Ballet Dances to Pink Martini

Milwaukee Ballet artistic director Michael Pink promises a show “filled with new and exciting work.” This week the company’s annual Spring Series will feature diverse by three different choreographers. Matthew Neenan and Amy Seiwert return to Milwaukee for their two new works which have been tailored specifically for Milwaukee Ballet dancers, and “Our Waltzes” by the late Vincente Nebrada will top off the show.

Pink spoke with us about the upcoming show and its three complimentary works. The new work by Neenan, Pink notes, is fun and easy-going, featuring music from Pink Martini. “It has a slightly quirky, jazzy feel to it so it’s a fun experience and the piece that will lead the evening,” he says.

Seiwert’s work should offer a contrast. “She is a very thought-provoking choreographer,” Pink says. “We know her from doing Mozart Requiem last year where the (dances) are very evocative, almost an experiential thing.” This latest work, he says. “is a happening, it makes you feel things, the music is very engaging. And it’s quite contemporary but the ladies are dancing on point shoes.”

As for the final piece by Nebrada, Pink calls it “just a pure celebration of waltzing, the kind of waltzing that any classical dancers do because it’s incredibly complicated. There’s a pianist on stage playing the music live and things are whirling around and it’s really very exciting.”

When asked what he thought audiences would enjoy most about this year’s Spring Series Pink jokingly replied “Hopefully getting out of the house and away from the television.” After a few laughs he went on to say “I’m hoping they’re going to enjoy the experience of seeing these three diverse works,” which, he adds, also work well together. “The evening is very complimentary and that’s something I try and really make a point of scheduling so you do have a balance in the evening.”

Milwaukee Ballet Company: Spring Series April 3-6 at the Marcus Center. Tickets range from $40.83 to $111.47, available online  or call (414) 902-2103.

Theater

Next Act Theatre: Three Views of the Same Object April 3-27. Tickets range from $12.50 to $35, available online.

UWM Peck School of the Arts: Almost, Maine April 3-6 at Kenilworth Studio 508. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors, UWM faculty and staff and students night of show, $5 for students presale, and free for majors. Tickets are available online or call (414) 229-4308.

Renaissance Theaterworks: Skin Tight April 4-27. Tickets are $31.50, available online or call (414) 291-7800.

Soulstice Theatre: Still Life April 4-19 Tickets are $21, $19 for seniors, students and military personnel, available online.

Bay Players: The Butler Did It Again April 4, 5, 11, 12 at Whitefish Bay High School.

Cardinal Stritch University Theatre: The Spitfire Grill at the Nancy Kendall Theater Apr. 4-13. For tickets call (414) 410-4171.

Marquette University Theatre: Hamlet April 3-13. Tickets are $20, available online.

Music

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 April 4- 6. Tickets range from $21.25 to $86.25, available online or call (414) 291-7605.

Italian Community Center: Cure for Cabin Fever Series presents Altered Five on Tuesday April 1 and Rick D’Amore’s Rockin Dance Party on Thursday April 3. Admission and parking is free for guests.

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra: Honor Recital Sunday, April 6 at St. John on the Lake Chapel at 2 p.m.

Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) “Music Under Glass” series presents A Tribute to Elvis Beach Party, 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 3. Tickets are $6.50, $5 for seniors/students. 

Turner Hall Ballroom: Typhoon with special guests Lady Lamb the Beekeeper and Wild Ones Wednesday, April 2. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, available online or call (414) 286-3663.

The Riverside Theater: Don Williams with special guest Colm Kirwan Wednesday, April 2. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $23.75-$51.25, available online or call (414) 286-3663.

Turner Hall Ballroom: Papadosio with guest The Main Squeeze on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $13, available online or call (414) 286-3663.

Special Events

Turner Hall Ballroom: Spoof Fest 21^st Anniversary Saturday, April 5 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10, available online or call (414) 286-3663.

Last Chance

Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Rep Lab, through March 31

Walker’s Point Center for the Arts: Featured Member Exhibition: Paul Matzner, through April 5

Sunset Playhouse: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, through April 6

Off The Wall Theatre: Romeo & Juliet, through April 6

Ongoing

Tory Folliard Gallery: “The Figure in Clay” and “Concerning Nature,” through April 19

Museum of Wisconsin Art:  Beth Lipman: Precarious Possessions, through April 13

Portrait Society: Ceramic exhibition, through April 12

First Stage: CRASH, through April 13

Fireside Dinner Theatre: Mary Poppins, through April 20

Wisconsin Lutheran College Schlueter Art Gallery: Pfister Artist in Residence Exhibition, through April 11

Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Ain’t Misbehavin’, through May 18

Museum of Wisconsin Art: Handmade for Hard Times, through June 15

Charles Allis Art Museum: FORWARD: A Survey of Wisconsin Art Now, through June 29

Milwaukee Art Museum: Uncommon Folk: Traditions in American Art, through May 4