Amanda Finn - Page 4

Do you believe in fate? Some people do and some don't. Ordinarily, that belief does not make a bit of difference in the grand scheme of the world around them. In the world of Proper, however, not only is the concept of fate understood to be true, it is followed by almost religious devotion. Infants are briefly seen by a Magi and their future is determined by a single glance. For the unlucky, however, the cards are not dealt in their favor. Those that do not fit the ideals of the Magi are deemed 'fateless' and sent away into exile.

Luisa's husband makes movies. That is the simplest way to describe NINE (the musical based on the 1963 film 8 ½ by Federico Fellini) which follows the story of Guido Contini an Italian director who tries desperately to overcome his recent failings as a filmmaker. Overwhelmed by his desire to have it all, Guido finds himself tormented as well as inspired by the women in his life. Raised in the staunch Catholic way, Guido is well acquainted in the concept of morality, but can't seem to keep himself from straying from the women who love him.

Colorful light bulbs hang from the stairwell beside the home of Stanley and Stella Kowalski - an omnipresent sign that New Orleans is a colorful city alight with parties. When those bulbs are off, however, they stand as an even more daunting reminder that life isn't always Mardi Gras.

One little swish of her tail and they were smitten. The girls who grew up admiring Ariel and humming her tunes can now have the same giddy feeling they used to get when that well-worn VHS slid into the machine. With the incomparable success of The Lion King, Disney set out to create its fair share of Broadway blockbusters. The Little Mermaid had a short lived run on the Great White Way, but that hasn't stopped other companies from having their go at a show with a lot to give.

When the lights went out, there was no sound.  No applause, no cheering, and no uncomfortable laughing. Jim DeVita had silenced the audience in the Touchstone Theatre. That is the power of Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare's An Iliad.

There are quite a few things that out-of-towners don't understand about our great Dairy State: bubblers, cheese curds, cow tipping, and (probably) ice fishing. For many Wisconsinites, ice fishing is more than just a wintertime hobby - it's a way to reaffirm friendships and escape from the wider world. At least, that's what Lloyd and Marvin do in Fred Alley's homegrown Guys on Ice - a musical comedy about ice fishing

Violet is new in town and so is Capital City Theatre. Although the faces behind the company are not newcomers, they are setting out on a journey to bring accessible, professional, musical theatre to our fair city to further Madison's artistic prowess.

A long, long time ago, in a land far, far away…a man named George Fredric Handel crafted an opera entitled Rinaldo. A few hundred years later, an opera company that prides itself in bringing a fresh perspective to the art form added their own charms to the libretto. Under the guise of the Star Wars franchise, Fresco Opera Theater, under the direction of Melanie Cain, has created a nerd haven in The Overture's cozy Playhouse Theater entitled Rinaldo and the Galactic Crusades.

The greater Madison area has a host of summer theatrical offerings that provide entertainment for every member of the family. From all out Wisconsin Dells excursions, to evenings under the stars in Spring Green, or simply an evening out on the town in our state's capital, the summer heat does not stop these area artists. If you need a recommendation for some festivities, here are five shows that are sure to delight in the coming months.

Following their intial production a few months ago - Beta Blockers, a show composed of vignettes that outlined the triumphs and pitfalls of modern day relationships both with oneself as well as others - Left of Left Center is presenting another show with just as many quirks hoping for another positive response from the community. With the primary goal of defying the stereotypes of community theatre, the company is determined to make their mark on the Madison stage. Their newest production, Spirits to Enforce, is a comedic tale that follows a group of superheroes who are ferociously fundraising to put on a production of Shakespeare's The Tempest. 

Dirty Dancing is essentially a stage tribute to the film from which its based, which is evident from the dialogue as it's taken almost verbatim from the movie. As are the iconic songs - even though only a fraction of the performers actually sing. Those actors that do sing are not main characters, which is even more of a shame since so many of the performers (Gillian Abbott and Samuel Pergande as Baby and Johnny respectively) have backgrounds in voice. The fact that the main characters do not even utter a single note is baffling to anyone who is familiar with musical theatre.

It's quickly becoming a household name. Although it's nothing like some of the shows considered 'classic Broadway', it has erupted into an existence far from anything of its kind on stage. Book of Mormon could be considered a somewhat mythical creature in the realm of theatre. The ultimate amalgamation of all things Broadway and South Park - this show is a masterpiece.

In a world that is so meticulously run by big business, it often seems as though the universe itself revolves around the almighty dollar. Particularly in the reality for artists, the corporate world is rarely viewed as an entity of good. Rather, it is seen as a soul sucking enterprise that can leave one wondering if their colleagues are man or beast. That appears to be the purpose of Doug Reed's latest brainchild The Nails.

It happens faster than one can fathom. A child acts out in a public space - one automatically looks to the parent's reaction. A slew of questions arise: does that happen often? What are you going to do about this? Why aren't you more upset? Why did you even bring your child here?

Loosely based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and paired with some of Elvis Presley's most beloved music is a feel good show worth dancing to. All Shook Up has shimmied its way to the Fireside's stage and immersed its audiences in an atmosphere of intoxicating nostalgia.

'Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.' - Rudyard Kipling Kipling's musing on what it means to be a writer could not be truer. Broom Street Theater's latest original production, The Point of It All, tackles the sensitive subject of living with a drug addiction. Writer and Director Dan Myers drew from his own experiences to tell the stories of those who could not or cannot find their own words.

Mamma Mia has come to The Overture Center in downtown Madison this week! The feel good musical that is jam packed with catchy tunes is going to be in the capital city for a few more days. Georgia Kate Haege, who is playing Donna Sheridan for the second time, as well as Jeff Drushal (who plays Sam Carmichael) were kind enough to provide me a little bit of time this morning. In the final stretch of the national tour, I got the chance to sit down with these two lovely performers to chat about their show and what they have going on next.

Colorful buildings cascade down the walls of the Evjue Stage at the Bartell Theatre. When the lights are dim they appear to slowly fade into the darkness. It is only when the lights are fully illuminating the playing space that the images are melting into nothingness. Backgrounds become distorted until the lights dim once more. It is the darkness that creates a safe, familiar space in the world of the Loman family.

Even Madison's most dedicated theatrical hipsters have heard of [Title of Show] - the Broadway musical that effectively parodied a true story as well as the strenuous process of creating art. The show follows the plights of 'two nobodies in New York' as they attempt to create an award winning musical in three weeks for the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Admittedly exploiting their friends for the sake of creative enterprise, Jeff and Hunter hatch their ideas and watch as they begin to fly.

A quaint, well-loved home is where the scene is set. Minimal set dressings to mask the beautiful awkwardness of the first scene - with remnants of Anton Chekov's greatest works scattered upon the mantle. A seagull, a sister, a cluster of cherry blossoms, and a brood of hens watch over the home from their perch. These little trinkets are entirely appropriate since three of the four title roles were named after Chekov's characters. Vanya, the brother in the play, blames the unfortunate circumstance of his unusual name on his having professors for parents.