Madison Footlights Issue 2 Late Fall 2008 by Footlights.com

CELEBRATING THE ARTS FOR 20 YEARS Late Fall 2008

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Six year year-old -old Sora Baker B of Janesville has been coming c to the American Family Childr en’s Hospital H since being diagnose ed with cystic fibr osis Children’s diagnosed fibrosis as a newbor newborn. n. “So “Sora ora spends several weeks in th the he hospital each year year,” ,” says her mother mother,, Laura L Baker Baker.. “Without question question, n, Sora gets the best medical car care e in the e ar area ea for her disease. At the same s time, she is tr eated above all as a a little girl—not simply as a ‘cystic fibr osis case.’ treated fibrosis It might be a nurse e who sits and eats her lunch with Sora, or a volunteer who invites Sora to o do a craft pr project oject in the play playroom. yroom. Seeing my daughter warmly embraced e like this takes a lot o of the anxiety out of being in the hospit hospital.” tal.” To T o learn learn how you can c support the American Family Childr C Children’s en’s Hospital, please visit nofine nofinergift.org rgift.org or call (608) 264-KIDS 264-KIDS..

Issue 2, Late Fall 2008 Published by Marcus Promotions, Inc. The content of any article in this publication is based solely on the opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Marcus Promotions, Inc., Footlights, or its staff. The center program content is at the sole discretion of the performing arts group. Any errors, omissions, or inconsistencies are their responsibility. Inquiries or comments should be directed accordingly.

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Footlights is printed with soy ink on paper made of 30% post-consumer and post-industrial products. By using this recycled paper, we have reduced our annual ecological footprint by 817 trees — the equivalent of a forest made up of 16.7 football fields, 499,864 gallons of water, a 105day shower or the equivalent of 13.4 cars’ emissions per year. Please share this program with someone and do your part to recycle Footlights and promote the performing arts!

page 10

CONTENTS Bios: The Artist’s Truth That’s Fit to Print by Lawrence Bommer

Dress Up or Dress Down for the Theater 10 It’s your choice, and this season, fashion comes with a comfortable twist. By Brittany Jordt ARTS SCENE Madison’s Performing Arts Guide.

ARTS BRIEFS

DINING & NIGHTLIFE

FOR MORE FEATURES AND EVENT INFORMATION

Cover photo by Tom Julio 5

BIOS: The Artist’s Truth That’s Fit to Print by Lawrence Bommer

When you read the self-penned biographies of directors, actors and designers, you’re getting the “best profile possible” of a professional in progress. That means, of course, artfully omitting the disasters, in effect making lemonade out of lemons, if not sulfuric acid. As artfully posed (and psychologically airbrushed) as a headshot, these cameo cross-sections of a career purge the person of past failures. They remind audiences what this actor has done that they might have liked. Happily, they also act as promissory notes for future triumphs. Interestingly, what’s left out is probably just as crucial to the making of this theater artist as what’s kept in. Let’s look at some pointedly unedited bios where the secrets behind the successes are artfully concealed [within brackets like these]. Everything else is the authorized description of this theatrical hopeful.

Bad reviews buried What began long ago has hardly changed. Archaeologists recently dug up the first actor’s bio, translated from crumbling scrolls found near the arena at Nimes. Here, for the first time in fantasy, is that amazing find. It includes the tooaccurate passages that would be deleted from the final scroll that became the players’ program: Thespis Artriculator (Messenger, Zeus) is happy to be back in the company after a triumphant hiatus in Herculaneum [necessitated when he quit his last venture due to popular demand]. Thespis consecrates his performance to all the gods [since his household deities have clearly deserted him]. He hopes that the local critics will remember that he fought in the Punic Wars while these whippersnappers were trying out their first togas and that no less than the ghost of Euripides appeared to him to 7

tell him to keep up the good work. [“Euripides,” however, was replaced by a very real Plautus, who told him to abandon the stage for the sake of posterity.] Thespis would like to give kudos to his mother for not abandoning him on a hillside to expire and to his father for insisting that his son never take up his trade as a chariot maker. The rest is [dramatic] history. Global milestone A key player in Shakespeare’s company, Richard Burbage was the first to receive a special mention in the Globe Theatre handbill, the rough draft of which includes excisions for the final printing: Richard Burbage (Hamlet) was last seen as the Second Murderer in Mr. Shakespeare’s recent and bloodthirsty MACBETH [well, barely seen, since he performed in the unlit background]. He is excited to play Hamlet, a larger [but fairly incomprehensible] part of a Danish prince who goes crazy like a fox. Mr. Burbage dedicates this performance to God Almighty and dares any naysayers to vouchsafe his acts of contrition. If the Lord be willing, his next role will be a comic one at last. Toward such a happy end, he has implored the playwright to consider penning a drama about a wizard with a staff who’s bent on retirement. Burbage promises to do the same if cast in the role. [If not, there are always greener green rooms. Ben Jonson continues as successful as ever.] Upstaged The saddest bio belongs to Nicholas Poetaster, the doomed actor who spoke the line “Take that, you damned old sockdolager!” just before John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln during the Washington premiere of OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. Of course, nothing about Nicholas’ now tragically ironic bio suggests the horror to come: Nicholas Poetaster (Captain Bilgewater) is delighted to return to Ford’s Theatre for the latest of a long string of successes, especially considering that his scheduled tour of Dixie was abruptly cut short. He

Nicholas Poetaster is not the name that comes to mind when people think of Ford's Theatre.

knows that in these trying times laughter [or a quick amputation] is the best medicine. He would like to dedicate this performance to the Great Emancipator, our 16th President, an enthusiast for the theatre, and the scourge of the South. Long may he laugh! (Nicholas’ career, alas, did not survive this April night.) But some things don’t change, 2008 being one example. A modern-day bio reflects old neuroses (wordplay here!) and new anxieties. Susan Fletridge (Emilia) rejoices in her first speaking role in Shakespeare. Previous portrayals have included Juliet’s second handmaiden, a sprite in MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and a villager in THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. [She longs for the magic moment when audiences hear her talk.] Susan dedicates her performance to her late father whose last and only wish had been to hear her speak on stage. “They will now, daddy, they will now!” Bios, it seems, are subtle reminders by actors and designers that a real person lurks behind each character or individual who hammered the nails that made the scenery. Some people never stop auditioning and that’s only proof they’re alive. This whole exercise was just a test, lest we forget that some things never change... ■ Lawrence Bommer is a Chicago theater writer who, now that he is writing his own bio, suddenly realizes just how much less is more.

Dress Up or Dress Down for the Theater? It’s your choice, and this season, fashion comes with a comfortable twist. by Brittany Jordt

Every woman has had occasion to look into her closet, and after shuffling through a mass of clothing with mounting agitation, turn to her friend and breathlessly exclaim, “I don’t have a thing to wear!” This year, fall fashion comes to the rescue. When looking for an outfit for the theater – be it dress up or casual – this fall, designers are showing a variety of choices, from accessories and outerwear to great retro pieces. Women who haven’t cleaned out their closet can rejoice – past trends are rounding the bend again and it’s time to pull out some old favorites. Kristin Hanefeld, store manager of the hip, upscale Madison location of the boutique bop, says there are a few must-haves this season, and it all starts with fringe. This isn’t the big, bold Oklahoma! fringe ladies, so don’t be afraid. This fringe shows itself on boots, bags and dresses. A purse with a touch of fringe proves to be a versatile piece that can complement both a casual or dressy outfit for the theater. A little black dress with fringe on the bottom is a great spin on an old classic. An ankle boot with a little fringe might be reminiscent of something Pocahontas would wear – but she looked fantastic in the Disney movie and the boots are comfortable. It’s rare that comfort and fashion collide, so everyone should take advantage!

Photo: shopbop.com 11

And it’s not just the fringe boot for fall, either. Hanefeld said that over-theknee boots are huge this season. She said that heels have always taken first place when it comes to boots, but flats are in, and the pairings are endless. “You can do an over-the-knee boot with a heel, which would be very bold, or you could wear it flat. You can wear them with a skirt, jeans or leggings,” Hanefeld said. On the dress-it-up side of footwear, gladiator-style shoes are making a comeback. According to Hanefeld, these can be sky-high with a peep toe, or just minimal flats with straps up the leg. The neck scarf provides an easy way to pull an outfit into dressy from casual or vice versa. Designers are showing scarves from faux fur and prints to a little fringe. “Anything goes,” Hanefeld says. “Scarves are a great way to easily give a dramatic look to a plain outfit.” When it comes to choosing a handbag for an evening out to the theater, the oversize bag is still all the rage, but bulky when sitting in the close quarters of the theater – so go with the clutch. The clutch is fast moving to the forefront and won’t take up too much space. Hanefeld says patent or glazed leather are safe choices when looking for a clutch, but the faux snakeskin is her recommendation. She says that the snakeskin has a much more new and unique look. Designers are using new colors and finishes on the purses, and as they begin to wear-in, the scales fold up a little and they start to look vintage. The more the purse is used, the cooler it looks. Jennifer Holien-Brewster, owner of the snazzy State Street boutique, Epoch Vintage Clothing and Bespoke Gifts, has a variety of great fall fashion accessories, including scarves, clutches, and boots. She says the great thing about vintage items is that they provide a perfect avenue to pick up designer-looking pieces at an affordable price, and they last forever. “Vintage lasts!” Holien-Brewster said. “Our society is about disposable – vintage was made to take you through decades.” 12

Photo: shopbop.com

Theatre for Young Audiences

2 8- 9 SEASON

Take time this fall to discover some new styles before you saunter into the theater lobby for the next show. Whether you’re dressed up or casual,

Fri Nov 7 – Sun Nov 16, 2008

a new outfit always makes a night at the theater a little more special.

Photo: shopbop.com

Thurs Mar 26 – Sat Mar 28, 2009

A great vintage piece can be paired with jeans to dress it down or a basic skirt to dress it up. Vintage also offers a variety of unique clutch purses. Additional fall trends Hanefeld mentioned include more and more ethnic prints in sweaters and T-shirts. This is another great option for dressing down an outfit with a little cardigan, or dressing up a pair of jeans. Plaid is also making a comeback. “Choose a versatile piece,” Hanefeld said. “Wear it once and people will notice. Perhaps a button-down shirt – open or closed with a jacket over it.” This is good news for men as well – they can pull out their old plaid jackets

Fri May 8 - Sun May 17, 2009

All ages welcome! Performances in Overture Center’s Promenade Hall With support from the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Madison Arts Commission

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www.madcap.org 13

or button-downs and make a convincing argument for why they should be able to wear them to the show. Plaid proves to be another place where comfort meets fashion. When it comes to jackets for women – and this can be tricky, ladies – smaller is better. You don’t want it to be too bulky on the back of the seat while watching the show and the seat next to you can’t always be a storage spot. There are a lot of great choices this season, but Hanefeld says the leather jacket is one of the most sought-after pieces. The cut is reminiscent of a motorcycle jacket and shows off the waist nicely, which is in keeping with another trend this fall: high waisted skirts. Hanefeld says these can be worn with a V-neck T-shirt, blouse, silk camisole or belt. The skirts are being shown in a variety of different prints or floral, but black is always a good choice. “This can flatter everyone,” Hanefeld said.

When preparing for an evening out to the theater, take a moment to stop and pick up something fun, new and fashion-forward. That way, getting dressed to go out won’t be a long, painful stare into the closet, but an exciting endeavor. If dressing up, consider a scarf or a high-waisted skirt. If dressing down, look into a new pair of boots or a plaid shirt. All of the pieces explored for this season can easily take an outfit from one end of the spectrum to another. Make the outfit you choose for your night out to the theater fabulous without spending a fortune, and without sacrificing comfort. Every woman can find something to flatter and spice up her wardrobe, and don’t be afraid to ask for some help from the salesperson. Take time this fall to discover some new styles before you saunter into the theater lobby for the next show. Whether you’re dressed up or casual, a new outfit always makes a night at the theater a little more special. ■

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Arts Scene D A N C E | M U S I C | M U S I C A L | O P E R A | T H E AT E R | VA R I E T Y JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS November 2, 2008, 1:00 p.m. Scotland’s Visible Fictions, one of the UK’s finest children’s theater companies, brings mythology to life complete with dragons, monsters and an angry sea. It’s a rollicking adventure from a time when heroes were heroes and monsters were monsters. Capitol Theater Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com MUSICAL MEMORIES (FREE) A TRIBUTE TO DEAN MARTIN November 5, 2008, 10:00 a.m. A Tribute to Dean Martin features Joe Scalissi with the Dry Martinis. Hear the magnificent Overture Concert Organ with Sam Hutchison, Madison Symphony Orchestra’s resident organist and organ curator, performing a 30-minute concert before the show. Overture Hall Overture Center

201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com SALLY MAYES – CABARET DINNER THEATER November 6, 2008, 7:00 p.m. Enjoy an intimate evening of cabaret dinner theater at the Overture in an elegant, nightclub-like setting right on the stage of the Capitol Theater with awardwinning Broadway, Off-Broadway, television and cabaret recording sensation, Sally Mayes. Capitol Theater Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com THE GREEKS November 7-23, 2008 Adapted by John Barton and Kenneth Cavender What is the aftermath of war, and how does it affect the people left behind? This adaptation of three Greek stories by Euripides and Homer is vibrant, bloody,

For up-to-date event listings, visit footlights.com 17

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sexy, provocative and poetic. See the Arts Brief on page 26 for more information. Madison Repertory Theatre The Playhouse Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, madisonrep.org JITRO CZECH GIRLS’ CHOIR November 7, 2008, 7:30 p.m. Jitro, one of the best children’s choirs in the world, is actually an organization of some 500 children in seven preparatory ensembles. Each year, 25 to 30 of the most talented tour the world. “Combine [their] luminous sound with a superb conductor, responsive singers and interesting repertoire…and you have Jitro,” writes the San Antonio Express News. Capitol Theater Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com WINNIE THE POOH November 7-9, 14-16, 2008 Join Christopher Robin and all his friends in the 100-acre Woods featuring live music, colorful costumes and puppets! Madison Creative Arts Program (MadCAP) Theatre for Young Audiences Promenade Hall Overture Center 608-251-1879, madcap.org

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SAVION GLOVER’S BARE SOUNDZ November 8, 2008, 8:00 p.m. Tap dancer and choreographer Savion Glover won the 1996 Tony Award® for his dancing and choreography of the Broadway smash-hit BRING IN DA NOIZE, BRING IN DA FUNK. Glover’s moves were captured in the film “Happy Feet,” and according to director George Miller, Savion is “without question the greatest living tap-dancer.” See the Arts Brief on page 24 for more information. Wisconsin Union Theater 800 Langdon St., Madison 608-262-2201, uniontheater.wisc.edu CAB CALLOWAY ORCHESTRA November 8, 2008, 2:00 p.m. Hi-de-hi! Ho-de-ho! The swingin’est ensemble around is about to take the

stage! The Cab Calloway Orchestra, now under the direction of Cab’s grandson Calloway Brooks, has been dazzling audiences since the 1920s with hot licks, cool arrangements and a smooth hipster style that’s as hot as ever! See the Arts Brief on page 24 for more information. Capitol Theater Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com

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LETTERS HOME November 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m. Based on letters written by and to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq, LETTERS HOME transcends politics and highlights the human impact of the war. The Chicago Sun Times writes, “Winningly crafted for the stage…the emotional impact of this 90minute journey is profound and sticks with you long after you’ve left the theater.” Griffin Theatre Company Capitol Theater Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA WILD WOODS AND WATERS November 13, 2008, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate the wild side of Wisconsin’s waters and landscapes with Warren Nelson and the Blue Canvas Orchestra. This show features stories and songs of our state’s great natural resources, from its rivers to the Great Lakes, from the wetlands to the forests. Capitol Theater Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com

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TRIO MEDIAEVAL November 20, 2008, 8:00 p.m. This is the early music vocal concert of the season! Take polyphonic music from England and France, medieval Norwegian ballads and songs, and contemporary works. Add three women with angelic voices and a percussionist and what you get is TRIO MEDIAEVAL. See the Arts Brief on page 25 for more information. Wisconsin Union Theater 800 Langdon St., Madison 608-262-2201, uniontheater.wisc.edu LUNA NEGRA DANCE THEATER November 20, 2008, 7:30 p.m. LUNA NEGRA brings a distinctively Latin and Afro-Caribbean flavor to contemporary dance. LUNA NEGRA features works by Cuban-born Founder and Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro as well as other acclaimed Latino choreographers. The result is, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer put it, â&#x20AC;&#x153;breathtaking, with one sweeping, daredevil movement after another.â&#x20AC;? Capitol Theater Overture Center

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are gifts that fill our lives with magic. Overture Hall Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com BASKING IN BEETHOVEN KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS® WITH JEFFREY SIEGEL December 2, 2008, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the hilarious “Rage Over a Lost Penny,” the virtuoso 32 Variations in C Minor and the “Farewell Sonata” in E Flat. Who was leaving and why was Beethoven so deeply affected? Presented by Wisconsin Union Theater Mills Hall 455 N. Park St, Madison 608-262-2201, uniontheater.wisc.edu FAUSTWORK MASK THEATRE THE MASK MESSENGER December 5, 2008, 8:00 p.m. The Mask Messenger is a series of vignettes ranging from comic to bizarre to poignant, featuring expressive masks, comic characters and exotic creatures brought to life with outrageous physicality. See the Arts Brief on page 25 for more information. Capitol Theater Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WITH JIM BRICKMAN December 10, 2008, 7:30 p.m. Join Jim Brickman for a special holiday celebration filled with dazzling piano,

vibrant vocals and holiday spirit. His popstyle piano playing, platinum-selling albums and frequent public radio performances have earned Brickman a huge international following. See the Arts Brief on page 26 for more information. Overture Hall Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickins Adapted by Romulus Linney December 12-21, 2008 Our holiday classic returns with a few “ghostly” surprises and an abundance of music and holiday “spirits” and is sure to touch and inspire audiences of all ages with holiday magic. See the Arts Brief on page 26 for more information. Children’s Theater of Madison Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com THE WIZARD OF OZ December 12-14, 2008 A lavish production featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs celebrating the iconic 1939 MGM film, “Wizard of Oz.” See the Arts Brief on page 27 for more information. Overture Hall Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.com

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ALISA WEILERSTEIN, CELLO INON BARNATAN, PIANO December 13, 2008, 8:00 p.m. Enjoy two young stars in this beautiful collaboration. Cellist Alisa Weilerstein is internationally renowned as one of the premier soloists and chamber musicians of her generation. Inon Barnatan is a piano virtuoso who performs with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and is a founding member of the award-winning Fidelio Piano Quartet. Wisconsin Union Theater 800 Langdon St., Madison 608-262-2201, uniontheater.wisc.edu

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THE NUTCRACKER December 19-21 and Christmas Eve, 2008 Artistic Director W. Earle Smith will refresh this timeless tradition with new choreography. See the Arts Brief on page 27 for more information. Overture Hall Overture Center 201 State St., Madison 608-258-4141, overturecenter.org

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Hi-de-hi! Ho-de-ho! The swingin’est ensemble around is about to take the stage at the Capitol Theater in the Overture Center on November 8 at 2:00 p.m.! The CAB CALLOWAY ORCHESTRA, now under the direction of Cab’s grandson Calloway Brooks, has been dazzling audiences since the 1920s with hot licks, cool arrangements and a smooth hipster style you rarely see anymore. Scat master Cab Calloway rocked the Cotton Club during the 1930s with jazz-era classics like “Minnie the Moocher” and “Swing, Swing, Swing.” Though Cab passed away in 1994, his band is still at it, hot as ever. So dust off the ol’ zoot suit and prepare to travel to a place where swing is king and jive is alive! For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

Arts Briefs

More up-to-date news online at footlights.com

SAVION GLOVER brings his BARE SOUNDZ to the Wisconsin Union Theater on November 8 at 8:00 p.m. Tap dancer and choreographer Savion Glover made his Broadway debut as the title character in THE TAP DANCE KID at the age of 12 and has since danced his way through films, television programs, the Academy Awards and concert stages throughout the world. In 1996, he won the Tony Award® for his dancing and choreography of the Broadway smash-hit BRING IN DA NOIZE, BRING IN DA FUNK and later received a National Endowment for the Arts Grant for Choreography, making him the youngest person in NEA history to receive this honor. Glover’s moves were captured in the film “Happy Feet,” and according to director George Miller: Savion is “without question the greatest living tap-dancer.” For tickets call 608-262-2201 or visit Photo by NiNa uniontheater.wisc.edu. On November 20 at 7:30 p.m., the Capitol Theater in the Overture Center will host LUNA NEGRA DANCE THEATER. Luna Negra brings a distinctively Latin and Afro-Caribbean flavor to contemporary dance. This Chicago-based troupe creates a spicy blend of traditional Latin steps with moves from mainstream contemporary dance. They also collaborate with Latin artists from other disciplines, including musicians, visual artists and multimedia specialists. Luna Negra features works by Cuban-born Founder and Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro as well as other acclaimed Latino choreographers. The result is, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer put it, “breathtaking, with one sweeping, daredevil movement after another.” For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

Photo by Kristie Kahns

Presented by the Wisconsin Union Theater on November 20 at 8:00 p.m., TRIO MEDIAEVAL is the early music vocal concert of the season! Take polyphonic music from England and France, medieval Norwegian ballads, songs and contemporary works, and add three women with angelic voices and a percussionist. What you get is TRIO MEDIAEVAL. Founded in Oslo in 1997, the trio’s first two CDs went immediately to the Billboard Top 10 Bestsellers list and received various other honors. “Singing doesn’t get more unnervingly beautiful than the exquisite display mounted…by TRIO MEDIAEVAL. With its cool, unerringly precise blend of voices, the group made a local debut that has to count among the musical highlights of the year.” - San Francisco Chronicle. For tickets call 608-262-2201 or visit uniontheater.wisc.edu.

Mary Pope Osborne’s best-selling children’s book series, MAGIC TREE HOUSE: THE MUSICAL comes to Overture Hall in the Overture Center for one show only on November 30. To restore joy and magic to King Arthur’s kingdom, brother-sister team, Jack and Annie, must travel to Camelot’s dreaded Otherworld and return with water from the mythical Cauldron of Memory and Imagination. If they fail, Camelot will be lost and forgotten forever, and the Magic Tree House will be destroyed. Rising to each new challenge with courage, humor and resourcefulness, Jack and Annie discover that memory and imagination are gifts we can all use to fill our lives with magic. For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

The FAUSTWORK MASK THEATRE brings its art of the mask to the Capitol Theater in the Overture Center on December 5 at 8:00 p.m. THE MASK MESSENGER is a series of vignettes ranging from comic to bizarre to poignant delighting audiences of all ages with a unique synthesis of theater, physical comedy, dance and poetry. The show features expressive masks, comic characters and exotic creatures brought to life with outrageous physicality. The Montreal Gazette hailed the show as “stunning, indefinable… somewhere between the sculptural fantasies of Mummenschanz and the precision mime of Marcel Marceau.” For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

Charles Dickins’ beloved holiday classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (adapted by Romulus Linney) is presented by the Children’s Theater of Madison (CTM) at the Overture Center from December 12 21. The charming CTM family tradition returns with a few “ghostly” surprises and an abundance of music and holiday “spirits.” The amazing redemption of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (reprised one more time by the illustrious stage actor Robert Spencer) is sure to touch and inspire audiences of all ages with holiday magic. For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

Call him Adult Contemporary. Call him New Age. Call him Canadian Country Music (yes, our friends to the north honored him in that genre). Whatever you call him, Jim Brickman is always good for a heartwarming, romantic performance. His concert, A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WITH JIM BRICKMAN, brings his pop-style piano playing to Overture Hall at the Overture Center on December 10 at 7:30 p.m. His platinum-selling albums and frequent public radio performances have earned Brickman a huge international following. Join him for a special holiday celebration filled with dazzling piano, vibrant vocals and holiday spirit. For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

THE GREEKS Adapted by John Barton and Kenneth Cavender Madison Repertory Theatre is marking several milestones with its production of THE GREEKS, a modern adaptation of the work of Euripedes and Homer. This is the first time the venerable Madison theater company will stage an ancient Greek play. The production also marks a rare collaboration between the theater and the UW-Madison Department of Theatre and Drama. Together, they will offer an ambitious, full-scale production of THE GREEKS. The show will run November 7 – 23 in the Overture Center for the Arts.

To read more about this milestone production by Madison Repertory Theatre, go to Footlights.com. 26

MADAMA BUTTERFLY The Madison Opera’s presentation of Puccini’s beloved MADAMA BUTTERFLY on November 21 and 23 at the Overture Center includes breathtaking scenery and costumes created by world-renowned artist, Jun Kaneko. Puccini had intended the opera to be performed in two acts, which was a rarity until recently. The two-act version is splendid in the hands of a great set, costume and lighting designer in Koneko. The San Diego Opera describes the production as “huge, dramatic, with stunning shots of color. It takes a look at Japan from a very American viewpoint while staying solidly within Puccini’s vision.” To read more about this breathtaking, colorful production, go to Footlights.com.

Weeks Photography

The M&I Bank Broadway Across America series and the Overture Center present the wonderful WIZARD OF OZ December 12 - 14 at Overture Hall. There truly is no place like home as the greatest family musical of all time twists its way into Madison! The entire family will be captivated as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto and their friends, the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow, in this lavish production featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. A spectacular celebration of the 1939 MGM film, “Wizard of Oz” will blow you away from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you to a dazzling art deco Oz, complete with munchkins and flying monkeys. Don’t miss the chance to travel “Over the Rainbow” and experience this national treasure on stage. For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

THE NUTCRACKER

The Madison Ballet presents the holiday classic, THE NUTCRACKER, from December 19 - 21 and Christmas Eve at Overture Hall in the Overture Center. Artistic Director W. Earle Smith will refresh this timeless tradition with new choreography performed by Madison’s only professional ballet company. For the first time, we’ll watch as Clara matures into a young woman. Accompanied by the majesty of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, THE NUTCRACKER is as artistically compelling as it is enchanting for all ages. Make this the cornerstone of a magical holiday season. For tickets call 608-258-4141 or visit overturecenter.com.

Photo courtesy of Opera Omaha

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CAPITOL CHOPHOUSE - A downtown destination. Featuring delicious 28-day aged beef, fresh-line caught fish, an extensive wine list and much more! Our private room is available for parties up to 40 people. Complimentary parking available. Open for lunch and dinner inside the Hilton Hotel–just one block from the Square.

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places to wine & dine before or after the show INKA HERITAGE - 602 S. Park St., 608-310-4282. Hours: Mon–Thur 11a.m.-3p.m, 5p.m.-9p.m.; Fri 11a.m.-3p.m., 5p.m.-10p.m; Sat 12p.m.-10p.m.; Sun 12p.m.-8p.m. Specials: Fri & Sat: live music 7-9p.m. Tues: Half-price of selected bottles of wine.

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