James Carrington News

It's the talk of rhythm town, ya dig? Five Guys Named Moe at the Skylight brings crazy energy, big voices, and hot moves to the Cabot Theatre.

Skylight Music Theatre announced the cast and creative team for Five Guys Named Moe, a joyful, jazzy tribute to Louis Jordan, the 1940s rhythm and blues singer, songwriter and bandleader.

In the end, you may leave Urinetown wondering, as Little Sally does, what kind of a musical is this? Officer Lockstock would have me remind me you that it isn't supposed to be a happy one. It's one full of mixed signals: comedic tropes, untimely death, catchy music, rich vs. poor, hope for tomorrow, and an ultimately uncertain future. It makes you think not only about the baddies who want to regulate our metaphorical toilets, but also the do-gooders who act on righteous principle alone without regard to reality. 

Theatre LILA will collaborate with Four Seasons Theatre on the musical Big Fish, opening December 2nd and running through the 11th. Presented in the Playhouse at Overture Center, the musical explores the 'fish tales' that a father tells his son over the course of their lives, and the essential truths that lie under each of the stories.

Theatre LILA will collaborate with Four Seasons Theatre on the musical Big Fish, opening December 2nd and running through the 11th. Presented in the Playhouse at Overture Center, the musical explores the 'fish tales' that a father tells his son over the course of their lives, and the essential truths that lie under each of the stories.

'The course of true love never did run smooth'...so quotes William Shakespeare in his popular comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream. Door Shakespeare heightens that famous line in this rousing, high energy romp at Bjorklunden Garden in Baileys Harbor this summer. Former Milwaukee Rep Artistic Director and Door County resident Joseph Hanreddy personally stamps Shakespeare's forest fairies and lover's magic with an inventive blend of mayhem that includes some countryfied music for the audience's pleasure.

Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) inhabits the Studio Theater at the Broadway Theatre Center and presents a true ballad--a dramatic narrative told over generations often set to music and dance--where this powerful tale recounts the life of 14 year-old Emmett Till. Over the thrid October weekend, Ifa Bayeza's The Ballad of Emmett TIll visiblly moved Milwaukee audiences using an evocative stage designed by Madelyn Yee, ghost like in representing a church sanctuary centered on a coffin-like altar where a circular window, an archtectural rose window, a wheel from a cotton gin or perhaps star, was placed above the 'altar.' Arches, like skeletons of stained glass windows, framed both sides of the backdrop The innventive set combined with a dream cast imaginatively directed by Marti Gobel breathes life into this young boy's ballad.

A little bit of science fiction, a little bit rock 'n roll, All in Productions revisits the 1980's Broadway Musical Little Shop of Horrors based on Roger Corman's 1960 film this summer in Milwaukee. Next Act Theatre offers their intimate stage to the fledging company that gives the production, now 50 years old, spirited soul. To get the audeince in the appropirate mood, when entering the theater, vagrant persons roam through the audience before the performance opens---The Mushnik Flowerl Shop stands amid New York's Skid Row. The raggedy characters beg for money, talk to the audience and pull at their shirts similar to someone experiencing a schizophrenic episode.

The Waukesha Civic Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, running weekends from September 14-30, 2012.