Guide
Presented by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Dear Readers,
Spring is in the air, and Milwaukee’s arts scene is in full bloom with music, dance and theatre performances, museum openings and more.
At the Bradley Symphony Center, you can hear the sublime sounds of symphonic splendor. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s season-end lineup features everything from top-notch fan favorites of orchestral music to one-night-only appearances by singer-songwriter superstars. The sounds of hope and renewal ring throughout Allen-Bradley Hall with Copland’s Appalachian Spring (April 4-5) and Pines of Rome (May 9-10), while the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus sings with fire and passion in the Brahms Requiem (April 11-13) and Great Moments in Grand Opera (June 13-15). Newly appointed Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling returns to bring the golden era of popular song to life with Twist and Shout: The Music of The Beatles (March 28-30) and Motown & The Philly Sound (May 23-25), while Chris Thile (March 15) and Ben Folds (May 3) present their signature tunes alongside the world-class MSO. Don’t miss a single note: Secure your tickets today at mso.org or by calling the MSO box office at 414-291-7605.
Sincerely,
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE!
Spring Calendar
The Craic Milwaukee Rep THROUGH MARCH 16 milwaukeerep.com
Winter Series: Meadow Milwaukee Art Museum THROUGH APRIL 13 mam.org
MKE Mix
Milwaukee Ballet FEB. 7-16 milwaukeeballet.org
Guitar Festival Concert Latino Arts FEB. 8 latinoartsinc.org
Claire Kellesvig and Caitlin Lempia-Bradford Tory Folliard Gallery FEB. 12-MARCH 9 toryfolliard.com
The Children Next Act Theatre
FEB. 8-MARCH 8 nextact.org
Rusalka Danceworks MKE FEB. 14-23 danceworksmke.org
Acis and Galatea Florentine Opera FEB. 14, 16 florentineopera.org
Moby Dick; Or, The Whale Present Music FEB. 14 presentmusic.org
Frankenstein: The Musical Skylight Music Theatre FEB. 21-MARCH 9 skylightmusictheatre.org
Every Brilliant Thing
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
FEB. 27-MARCH 16 milwaukeechambertheatre.org
Ingrid Fliter
Plays Mozart
FEB. 28, 7:30 P.M. MARCH 1, 7:30 P.M
Michael Sanderling, conductor Ingrid Fliter, piano
Ingrid Fliter joins the MSO for Mozart’s smiling Piano Concerto No. 17. Michael Sanderling later conducts music from Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet, with a masquerade ball and a tragic ending for the star-crossed lovers.
Mendelssohn’s Third Symphony
MARCH 7, 11:15 A.M. MARCH 8, 7:30 P.M. MARCH 9, 2:30 P.M.
David Danzmayr, conductor Claire Huangci, piano
David Danzmayr returns to the MSO to conduct Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony, as well as Claire Huangci’s rendition of Beethoven’s unfinished and rarely heard Piano Concerto No. 6
Finding Nemo
First Stage
MARCH 8-APRIL 6 firststage.org
Chris Thile with the MSO
MARCH 15, 7:30 P.M.
For one night only, Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer and songwriter Chris Thile joins the MSO for ATTENTION! (A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra) at the Bradley Symphony Center. A founding member of the acclaimed bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike.
Voices of the Soul
Bel Canto MARCH 16 belcanto.org
Viva La Mamma! Florentine Opera MARCH 21, 23 florentineopera.org
Bach Celebration
MARCH. 21-22, 7:30 P.M. MARCH 23, 2:30 P.M. Ken-David Masur, conductor Dashon Burton, bass-baritone Jeanyi Kim, violin Kevin Pearl, oboe
Following last season’s celebration of one of history’s greatest composers, Music Director Ken-David Masur and Artistic Partner Dashon Burton return with a fresh program of Bach favorites.
Buyer & Cellar
Renaissance Theaterworks MARCH 22-APRIL 13 rtwmke.org
Into the Wild
Present Music
MARCH 26-27 presentmusic.org
Bradley Symphony Center
Ride the Cyclone
First Stage
MARCH 28-APRIL 13 firststage.org
Twist & Shout: The Music of the Beatles
MARCH 28-29, 7:30 P.M.
MARCH 30, 2:30 P.M.
Byron Stripling, Stein Family Foundation Principal Pops Conductor
Byron Stripling returns with music of the Fab Four! Twist & Shout is the most authentic, unique concert project celebrating the early years of The Beatles in the U.S. Featuring early No. 1 hits, such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Help!,” “Yesterday” and many more.
Sister Act
Skylight Music Theatre
APRIL 4-27
skylightmusictheatre.org
Copland’s
Appalachian Spring
APRIL 4, 11:15 A.M.
APRIL 5, 7:30 P.M.
Ryan Tani, conductor Ji Su Jung, marimba
MSO Assistant Conductor
Ryan Tani returns to the podium to guide this lively program, which begins with Aaron Copland’s sentimental paean to the American heartland, Appalachian Spring, and ends with Beethoven’s buoyant and brilliant Fourth Symphony
Get It Out There
Danceworks MKE
APRIL 5 danceworksmke.org
Sleeping Beauty
Milwaukee Ballet
APRIL 11-13 milwaukeeballet.org
Brahms Requiem
APRIL 11-12, 7:30 P.M.
APRIL 13, 2:30 P.M.
Ken-David Masur, conductor Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Dashon Burton, baritone
Music Director Ken-David Masur conducts the orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, and Artistic Partner Dashon
Burton through Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem and his personal journey of sorrow and consolation.
Choreo Kitchen – Series 2
Wild Space Dance Company
APRIL 18-19 wildspacedance.org
Circle Mirror
Transformation
Next Act Theatre
April 23-May 18 nextact.org
Topdog/Underdog
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
April 25-May 11 milwaukeechambertheatre.org
Dinur Conducts Tchaikovsky
APRIL 26, 7:30 P.M.
APRIL 27, 2:30 P.M.
Yaniv Dinur, conductor Alexander Korsantia, piano
Yaniv Dinur, former resident conductor of the MSO, returns to lead Tchaikovsky’s astounding Fourth Symphony, whose emotional finale builds from darkness to light.
God of Carnage
Sunset Playhouse
MAY 1-4 sunsetplayhouse.com
Esperanza Rising First Stage MAY 2-18 firststage.org
Ben Folds with the MSO
MAY 3, 7:30 P.M.
Emmy Award-nominated composer, singer-songwriter and pianist Ben Folds brings to his debut performance at the Bradley Symphony Center his “gift for storytelling and keen observations on the small, universal moments in life that make us human.” (NPR) Folds, artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra, is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation, reflected in his power-driven symphonic repertoire.
Voices of Home
Bel Canto MAY 4 belcanto.org
Pines of Rome
MAY 9, 11:15 A.M. MAY 10, 7:30 P.M.
Ken-David Masur, conductor Musical pictures abound in this imaginative program, led by Music Director Ken-David Masur, which begins with Rossini’s galloping William Tell Overture and concludes with Resphigi’s stately yet evocative Pines of Rome
Mark Godden’s Carmen Milwaukee Ballet
May 16-18 milwaukeeballet.org
Bizet’s Carmen Florentine Opera
MAY 16, 18 florentineopera.org
Fables From the Wide Sky
Danceworks MKE
MAY 22-24 danceworksmke.org
Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown & The Philly Sound
MAY 23-24, 7:30 P.M. MAY 25, 2:30 P.M.
Byron Stripling, Stein Family Foundation Principal Pops Conductor
Chester Gregory, Ashley Jayy and Brik Liam, vocalists
Magic melodies come to life as the pop, soul and R&B sounds of Motown and the famous hits from the Philly Sound face off in this exciting concert experience. Led by Broadway superstar Chester Gregory and vocal powerhouses Ashley Jayy & Brik Liam, this incredible program is full of classic hit songs made famous by The Spinners, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and more.
Bernstein & Bartók
MAY 30-31, 7:30 P.M.
Stefan Asbury, conductor Tai Murray, violin
Stefan Asbury conducts three vibrant stories set to music: Bernstein’s Serenade (featuring violinist Tai Murray) and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and finally Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin
Ken-David Masur
HarleyDavidson Museum
Ezy Ryders: History & Tradition, Heart & Soul ON VIEW NOW
The Harley-Davidson Museum’s newest exhibition is a celebration of life on two wheels. Photographer Cate Dingley interviewed and photographed Black riders in New York City. Her work became a book, Ezy Ryders. The riders are from all walks of life and ride all kinds of machines. Some come from motorcycling families while others are recent adopters of the sport. Many are members of clubs, but some are independent riders. They are represented through Dingley’s photos and the riders’ own words. From sharing the source of their biker names, to stories of how they came to riding and why they stay, this is a compelling portrait of a passionate and vibrant motorcycling community.
400 W. Canal St.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Ashwini Bhat: Reverberating Self
FEB. 15, 2025 - JAN. 11, 2026
Ashwini Bhat: Reverberating Self presents a decade of work, including new pieces that reflect her journey as an immigrant to California from southern India. Bhat works to find a sense of belonging and self in her home through communion with her environment and art making. The exhibition highlights her technical skill and intuitive approach to diverse materials and techniques like bronze, ceramics, and video. All works on view are part of Assembling California, an ongoing exploration of place and self, focusing on natural phenomena like climate change and post-fire forests. Her work invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment.
608 New York Ave.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Sam Barsky: It’s Not the Same Without You
FEB. 1 - JULY 20
Sam Barsky: It’s Not the Same Without You is the artist’s first museum show, featuring over 20 of his signature sweaters. Knitting since 1999, Barsky has received acclaim for his wearable art, which features various landmarks and monuments. He became “internet famous” for posting photos of himself wearing these sweaters at the locations depicted. Barsky doesn’t sell his sweaters and rarely shows them outside his photographs and workshops. For this exhibition, he will knit a sweater featuring the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, which visitors can borrow to photograph themselves, a la Barsky’s internet practice.
The Children
FEB. 12 - MARCH 9
Two retired nuclear scientists reside in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles. Together they are going to live forever on yogurt and yoga, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request. Lucy Kirkwood’s hit play is a beautifully-written puzzle about personal responsibility, guilt and what we leave our young. Featuring Mary MacDonald Kerr, Brian Mani and Shariba Rivers. Directed by Marie Kohler.
255 S. Water St.
Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
Italian Maestros and an American Queen
FEB. 22
MYSO pays tribute at its annual Founders Concert featuring its acclaimed Senior Symphony performing works by composers Giuseppe Verdi, Pietro Mascagni, and Ottorino Respighi including his Fountains of Rome, and the beautiful Symphony No. 3 by Florence Price (1887-1953), the first African American woman to have had a composition played by a major U.S. orchestra. MYSO’s Senior Symphony, with 107 members in grades 8-12, has long been recognized as one of the nation’s top youth music ensembles, hailed for artistic excellence nationally and internationally.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Romeo and Juliet
FEB. 25 - MARCH 30
Get swept away by forbidden romance and heart-pounding passion in the most celebrated love story of all time. Shakespeare’s starcrossed couple soars to new heights as they risk everything for the joy of being together in this refreshing new adaptation that fuses original music with Shakespeare’s poetry to create a sparkling take on a beloved classic that will appeal to all generations.
Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall
608 New York Ave. Sheboygan
JMKAC.ORG
Sheboygan
Playing Their Part
At the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, young people from across the region learn invaluable skills.
In 2024, the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brook eld resonated with the sound of 1,000 young musicians performing in “Play Your Part,” the grand nale of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s student-led fundraising campaign. This special concert marked the culmination of intensive fundraising efforts by MYSO students, demonstrating their commitment to making music education accessible to future generations.
Lauren Gooden, a 17-year-old double bass player who has spent a decade with MYSO, was among the performers. “I feel honored to help contribute to someone else’s progress, education and experience,” says Gooden. “I have had so many amazing opportunities I want others to experience. I truly do enjoy being able to help others continue to participate in this wonderful program.”
For MYSO’s chief executive o cer Linda Edelstein, the event represents more than just the start of their fundraising season. “Play Your Part is really a day these students are seen and heard, and the power of that combination creates these moments of togetherness for the people who attend.”
The student-driven campaign and its culminating concert support MYSO’s nancial aid program, which currently assists 40% of its
students. The funds also contribute to essential needs like instrument purchases, repairs and operational costs. This year’s fundraising e orts held special signi cance as some students also raised funds for an upcoming international tour, in which MYSO’s most advanced musicians will perform in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The campaign aligns with MYSO’s “I See You in Music” initiative, which recognizes and celebrates each student’s unique musical talents while fostering their development as community leaders. Through this initiative, MYSO demonstrates its commitment to nurturing the individual potential in every young musician who walks through its doors, helping them grow not just as performers, but as con dent leaders who will shape the
future of our community.
The success of the student fundraising campaign and its celebratory concert exempli es how MYSO’s impact extends beyond music education. It teaches students valuable lessons about community service, leadership and the importance of giving back – ensuring that future generations will have the same opportunities to grow through music. To learn more and support student financial aid, visit SeeYourselfAtMYSO.org. ◆
325 W. Walnut St. 414-267-2950 myso.org
Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
PHOTOS: BY KENZI RAYELLE AND RON OSHIMA
The Florentine Opera
Viva la Mamma!
MARCH 21, 23
Chaos, comedy, and diva-level drama— welcome to Viva la Mamma! In this riotous send-up of opera itself, backstage antics steal the spotlight as a troupe tries (and fails spectacularly) to stage a new production. Enter Mamma Agata, the over-the-top stage mom who’ll stop at nothing to get her daughter her moment to shine—even if it means upstaging everyone else. With its outrageous characters, tongue-in-cheek humor, and Donizetti’s sparkling score, Viva la Mamma! is a laugh-out-loud love letter to the beautiful madness of opera. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the curtain, this is your front-row seat to the chaos!
Pitman Theater at Alverno College: 3431 S. 39th St.
Milwaukee Makers Market
‘Celebrate Milwaukee Day’ Season Opener
APRIL 13
Milwaukee Makers Market is back for 2025, starting with “Celebrate Milwaukee Day” inside Discovery World Pavilion on Sunday, April 13! Event Hours are 10am-4pm, and it's always FREE to attend the market! Join us in celebrating Milwaukee’s vibrant community and businesses with other Milwaukeeans during their season opener! The market will feature over 50 local makers, with clothing, coffee, cookies, Milwaukee-themed artwork, items and accessories, and so much more. There’s something for everyone, including food trucks!
Marcus Performing Arts Center
Martha Graham Dance Company
MARCH 25
Since 1926, the Martha Graham Dance Company has been a leader in modern dance. Martha Graham’s groundbreaking and uniquely American style has influenced generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Today, the world’s oldest modern dance company is embracing a new vision that showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works by contemporary artists. Returning to Milwaukee for the first time in over 50 years, the company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of programs and events exploring the diversity and depth of Graham’s extraordinary artistic legacy.
929 N. Water St.
Wild Space Dance Company
A Room Shaped Story
APRIL 18, 19
Step inside a world where walls shift and stories unfold. In this evening-length premiere, choreographers Katelyn Altmann, Ashley Ray Garcia, and Dan Schuchart present a collection of abstract narratives told through movement, all taking place within the ever-changing boundaries of a single room. With a dynamic set design featuring moving walls that frame and reshape the action, the dancers investigate storytelling through physicality, space, and transformation. Each piece reveals fleeting moments—where stories emerge, collide, and dissolve—inviting the audience to experience how dance can transcend traditional narrative. This performance will take place at the Broadway Theatre Center.
158 N. Broadway
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
APRIL 11 - MAY 10
Digital and traditional innovations meet in MIAD’s 2025 Senior Exhibition. The exhibition celebrates works of MIAD’s graduating class of emerging creative professionals representing all of MIAD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts majors, programs and minors. Explore our galleries and meet the class of 2025.
273 E. Erie St.
Next Act Theatre
Circle Mirror Transformation
APRIL 23 - MAY 18
Breathe in. Breathe out. Start again. Four lost New Englanders enroll in Marty’s community center drama class to experiment with theatre games and try to fi nd meaning in their lives. Over the course of six weeks, hearts are quietly torn apart and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. Annie Baker’s beautifullycrafted diorama of a comedy shows us, with terrific detail and clarity, the hilarious sadness of a motley quintet. Featuring Chloe Attalla, Elyse Edelman, Reese Madigan, Mark Ulrich and Tami Workentin. Directed by Cody Estle.
255 S. Water St.