opera almost modern.

An Italian Girl in Algiers, a Skylighter at the Florentine

An Italian Girl in Algiers, a Skylighter at the Florentine

Bill Theisen, Skylight AD, directs the Florentine Opera's staging of Rossini's early comedy.

On Stage 3/15-21: Artsy abundance, wrapped neatly for you, boyo
On Stage 3/15-21

Artsy abundance, wrapped neatly for you, boyo

Tá fáilte romhat. (You're welcome.)

MSO: Gil Shaham masters Walton’s Violin Concerto
MSO

Gil Shaham masters Walton’s Violin Concerto

Walton's concerto is very, very good. But very, very difficult. That's why we haven't heard it here since 1992.

Musical Americana Sunday in Milwaukee

Musical Americana Sunday in Milwaukee

The Festival City Symphony and the Bel Canto Chorus, separately and accidentally, put on concerts of American music.

The Milwaukee Ballet’s Storybook 2011-12 season

The Milwaukee Ballet’s Storybook 2011-12 season

"Dracula," "The Nutcracker" and "Peter Pan." Big story ballets by Michael Pink, coming in 2011-12.

This Week at the MSO: Fantastic Romantic Berlioz
This Week at the MSO

Fantastic Romantic Berlioz

The story behind the "Symphonie Fantastique" is even crazier than the music. This just in: 50% OFF promo code inside!

On Stage March 8-14: Arts from Africa and everywhere
On Stage March 8-14

Arts from Africa and everywhere

Five continents will represent in Milwaukee culture this week. Missed Australia, but really -- who needs Antarctica?

Fine Arts Quartet: Missing man formation
Fine Arts Quartet

Missing man formation

Long-time cellist Wolfgang Laufer announces his retirement before Sunday's concert. FAQ plays on with guest cellist Robert Cohen.

The Rep’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”: Funny as hell
The Rep’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

Funny as hell

In August Wilson's 1982 play, the good-humored grace of talented African-Americans bends under the pressure of American racism.

Wild Night at the MSO

Wild Night at the MSO

John Adams' "Harmonium" blows the doors off Uihlein Hall; de Waart delivers a noble "Adagio for Strings" and a sparkling "Eroica."

This Week at the MSO: Adams’ metaphysical “Harmonium”
This Week at the MSO

Adams’ metaphysical “Harmonium”

John Adams probes the edge of awareness. Barber's "Adagio for Strings" and Beethoven's "Eroica" symphony complete the program.

On Stage 3/1-7: Got those Eroica Black Bottom blues, oh yes
On Stage 3/1-7

Got those Eroica Black Bottom blues, oh yes

An August Wilson classic, the MSO goes classical, classical guitar at UWM, plus string quartet, accordion, Afro-Caribbean, dinner theater.

Madison, WI: the Pearl Harbor of the class war
Madison, WI

the Pearl Harbor of the class war

Scott Walker dropped his bomb on the workers of Wisconsin. But the middle class is standing -- and ready to fight.

Six arts stories for the price of one!

Six arts stories for the price of one!

Danceworks extends Vaudeville! smash, Cultural Alliance changes mission and name, WCM and MCC prosper, MCO struggles, MONC news.

A rookie impresario arranges an aria recital

A rookie impresario arranges an aria recital

Jean-Pierre Riffard brings Slovak soprano Katarina Vovkova, with baritone Alexandr Vovk, to her Milwaukee debut. The cause: Textbooks for Nigerian students.

On Stage 2/22-3/1 Riddle: What’s on your head and at Uihlein Hall?
On Stage 2/22-3/1 Riddle

What’s on your head and at Uihlein Hall?

"Hair," of course! Also this week: lots going on at UWM, a European soprano recital, "Murder at Howard Johnson's" and "10 Perfect" at Stritch University.

Boulevard’s Becky Shaw, a sweet romantic comedy — NOT!

Boulevard’s Becky Shaw, a sweet romantic comedy — NOT!

In Gina Gionfriddo's comedy, five characters obsess on their feelings, hurt one another and have no idea of how amusing they are.

Danceworks’ “Vaudeville,” brilliant show-biz with big, odd twists

Danceworks’ “Vaudeville,” brilliant show-biz with big, odd twists

Kelly Anderson and the Danceworks Performance Company look back in time to get post-modern.

MSO: Setapen spectacular in Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
MSO

Setapen spectacular in Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

Carlo Rizzi, in his MSO debut, impresses with Stravinsky and Shostakovich.

Vaudeville, from Danceworks and a real character

Vaudeville, from Danceworks and a real character

Danceworks Performance Company and Kelly Anderson put on a thoroughly modern old-time show.

This Week at the MSO: Guest conductor Carlo Rizzi
This Week at the MSO

Guest conductor Carlo Rizzi

Italian conductor, long ensconced in Cardiff, Wales, makes his MSO debut.

Chamber Theatre puts its stamp on “Mauritius”

Chamber Theatre puts its stamp on “Mauritius”

In Theresa Rebeck's play, two sisters and a trio of shady men try to get their hands on a pair of rare, valuable stamps.

On Stage 2/15-21: Vaudeville, orchestras and stamps. Oh my.
On Stage 2/15-21

Vaudeville, orchestras and stamps. Oh my.

Setapen with the MSO, Chamber Theatre's thriller, Chamber Orchestra gets busy, First Stage for the little kids, Windfall's dark comedy

Chamber Music Milwaukee hosts rising star soprano

Chamber Music Milwaukee hosts rising star soprano

Susanna Phillips, soprano, covers spectrum, writer Richard Walters surprises as composer and pianist, and art students deck the hall.

Early Music Now’s Plaine & Easie

Early Music Now’s Plaine & Easie

Stellar singing, excellent playing, and a fascinating program of lute-centric music c. 1600.

Arlo Guthrie charms with the MSO Pops

Arlo Guthrie charms with the MSO Pops

The 1960s-70s iconic folksinger is just as you remember him, only better.

Hello, Frank Lloyd Wright

Hello, Frank Lloyd Wright

The Milwaukee Art Museum's Wright show points to the practical, sustainable qualities of America's most visionary architect.

Milwaukee Ballet’s Choreography Competition: Win-Win
Milwaukee Ballet’s Choreography Competition

Win-Win

Two very strong entries in MBC's Genesis Competition, and one interesting but flawed dance. Attend and vote for your favorite.

Genesis: Milwaukee Ballet’s truly International competition
Genesis

Milwaukee Ballet’s truly International competition

Choreographers from Mexico via Canada, Australia and Italy via Berlin are finalists in Milwaukee Ballet Company's biennial.

On Stage 2/8: A packed arts weekend starts Tuesday this week
On Stage 2/8

A packed arts weekend starts Tuesday this week

Arlo at the MSO, competition at the Ballet, three theater openings, three chamber concerts and Frank Lloyd Wright at MAM. Skylight discount code inside!

Philomusica Quartet: with ears and hearts wide open
Philomusica Quartet

with ears and hearts wide open

Sensitivity to detail, grasp of the big picture, a feel for the feelings and high energy make for gripping Shostakovich, Gorecki and Beethoven.

MSO German Fest 3: Four stellar guest artists
MSO German Fest 3

Four stellar guest artists

Ax sensational in Beethoven's Piano Concert No. 4; Silvestrelli, Forbis and Wray powerful in Wagner.

This Week at the MSO: Wagnerian voices, pianist Emanuel Ax
This Week at the MSO

Wagnerian voices, pianist Emanuel Ax

MSO's German Festival ends with Act 1 of The Valkyrie and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4.

NEW! The show must go on. NOT!

NEW! The show must go on. NOT!

Snow shuts down The Rep, Youngblood, Skylight; also, other stuff I've been meaning to tell you.

On Stage 2/1-8: Alice in String Quartet Land and more
On Stage 2/1-8

Alice in String Quartet Land and more

Off the Wall takes on Lewis Carroll, those UWM dance kids, the Fine Arts and the Philomusica get busy, MSO German Fest goes on, Riverdance returns.

Frankly Music: 4 to Tango
Frankly Music

4 to Tango

Frank Almond and friends play tangos and have the most fun ever.

MSO German Fest 2: Brahms, Schumann, Beethoven
MSO German Fest 2

Brahms, Schumann, Beethoven

De Waart illumines Schumann's dense Symphony No. 3, Garrick Ohlssohn shines in Beethoven's "Emperor" Piano Concerto.

Now I really want the Packers to beat the Steelers

Now I really want the Packers to beat the Steelers

Because I really want the Milwaukee Art Museum to win that bet with Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Art.

Wild Space takes it to the bank

Wild Space takes it to the bank

Debra Loewen's new Past Present brims with dreamy, arresting moments, but there's a slow patch in the middle.

This Week at the MSO: German Fest 2, Gaudeamus baby!
This Week at the MSO

German Fest 2, Gaudeamus baby!

Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture"; you know it well, right? No you don't.

Wild Space dances downtown in elegant space

Wild Space dances downtown in elegant space

The gorgeously refurbished Milwaukee County Historical Society, in 1913 a Beaux Arts bank, is home of Debra Loewen's latest site-specific dance.

On Stage 1/25-31: Without football, what would we have? Plenty.
On Stage 1/25-31

Without football, what would we have? Plenty.

Dance with Wild Space and Heidi Latsky, music with MSO, Fest City and Frankly Music, openings at the Rep and the Skylight, jazz and more.

MSO German Fest 1: Sly Brahms, sparkling Beethoven, epic R. Strauss
MSO German Fest 1

Sly Brahms, sparkling Beethoven, epic R. Strauss

MSO, de Waart polish three brands of German Romanticism. Pianist Brautigam gives a pithy Beethoven Concerto No. 3.

Two big boys of Milwaukee theater play “Big Boys”

Two big boys of Milwaukee theater play “Big Boys”

Norman Moses and David Cecsarini play business rivals in an executive-suite comedy by Rich Orloff, at Next Act.

This Week at the MSO: The new exec, and Germanfest in January
This Week at the MSO

The new exec, and Germanfest in January

Maryellen Gleason's first days as the MSO's president/CEO, and a rundown of the orchestra's German Festival.

On Stage 1/18-24: A big theater weekend, and German music
On Stage 1/18-24

A big theater weekend, and German music

Youngblood Theatre revives an interrupted hit, Hank Williams at the Rep, Big Business at Next Act and Germans at the MSO.

MSO: Geoffrey Gordon’s Trombone Concerto, Megumi Kanda a hit
MSO

Geoffrey Gordon’s Trombone Concerto, Megumi Kanda a hit

Guest conductor James Gaffigan impresses with a complex new concerto, contemplative Ives and essential Mozart.

Itzhak Perlman special at the MSO

Itzhak Perlman special at the MSO

He's the world's most famous violinist for a lot of good reasons.

Haggerty, Skylight, Film Festival, Lynden, Next Act: Good news
Haggerty, Skylight, Film Festival, Lynden, Next Act

Good news

Good news about Milwaukee arts institutions. See, it happens sometimes.

This Week at the MSO: A new trombone concerto, Itzhak Perlman
This Week at the MSO

A new trombone concerto, Itzhak Perlman

Principal trombonist Megumi Kanda premieres Geoffrey Gordon concerto. Perlman plays a special one-nighter Thursday.

On Stage 1/11-17: Orchestras gone wild, big theater openings
On Stage 1/11-17

Orchestras gone wild, big theater openings

Ilana Setapen featured in MYSO big concert, Perlman and a premiere at the MSO, The Rep turns to Hitchcock, Renaissance and Uprooted Theaters team up.

Present Music: Margaret Leng Tan’s mischief and mystery
Present Music

Margaret Leng Tan’s mischief and mystery

The Queen of the Toy piano enchants a big crowd at Turner Hall. Osvaldo Golijov's tango-flavored "Last Round" thrills it.

On Stage 1/4-1/10: Mamma Mia! at the Marcus, toy piano at Turner Hall
On Stage 1/4-1/10

Mamma Mia! at the Marcus, toy piano at Turner Hall

Present Music brings the Queen of the Toy Piano to Milwaukee, and ongoing shows go on.

Design in Your Life: Packing up Christmas
Design in Your Life

Packing up Christmas

Christmas by Krebs cares about design. Which is to say: It cares about you.

The Skylight’s Collier and Cobb serve Gershwin & Friends well

The Skylight’s Collier and Cobb serve Gershwin & Friends well

The classic songs wouldn't carry the day without the talented and appealing Cynthia Cobb and Parrish Collier.

This Week at the MSO: Sha Na Na Pops in to open 2011
This Week at the MSO

Sha Na Na Pops in to open 2011

Sha Na Na started as a 1969 nostalgia act about 1950s doo-wop. History blurs after 40 years, but they're still crazy man crazy for the music.

New Year’s Eve and beyond with Gershwin and Friends at the Skylight

New Year’s Eve and beyond with Gershwin and Friends at the Skylight

The Skylight's new revue spotlights Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington.

On Stage 12/28: MSO, Sha Na Na, party like it’s 1959
On Stage 12/28

MSO, Sha Na Na, party like it’s 1959

Not quite all is calm post-Christmas, as the Skylight, MSO and the Racine Theatre Guild ring in the New Year.

I’ve been meaning to tell you…

I’ve been meaning to tell you…

Arty news bits, gathered into a handy package.

On Stage 12/21-27: Santa’s Steamroller
On Stage 12/21-27

Santa’s Steamroller

Mannheim Steamroller, durable and inexplicable, plays its Christmas show at the Milwaukee Theatre; other local holiday shows roll on.

A video Christmas card from Elizabeth Johnson and YMD

A video Christmas card from Elizabeth Johnson and YMD

A sweet, simple dance that embodies the warmest, noblest sentiments of the season, from Your Mother Dances to you via TCD.

Winter Warmers: Mr. B’s classic NY strip ‘n’ salad
Winter Warmers

Mr. B’s classic NY strip ‘n’ salad

Chef Brent Perszyk shares the sort of fare he personally enjoys: Steak hot from a fiery oven, with a few flavorful greens on the side.

Your Mother Dances: gunslinger cool, fuzzy and warm
Your Mother Dances

gunslinger cool, fuzzy and warm

Jingle bell time is a swell time to rock and roll.

Knapp leads a scintillating MSO “Messiah”

Knapp leads a scintillating MSO “Messiah”

The MSO performs Handel's oratorio through Sunday. Don't have a ticket? Then wait for the Second Coming. The run is SOLD OUT.

Elizabeth Johnson, dancing on her own grave

Elizabeth Johnson, dancing on her own grave

"But it's really kind of cheery," she says. And there's the holiday cheer of David Parker's "Nut/Cracked" on this Your Mother Dances outing.

On Stage 12/14-20: “Hostages,” “In a Black Mood.” Merry Xmas.
On Stage 12/14-20

“Hostages,” “In a Black Mood.” Merry Xmas.

Sure, sure, they sound a little grinchy. But even the season's darker shows have their grins, too.

Winter Warmers: Cooking with the Pfister’s Robert Ash
Winter Warmers

Cooking with the Pfister’s Robert Ash

Robert Ash, executive chef at the Pfister Hotel, makes a cool cold-weather salad. With a bonus drink recipe from Blu!

A perfect “Nutcracker” from the Milwaukee Ballet

A perfect “Nutcracker” from the Milwaukee Ballet

Michael Pink's "The Nutcracker" spins out a fleet, clear story, and a bright cast articulates it to a T.

The Nutcracker, the Milwaukee Ballet, and Michael Pink

The Nutcracker, the Milwaukee Ballet, and Michael Pink

Artistic director Michael Pink has a new five-year contract with MBC. God bless us everyone.

On Stage 12/6-13: What’s Christmas without a lotta Spam?
On Stage 12/6-13

What’s Christmas without a lotta Spam?

Seasonal fare, both profound and fun, will co-exist with Monty Python this weekend.

At home with the Prometheus Trio

At home with the Prometheus Trio

Interesting programs, beautifully played, in the most welcoming atmosphere.

Jeff Tyzik’s MSO Christmas card

Jeff Tyzik’s MSO Christmas card

Tyzik's music, warmth and jokes win over a big MSO Holiday Pops crowd.

This Week at the MSO: Jeff Tyzik’s Holiday Pops
This Week at the MSO

Jeff Tyzik’s Holiday Pops

Jeff Tyzik takes the Pops seriously because, well, it's music.

On Stage 11/30-12/6: Ghosts of Christmas Past
On Stage 11/30-12/6

Ghosts of Christmas Past

The MSO, The Rep, Next Act, Bel Canto serve seasonal comfort food.

Frankly Music’s smart, sensitive Chopin and Schumann

Frankly Music’s smart, sensitive Chopin and Schumann

Violinist Frank Almond, pianist William Wolfram, violist Max Mandel and cellist Stephen Balderston know how genius ought to sound.

Winter Warmers: Cold-weather cooking with top Milwaukee chefs
Winter Warmers

Cold-weather cooking with top Milwaukee chefs

Dream Dance Steak's resident genius Jason Gorman dreams up a native Wisconsin side dish you can make at home. A TCD exclusive.

This Week at the MSO: Tchaikovsky’s Orchestrion
This Week at the MSO

Tchaikovsky’s Orchestrion

We like the idea of genius springing from nowhere. It doesn't. Also: A surprise MSO ticket discount ticket code inside!

On Stage 11/23-29: Australian Bombshell, more Almond
On Stage 11/23-29

Australian Bombshell, more Almond

Caroline O'Connor debuts at the Rep, Frankly Music honors Chopin and Schumann and hints at a Barber premiere, Mark Bucher's Boulevard exit.

Present Music’s Thanksgiving: I’m grateful
Present Music’s Thanksgiving

I’m grateful

Present Music's annual concert at the cathedral offers engaging music and the noblest seasonal sentiments.

Skylight’s Pinafore smart and saucey

Skylight’s Pinafore smart and saucey

Gary Briggle, John Muriello and Aliche Berneche shine in Bill Theisen's clever staging.

Present Music’s Special Thanksgiving arrangement

Present Music’s Special Thanksgiving arrangement

How Present Music, Milwaukee Choral Artists and Anonymous 4 arranged for some special music by John Tavener to be heard in Milwaukee.

Frank Almond + Barber Violin Concerto = Beauty

Frank Almond + Barber Violin Concerto = Beauty

Frank Almond releases the glorious warmth in Barber's melodies; Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra gleams for de Waart.

Alessi: Designing business
Alessi

Designing business

Alberto Alessi makes beauty work in the abstract and in the marketplace.

This Week at the MSO: Samuel Barber at 100
This Week at the MSO

Samuel Barber at 100

Frank Almond, MSO concertmaster, will be the soloist in Barber's Violin Concerto this weekend.

Skylight Holiday Cruise for “H.M.S. Pinafore”

Skylight Holiday Cruise for “H.M.S. Pinafore”

A Gilbert & Sullivan favorite with a few new wrinkles.

On Stage 11/16-22: A big theater week
On Stage 11/16-22

A big theater week

Four theater offerings open, two more continue, the MSO keeps busy and Present Music upholds its Thanksgiving tradition.

Philomusica Quartet’s bright energy

Philomusica Quartet’s bright energy

The Philomusica brings enthusiasm, and the skill and savvy to back it up, to bear on Boccherini, Beethoven and Schumann.

Basses are Aces at the MSO

Basses are Aces at the MSO

Edgar Meyer and Zachary Cohen burn up the big strings; Perry So conducts an elegant MSO debut.

Design thinking: our next competitive advantage?
Design thinking

our next competitive advantage?

The arts, repositioned from pricey civic ornament to key business asset.

This Week at the MSO: Back to Bassics
This Week at the MSO

Back to Bassics

Edgar Meyer, world's most famous bass player, and Zachary Cohen, MSO principal bassist, featured with the MSO this week. Meet Zach.

On Stage 11/9-15: String basses and string quartets
On Stage 11/9-15

String basses and string quartets

MSO's back in action, with bassist Edgar Meyer. String quartets play on Sunday and Monday, and theater companies roll on.

EMN’s “Fretwork” mixes new and old, with mixed results

EMN’s “Fretwork” mixes new and old, with mixed results

Early Music Now presents the British viol ensemble in a suite of pieces from Sir Francis Drake's day, laced together with new bits by composer Orlando Gough.

Pink Banana’s “Tape” checks into the Downtown Best Western

Pink Banana’s “Tape” checks into the Downtown Best Western

Milwaukee theater company stages a play set in a hotel room in a real hotel room.

On Stage 11/2-8: Music on the high seas, assorted gems
On Stage 11/2-8

Music on the high seas, assorted gems

Early Music Now presents music from Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe. Plus, lots of cheap or free stuff.

Review: Film composers at Chamber Music Milwaukee
Review

Film composers at Chamber Music Milwaukee

Zelazo a Psycho-Free Zone Monday, as Bernard Herrmann and other film composers go soft and sweet off screen.

Review: Youngblood’s “Freakshow”
Review

Youngblood’s “Freakshow”

Carson Kreitzer's play seems to be about freaks in a failing traveling show. It's really about something closer to home.

Meet the MSO’s Ilana Setapen

Meet the MSO’s Ilana Setapen

"I do consider myself a fiery, aggressive player. And I do think it's a show."

Review: Milwaukee Ballet’s “Esmeralda”
Review

Milwaukee Ballet’s “Esmeralda”

Michael Pink's "Hunchback" returns with a new name, a cleaner look, a super cast. But it remains overwrought.

Jason Powell’s comix opera

Jason Powell’s comix opera

Milwaukee Opera Theater commissioned "Fortuna the Timebender vs. The Schoolgirls of Doom." Really. Premieres Thursday.

MSO has a new president/CEO

MSO has a new president/CEO

Maryellen Gleason will leave the Phoenix Symphony to take over the Milwaukee Symphony's business side.

The Ballet’s “Hunchback” reborn as “Esmeralda”

The Ballet’s “Hunchback” reborn as “Esmeralda”

Milwaukee Ballet's Michael Pink renames and rethinks his ballet after the Victor Hugo novel.

On Stage 10/26-11/1: Freaky theater, cinematic chamber music
On Stage 10/26-11/1

Freaky theater, cinematic chamber music

Youngblood stages Freakshow in a warehouse, and Chamber Music Milwaukee shows the arty side of movie composers.

NEW Sunday: Deep talent at Saturday’s Wisconsin Met Auditions
NEW Sunday

Deep talent at Saturday’s Wisconsin Met Auditions

A record seven singers from the Wisconsin District will advance to the regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions, in St. Paul in February.

Review: Songs of War and Peace
Review

Songs of War and Peace

Sharon Hansen's Milwaukee Choral Artists and the Chicago Chamber Choir join for a cause.

Review: The Florentine’s “Rio de Sangre”
Review

The Florentine’s “Rio de Sangre”

Don Davis' "Rio," the Florentine's first-ever world premiere, is a hard ride that's worth the trip.

Rio de Sangre, an opera with a muse

Rio de Sangre, an opera with a muse

Soprano Kerry Walsh worked with composer Don Davis since the inception of Rio de Sangre, which the Florentine premieres Friday.

On Stage 10/19-25: Bloody theater and bloody good singing
On Stage 10/19-25

Bloody theater and bloody good singing

Latino Arts opens its Day of the Dead celebration Friday, and Saturday is grand day for singing.

Review: African/Modern dance at Alverno
Review

African/Modern dance at Alverno

Compagnie Jant-Bi's "Waxtaan" is witty, worldly, up-to-date and thoroughly African.

Review: MSO’s Mozart at the Basilica
Review

MSO’s Mozart at the Basilica

Todd Levy's elegant A Major Clarinet Concert, de Waart's intense Requiem. (FYI: Saturday and Sunday SOLD OUT.)

Those Rhode girls and MCT’s “Main-Travelled Roads”

Those Rhode girls and MCT’s “Main-Travelled Roads”

Molly Rhode directs Chamber Theatre's Wisconsin-themed musical, and sister Alissa Rhode is the music director.

This Week at the MSO: Lee Erickson on Mozart’s Requiem
This Week at the MSO

Lee Erickson on Mozart’s Requiem

This just in Friday afternoon: This weekend's concerts are SOLD OUT.

On Stage 10/12-18: From Downtown to Oconomowoc, arts gone wild
On Stage 10/12-18

From Downtown to Oconomowoc, arts gone wild

The MSO takes a road trip, original compositions from Ludovico Einaudi at the Marcus, and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre opens "Main Travelled Roads" this week.

Review: The MSO’s Rachmaninoff
Review

The MSO’s Rachmaninoff

Joyce Yang is brilliant in Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. And forget what you think you know about Rachmaninoff; listen to what Edo de Waart thinks.

This Week at the MSO: Rachmaninoff, seriously
This Week at the MSO

Rachmaninoff, seriously

Pianist Joyce Yang, stellar in Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto last season, returns with the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini -- music with a back story.

On Stage 10/4-10/11: Murder Castle, Unruly Music, MAM’s Euro Mo/Po-Mo Show
On Stage 10/4-10/11

Murder Castle, Unruly Music, MAM’s Euro Mo/Po-Mo Show

Two big art openings, lots of theater, music old and new. And more -- because this is Milwaukee, biggest arts mecca north of Chicago and east of Minneapolis.

Review: Danceworks’ fascinating “Lying”
Review

Danceworks’ fascinating “Lying”

This very strong edition of the Danceworks Performance Company looks at lying eight different ways... maybe nine different ways.

Review: MSO’s amazing Mahler 7, plus Kalichstein’s Beethoven
Review

MSO’s amazing Mahler 7, plus Kalichstein’s Beethoven

De Waart and the MSO render Mahler's wonderland of a seventh symphony in vivid colors. Kalichstein delivers a clear, taut Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2.

This Week at the MSO: The maestro on Mahler
This Week at the MSO

The maestro on Mahler

Edo de Waart talks about Mahler, his Symphony No. 7, and what they mean for an orchestra.

Getting to know Danceworks guest artist Amii LeGendre

Getting to know Danceworks guest artist Amii LeGendre

LeGendre, a little different sort of dancer, works with prison inmates in New York.

Review: Rep’s “Laurel and Hardy” shines late
Review

Rep’s “Laurel and Hardy” shines late

Boredom, thy name is exposition. But once through that, Gerard Neugent and Bill Theisen bring the movies' first great comedy team back to life.

Milwaukee Ballet announces partners for new building

Milwaukee Ballet announces partners for new building

The Milwaukee Ballet, UWM's dance program and a Downtown Medical College sports medicine clinic will share a planned new facility.

On Stage 9/28-10/4: Music, Dance, Theater; got ’em all.
On Stage 9/28-10/4

Music, Dance, Theater; got ’em all.

The Rep lights three stages. UWM's Chamber Music Milwaukee opens in Brookfield(!). Renaissance Theaterworks says: be pretty. Danceworks is lying. Roses for Early Music Now.

Review: A weighty “Metamorphosen” at Frankly Music
Review

A weighty “Metamorphosen” at Frankly Music

Strauss' "Metamorphosen," the composer's response to the disaster of World War II and the Reich, is devastating at Frankly Music's opener.

Review: The MSO’s big opening night
Review

The MSO’s big opening night

Beethoven's Ninth, Copland's Appalachian Spring, and a curtain-raiser by John Adams.

This Week at the MSO: Beethoven 9, but Adams and Copland, too
This Week at the MSO

Beethoven 9, but Adams and Copland, too

Copland's "Appalachian Spring" is a landmark not only in American music, but also in dance.

Bill Theisen plays Oliver Hardy in the Rep’s Laurel & Hardy

Bill Theisen plays Oliver Hardy in the Rep’s Laurel & Hardy

On stage, Theisen is doing his Oliver Hardy impression. Otherwise, he's acting more like James Brown -- the hardest-working man in Milwaukee show business.

On Stage Sept. 21-27: Music, music, music
On Stage Sept. 21-27

Music, music, music

The Milwaukee Symphony and Frankly Music open their seasons, and the previously launched theater season rolls on.

Review: Present Music and that other Prokofiev
Review

Present Music and that other Prokofiev

Jordan Lee (DJ Madhatter) makes a smashing Present Music debut in Gabriel Prokofiev's Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra.

Review: The Rep’s “Cabaret,” a blockbuster with guts
Review

The Rep’s “Cabaret,” a blockbuster with guts

Mark Clements debut as the Rep's artistic director gives the company its first big musical. It's a knockout.

Turntables, String Quartets at Present Music Saturday

Turntables, String Quartets at Present Music Saturday

When a high-brow meets a low-brow, they might both be British composer Gabriel Prokofiev, PM's guest artist Saturday.

Season Preview 2010-11: Concert Music
Season Preview 2010-11

Concert Music

Last season was all about Edo de Waart and the MSO. 2010-11 is about Edo, too, but it's also about opera. And more, much more.

On Stage Sept. 14-20: The Season’s first big weekend
On Stage Sept. 14-20

The Season’s first big weekend

The Rep -- and its blockbuster "Cabaret" -- the Skylight, Present Music, Next Act Theatre, the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra and more are off and running.

Review: Prometheus Trio’s noteworthy opener
Review

Prometheus Trio’s noteworthy opener

I love a piano, especially in the hands of someone who can make it sound like something else.

Arts Preview 2010-11: Dance
Arts Preview 2010-11

Dance

Milwaukee's dancers might be the city's most creative and resourceful arts community. Here's what they're up to this season.

Review: Fine Arts Quartet free at last
Review

Fine Arts Quartet free at last

The FAQ opens season in fine form, to a house of over 500 as free admission more than doubles its audience.

TCD’s Arts Previews: Don’t Miss Anything!
TCD’s Arts Previews

Don’t Miss Anything!

We're rolling out Milwaukee's 2010-2011 arts season in five stories over five days. Starting now.

Review: A Wild Space late-summer night’s dream
Review

A Wild Space late-summer night’s dream

Debra Loewen's new site-spefice "A Place for Everything," enchants the Lynden Sculpture Garden. [Friday update: New photos by Paul Gaudynski.]

Where We Are Now: The MSO
Where We Are Now

The MSO

The Milwaukee Symphony is the final snapshot in TCD's summer series on the state of the performing arts in our town.

On Stage with TCD: Sept. 7-13, A New Arts Season Begins
On Stage with TCD

Sept. 7-13, A New Arts Season Begins

Labor Day has come and gone. Now it's time to get out those season tickets and feed your soul.

Wild Space Dancers amid greenery and steel

Wild Space Dancers amid greenery and steel

On Thursday, Debra Loewen's Wild Space dance company opens a new site-specific work at the Lynden Sculpture Garden.

The real-life drama of the Lady Elgin, on stage

The real-life drama of the Lady Elgin, on stage

A ship went down and hundreds drowned in a maelstrom of politics and philosophy on the brink of the Civil War. John Kishline and Edward Morgan tell the story in a new play.

Review: Neil Haven’s “The Playdaters”
Review

Neil Haven’s “The Playdaters”

Neil Haven's new play is a hilarious romantic comedy. Or maybe a hilarious anti-romantic comedy.

One Piece at a Time: Sloan’s “Isadora Duncan, 1911″
One Piece at a Time

Sloan’s “Isadora Duncan, 1911″

John Sloan's painting of the scandalous goddess of early modern dance concludes our summer series on the Milwaukee Art Museum's permanent collection.

In Tandem Theater opens Neil Haven’s new satire Thursday

In Tandem Theater opens Neil Haven’s new satire Thursday

"The Playdaters" is a buddy comedy and a romantic comedy, with a couple of twists.

Review: A Mighty Wind on the Silk Road
Review

A Mighty Wind on the Silk Road

Serious music is heading down the Silk Road. Yo-Yo Ma is its Marco Polo.

One Piece at a Time: Beth Lipman’s dazzling glass
One Piece at a Time

Beth Lipman’s dazzling glass

Ninth in a series on MAM's permanent collection: Beth Lipman's "Laid Table," a virtuoso showpiece with a meditative after-image.

Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble at the Pabst tonight

Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble at the Pabst tonight

Violinist Johnny Gandelsman talks about life on the Silk Road.

Where We Are Now: The Milwaukee Rep
Where We Are Now

The Milwaukee Rep

A new leadership team brings new ideas to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

People, arts and ideas, in six episodes

People, arts and ideas, in six episodes

Farewell to Doug Drake, MCT's "Jeeves" is a riot, more TV is coming, MAM membership has its privileges, Present Music's cool on the 'net, two degrees of separation.

One Piece at a Time: Rodchenko’s “Composition”
One Piece at a Time

Rodchenko’s “Composition”

Seventh in TCD's summer series on the Milwaukee Art Museum's permanent collection: OK, a couple of triangles; what's to see?

Where We Are Now: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Where We Are Now

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

Eighth in TCD's series of snapshots of our arts groups: MCT rides out the recession and carves out an identity.

Food, music and the life worth living

Food, music and the life worth living

Food is more than food at the Laurie Raphael Restaurant. It resonates. It intensifies life. It does what art does.

One Piece at a Time: Caillebotte’s Boating on the Yerres
One Piece at a Time

Caillebotte’s Boating on the Yerres

Sixth in our summer series on the Milwaukee Art Museum's permanent collection: An Impressionist melding of a moment and ideas.

Where We Are Now: Bel Canto Chorus
Where We Are Now

Bel Canto Chorus

Seventh in a summer series of snapshots of local performing groups. The venerable Bel Canto is finally finding its niche.

Mad dogs, Englishmen and modern dancers

Mad dogs, Englishmen and modern dancers

UWM's grad students in dance, here for the annual summer intensive, are dancing in the park and on the stage. Dancemakers, Summer Edition, runs July 30 & 31.

One Piece at a Time: MAM’s Brilliant Russian Icon
One Piece at a Time

MAM’s Brilliant Russian Icon

Fifth in a summer series on works from the Milwaukee Art Museum's permanent collection: The 16th-century Portable Iconostasis.

Where We Are Now: Skylight Opera Theatre
Where We Are Now

Skylight Opera Theatre

The sixth installment in our summer series of snapshots of local performing arts groups: Whither the Skylight, after last summer's crisis?

One Piece at a Time: Gabriele Munter’s “Green House, Murnau”
One Piece at a Time

Gabriele Munter’s “Green House, Murnau”

Fourth in a summer series on piece from the MAM's permanent collection -- which happens to include the largest collection of Munter paintings outside Germany.

Where We Are Now: The Milwaukee Ballet
Where We Are Now

The Milwaukee Ballet

The fifth installment in our summer series of snapshots of Milwaukee arts groups: Michael Pink and Dennis Buehler, in lean times, make no small plans.

One Piece at a Time: Rudy Burckhardt’s “An’ I’ve got a nickel”
One Piece at a Time

Rudy Burckhardt’s “An’ I’ve got a nickel”

The third entry in our summer series on the Milwaukee Art Museum's permanent collection is an art photograph that's just like a jazzy pop tune.

Where We Are Now: Danceworks works
Where We Are Now

Danceworks works

The fifth in our summer series of snapshots of Milwaukee arts groups: Danceworks grows and even prospers amid hard times.

Review: Screen Dance at Danceworks
Review

Screen Dance at Danceworks

Dances for film, screened in the open air on a summer night by the river.

Review: Bad Example’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Review

Bad Example’s “Fahrenheit 451”

Books good. Book burning bad. TV bad. Conformity bad.

One Piece at a Time: Button, Button…
One Piece at a Time

Button, Button…

Who's got the button? Tara Donovan.Donovan's "Bluffs" is part 2 in our series on the MAM's collection. (Enter the Bluffs-related contest at the end of the story.)

Where We Are Now: Wild Space Dance
Where We Are Now

Wild Space Dance

A snapshot of Debra Loewen's dance company; fourth in a summer series profiling Milwaukee performing arts groups.

Wild Space’s Randy Talley exits to the East

Wild Space’s Randy Talley exits to the East

Talley, a 15-year stalwart of the Wild Space Dance Company, has moved to Pittsburgh, along with Brenda Lee Johnston, former director of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

Review: 1+1+1=way more than 3 at Frankly Music
Review

1+1+1=way more than 3 at Frankly Music

Violinist Frank Almond, pianist Jeewon Park and cellist Edward Arron make big music of trios by Haydn, Brahms and John Musto.

One Piece at a Time: Fragonard’s The Shepherdess
One Piece at a Time

Fragonard’s The Shepherdess

Fragonard's The Shepherdess is the first in TCD's summer series of long looks at works in the Milwaukee Art Museum's permanent collection.

Where We Are Now: Present Music
Where We Are Now

Present Music

Milwaukee's outstanding new-music group is the third subject in TCD's summer series of snapshots of arts groups.

Review: Fine Arts Quartet’s summer finale
Review

Fine Arts Quartet’s summer finale

A strong concert and a bit of news from the string quartet in residence at UWM.

Where We Are Now: The Florentine Opera
Where We Are Now

The Florentine Opera

This is not your father's Florentine.

Review: Fine Arts Quartet Summer Evening No. 3
Review

Fine Arts Quartet Summer Evening No. 3

Soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams shoots out the lights and goes home. Pianist Katherine Chi barges in among the guys.

Review: Present Music’s Wherehouse lightning
Review

Present Music’s Wherehouse lightning

Can new-music chamber concerts be sexy? Oh yes.

Du Yun, Present Music’s Wherehouse diva

Du Yun, Present Music’s Wherehouse diva

Du Yun, Present Music's guest, is at home performing in clubs or composing for the Detroit Symphony.

Where the Arts Are Now: Next Act Theatre
Where the Arts Are Now

Next Act Theatre

This portrait of Next Act Theatre is the first TCD's summer series of snapshots of Milwaukee's arts groups.

Review: Hamlisch’s Patriotic Pops
Review

Hamlisch’s Patriotic Pops

The MSO's closing program is more Americana than Americanism, as Hamlisch minimizes the jingo and maximizes the jingle.

This Week at the MSO Pops: An early July 4
This Week at the MSO Pops

An early July 4

Marvin Hamlisch ends the orchestra season with patriotic numbers by songwriters whose hearts beat true to the red, white and blue.

Review: Fine Arts Quartet’s summer opener
Review

Fine Arts Quartet’s summer opener

Pianist Christopher Taylor is the quartet's guest artist on a satisfying program.

Review: The MSO’s Mahler Third
Review

The MSO’s Mahler Third

Yes, this symphony means something. Something important.

Thoughts and notes as the season winds down

Thoughts and notes as the season winds down

The Fine Arts Quartet, Frankly Music, those incredible dance students at UWM, Edo and Antwerp, the MSO and Carnegie Hall.

This Week at the MSO: de Waart and Mahler’s Third
This Week at the MSO

de Waart and Mahler’s Third

The MSO's music director has conducted Mahler's Symphony No. 3 dozens of times over 35 years. It remains a fascinating puzzle, just provisionally solved.

Garth Fagan, from dance rebel to elder statesman

Garth Fagan, from dance rebel to elder statesman

Renowned modern-dance choreographer broke through to popular culture with "The Lion King." His residency at UWM culminates in Summerdances shows this weekend.

Review: The Skylight’s Evening with a very human Gilbert & Sullivan
Review

The Skylight’s Evening with a very human Gilbert & Sullivan

Dale Gutzman ingeniously weaves operetta artifice, Skylight tradition and compelling character development.

Review: Ilana Setapen’s Milwaukee debut recital
Review

Ilana Setapen’s Milwaukee debut recital

The young violinist, the new associate concertmaster of the MSO, plays a smashing recital at the Wisconsin Conservatory.

Review: The MSO, Trpceski and Saint-Saens
Review

The MSO, Trpceski and Saint-Saens

FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE: LINK TO REVIEW OF ILANA SETAPEN'S RECITAL! See link at the end of the MSO review, or clink on the headline in the More Stories box.

Everything Old Is New Again at the Skylight

Everything Old Is New Again at the Skylight

Dale Gutzman returns to direct after a 25-year absence, with Gilbert & Sullivan fantasy inspired by the Skylight's very first show.

This Week at the MSO: Pianist Simon Trpceski
This Week at the MSO

Pianist Simon Trpceski

Meet Macedonia's gift to the classical music world.

Review: The great Joe Johnson
Review

The great Joe Johnson

The MSO's principal cellist, exiting for the Toronto Symphony, gives a fond farewell with a brilliant recital.

Review: An imaginative Florentine Rigoletto
Review

An imaginative Florentine Rigoletto

Georgia Jarman is an extraordinary Gilda, Noele Stollmack's set is way cool, and conductor Joseph Rescigno is in his element.

The Skylight’s rockin’ Rent

The Skylight’s rockin’ Rent

Donna Drake directs the 1989 rock version of La Boheme, set on the mean streets of New York.

Georgia (and Gilda) on my mind

Georgia (and Gilda) on my mind

Soprano Georgia Jarman is Rigoletto's ill-fated daughter in the Florentine Opera staging of Verdi's 1851 opera.

Hey! We’re on TV!

Hey! We’re on TV!

TCD's Jon Anne Willow and Tom Strini are co-hosts and co-producers of Arts Digest, MPTV's new arts magazine show. Premiere is set for 8 p.m. Monday, Channel 10.

Milwaukee Opera Theatre’s “26”: Old songs, new twists
Milwaukee Opera Theatre’s “26”

Old songs, new twists

Kelly Anderson, Jill Anna Ponasik and Nathan Wesselowski weave dance and a story around 26 Italian Songs and Arias.

The Ballet’s Peter Pan: Flying high, keeping the kids up late
The Ballet’s Peter Pan

Flying high, keeping the kids up late

Michael Pink's new story ballet is fun for the company and the audience.

What is “26”?

What is “26”?

The Milwaukee Opera Theatre's show, with Jill Anna Ponasik, Nathan Wesselowski and Kelly Anderson, requires some explanation. So does Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

Behind the Scenes of Milwaukee Ballet’s Peter Pan

Behind the Scenes of Milwaukee Ballet’s Peter Pan

UPDATE TUESDAY: Show is SOLD OUT. But if you do have a Peter Pan ticket, flash it at our Arts Fever event at the downtown Hilton and get in for $5. Food, performances, fun, starting at 5:30.

Frankly Music, a new CD, and Arts Fever; MSO Cancels Tuesday Chamber Concert

Frankly Music, a new CD, and Arts Fever; MSO Cancels Tuesday Chamber Concert

WHOOPS! The MSO has canceled the Tuesday-night concert, due to poor ticket sales.

Review: Present Music goes Middle Eastern
Review

Present Music goes Middle Eastern

Trumpeter/santoorist/composer/singer Amir ElSaffar and friends bring Iraqi music to Milwaukee.

East Meets West Meets Jazz at Present Music Saturday

East Meets West Meets Jazz at Present Music Saturday

Amir ElSaffar's journey from classical trumpeter to jazz man to student of Iragi Maqam to muscial integrator

Where We Are Now: TCD and the arts
Where We Are Now

TCD and the arts

In little more than a year, TCD has become an important player on Milwaukee's arts scene. We're celebrating with a big spring event. Please come.

Review: de Waart, MSO and Chorus
Review

de Waart, MSO and Chorus

Transcendent singing and playing in two profound works, Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and Brahms' A German Requiem.

TONIGHT at the MSO: Big nights for Lee Erickson’s MSO Chorus
TONIGHT at the MSO

Big nights for Lee Erickson’s MSO Chorus

The 150-voice symphony chorus is at the heart of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and Brahms' A German Requiem.

Review: Youngblood Theatre runs deep for laughs
Review

Youngblood Theatre runs deep for laughs

It's a play about a desperate boiler room fund-drive. Wait; it's about superheroes. No, it's about a theater company. Or it's about Shakespeare...

Review: The MSO, de Waart and cellist Joe Johnson
Review

The MSO, de Waart and cellist Joe Johnson

Johnson is marvelous in Saint-Saens Cello Concerto, and de Waart and the orchestra get to the heart of Faure and Tchaikovsky.

Review: Wild Space made me happy
Review

Wild Space made me happy

Maybe we can't define or explain happiness, but we know it when we see it.

Review: MSO: Lang Lang — Wow Wow
Review

MSO: Lang Lang — Wow Wow

Lang Lang is still a young man, but musically he is all grown up.

Wild Space Dance, Speaking of Happiness

Wild Space Dance, Speaking of Happiness

Debra Loewen, collaborators Monica Rodero and Dan Schuchart, and the Wild Space troupe dance about happiness. Which turns out to be not so simple.

This (crazy) Week at the MSO: An emergency soloist, a swan song and Lang Lang
This (crazy) Week at the MSO

An emergency soloist, a swan song and Lang Lang

Principal cellist Joseph Johnson replaces Masafumi Hori. Johnson to leave the MSO for Toronto Symphony. Lang Lang returns.

Review: The surprising Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra
Review

The surprising Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra

Under Richard Hynson, the MCO appears to have finally found its niche.

Review: Give me that old-time avant-garde
Review

Give me that old-time avant-garde

The Unruly Music Festival opens with C2, a flute and cello duo, and a mixed bag that includes some old-time academic music.

Danceworks clowns around

Danceworks clowns around

Dani Kuepper's family-friendly suite of silly dances isn't just for kids.

Review: MSO Pops Movie Music
Review

MSO Pops Movie Music

Guest Pops conductor Jack Everly focuses on big scores for big films in a well-prepared, well-performed concert.

This Week at MSO Pops: Hooray for Hollywood
This Week at MSO Pops

Hooray for Hollywood

The people and the story behind Hooray for Hollywood, the national anthem of the movie business.

Review: Ohlsson’s great Chopin at the MSO
Review

Ohlsson’s great Chopin at the MSO

De Waart makes sense of Elgar's sprawling Symphony No. 1 and has fun with a rarely heard Berlioz overture.

A long look at a great painting

A long look at a great painting

Raphael's The Woman with the Veil is the only painting in the Milwaukee Art Museum's latest show. That one painting is plenty.

MSO extends de Waart’s contract five years

MSO extends de Waart’s contract five years

Runaway artistic and box office success leads to long-term agreement with music director Edo de Wart.

This Week at the MSO: Brush Up Your Berlioz
This Week at the MSO

Brush Up Your Berlioz

The MSO will play the Overture to Beatrice and Benedict, Berlioz's opera after Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare loomed large in the composer's life.

Review: Frankly Music and the Lipinski Stradivarius
Review

Frankly Music and the Lipinski Stradivarius

Frank Almond brings out the best in a great violin.

Review: More Amazement from Present Music
Review

More Amazement from Present Music

Kevin Stalheim's group plays Schoenberg, John Adams, Raymond Scott's crazy stuff from mid-century and Mason Bates' electronica crossover.

Review: Hanreddy’s “Seven Keys” to hilarity
Review

Hanreddy’s “Seven Keys” to hilarity

Joe Hanreddy bows out with Seven Keys to Slaughter Peak as The Rep's AD. It's a funny love letter to theater and the joys of making stuff up.

Review: Two brand-new dances and one new to us at the Milwaukee Ballet
Review

Two brand-new dances and one new to us at the Milwaukee Ballet

Caniparoli's new dance is a masterpiece, Opdenaker's is smart and lovely, Zahradnicek's has potential.

Present Music connects cartoons to the avant-garde

Present Music connects cartoons to the avant-garde

John Adams, Schoenberg, Raymond Scott, Warner Brothers cartoons, Mason Bates connected? Oh yes, they are.

That “Rooster” guy returns to Milwaukee Ballet

That “Rooster” guy returns to Milwaukee Ballet

Val Caniparoli's witty, fun "Gustav's Rooster" was a hit for the company last May. He's back, with a world premiere for MBC's Pure Dance program.

Review: Caravan Ensemble at Early Music Now
Review

Caravan Ensemble at Early Music Now

As the Jewish southern diaspora reached from Persia to Spain, it accreted many musical traditions into its own.

Review: The Florentine’s Elmer Gantry
Review

The Florentine’s Elmer Gantry

A flawed masterpiece brings a great American novel to the opera stage.

Review: Chamber Music Milwaukee fetes Libby Larsen
Review

Chamber Music Milwaukee fetes Libby Larsen

Libby Larsen is funny, charming and warm -- just like her music.

MSO’s interim exec and other crunchy bits of arts news

MSO’s interim exec and other crunchy bits of arts news

MSO board member Don Tyler will mind the store during the search for a new president/exec. Plus remarks on dance, an update on TCD arts coverage, and more.

The Florentine stages Elmer Gantry, an All-American opera

The Florentine stages Elmer Gantry, an All-American opera

Composer Robert Aldridge and librettist Herschel Garfein worked 18 years to make their dream of an opera a reality.

Review: Grim energy from Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance
Review

Grim energy from Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance

The daring dance company in residence of Sadler's Wells, London, landed at Alverno College Saturday night.

Review: Skylight’s Day in Hollywood/Night in the Ukraine
Review

Skylight’s Day in Hollywood/Night in the Ukraine

A little strain Hollywood, a whole lot of Marx Brothers fun in the Ukraine.

Review: MSO’s All-American program
Review

MSO’s All-American program

Guest Giancarlo Guerrero leads lively Copland, Adams and Gershwin; Todd Levy premieres Marc Neikrug's beautiful new Clarinet Concerto.

This Week at the MSO: Neikrug/Levy world premiere
This Week at the MSO

Neikrug/Levy world premiere

Todd Levy will play Marc Neikrug's new Concerto for Clarinet with guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Review: Trey McIntyre, the real deal in dance
Review

Trey McIntyre, the real deal in dance

The world hasn't quite discovered McIntyre's brilliant company. Look out world.

Baby, you can keep your hat on

Baby, you can keep your hat on

Couple featured in the Skylight Opera Theatre's A Day in Hollywood/Night in Ukraine supplement acting income by making hats. Lots and lots of hats.

Review: Joyful Beethoven night at the MSO
Review

Joyful Beethoven night at the MSO

Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony expresses more than one kind of joy. Edo de Waart gets that.

Trey McIntyre: A more modern Modern Dance
Trey McIntyre

A more modern Modern Dance

Trey McIntyre has mastered the art of choreography for the stage. Now, he's reaching beyond the stage.

This Week at the MSO: The Romantic Beethoven
This Week at the MSO

The Romantic Beethoven

Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony was part of a larger Romantic movement that sought spiritual sustenance in Nature.

Review: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane and Company at Alverno College
Review

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane and Company at Alverno College

Can a dance tell us what America is? In Serenade/The Proposition, Bill T. Jones and his collaborators get close to the essence.

Laughs, Thrills and Terror

Laughs, Thrills and Terror

Danceworks Performance Company puts on a strange, brilliant and wildly diverse evening based on movie archetypes.

Dancing about the movies

Dancing about the movies

Nine -- count 'em! -- Danceworks choreographers look to film for inspiration.

Joe Hanreddy’s next act at UWM

Joe Hanreddy’s next act at UWM

Longtime artistic director of the Milwaukee Rep will be integral to a new fellowship program for directors and designers.

MSO Review: McGegan accentuates the positive
MSO Review

McGegan accentuates the positive

When Nic McGegan comes to town, it's fun to go hear the symphony.

MSO Exec Mark Hanson Moves to Houston Symphony

MSO Exec Mark Hanson Moves to Houston Symphony

Hanson brought smart business practice to the Milwaukee Symphony and restored credibility with donors.

This Week at the MSO: Nicholas McGegan
This Week at the MSO

Nicholas McGegan

A smart musician says smart things about music.

Review: Prometheus Trio
Review

Prometheus Trio

Beethoven with his long hair down, Ewazen looking backward, Dvorak as serious as he gets.

Preview: Brooklyn Rider at Frankly Music
Preview

Brooklyn Rider at Frankly Music

A different sort of string quartet guests on Frank Almond's chamber music series Tuesday.

Review: Early Music Now Presents Ensemble Lipzodes
Review

Early Music Now Presents Ensemble Lipzodes

Spanish Renaissance music exported to Guatamala circa 1600 sounds pretty much like Spanish Renaissance music.

Review: MSO, conductor Rossen Milanov, pianist John Lill
Review

MSO, conductor Rossen Milanov, pianist John Lill

Milanov makes a strong showing in tricky music; Lill commands Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto.

Review: Milwaukee Ballet’s Innovative Motion
Review

Milwaukee Ballet’s Innovative Motion

Luc Vanier's experiment, Salvatore Aiello's comedy and pathos, and Tim O'Donnell's formalized fury.

This Week at the MSO: Stravinsky’s Petrouchka
This Week at the MSO

Stravinsky’s Petrouchka

A set of Stravinsky/Nijinsky/Diaghilev ballets set Paris afire and launched Stravinsky's career.

Reviews: Super String Quartet Sunday
Reviews

Super String Quartet Sunday

The Philomusica plays at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Fine Arts plays at UWM-Zelazo.

Review: Present Music, Burkina Electric
Review

Present Music, Burkina Electric

Afro-pop meets the avant-garde, and a good time is had by all.

Review: MSO Pops Gershwin with Hamlisch and Cole
Review

MSO Pops Gershwin with Hamlisch and Cole

Gershwin is still the man for a surefire Pops program.

Preview: Present Music, Lukas Ligeti, Burkina Electric
Preview

Present Music, Lukas Ligeti, Burkina Electric

Lukas Ligeti, son of legendary composer György Ligeti, goes his own, Africa-tinged musical way.

Falling in love again and again

Falling in love again and again

Infatuation comes and goes in a marriage. Love endures.

Those UWM dancers; Video update Wednesday 2/3

Those UWM dancers; Video update Wednesday 2/3

A sneak preview of UWM's Winterdances, coming this week, and way ahead to Summerdances.

This Week at MSO Pops: Gershwin
This Week at MSO Pops

Gershwin

This week's MSO concert pays tribute to George Gershwin, who was more than just a songwriter.

Review: The Skylight’s Marriage of Figaro
Review

The Skylight’s Marriage of Figaro

Lovely singing, smart acting, brisk pacing and flawless comic timing bring out the warmth and humor of Mozart's masterpiece.

Review: Edo de Waart, MSO, pianist Ingrid Fliter
Review

Edo de Waart, MSO, pianist Ingrid Fliter

Esa-Pekka Salonen's Gambit, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 3 and a recent "distillation" of Wagner's Die Meistersinger make an odd, happy program.

This week at the MSO: Mozart on my mind
This week at the MSO

Mozart on my mind

Music that draws its beauty from a civility that is sophisticated, not naive.

Preview: Wild Space dances with Bamberger’s videos
Preview

Wild Space dances with Bamberger’s videos

Tom Bamberger's images are equal partners with Debra Loewen's dancers in upcoming show in a vast industrial space.

Preview: Andrew Wilkowske, a Skylight Figaro for all seasons
Preview

Andrew Wilkowske, a Skylight Figaro for all seasons

Andrew Wilkowske's dream assignment, singing both Mozart's and Rossini's Figaros in the same season, almost didn't happen.

Review: MSO and Chorus, Nikolaj Znaider
Review

MSO and Chorus, Nikolaj Znaider

The MSO serves a remarkable evening of Faure, Elgar and Gabrieli.

This Week at the MSO: Violinist Nikolaj Znaider
This Week at the MSO

Violinist Nikolaj Znaider

Nikolaj Znaider, so strong in prior visits, returns to Milwaukee to play Elgar's Violin Concerto.

Preview: Shameless self-promotion
Preview

Shameless self-promotion

Do come hear the Festival City Symphony play A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Jan. 31.

Review: MSO, cellist Johannes Moser, conductor Paul Daniel
Review

MSO, cellist Johannes Moser, conductor Paul Daniel

A great young cellist makes a sensational MSO debut.

This week at the MSO: Cellist Johannes Moser
This week at the MSO

Cellist Johannes Moser

Please see the TCD Arts and Culture page for the Moser/MSO review.

Review: The Rep’s Yankee Tavern
Review

The Rep’s Yankee Tavern

Go ahead and laugh at that 9/11 conspiracy -- until THEY come to make YOU disappear for knowing too much!

Review: Catey Ott Dance Collective
Review

Catey Ott Dance Collective

Beautiful, full-bodied dancing, quirky choreography in Total Emersion, at Danceworks.

The biggest arts stories of 2009

The biggest arts stories of 2009

Looking back on an eventful year.

The arts groups’ Christmas money trees

The arts groups’ Christmas money trees

Here'$ a how'd-they-do on A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Messiah, Holiday Pops and Plaid Tidings.

Three expatriate dancers (and one comedian) home for the holidays

Three expatriate dancers (and one comedian) home for the holidays

Sarah Wilbur (L.A.) and Katie Sopoci Drake (Hollywood, Fla.) drop in for updates on their lives. Catey Ott (NYC) drops in to Danceworks with her company.

This Week at MSO Pops: Cirque (with Photo Gallery)
This Week at MSO Pops

Cirque (with Photo Gallery)

The MSO Pops start 2010 with the surreal, dreamy Cirque de la Symphonie.

The Long and Short of the Skylight

The Long and Short of the Skylight

Colin Cabot and Paula Dewey Cabot reminisce about the Skylight in a 50th-anniversary show meant to help the company survive.

Making connections: Critic as matchmaker, via Facebook
Making connections

Critic as matchmaker, via Facebook

It's funny how things work out in the new, Internet world of the music business.

Pa-rumpah-pum-pummm (updated Wednesday)

Pa-rumpah-pum-pummm (updated Wednesday)

51 Christmases with that relentless drummer boy.

Concord’s Didgeridoo Concerto

Concord’s Didgeridoo Concerto

Australian composer Sean O'Boyle, local didgeridooist Hal Kacanek and the Concord Chamber Orchestra join in a North American premiere.

Review: MSO’s itinerant Messiah
Review

MSO’s itinerant Messiah

Milwaukee Symphony Chorus shines in Handel's signature oratorio in Hales Corners.

Review: The Milwaukee Ballet’s Nutcracker
Review

The Milwaukee Ballet’s Nutcracker

MBC's The Nutcracker opens with gorgeous classical dancing and high energy.

Early Music Now presents Anonymous 4

Early Music Now presents Anonymous 4

Milwaukee has been an important stop for A4, long the hottest attraction in early music.

A visual preview and a defense of the Milwaukee Ballet’s Nutcracker

A visual preview and a defense of the Milwaukee Ballet’s Nutcracker

As we look forward to the dance company's holiday favorite, TCD shares a photo gallery from previous shows and a video sneak peek at the 2009 performance.

Review: Prometheus Trio
Review

Prometheus Trio

Spirit and awareness trump the occasional imperfection as the Prometheans play Mozart, Sibelius, Hohvaness and Schumann.

Review: MSO Holiday Pops, Hamlisch
Review

MSO Holiday Pops, Hamlisch

The concert review is on top; an interview with Hamlisch follows.

Arts bits: Updated Friday 12/4
Arts bits

Updated Friday 12/4

That Valdes Latin Jazz dynasty, an early Christmas present for the MSO; also Polly Morris, Danceworks, Plaid's Ding, best Christmas video ever.

Tim John files for Democratic nomination for governor

Tim John files for Democratic nomination for governor

John, a businessman with family ties to Miller Brewing, will challenge Barrett in the primary. John's issue: Jobs, especially in Milwaukee's inner city.

Review: The Skylight’s Plaid Tidings
Review

The Skylight’s Plaid Tidings

Great performances and just the right tone mark the Skylight's sweet and goofy new holiday show.

The Skylight’s holiday show

The Skylight’s holiday show

Paul Helm is forever plaid. Seriously; he was in Forever Plaid in Platteville, and now he's in the holiday spinoff, Plaid Tidings, at the Skylight.

Review: Present Music’s Thanksgiving
Review

Present Music’s Thanksgiving

Kevin Stalheim has assembled a program of new music informed by history and tradition.

Review: The Florentine’s Tosca
Review

The Florentine’s Tosca

The Florentine has a spare new set for Tosca. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Present Music: Meet composer Alexandra du Bois
Present Music

Meet composer Alexandra du Bois

Present Music, the Milwaukee Choral Artists and the Milwaukee Children's Choir will premiere du Bois' In Beauty May I Walk Sunday.

Florentine’s Tosca not the same old, same old

Florentine’s Tosca not the same old, same old

Director Dean Anthony and designer Noel Stollmack intend to bring new life to Puccini's iconic opera.

Review: Shostakovich at Frankly Music
Review

Shostakovich at Frankly Music

Frank Almond ponders how life and art intersect in Shostakovich's music. Almond and friends also play the daylights out of it.

Review: Fine Arts Quartet and guest
Review

Fine Arts Quartet and guest

After a fuzzy start, the Fine Arts Quartet found its focus Sunday afternoon, with guest violist Guillermo Figueroa.

Review: Bruckner’s grandeur at the MSO
Review

Bruckner’s grandeur at the MSO

Guest conductor Lawrence Renes shapes Bruckner's Symphony No. 8, an Alpine panorama in sound.

This week at the MSO: Renes on Bruckner
This week at the MSO

Renes on Bruckner

Lawrence Renes has led 13 different orchestras through Bruckner's vast Symphony No. 8. What has he learned?

The 2009 Nohl Fellowship winners

The 2009 Nohl Fellowship winners

The Nohl Fellowships are something like the Academy Awards for Milwaukee artists. Meet this year's winners.

Review: Philomusica Quartet
Review

Philomusica Quartet

String quartet in residence at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music plays a strong concert of 20th-century music.

Sports aesthetics: Those Panther soccer girls
Sports aesthetics

Those Panther soccer girls

Monday night update: Panthers will open their NCAA tournament vs. Central Florida Friday in Madison.

Review: MSO’s happy Mozart, epic Shostakovich
Review

MSO’s happy Mozart, epic Shostakovich

Young conductor Shi-Yeon Sung makes an impressive debut, pianist Jeremy Denk renders civilized Mozart.

Review: Theatre Gigante, words then action
Review

Theatre Gigante, words then action

Malcolm Tulip's clever word puzzles, and David Gaines' wild, one-man "Seven Samurai"

This week at the MSO: Shi-Yeon Sung
This week at the MSO

Shi-Yeon Sung

Shi-Yeon Sung, at 34, left Korea for Europe, European classical music and conducting.

Review: Simone Ferro at Danceworks
Review

Simone Ferro at Danceworks

Ferro's new dances yield strong ensemble works, weak solos.

Review: MSO’s dark Bluebeard, sunny Mozart
Review

MSO’s dark Bluebeard, sunny Mozart

Chihuly's sculptures respond to Bartok's intense opera score after a psychological fable.

Review: Musique, plasir at Chamber Music Milwaukee
Review

Musique, plasir at Chamber Music Milwaukee

Music by Honegger, Gaubert, Milhaud and Ravel is aural joy.

Preview: Simone Ferro’s Danceworks show
Preview

Simone Ferro’s Danceworks show

Simone Ferro, of the UWM dance factory, goes home to Brazil for inspiration and home to Milwaukee for collaborators.

Steve Murphy’s fall; MSO Chorus at St. Anthony’s

Steve Murphy’s fall; MSO Chorus at St. Anthony’s

We heard a big crash during the MSO Chorus concert Saturday at St. Anthony's Church. It was Steve Murphy.

Review: Michael Pink’s new Cinderella
Review

Michael Pink’s new Cinderella

Dance and narrative merge nicely in the Milwaukee Ballet's latest fairy tale.

Video Interview: Michael Pink on his new Cinderella ballet
Video Interview

Michael Pink on his new Cinderella ballet

The Milwaukee Ballet's Michael Pink, a natural storyteller, bends the old fairy tale to make it work for dance.

Strini update: First Stage posts surplus
Strini update

First Stage posts surplus

Dig into a bowl overflowing with artsy news items.

Review: Bel Canto sings Handel; nice try
Review

Bel Canto sings Handel; nice try

We all know "Messiah." Richard Hynson airs "Israel in Egypt," one of Handel's 18 other oratorios.

Review: Impressive young pianist with the MSO
Review

Impressive young pianist with the MSO

Joyce Yang, 24, shows mature command of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 3.

Skylight Reinstates Theisen

Skylight Reinstates Theisen

Bill Theisen, fired as artistic director in June, will serve as A.D. through June 2011.

Close-up: the Rep’s Clements, Helsing Wolters
Close-up

the Rep’s Clements, Helsing Wolters

Mark Clements and Dawn Helsing Wolters, new leaders at Milwaukee Rep, talk issues, big and small.

This Week at the MSO: Rachmaninoff X 2
This Week at the MSO

Rachmaninoff X 2

Edo de Waart begins a trek through Rachmaninoff with the Symphony No. 2, Piano Concerto No. 3. Joyce Yang debuts.

Review: Choral Artists ride the waves
Review

Choral Artists ride the waves

Sharon Hansen leads her women's choir in a program of music about the sea (and a large lake we know).

German Art Songs as they ought to be heard

German Art Songs as they ought to be heard

The singers and their songs are in their element at UWM's Hefter Mansion.

Update: Met Auditions Winners
Update

Met Auditions Winners

The Wisconsin District will send a record six singers to the regionals in Minneapolis.

Review: Frankly Music’s Glazunov and Brahms
Review

Frankly Music’s Glazunov and Brahms

Frank Almond and friends -- including legendary cellist Lynn Harrell -- draw a big crowd on Packers-Vikings night.

Review: Fine Arts Quartet’s Saint-Saens Sunday
Review

Fine Arts Quartet’s Saint-Saens Sunday

Nicolo Eugelmi, the FAQ's new violist, fits right in.

Review: MSO, de Waart, Almond and Johnson
Review

MSO, de Waart, Almond and Johnson

Autumnal Brahms, precious "Five Elements" and a bright Beethoven Seventh at the second classical subscription program of the new season.

Forever Tango, Forever Hot

Forever Tango, Forever Hot

Luis Bravo's long-running tango show stops for a one-night stand at the Marcus Center.

Milwaukee Ballet Gets $1 million to think big

Milwaukee Ballet Gets $1 million to think big

Executive director Dennis Buehler is looking for just the right partner or partners to collaborate on a new or restored facility and other services.

A talk with Edo de Waart

A talk with Edo de Waart

The MSO's music director on Mahler 5, Beethoven 7, tuning and feeling at home with his new orchestra.

De Waart jets to the Met in October

De Waart jets to the Met in October

MSO music director to fill in for James Levine, music director of New York's Metropolitan Opera.

Review: Yo-Yo Ma, Edo de Waart, MSO
Review

Yo-Yo Ma, Edo de Waart, MSO

Yo-Yo Ma plays Schumann with the MSO. De Waart reprises Mahler 5.

Skylight leadership firms up plans

Skylight leadership firms up plans

Lounsbery, Jensen and Cabot discuss the near future of the Skylight Opera Theatre; link to Oct. Skylight benefit in New York.

Review: De Waart’s triumphant start
Review

De Waart’s triumphant start

De Waart's vibrant Mahler 5 bowls over opening night crowd, and mezzo Sasha Cooke dazzles in her Milwaukee debut.

Chamber Music Milwaukee opens strong

Chamber Music Milwaukee opens strong

The links between the UWM Music Department and the MSO yield great musical results.

Young Mezzo Sasha Cooke to debut with MSO

Young Mezzo Sasha Cooke to debut with MSO

MSO Update: MSO adds 90 seats to Uihlein Hall, announces $5 ticket promotion.

Review: Prometheus Trio
Review

Prometheus Trio

Pianist Stephanie Jacob, violinist Timothy Klabunde and cellist Scott Tisdel open the 10th Prometheus season in top form.

Fred Berman’s massive retrospective at Inova

Fred Berman’s massive retrospective at Inova

Milwaukee artist shows a lifetime of visions and ideas at UWM.

Skylight’s singing and comedy trump crisis

Skylight’s singing and comedy trump crisis

A brilliant "Barber of Seville" opens the Skylight Opera Theatre's 50th season.

This week at the MSO Pops

This week at the MSO Pops

"Symphonic blues" has to be an oxymoron, right? Not so fast.

Dancing Upstairs, Downstairs at Turner Hall

Dancing Upstairs, Downstairs at Turner Hall

Debra Loewen's Wildspace Dance Company performs in the gym and the ballroom Friday and Saturday.

Theisen, Beaumarchais, Rossini and Mozart

Theisen, Beaumarchais, Rossini and Mozart

The Skylight will stage both "Figaro" operas as a cycle this season, starting Sept. 18 with "The Barber of Seville."

Review: Rep’s Soultime at the Apollo
Review

Rep’s Soultime at the Apollo

Superb performers in a show that lacks big rhythm.

Review: Present Music, Kahane and Adams
Review

Present Music, Kahane and Adams

Present Music opens with a fascinating new talent and a modern master.

Gabriel Kahane with Present Music Saturday

Gabriel Kahane with Present Music Saturday

Present Music brings Gabriel Kahane's mixed musical idioms to Milwaukee Saturday.

Unruly Music minifest opens Downtown

Unruly Music minifest opens Downtown

Susan Bender was glorious, but Marcus Center Vogel Hall was nearly empty.

UWM gives up on Pieces of Eight site

UWM gives up on Pieces of Eight site

The old Pieces of Eight restaurant site will not be the new home of UWM's new Freshwater Sciences Institute.

Musical Meditation, then Oppression

Musical Meditation, then Oppression

Jon Mueller, Jim Schoenecker, David Bailey, video by David Dinnell at Marquette U. Thursday night.

A Sweet Night at the Skylight

A Sweet Night at the Skylight

50th Anniversary Tuesday night was a much-needed lovefest after a summer of discord.

Jump Cut Pop at the Haggerty

Jump Cut Pop at the Haggerty

Jon Mueller and friends layer music and video amid vintage and modern collages Thursday at Marquette U. art museum.

Don’t you tell me there’s nothing to do.

Don’t you tell me there’s nothing to do.

Present Music and the Skylight Opera Theatre put on events Monday and Tuesday.

Write like Tom Strini!

Write like Tom Strini!

Make the world a better place. Write as I do. Here's how.

Skylight update

Skylight update

The show will go on at the Skylight.

Obit: Eriks Klavins, long-time MSO violinist
Obit

Eriks Klavins, long-time MSO violinist

Eriks Klavins, long-time principal second violinist of the MSO, has died.

Dale Gutzman Returns to the Skylight

Dale Gutzman Returns to the Skylight

Gutzman, banished from the Skylight in the 1980s, returns in the summer where anything can happen.

Artist Roy Staab’s Swags in the Woods

Artist Roy Staab’s Swags in the Woods

Milwaukee artist Roy Staab festoons the Urban Ecology Center's woodsy amphitheater in Riverside Park.

Joan Lounsbery returning to the Skylight

Joan Lounsbery returning to the Skylight

Managing director of the Skylight in the '90s, Lounsbery comes out of retirement to help put the house in order.

Art of Living: Road Trip
Art of Living

Road Trip

Father and son take a classic Wisconsin road trip.

Great American Kitchens at MIAD

Great American Kitchens at MIAD

Kitchens have become the most glamorous, expensive spaces in American homes. MIAD surveys a century of them.

A Skylight prediction

A Skylight prediction

Will all the strife and embarrassing press ruin the Skylight's season? No. Strini tells you why.

Skylight News: Theisen, Cabot, Kurtenbach Comment
Skylight News

Theisen, Cabot, Kurtenbach Comment

Eric Dillner is out. Crowds gathered on Catalano Square last night to celebrate. Now, Colin Cabot, William Theisen, Terry Kurtenbach speak out on the saga and what's to come.

Dillner Out at the Skylight

Dillner Out at the Skylight

Managing director Eric Dillner, the center of controversy since artistic director Bill Theisen was fired, has resigned.

Why I Won’t Cancel My JS Subscription

Why I Won’t Cancel My JS Subscription

So Strini's not at the newspaper anymore. Will he continue to buy it and read it?

Threats of violence in the Skylight mess?

Threats of violence in the Skylight mess?

Skylight management has maintained that artists have threatened managing director Eric Dillner. Is there anything to it?

Welcome to Strini’s Culture Desk

Welcome to Strini’s Culture Desk

Friday was my last day as music and dance critic at the Journal Sentinel. It was great. But it’s over, and I’m not looking back.