Humans yearn for what we do not have. It is the trademark of our species. We seem to never be satisfied, always longing for more, better, bigger. Though this play is set a century ago in Russia, it could not be more relevant to our current culture.... (more...)
With the music of Fats Domino and Elvis filling the theater, patrons to The Palace Theater were transported back to a bygone era. While enjoying their dinner, the mood was set to the 1950's, a time when muscle cars and smoking were all the rage. A time when girls could be seen in poodle skirts or ci... (more...)
Grover's Corners is of course the backdrop to the romance of George Gibbs (Jon Churchwell) and Emily Webb (Amanda Rodriquez). With minimal set to interfere with the actor's ability to carry the story the play moves along initially at a refreshing small-town pace.... (more...)
Madisons's Broom Street Theatre boasts being one of, if not THE eldest experimental theater in the country. At nearly 50 years old, it is a Madison Staple. Their latest show, Dumpster Flower exemplifies their long-term success.... (more...)
We meet Elise (Kat Wodtke) in her office. Her husband, Brad (Jeb Burris) is away, in Iraq, fighting. She keeps her cheery disposition and hopefulness by finding rituals to survive it all and sticking to them.... (more...)
From the moment, you are seated in the intimate Wisconsin Studio at the Overture Center you are transported to Emerson's Bar and Grill. The year,1959. The month, March. Billie Holiday will only live another 4 months, at which time she will die at the young age of 44 from cirrhosis of the liver.... (more...)
First Stage invites a recent Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts production to Milwaukee for a Midwest premiere: Mockingbird (mok'ing burd). The National Book Award WinnerYoung Adult novel by Katherine Ersking and adapted by Julie Jensen presents the story of Caitlin-a 12 year old challenged by a... (more...)
As I've stated before, theater should speak to people. This production of Cabaret spoke volumes to me and feels particularly poignant in today's political climate. ... (more...)
This is not simply a musical about cannibalism, no my friends, this is a love story…a hysterically twisted love story with some pseudo homo erotic elements along with a hint of bestiality thrown in for good measure.... (more...)
A producer named Greame is selling this show to investors. The show, "Game of Thrones" a Lannister Production, live and in the round with a cast of hundreds complete with animatronic dragons... (more...)
I did notice almost immediately that although they do put the 'BALL' in BALLET, I and those around me had begun to refer to the men in tutus as 'ballerinas'.... (more...)
Anthony Reilly (David Daniel) has a secret. This secret is only known to two people. First, his adolescent crush, who when told went running away from him, breaking is young heart. The second, his father, who is so despondent about it that he may keep the family farm from him.... (more...)
I thought, 'Big Whoop'. I never had any desire to see this show. First, it's Frankie Valli, how tough could his life really be, big star, where's the conflict? Secondly, and more importantly, I know this music. I certainly did not want to see it performed in the classical musical theater operatic st... (more...)
Theater should have an effect on the audience, and this show does exactly that. We are told in the beginning by Charlie (Nate Burger) that tomorrow is Mary's Wedding, tonight is a dream.... (more...)
As a haze envelopes, The Overture Center for the Arts a drum beat begins, followed shortly by screaming electric guitar licks. The energy in the theater is palpable as dancers move and gyrate across the stage. A curtain drops over a cage suspended far above the stage and nearly immediately falls a... (more...)
Did you know that there was an African Theater Company in 1821? We learn during American Players Theater production of 'THE AFRICAN THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS RICHARD III, that 6 years before New York abolished slavery and 20 years before the beginning of the Civil War, this company existed.... (more...)
Willy Loman (Wonderfully portrayed by Brian Mani) is a phony, a faker. He may very well be aware of this fact, and yet...he may not. Who among us has not a time or two filled in the blank spaces of our memory?... (more...)
Disney's The Lion King has dominated the stage for almost 20 years and audiences still flock to the theatre whenever the show migrates into a new city -- or even an old city as the show makes its return to Overture Center.... (more...)
Frank's loved ones don't know where he is, but Frank's destination wasn't exactly a "where". It was the aversion of the "were". Frank thinks he is a werecoyote -- yes, you read that correctly. Not a werewolf -- a werecoyote.... (more...)
If baseball is America's pastime, then gossip has to be a close second. That's precisely what playwright (and director) Doug Reed's Sweet William hits right on the head in his play filled with the sport and the sport of rumor. Gossip as juicy as a ballpark frank is what drives Broom Street Theatre's... (more...)
George Bernard Shaw must have been a talker. A man of many talents, Shaw's plays are known for driving home his opinions on the world around him and doing so at length -- hence why he's said to have perfected the concept of 'discussion' plays. Strollers Theatre took the challenging playwright to tas... (more...)
BWW Review: THREE SISTERS at American Players Theatre
BWW Review: GREASE Slides Into Wisconsin Dells at The Palace Theater
BWW Review: BEAUTIFUL THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Moves the Earth at Overture Center
BWW Review: OUR TOWN visits the past at The Armory
BWW Review: Witness THE BOOK OF MORMON at The Overture Center
BWW Review: DUMPSTER FLOWER entertains at Broom Street Theatre
BWW Review: LEARNING TO STAY drives message at Forward Theater
BWW Review: Capital City Theatre's LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL at The Overture Jazz's Up Madison
BWW Review: First Stage Offers Persistence in Tough and Tenderhearted MOCKINGBIRD
BWW Review: CABARET Moves Madisonians at The Overture Center
BWW Review: TREY PARKER'S: CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL Feeds Madison at Overture Center
BWW Review: GREAME OF THRONES Brings Winter to the Overture Center
BWW Review: Les Ballets Tockadero de Monte Carlo
Overture Center
BWW Review: OUTSIDE MULLINGAR at Forward Theater
BWW Review: JERSEY BOYS at Overture Center Surprises
BWW Review: MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS BY CHIP DAVIS at Overture Center
BWW Review: MARY'S WEDDING at American Players Theater
BWW Review: THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY at The Overture Center
BWW Review: SOMEONE'S GOTTA DO IT Sweeps Madison
BWW Review: The African Company Presents RICHARD III Timidly Important work.
BWW Review: DEATH OF A SALESMAN Effects Spring Green
BWW Review: The Spectacle of THE LION KING
BWW Review: Howling at the COYOTE MOON
BWW Review: SWEET WILLIAM Bats a Thousand
BWW Review: Comedy Talks in MISALLIANCE
VIDEO: Miranda Up for Writing GAME OF THRONES Musical; Offers Lyrics
Star of Stage and Screen, Joe Bologna Dies at Age 82
