Wild Space, Pressler + the FAQ, MacBeth outdoors

Music

Broadway star Idina Menzel visits Milwaukee this Wednesday courtesy of the Marcus Center. The singer and actress, best-known for her roles as Elphaba in Wicked, Maureen in Rent, and Shelby Corcoran on Glee, will perform a combination of the show tunes that made her famous, songs from her recently released album I Stand, and covers from the worlds of Broadway and pop alike. The concert is June 20 at 7:30 p.m., and tickets range from $45 to $115. To order, call (414) 273-7206 or visit the Marcus Center box office.

The Fine Arts Quartet will be joined by two guests for its latest Summer Evenings of Music concert this Sunday: pianist Menahem Pressler — of Beaux Arts Trio fame — and string bassist Robert Kassinger. Those two will join the Quartet for a program that includes Mozart’s String Quartet No. 21 (“The Violet”), Debussy’s Estampes and Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet. The concert will begin June 24 at 7:30 p.m. As always, Summer Evenings of Music concerts are free, but reservations are suggested; call (414) 229-4308.

The Wilson Center kicks off its summer Starry Nights music series with a guest appearance from the Florentine Opera. The opera will join the Starry Nights orchestra for a free performance at the center’s Gerlach Outdoor Theater, beginning at 6:30 p.m. June 22. All Wilson Center Starry Nights concerts are on Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. during the summer; see their website for more details.

Soulstice Theatre begins its 2012 summer series this weekend with Solstice at Soulstice. The concert features a number of Soulstice alums singing quintessentially summery songs. Concerts are June 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $15 and can be reserved at (414) 481-2800 or by emailing charsoulstice@att.net.

Dance

Wild Space will celebrate its 25th anniversary at Turner Hall Ballroom Saturday for a “Wild Night” of dance. Photo credit Scott Anderson.

Wild Space Dance Company celebrates 25 years on June 23, with its one-night-only Wild Night season finale. The show will bring in Wild Space members old and new to perform new works by artistic director Debra Loewen, alumni David Figueroa and many more. The concert begins Saturday at 8 p.m. at Turner Hall Ballroom, and tickets are $20, $25 for premium reserved seating, and $15 for students/seniors. Call (414) 271-0712 or visit the online box office to order.

Somatophobia, a “dance/multimedia experience” will open at UWM’s Kenilworth Building on Friday June 22nd. The performance blends elements of music, psychology, theater, meditation and more, taking on a new aural and visual form. The show runs through June 24th. Ticket and further information can be found at the Peck School of the Arts box office page.

Theater

Shakespeare, outdoor and free, with accomplished actors. Summer is good.

Optimist Theatre will stage MacBeth, with Tom Reed as Macbeth, Marti Gobel as Lady Macbeth, and James Pickering as Duncan, at Alverno College at 8 p.m. June 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, and July 1. If you haven’t already reserved a seat, well, that’s a tragedy. As of June 1, all priority walk-in and reserved seats have been claimed.

Here’s the drill to have a chance to get in: Optimist Theatre will first seat audience members who reserved seats. Next we will seat audience members who are on the Priority Walk-In Seating List in any unclaimed seats or available lawn seating. Any unfilled seats or lawn space still remaining after those two groups are checked in is then offered to audience members trying for General Walk-In Seating. If you have any other questions, please email Susan Scot Fry at SSFry@OptimistTheatre.org or call 262-498-5777.

Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman’s 1927 comedy parodies the Barrymore family.  Put on by the American Player’s Theatre, the show opens on June 23rd, with a preview on the 21st, and runs through September 29th. Runs at the Up-the-Hill-Theater in Spring Green, Wis. For tickets and further information, visit the APT website.

Man of La Mancha at Festival Theatre:

The classic 1965 adaptation of Don Quixote opens on June 21st at the Festival Theater in St. Croix Falls, Wis. The performance is part of the Festival Theatre’s “Box Luncheon Cruise + Matinee” package, which features a boat tour and lunch in addition to the performance. For tickets and further information, visit the Festival Theater website.

Special Events

Milwaukee Public Theater Champions of the Arts Celebration at Turner Hall Ballroom:

The third annual Champions of the Arts Celebration will be recognizing the efforts of Reuben Harpole, Lucy Rosenberg and Michael Reyes- three individuals who are “noteable supporters of the arts” in our city. The event will feature an awards ceremony as well as a silent auction, live music and other entertainment. For tickets and further information, visit the Milwaukee Public Theater website.

Festivals

Lebowski Fest Milwaukee:

This two day festival celebrates “all things Lebowski” with a screening of The Big Lebowski on June 22nd and a bowling party on June 23rd. While VIP tickets, reserved seating and Bowling Party tickets are sold out, the Movie Party is free and open to the public, so you can still celebrate “the dude” if you missed out. For further information, visit the Lebowski Fest website.

Ongoing

Fireside Theatre: Legally Blonde, through July 1

Angry Young Men, Ltd.: Full-Frontal Puppetry, June 15-16, July 13-14, 19-20 at Soulstice Theatre

Marcus Center: Packer Fans from Outer Space, through July 22

Last Chance

Alchemist Theatre: Help Wanted, through June 23

Boulevard Theatre: Cowboy Versus Samurai, through June 24