Fall into Fun

Theater

Ragtime opens at the Milwaukee Rep Friday, Sept. 20, with previews beginning tonight (Sept. 17). This musical, based on the acclaimed novel by E.L. Doctorow, focuses on three diverse American families at the dawn of the 20th century, when the quintessential American Dream was close for some and unattainable for others. This show, the biggest ever staged in the Quadracci Powerhouse, runs through October 27. Tickets range from $20 to $75, and can be purchased by calling 414-224-9490 or emailing tickets@milwaukeerep.com.

The Milwaukee Chamber Theatre presents The Detective’s Wife, a one-woman show starring Mary MacDonald Kerr, who recently became the first actress honored as a “Ruth Schudson Leading Lady” by MCT. This murder-mystery, about a woman whose police officer husband is gunned down in the line of duty, is written by Wisconsin native Keith Huff, who had his first hit with A Steady Rain and has served as a writer and producer on Mad Men and House of Cards. This show runs Sept. 18 though Oct. 13. Tickets are $39.50 and are available online. 

Next Act Theatre opens its season with Perfect Mendacity, a Milwaukee premiere about a microbiologist accused of leaking a memo to the press incriminating his employers, defense contractors. To protect himself and his Moroccan wife, he turns to a polygraph consultant to learn how to lie, but unsettling truths begin to emerge instead. The play opens Thursday, Sept. 19, and runs through Oct. 13; tickets range from $25 to $35 and can be ordered online or at (414) 278-0765.

In this still from last season’s production of Bacchanalia, Theseus battles the Minotaur, just one Greek myth alluded to in the show.

The Quasimondo, Milwaukee’s physical theater troupe, opens its sophomore season with a play from its freshman year: Bacchanalia. But this isn’t the same romp through Greek mythology and revelry they staged at their home base, the Milwaukee Fortress; it’s Bacchanalia Redux, a revised version of the piece taking place on the grounds of Villa Terrace. The company will kick off the run with an opening night gala Sunday, Sept. 22, featuring hors d’ouvres, live music and a cash bar at 6 p.m., for $45 ($40 with costume). Remaining shows will be Sept. 23, 29, 30 and Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., and tickets are $25 or $20 for students. To order, visit the Quasimondo’s Brown Paper Tickets page.

Unrehearsed Shakespeare returns to Milwaukee with the latest show from Theater RED. The Wauwautosa-based company will perform The Merry Wives of Windsor, a Falstaff-focused play commissioned by Queen Elizabeth herself, at Sunset Playhouse one night only: Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased online.

Music

Guest pianist Jeremy Denk will perform at the MSO’s season opener.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Former MSO conductor Andreas Delfs returns, with guest pianist Jeremy Denk performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Also on the program is Aaron Jay Kernis’ Musica Celestis. This performance will run through Sunday; tickets are available online at a variety of price points.

Dancers Liz Faraglia and Allan Zablocki prepare for Skylight’s Bollywood “Fidelio.” Photo credit Mark Frohna.

Skylight Music Theatre opens its first season with artistic director Viswa Subbaraman Friday, with a production of Beethoven’s only opera Fidelo. But this is no ordinary Fidelio – the classic tale of a woman who disguises herself as a prison guard to save her jailed beloved has been recast as a Bollywood film, blending cultures for an evening of exciting musical theater. Fidelio runs Sept. 20 through Oct. 6, and tickets range from $27.50 to $67. To order, call (414) 291-7800 or visit their online box office.

The ultimate ‘80s throwback event will take place at Marcus Center’s Vogel Hall this Friday and Saturday. Power Balladz is an evening of comedy, guitar solos, and rock star behavior. The New York Times described this show as “a loving tribute to the heyday of the hair band, when Aqua Net ruled and MTV played videos.” Tickets start at $35 and are available online.

UWM’s Peck School of the Arts will host a free concerts series featuring a variety of local artists. The MKE Unplugged series will kick off with a performance by Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound. This show will be broadcast live by series sponsor WMSE 91.7FM. Mike Fredericson will open this show that starts 7:30 PM in the Helen Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts.

Dance

“Acts of Wilderness” will be staged at Three Bridges Park, in the Menomonee Valley near the Mitchell Park Domes.

Wild Space Dance Company presents Acts of Wilderness, which focuses on the communities of Layton Boulevard West and Clarke Square. This event will take place at the Menomonee Valley Three Bridges Park at 7:30 PM from September 19-21. Tickets are $20, with a $15 student price and a pre-show price of $30, which includes the 6:45 PM pre-show talk with historian John Gurda. *NOTE: A RAIN-OUT DATE HAS BEEN ADDED, 7:30 P.M. SUNDAY SEPT. 22. Ticket holders from Thursday night’s show may use those tickets for any remaining performance. 

Special Events

Alverno Presents will host their annual Global Union concert, an unofficial end to the summer of celebrations. This music festival features bands from Pakistan, Argentina, Haiti, Quebec and Algeria, as well as homegrown talent. The music begins at noon on Saturday, September 21 at Humbolt Park. This festival is free and open to the public. A full listen of performers and schedules can be found online.

Doors Open Milwaukee, the annual behind-the-scenes tour of Milwaukee, will take place this Saturday and Sunday. This year’s installment features more than 40 Milwaukee locations normally not available to the public. Patrons can either go on a guided tour, or explore specific locations on their own. A complete list of participating locations can be found online. This is a free event, but tickets are required and can be picked up by visiting Urban Milwaukee: The Store.

The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory is hosting a sock hop straight out of the 1950s this Saturday, September 20. Dress your best and bring your dancing shoes for an evening of great music, good food, and costume contests. Tickets are $30 online and include food and drinks. Proceeds will benefit the Domes.  The festivities begin at 7 PM. 

The Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday in the historic downtown area, beginning each day at 10 AM. Enjoy over 250 booths featuring local art, food and beverages. Family activities include a scarecrow contest, pumpkin carving and kid’s activities. Admission is free to everyone.

Last Chance

Off the Wall: Grey Gardens the Musical, through Sept. 22

Ongoing

American Players Theatre: All My Sons, through Sept. 28

Soulstice Theatre: Betrayal, through Sept. 28

APT: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, through Oct. 5

APT: Two Gentlemen of Verona, through Oct. 6

APT: Dickens in America, through Oct. 19

APT: Antony and Cleopatra, through Oct. 20

Milwaukee Rep: I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett, through Oct. 20