Highlights from 8/12 to 8/18

It’s mid-August, so that of course means the Irish as storms turn Gaelic in Wauwatosa before the full summerfest grounds event. Also, Alchemist gets Broadminded, DanceCircus hits the Boys and Girls circuit, and a little steampunk on stage hits the Cabot. Plus, this week’s footnotes includes auditions, classes, and a playwrighting contest.

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Photos courtesy Tosa Tonight website

The Screaming Orphans and Gaelic Storm, Tosa Tonight (last one!), 8/12 starting at 5:30 p.m.
The last in this free summer series at the Rotary Performance Pavilion ends on a emerald note. The lineup starts with “four high-spirited, musically-obsessed sisters with the good fortune to have been raised in the magic of Bundoran in County Donegal Ireland. Then, hunker down as recurrent favorite Gaelic Storm” brings their rollicking yet traditional music on tour of the album What’s the Rumpus? Froedtert Hospital will be there as always to dole out information, and a variety of food and beverage is available on site. Visit the Tosa Tonight website, or call 414.708.2415 for more info. Of course, this is all just a warm-up for these bands to appear at …

Irish Fest, Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee, 8/13-8/16
There’s the McMenamin, Glencastle, Trinity Academy, Rince Nia Academy, Kinsella Academy, and Cashel-Dennehy dance companies. Then there are endless great performances  including the sublime Brendan Hendry and Brendan Mulholland, the dream wedding reception Ceol Cairde’s flouncing strings, the “bag” rock of Red Hot Chili Pipers, and Wisconsin bands like Rigel. Plus, there are plays by Bangor Drama Club, Gaelic Park Players, New Irish Literary Theatre, Shapeshifter’s Theatre, and so much more. You don’t have to be Irish to love this one. For more information, visit the website or call 414.476.3378. Opening evening on Thursday is the special “Grand Hooley” featuring free admission with donation of school supplies (markers, notebooks, backpacks, and so on) for children served by Hope House.

Mare Edstrom Blues Band, Wilson Center Starry Nights Outdoor Concert Series, 8/14 at 6:30pm
The Midwestern singer-songwriter and blues vocalist Mare Edstrom sprinkles the blues with elements of R&B, rockabilly, and throws a little soul into the mix. Bring a lawnchair and a bottle of wine (and a designated driver). Call 262.781.9470 or visit the Wilson Center website for details.

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Those hilarious dames of Broad-Minded

Road Trip, Broadminded at Alchemist Theatre, Aug. 14, 15, 21, 22 all at 8 p.m.
This comedic and original sketch show looks at “the joys (and pains) of travel but also includes pieces about Disney princesses, people who lack common sense, and Man vs Wild.” The show has some adult language, recommended for people 14 and up. Broadminded is Milwaukee’s only all-female sketch comedy group that formed in 2006. Members Stacy Babl, Anne Graff LaDisa, Melissa Kingston and Megan McGee, four women of various backgrounds and comedic training, write, direct and perform all of Broadminded’s sketches and video performances. Call Alchemist at 414.426.4169 or visit the website for ticketing information.

Ulysses Crewmen, Insurgent Theatre at Cream City Collective, 8/14 and 8/15
An original anarchist play that will soon be hitting a national tour of sorts, Ben Turk and company create a story using Homer’s Odyssey as a framework to represent the trials of modern activism. Two people in the play; one of them is bound and gagged. Play premieres in Milwaukee and returns in late Sept. for a show, visit insurgenttheatre.org for more information. The CCC shows will also feature radical musicians such as Lucky Bone, Dear Astronaut, Andrew the Red, and Herd of Kittens. _

Around the World in 80 Days, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, 8/13-8/30
It’s a “whirlwind adaptation” of the Jules Verne epic set on stage. Phileas Fogg and his ever-resourceful manservant Passepartout set out to circle the globe on a wager. Five actors portray 39 characters traversing seven continents. Then there’s that special ‘steampunk night’ on 8/20 (which features heavily in this stage version). Watch TCD for a review and results from this special night’s event. Call 414.291.7800 for box office or visit Chamber Theatre for details.

Around the World in 80 Days, steampunk style

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Summer Youth Dance Company appearances, Boys and Girls Clubs and senior centers in Milwaukee, 8/11-8/14
DanceCircus and Xalaat Africa present the culmination of a program developed with a company of nine middle and high school-aged youth this summer. The Youth Dance Company is presenting 12 shows in various centers and at the SoHi studio (during a September family festival). It will be a 35-min. program illustrating modern dance and African dance styles. Contact Betty Salamun at DanceCircus, 414.277.8151 or email dance@dancecircus.org for more information.

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Auditions

The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin
(based in Racine, WI): “If you love choral music you will want to hear us! If you are a singer burning for an ensemble that appreciates talent and commitment, we are here for you.”

• Group rehearses weekly late August until mid May.
• Rehearsals are held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday evenings and start at 7:00 p.m. and ends promptly at 9:30 p.m.
• Auditions for new singers happens twice a year, in August and January.
• Call the office 262.634.3250 and ask for Marie Sorenson – auditions coordinator or 262.639.2694
• Or email: info@choralartsonline.org

Missoula Children’s Theatre returns this summer with The Pied Piper. The directors arrive on Monday, Aug. 17, with auditions at 10 a.m. in the South Milwaukee PAC.

• Rehearsals are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
• Workshops during the week include, “What If?,” “Drama Quest” and “Let’s Make-up.”
• Missoula Children’s Theatre is open to all students entering grades 1 through 12.
• For more information or to pre-register, please call the Box Office at 414.766.5049.
• The Pied Piper is an original adaptation of the classic children’s tale.

Auditions for West Allis Players’ staging of Three Murders and It’s Only Monday will be on 8/17 and 8/18 at 6:45 p.m.

• held at the West Allis Central Auditorium (8516 West Lincoln Avenue)
• Cold reading from script; 9 men and 5 women needed; Ages 18+
• Call 414.299.0384 or email contact@waplayers.org for details.
• Performances are scheduled for Oct. 2, 3, 9 and 10.

Windfall Theatre seeks actors for Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov and directed by Maureen Kilmurry.

• Performances run February 12-27, 2010 / Rehearsals beginning early-January 2010
• also looking for actors for Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George in Concert directed by Carol Zippel
• Performances May 7-22, 2010 / Rehearsals beginning April 2010.
• Actors must prepare 2 contrasting monologues not exceeding four min.
• Singer/Actors: please prepare one song. Accompanist will be provided.
• Auditions are held on Sat. morning from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Village Church, 130 E. Juneau Avenue in Milwaukee.
• Call Windfall Theatre at 414.332.3963 to make an audition appointment.

Classes

Danceworks’ Fall Studio Classes Begin September 8th with all of your favorite classes plus new ones to discover. DW offers classes for children and adults, plus classes specially designed for students age 50 and older.

• Children’s Classes: September 8, 2009-January 16, 2010
• Adult Classes: September 8-November 25, 2009
• Classes are offered at Water St. studio, the JCC, and the Wilson Center
• Learn more or register online for Children’s Fall/Winter Sessions at DW’s specific page
• Learn more or register online for Adult’s Fall/Winter Sessions at DW’s specific page
• Call 414.277.8480 for more info.

Playwrighting Contest

Over Our Head Players out of Racine, WI is accepting submissions for the 2010 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival, now through 11/1/2009. The entry is open to original, unpublished 10-minute or shorter comedies for the stage.

• Playwrights are limited to one submission.
• Winning entries would be performed together in one theatre presentation at Sixth Street Theatre in February featuring the OOHP actors. Then the entire production is presented multiple times over a five week run.
• Entries may be sent to SNOWDANCE, c/o Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth Street, Racine, Wisconsin, 53403. For more rules and details, visit the OOHP website page.
• Any questions can be directed to Rich Smith via the box office at (262)632-6802, or by e-mail at snowdance318@gmail.com.