Milwaukee Arts Groups Suspending Shows

Last updated 3/13/2020 at 5:35 p.m.

Given the public health emergency declared by Wisconsin Gov.Tony Evers due to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre will be closed for all public events and performances March 13 to April 5. This includes the flat cancellation of Antonio’s Song, a world premiere in the Rep’s Stiemke Theater.

All performing groups with subscription audiences are responding with special COVID-19 steps and a variety of cancellations, refunds and performance shifts explained by email to their audiences. But the Florentine Opera has pulled off the most innovative response.

It has canceled for the public all four performances of The Tragedy of Carmen March 13, 15, 20 and 22 at Wilson Hall of the Marcus Performing Arts Center, but it is offering a digital capture of the production on the Florentine web site for all ticket holders, working with noted local expert in video conferencing, Studio Gear. All ticket holders for Carmen will be notified of how and where to get the recorded version on their home computers. The Florentine will continue a select by invitation opening night for sponsors and dinner guests for today, March 13. Check at florentineopera.org

The Marcus Center is also canceling Yamato: The Drummers of Japan Friday March 13 and all immediate public events by member groups.

The Marcus Center is postponing all performances of The Play That Goes Wrong scheduled for March 17-22, 2020 and Hiplet Ballerinas scheduled for March 26, 2020. Ticket holders should hold on to their tickets.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has canceled all performances through March 23.

The Rep meanwhile will offer options to ticket holders for its ongoing productions of Eclipsed, Chasing Dem Blues and the upcoming Hootenanny.

The Milwaukee Opera Theatre has canceled Preludes, which was supposed to open March 20 and run for seven performances. First Stage‘s performances of The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors through March 29, has been cancelled. New productions planned by many groups starting March 28 will be re-evaluated about openings and runs according to where the pandemic and the disaster orders stand.

The Milwaukee Ballet has canceled all performances of PUSH. from March 26 to March 29. The ballet will send a communication to all ticket holders for PUSH. during the week of March 16.

Frankly Music’s Monday, March 16 concert has been rescheduled to Monday, May 11. The performance remains at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Pabst Theater Group has announced a number of postponements:

• Jeff Ross and Dave Attell’s Friday, March 13 show at the Riverside Theater has been postponed.
• Armchair Boogie’s Friday, March 13 at the Back Room @ Colectivo has been postponed.
• We Banjo 3’s Saturday, March 14 at Pabst Theater has been rescheduled to June 27, 2020
• Gaelic Storm‘s Sunday, March 15 at the Pabst Theater has been postponed.

Contact tickets@pabsttheater.org or the Pabst Theater Group box office at 414-286-3205 with any questions.

The Milwaukee Art Museum announced that “as of Monday, March 16, all events will be canceled for 30 days—through Tuesday, April 14. This includes Gallery Talks, lectures, docent-led tours, school tours, docent trainings, Junior Docent graduations, exhibition previews, including the Pauline Parker opening, MAM After Dark, Yoga, Color Wheels, Stitch 2-Gather, Easter Brunch, Support Group meetings, and more.”

The Villa Terrace and Charles Allis Art Museums are closed through March.

The Lynden Sculpture Garden has announced these cancellations and reschedulings:

• All Art Drop-Ins through the month of March are cancelled.
• 3/14: Todd Mrozinski’s drawing workshop will be rescheduled.
• 3/15: The Sound Tree Project Family Workshop is cancelled.
• 3/19: Homeschool Day will be rescheduled.

If you have tickets for or are planning to attend any arts or entertainment event in the next few weeks, you would be well advised to check with that group to see if the event has been cancelled.

Editor’s note: Last updated 3/13/2020 at 5:35 p.m.