Theater

Skylight cuts Artistic Director Theisen, key staff roles: Beal resigns from board in protest
Skylight cuts Artistic Director Theisen, key staff roles

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.

A sneak peek at Naked Boys Singing!

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?

Performance Art and Fine Music Preview: June 16 to June 22
Performance Art and Fine Music Preview

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.

Backstage with Mark Metcalf: Julia Magnasco of First Stage Children’s Theater
Backstage with Mark Metcalf

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.

Performing Arts and Fine Music Preview: June 9 – 15
Performing Arts and Fine Music Preview

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!

How a bike ride could save a performance: UPAF & Miller Lite’s Ride for the Arts
How a bike ride could save a performance

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?

Performing Arts and Fine Music Preview: June 2 – 8
Performing Arts and Fine Music Preview

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.

‘Henry V’ realized with more than just imaginary forces

‘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.

Off the Wall’s fundraiser mines with ‘Gold’

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.

Performing Arts and Music Preview: May 26 – June 1
Performing Arts and Music Preview

May 26 – June 1

With spring awakening ancient feelings, Milwaukee's fine arts scene turns to a celebration of the spirit. We suspect many artists, actors, and musicians are oiling up their bikes for next weekend's Miller Lite Ride for the Arts (more on that in a feature article for TCD next week). But there are several programs for kids, by kids, and by up-and-comers featured this week.

PHOTO GALLERY: 75 years of the Florentine Opera
PHOTO GALLERY

75 years of the Florentine Opera

The Florentine Opera, Wisconsin's oldest fully professional performing arts organization, hosts a special one-night-only Diamond Anniversary concert in celebration of their 75th year in the business. In tribute, enjoy this fabulous photo history from the Company's expansive archive.

Performing Arts and Fine Music Preview: May 19 – 25
Performing Arts and Fine Music Preview

May 19 – 25

This week on ThirdCoast Digest's weekly look at highlights in the world of local stage and music:the opening of Skylight Opera's staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's best known comic opera, right before the Florentine Opera concludes a 75th Diamond Anniversary year with a huge concert celebration. Also, Stonefly Brewery plays host for one night to an unusual traveling comedy examing surrealism, and a international pop star of sorts is coming to the Milwaukee Theatre.