Theater
Chorus Line brings renewed relevance to the stage
In a time in which theater is hurting due to the economy, and in a pop culture environment of reality show competition formats - think American Idol, Survivor, Big Brother, where unknowns compete for a semblance of fame - the current national tour of A Chorus Line is more relevant than ever.
Jun 24th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
June 24 – 30
There are some eclectic events that are soldiering on despite the Summerfest competition such as Boulevard Theatre's Audition Idol, American Players Theatre's new Harold Pinter play at the new indoor Touchstone stage, the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival features a National Guard jazz band, and the week-long run of MSO's Pops concert series. Cue the Mission: Impossible triangle......
Jun 23rd, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
Backstage with Mark Metcalf and David Begel
Long-time friends Mark Metcalf and David Begel discuss how they met in a Milwaukee Shakespeare production of The Merchant of Venice, David's long and colorful career that spans the great distance between sports writing, MPS administration and acting on stage, how professional sports are like theater, arts criticism and what it will take to make a more vibrant culture for the arts in Milwaukee. Discussed: national public dance, Mark's tardiness, how the internet just lets you keep going and going.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Amy Elliott
Beal resigns from board in protest
Most know the story by now. The Executive Committee of Skylight Opera, without board discussion or vote, last week eliminated key staff positions that many supporters believe lets flow freely the lifeblood of this traditionally family-like company. This morning Jonathan West posts the full text of the resignation letter of long-time supporter and board member, Robert L. Beal, on his blog, Artsy Schmartsy.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
A sneak peek at Naked Boys Singing!
It's sweltering in the Turner Hall Ballroom as cast members of Naked Boys Singing! run through tech rehearsals in their underwear. The problem at the moment is the wireless microphones. The cast members have never played to such a cavernous space in a five-year Chicago-based and road tour, so where exactly do you attach the mics when the players in this cabaret-like revue will be in the buff?
Jun 19th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
June 16 to June 22
Gotta sing, gotta dance! Gotta thrill the whole world without pants! There's a great benefit show for the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center at the end of this week, a Chorus Line kick-steps off at the beginning of next week in what's lining up to be a stellar national tour season for the Marcus Center -- all the while Every Little Step screens in Milwaukee running up to that live show. Plus, the Florentine Opera plans on getting lots of fresh air at two events.
Jun 15th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
Julia Magnasco of First Stage Children’s Theater
Mark talks to Julia Magnasco, Education Director of First Stage Children's Theater, about growing up with First Stage - her first kiss (on stage!), getting ready for prom in the dressing room - coming back to Milwaukee for the arts and the importance of teaching young people about theater.
Jun 10th, 2009 by Amy Elliott
June 9 – 15
The weather might not feel like June, but oh boy is that summer feeling ever-present in Milwaukee's many performance spaces -- open air bandshells and dark, cozy stages alike. While this week has only a small sample of offerings as various entities like Danceworks and First Stage Theater Academy hold summer camp, the rest of Wisconsin is abuzz with community events and performances, from Lake Geneva Theater's Mystery of Irma Vep to American Players Theatre's opening night of The Philanderer. So in this edition, we have featured a few of the shows happening across the best Midwestern state in the world. Road trip!
Jun 9th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
UPAF & Miller Lite’s Ride for the Arts
After the wheels are done spinning and the kickstands go down Sunday morning, participants and supporters will enjoy select performances on the Summerfest grounds by some of the supprted performing arts groups in Milwaukee. A small donation will be asked for at the entrance -- and with attendance numbers that reach over 6,000, UPAF might see that $5 could add $30,000 to the final total. But will it be enough to save an opera, a kids theater workshop, or a Broadway showstopper?
Jun 4th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
June 2 – 8
June is the definitive start of the off-season for stage, except if you're the venerable and fun American Players Theater. Well, it's for sure the time in which the city of festivals silences the horn section for some rowdier fare. Unless, of course, you're in the French Horn section sending maestro Andreas Delfs off in style. At least the streets will be safe, unless you happened to be standing in the way of a couple hundred bicyclists this weekend who have a big heart for the arts community in southeastern Wisconsin.
Jun 2nd, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
‘Henry V’ realized with more than just imaginary forces
It is the final play from William Shakespeare's historical tetraology of British kings, and the most oft-quoted. This Quasi Productions performance of Henry V grew not only out of a collective desire to make a worthy theatrical presentation, but from a grim sense of incompletion.
May 30th, 2009 by Michael Madden
Off the Wall’s fundraiser mines with ‘Gold’
Broadway music often strikes memories in the mind, and it was this intent which played the audience's heartstrings in a four day special event at Off the Wall Theatre's staged fundraiser to support its upcoming 2009-2010 season which stages at the Black Box space on Wells Street in Milwaukee.
May 26th, 2009 by Peggy Sue Dunigan
