Something to Celebrate

Theater

The Tony Award Winning Musical Coming to Marcus Center

Wicked opens this Wednesday at Marcus Center. This musical phenomenon, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy arrives. This show, one of the most successful in Broadway history, has drawn over two million people since its debut in 2003. Wicked last came to Milwaukee in 2010, when it broke box office records by selling out in record time. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased online or by calling 414 273-7206. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. The show runs through July 7.

American Players Theater presents Too Many Husbands, a British Comedy set against a WWI background. When the lovely Victoria becomes a war widow, she consoles herself by marrying her husband’s best friend. Chaos ensues when the deceased Mr. Victoria returns home very much alive. David Frank is directing the W. Somerset Maugham play, and John Tanner composed the music. This show will be performed the Up The Hill Theater beginning this Friday at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available online at a variety of prive points.

Late Nite Catechism is an evening of audience participation and trivia from your Catholic youth. Sisters will reward or punish a class of “students” based on their answers, so step up to the podium and show what you know. This interactive performance has been playing for 20 years. Tickets for the show, to run on June 15 at 4 and 8 p.m. are $40 and are available online.

Dance

Stephan Koplowitz’ SummerDances

UWM’s Summerdances presents free outdoor performances of Stephan Koplowitz’s site-specific, multi-media works at the Cudahy Gardens of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the historic North Point Water Tower. The schedule, June 13-15: 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at North Point Water Tower;  6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Visual Art

MAM will host 30 Americans, a multimedia exploration of what is means to be an African American and an artist. The collection spans three decades of work and represents numerous politics, genders and historical backgrounds. This display is available to the public through Labor Day during. Admission is $15 and can be purchased online or on site. As part of Community Days at the museum, admission to MAM will be free on June 15 and 16. This weekend will also feature special guest speakers, family events, and an art tutorial.

Music

John C. Reilly

Actor  John C. Reilly and his bluegrass project Amazing will performing the first ever concert in the historic Miller Caves. Joined by Tom Brosseau and Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark, Reilly will perform at  6 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, June 16. More information about the 21 and over show is available online.

The second of four Summer Evenings of Music with UWM’s Fine Arts Quartet is set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 16, at the Zelazo Center. Selections include Turina’s Oracion del Torero, Prokofiev’s Visions Fugitives, Haydn’s Quartet Op.71-2, Tchaikovsky Children’s Album, and Shostakovitch’s Elegy & Polka. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance by calling 414 229-4308.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir comes to the Milwaukee Theater on Monday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m. The 360-voice choir has appeared at 13 world’s fairs, the inauguration of five presidents, and at special events all over the world. Unpaid volunteers fill the ranks of both the choir and its orchestra, which was added in 1999. Tickets to this performance range from $23 to $83 and can be purchased online.

Special Events

Wawel Dancers

Festival Season is officially here, with the 32nd annual Polish Fest at Henry W. Maier Festival Park. Join the Polish community of Milwaukee for traditional music, dance, food, beverages and crafts. Be sure to stay for the Big Boomski fireworks display each evening. A variety of ticket specials are available, but general admission tickets can be purchased online for $10 or on site for $12. Join the fun on Friday and Saturday from noon until midnight and Sunday from noon until 8 p.m.

The fourth annual Flag Day celebrations at the Marcus Center will take place on Friday, June 14, at the Peck Pavilion. Join service members and musicians from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. for a presentation of our National Flag. Marcus Center is committed to “Honor the Dead by Serving the Living” by celebrating those who serve and have served. Food and beverages are available for purchase; admission is free.

At 6 p.m. Friday, June 14,participants will begin filming for the 48-Hour Film Project. Two long days later, they must submit their finished movies. The kickoff event, at 6 p.m. Friday at Sugar Maple, is open to the public.  Films will premiere at public screenings at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at the Oriental Theater. The winner will go on to the national competition. Tickets to the screening are $10 at the door.

To read a Third Coast Daily article about a particular show, please click on the show title. For more information about the show itself, please click on the venue.

Last Chance

Sunset Playhouse: The Fox on the Fairway, through June 16

On Going

Milwaukee Art Museum: 125th Anniversary Celebration, through Aug. 10

Milwaukee Art Museum: Veterans Book Project: Objects for Deployment, through Sept. 2

JMKAC: Uncommon Ground, through Sept. 6

Walking Tour: Milwaukee Through The Ages, through Oct. 13