art and entertainment - april 2008

Complete address of sites is listed with first mention. Area codes of phone numbers are 414 unless shown otherwise. Please confirm events when possible; listings are subject to change.

MUSIC

NOTE: At Potawatomi Bingo Casino, no one under 21 is allowed in the theater under any circumstances.

BALLAD OF JOSEF K, through April 3-6, 10-13; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Mask and Puppet Theater present this story adapted from Franz Kafka’s “The Trial.” 7:30 p.m. 273-7206.

ETTA JAMES AND THE ROOTS BAND, April 2; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. 8 p.m. 847-7400, 276-4545.

HAYWARD WILLIAMS, April 3; County Clare Irish Inn & Pub, 1234 N. Astor St. 10 p.m. 272-5273

CONSERVATORY NIGHTS, April 3; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Ave. Stas Venglevski, bayan master. 7:30 p.m. 276-5760.

MSO CLASSICS: CONTRASTS, April 4-5; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St.. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in a classical concert program. 273-7206.

GUITAR SHORTY, April 5; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. Part of “Blues in the’ Burg.” 8 p.m. 262-375-3676.

PROMETHEUS TRIO, April 7-8; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. 7:30 p.m. 276-5760.

LOS LONELY BOYS, April 8; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m. 847-7400, 276-4545.

AHN TRIO, April 10; Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. 908-6001, 276-4545.

BARRY DODD, April 10; County Clare Irish Inn & Pub. 10 p.m. 272-5273.

IAN GOULD, April 11; County Clare Irish Inn & Pub. 10 p.m. 272-5273.

RACHAEL PRICE, April 11; Wilson Center for the Performing Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr. located inside Mitchell Park, Brookfield. Jazz singer bridging styles of past legends and contemporary stars. 8 p.m. 262-781-9520.

“THE PRESIDENT’S OWN” UNITED STATES MARINE BAND CONCERTS, April 11-12; The Milwaukee Theatre. Free, general admission tickets will be available in advance only at the Milwaukee Theatre Box Office, 500 W. Kilbourn Avenue. Tickets are distributed and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No phone reservations are accepted. 8:30 p.m. Fri. band concert, 3:30 p.m. Sat. Chamber Ensemble Concerto Competition performance. 908-6001.

MSO POPS: CHAPLIN’S CITY LIGHTS, April 11-13; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra plays Chaplin’s score live along with the screening of this must-see film. 273-7206.

NOVA SCOTIA TRADITIONS, April 12; Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. Both Andrea Beaton and Troy MacGillivray grew up immersed in their music and culture, playing both fiddle and piano and accomplished step dancers. Adding her masterful voice, flute and whistle playing is their special guest, Nuala Kennedy from Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland. (Another talented musician also may join the group.) Doors open at 6:45 p.m., opening act at 7 p.m., concert at 8 p.m. Part of the Hallamor Spring Concert  Series. 345-8800.

10th ANNIVERSARY PEOPLE’S CHOICE CONCERT, April 12; St. Matthew’s Lutheran  Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Ave. Milwaukee Choral Artists, one of only three professional women’s choral ensembles in the U.S., presents “People’s Choice” concert. 262-375-2952.

FREE FOR ALL SUNDAYS, April 13; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. An Afternoon with the Schumanns. 3 p.m. 276-5760.

J.S. BACH & SONS, April. 13; Northwestern Mutual Art Gallery, Joan Steele Stein Center, Cardinal Stritch University, 6901 N. Yates Rd., Fox Point. Free concert presented by MacDowell Club of Milwaukee. 258-6492, 264-8796.

SARA BAREILLES, April 14; The Pabst, 144 E. Wells St. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, April 15-16; Milwaukee Theatre. The first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber exploded onto the scene in 1971, changing the world of musical theater forever. 276-4545.

ANDRE RIEU, April 16; U.S. Cellular Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. 8 p.m. 276-4545.

GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL, April 16-20, 23-27; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Vogel Hall, 123 E. State St. 273-7206

MSO CLASSICAL CONNECTIONS: CELESTIAL BODIES, April 17; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra presents. 273-7206.

UFO, April 17; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m. 847-7400, 276-4545.

CONSERVATORY NIGHTS, April 17; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Matt Schroeder, finger-style guitar. 7:30 p.m. 276-5760.

RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED FEATURING MATTHEW & GUNNAR NELSON, April 18; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 9 p.m. 847-7400, 276-4545.

MUSIC IN THE DRAWING ROOM, April 18-19; Ten Chimneys Estate, Genesee Depot, Wis. The Lunts’ magical Drawing Room will once again fill with stories and songs with Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, famous husband and wife team. 262-968-4110.

MSO CLASSICS: JOURNEYS, April 18-20; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in a classical concert program. 273-7206.

MY LITTLE PONY LIVE: THE WORLD’S BIGGEST TEA PARTY, April 18-20; Milwaukee Theatre, 550 W. Kilbourn Ave. Ninety-minute, interactive musical production with singing, dancing and audience participation. 908-6001, 276-4545.

SMOKIN’ JOE KUBEK, April 19; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. Part of “Blues in the’ Burg.” 8 p.m. 262-375-3676.

COUNTRYFEST ’08; April 19; Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St. 7:30 p.m. 276-4545.

BARRY DODD, April 19; County Clare Irish Inn & Pub. 10 p.m. 272-5273.

STACEY KENT, April 20; The Pabst. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

JOE JACKSON, April 21; The Pabst. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

COLIN MELOY OF THE DECEMBERISTS, April 22; The Pabst. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

MICHAEL BUBLÉ, April 22; Bradley Center. 8 p.m. 276-4545.

ASIA, April 23; The Pabst. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

BARRY DODD, April 24; County Clare Irish Inn & Pub. 10 p.m. 272-5273.

ATHAS, April 25; County Clare Irish Inn & Pub. 10 p.m. 272-5273.

LINDA STEPHENS & JAMIE JOHNS – THE NATURE OF THINGS, April 25-26; Wilson Center for the Performing Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr. located inside Mitchell Park, Brookfield. 8 p.m. 262-781-9520.

ROMEO & JULIET, April 25-27; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Florentine Opera Company presents. 273-7206.

FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY, April 27; The Pabst. 3 p.m. 286-3663.

VAN HALEN, April 28; The Bradley Center. Rescheduled concert.  7:30 p.m. 276-4545 or www.bradleycenter.com.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, April 29-May 4; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. M&I Bank Broadway Across America-Milwaukee presents musical comedy inspired by the film classic "Monty Python and The Holy Grail." 273-7206.

DANCE

MILWAUKEE BALLET, April 3-6; The Pabst, 144 E. Wells St. Three world premieres. 286-3663.

FAMILY IRISH DANCING, April 4, 19; Irish Cultural & Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. Beginner instruction begins at 7:30 p.m. and continues through the evening, live music begins at 8 p.m. 345-8800.

SPRING FEIS, April 26; Midwest Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. Free. 908-6001.

HAVING AN AFFAIR, April 25-26; Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 790 N. Van Buren St. Present Music and Danceworks team up. 7:30 p.m. 377-8480.

comedy

COMEDY SPORTZ, 420 S. 1st St. Milwaukee’s longest running improv comedy show is designed for all ages. Based on audience suggestions. Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 pm., 10 p.m. Free Amateur Stand Up, only ages 18+ admitted; Saturday, 3, 7:30 & 10 p.m. Reservations rec. 272-8888.

BONKERZ COMEDY NIGHT, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St.  Saturday nights, FREE. Seating is on a first come first serve basis. 4/5 & 4/12 Mike McCarthy, 4/19 & 4/26 Adam Ace. 847-7400. $5 or free to Fire Keeper’s Club members (free membership).

THE KIDS IN THE HALL, April 5; The Riverside, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. 7 p.m. 286-3663.

TYLER PERRY’S THE MARRIAGE COUNSELOR, April 8-9; The Riverside. 286-3663.

DON RICKLES, April 9; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m. 847-7400, 276-4545.

LISA LAMPANELLI: THE QUEEN OF MEAN! April 12; The Pabst, 144 E. Wells St. 286-3663.

TRACY MORGAN, April 25; The Pabst. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

TOMATO DODGEBALL RETURNS, April 26; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. Resident comedians McMann and Tate Comedy Improv perform unrehearsed and without a net. 8 p.m. 262-375-3676.

LARRY THE CABLE GUY, April 26; The Riverside. 5 & 8 p.m. 286-3663.

THEATER

THE NIGHT IS A CHILD, through April 13; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents story of Harriet, a mother who lost her son in a horrific act of violence and ran away from home to find respite and courage in her “dreamland,” Brazil. Mixed with fantasy and realism, and fueled by the lilting sounds of Brazilian Sergio Mendez, this new drama takes us on a journey of discovery, forgiveness and understanding in the land of the samba. 224-9490.

MASS APPEAL, through April 13; Tenth Street Theatre, 628 N. Tenth. St. In Tandem Theatre presents the story of how Ideology and personality collide between an older priest who accommodates to survive and a young seminarian who attacks to force salvation. This updated and revised version of the play that took Broadway by storm twenty-five years ago, reignites the incendiary topics that reverberate within the walls of organized religion today. 271-1371.

ENDGAME, through April 20; Stiemke Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108 E.Wells St. Within the death of one thing is the birth of another. Samuel Beckett’s post-modern theatrical masterpiece takes a biting look at the end (and beginning?) of the world through the eyes of Hamm and Clov and reminds us that life is forever cyclical. 224-9490.

FAT PIG, through May 18; Studio Theatre, Broadway Theater Center, 158 N. Broadway. Renaissance Theaterworks presents.

HULA HOOP SHA-BOOP, through May 25; Stackner Cabaret, Milwaukee Theater Center. Audiences shake, rattle and roll with this show, featuring over a decade of favorites. A fun-loving, sock-hopping blast from the past presented by Milwaukee Repertory Theater. 224-9490.

DEATH ON THE NILE, April 3-13; Off-the-Wall Theatre, 127 E. Wells St. Dale Gutzman’s new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery. 327-3552 or www.offthewalltheatre.com.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, April 3-May 4; Next Act Theatre, 342 N. Water St., 2nd floor. This Olde English romp through mansions and Egyptian pyramids is a non-stop quick-change marathon, full of werewolves, vampires, a mad gothic organist and cross-dressed damsels in distress. 278-0765.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, April 4-May 18; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. First Stage Children’s Theater presents this Tony-nominated Broadway musical brings to life the adventures of Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters: the boundlessly happy Frog and his worry-wart friend Toad. Despite their differences, they share a season of gardening, swimming, kite-flying, tobogganing and other adventures. Along with their forest friends and jazzy, upbeat music, they bring home the values of trust, loyalty and warm cookies. Most appreciated by adults, teens and young people ages 3 and older.

ARMADALE, April 23-May 25; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108. E. Wells St. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents a world premiere adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ sensational Victorian novel. A deathbed bequest leads to the most gripping of intrigues in this tale of deception, inherited curses, romantic rivalries and murder.224-9490.

TALLEY’S FOLLY, April 17-May 4; Cabot Theatre, Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Milwaukee Chamber Theatre presents this play set in Lebanon, Missouri; July 4, 1944. In a ramshackle Victorian boathouse, Matt Friedman, 42, a bookish, erudite, Jewish accountant, comes to woo Sally Talley, 31, a broken, Midwestern, “golden girl.” On this particular summer night, the moon shines brightly on the unlikely pair as they bicker, banter and embrace. 291-7800.

EXHIBITS

THE GRANDEUR OF GOD, through April 13; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University. Photographs by Don Doll, S.J., include Native  American images, panoramas along the Lewis and Clark Trail, Jesuits assisting refugees, landmine victims and Tsunami survivors. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 288-1669.

WILLIAM HOGARTH: BRITISH SATIRICAL PRINTS, through April 13; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University campus, N. 13th St. and W. Clybourn Ave. Hogarth (1697-17 was a painter, printmaker (engraver), pictorial satirist and illustrator. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.,10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 288-1669.

PHYSICIANS, QUACKS AND ALCHEMISTS, through April 14; Grohmann Museum at Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1000 N. Broadway. 17th-century paintings of a time when you would be better off living with a mysterious ache than visiting the local physician. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri, noon-6 p.m. Sat, 1-4 p.m. Sun. .414-277-7501.

JEREMY WOLF-MAGNUS BESTIA, through April 18; Giant paper animals interacting with symbols of humankind. Gallery is free and open to the public 9 am.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 262-781-9520.

ARTISTAS LATINOS EMERGIENDO EN MILWAUKEE/LATIN ARTISTS EMERGING IN MILWAUKEE, through April 19; Walkers Point Center for the Arts, 911 W. National Ave. 672-2787.

FOTO: MODERNITY IN CENTRAL EUROPE, 1918-1945; through May 4; Milwaukee Art Museum. Aims to recover the crucial role played by photography in this period, and in so doing to delineate a central European model of modernity. 224-3200.

A SURVEY: DRAWINGS & PAINTINGS BY JOHN WICKENBERG, through May 18; Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave. Wickenberg’s inspiration comes from natural objects and his respect for the fragility of nature comes across in his still-lifes and landscapes. 278-8295.

BODY WORLDS, through June 1; Milwaukee Public Museum, corner of 7th St. (James Lovell) and W. Wells St. Groundbreaking exhibit exploring the mystery of human anatomy and physiology. Timed entrance. Call 414-223-4676.

CURIOUS GEORGE™, LET’S GET CURIOUS! through June 1; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Sponsored locally by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, exhibit introduces children to Curious George’s world and an interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure. 390-KIDS.

A PASSION FOR THE EXOTIC, through June 8; Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. Exhibit explores how wealthy citizens of the 1890s, including the Pabst family, traveled extensively to Asia and the Mediterranean region.  931-0808.

MILWAUKEE OUTDOORS: A CENTURY OF THE COUNTY PARKS SYSTEM, through June 15; Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 Old World 3rd St. 273-8288.

APPALACHIAN SPRINGTIME, through June 15; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes); 524 S. Layton Blvd., enter parking lot from S. 27th St., between I-94 West and National Ave. 649-9830.

URBAN WILDERNESS: EXPERIENCING NATURE IN THE MILWAUKEE METROPOLITAN REGION, through June 15; Milwaukee County Historical Society. 273-8288.

MESSENGER OF FRIENDSHIP: THE ADVENTURES OF KASUMI TSUKUBA, through June 25; Milwaukee Public Museum. Learn about one of the 44 Japanese friendship dolls still in existence. 278-2728.

NUMISMATICS! SELECTIONS FROM THE MPM COLLECTION, through Aug. 7; Milwaukee Public Museum. Nearly 200 rare specimens. 278-2728.

SENSORY OVERLOAD, through Oct. 2009; Milwaukee Art Museum. Light, motion, sound and the optical in art since 1945 tracks two populist visual art movements, Kinetic and Op-art, and their spectacular legacies. 224-4300.

ART IN BLOOM, April 10-13; Milwaukee Art Museum. More than 30 lavish bouquets created by top floral designers in the Milwaukee area will be placed next to the works of art in the museum’s galleries that inspired the arrangements. See related events in KEY Special Events listings and KEY feature on page 30. 224-3200.

HOLLYHOCK HOUSE & OLIVE HILL: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND EDMUND TESKE; April 19-June 15; Villa Terrace Decorative  Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave. 271-3656.

The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater is in the Museum Center, 800 W. Wisconsin Ave. It doubles as the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium. Visit www.mpm.edu for times.

Current IMAX shows:

THE HUMAN BODY, through June 12; Draws on sophisticated graphics to provide a dramatic picture of the human body.

GRAND CANYON ADVENTURE, through Sept. 4; An exhilarating river-rafting adventure down the Colorado River, with one big problem–no water remains for the river's end, the Colorado Delta.

Current DANIEL M. SOREF PLANETARIUM shows:

SECRETS OF THE ZODIAC, through June 12; a look at the celestial system and why it has been so instrumental to humans.

ROCK HALL OF FAME, through Sept. 4, light show plus the music of the Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival and more.

CSI: COSMIC, through Sept. 4; look for life in the extreme conditions here on Earth, then journey through the Solar System to investigate neighboring planets for hospitable conditions.