art and entertainment - december 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 subject to change.

MUSIC

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

BREAKING THROUGH TO JOY, Dec. 31-Jan. 2-3; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra joined by Symphony Chorus for Beethoven’s Sym. No. 9 on Dec. 31. 8 p.m. 291-7605.

TRIBUTE TO THE KING, Jan. 5-8; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. Starring Ryan Pelton with special guests The Imperials & Millie Kirkham. 847-7400, 276-4545.

TRIBUTE TO THE KING CONTEST, Jan. 5-8; Potawatomi Bingo Casino.

METALLICA, Jan. 12; Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St. With Machine Head and The Sword. 7 p.m. 276-4545.

CHEAP TRICK, Jan. 14-16; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

MSO: TRANSFIGURATION, Jan. 15; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert. Classical Connections programs start with the Stevens Point Brewery pre-concert reception in the Atrium at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. concert, post-concert event at the InterContinental Hotel.

MSO: DARKNESS AND LIGHT, Jan. 16-17; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert. 8 p.m.

THE MUSICAL BOX: A TRICK OF THE TAIL, Jan. 17; The Pabst, 144 E. Wells St. Recreation of classic 70s era Genesis. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

17 HIPPIES, Jan. 17; Alverno College, 3400 S. 43rd St. Presented by Alverno Presents. The sensation of Global Union 2007! Berlin’s‘orchestra spezial’ makes whirling, crashing, diving, bobbing and weaving music from around the world. 8 p.m. 382-6044.

JIM PETERLIK & WORLD STAGE, Jan. 18; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

RODNEY ATKINS, Jan. 22; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. With special guest Lost Trailers. 8 p.m.

EILEEN IVERS-BEYOND THE BOG ROAD, Jan. 23-24; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, inside Mitchell Park. 8 p.m. 262-781-9520 or www.wilson-center.com.

MSO: ROMANTIC JOURNEYS, Jan. 23-24; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert. 8 p.m.

DADDY MACK BLUES, Jan. 24; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. 262-375-3676.

KIDS: KINDERKONZERTS, Jan. 25; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert. 2 p.m. 273-7206.

SCOTT WEILAND, Jan. 30. The Pabst. 8 p.m.

MSO POPS, Jan. 30-Feb. 1; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony with “My Favorite Things: a Tribute to Richard Rogers” with Marvin Hamlisch, conductor.

BARRAGE, Jan. 31; Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd, Cedarburg. high-octane fiddle-fest that features an international, multi-talented cast performing an eclectic mix of music, song and dance. 262-376-6162.

DANCE

FEIS, Jan. 18; Midwest Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. Irish dance competition.

THE BRA PROJECT, Jan. 23-Feb. 1; Danceworks Studio Theatre, 1661 N. Water St. Presented by Danceworks Performance Company, an evening-length concert of dance choreographed retracing the revealing history of the bra, referencing pop culture, fashion design, social reform and the perspectives voiced by both men and women. 277-8480.

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. & Midnight. Reservations rec. 272-8888.

BONKERZ COMEDY NIGHT, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. Saturday nights, Seating is on a first come first serve basis. Free to Fire Keeper’s Club members (free
membership).

FRANK CALIENDO, Jan. 17; The Riverside, 116 W. Wisconsin 8:30 p.m. 286-3663.

COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD SHERWOOD, Jan. 23-24; The Pabst, 144 E. Wells St. 8 p.m. Of “Whose Line is it Anyway!?” 286-3663.

THEATER

WINTER TALES, through Jan. 4; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St. John McGivern’s Milwaukee memories promise laughter. and nostalgia. 278-0765.

GUYS ON ICE, through Jan. 4; Stiemke Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108. E. Wells St. Milwaukee Repertory. From their shanty, ice-fishing buddies Marvin and Lloyd sing about life, love, and the one that got away. 224-9490.

THE PRODUCERS, through Jan. 4; Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Presented by The Skylight. 291-7800.

A CUDAHY CAROLER CHRISTMAS, through Jan. 4; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Vogel Hall, 123 E. State St. In Tandem Theatre Company returns with a play loaded with local humor by Anthony Wood. 273-7206.

THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD, through Jan. 4; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108. E. Wells St. Milwaukee Repertory. One woman tour de force performance explores multiple perspectives on love, anger and adultery. 224-9490.

ROSES IN DECEMBER, through Jan. 18; Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre, 2252 S. Kinnickinnic. A wonderful example of acceptance and forgiveness. An established author is contacted by an academic attempting to book him for a literary conference. This novel play will bloom in your hearts for many months afterward. 744-5757.

OLIVER, Jan. 2-3; Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. Charles Dickens's most unforgettable characters along with one of Broadway's most memorable scores. Hits such as "Consider Yourself At Home," "Food, Glorious Food" and "Where Is Love" surround this heartwarming tale of the young orphan Oliver Twist. 276-4545.

HAPPY DAYS, Jan. 6-11; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures’ television series, this new musical reintroduces one of America’s best loved families, the Cunninghams, and 1959 Milwaukee. Part of the M&I Bank Broadway Across America – Milwaukee series. 273-7206, 276-4545.

THE WONDER BREAD YEARS, Jan. 9-10; Cedarburg Performing Arts Center. W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd, 262-376-6162.

DOGPARK: THE MUSICAL, Jan. 9-March 1; Stackner Cabaret, Milwaukee Theater Center. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents. Follow Daisy, Champ, Bogie and Spud through their adventures at the hippest, hottest place in town: the Dogpark, where every dog has his day, and love conquers all.224-9490.

THE DIG, Jan. 16-Feb. 8; Broadway Theater Center, Studio Theater, 158 N. Broadway. Renaissance Theaterworks presents. Mattie adored her older brother Jamie, a gifted young archaeologist. But their relationship changed forever when Jamie had a break with reality on an archaeological dig in 1967. Years later, Mattie must explore the history of that fated dig, peeling away layers of mystery. 291-7800.

TROUBLE IN MIND, Jan. 20-Feb. 15; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108. E. Wells St. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents a fierce and funny look at the half truths we tell ourselves about race, identity and opportunity in America. 224-9490.

WITNESS, Jan. 23-Feb. 22; Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus Center. First Stage Children’s Theater presents. Set in 1924, a small Vermont town is faced with a new force in town. Two girls, one African American and the other Jewish, are among those who are no longer welcome by some of the townspeople. A shooting sends residents reeling as heroes and villains are exposed, and the true spirit of the town emerges. Most appreciated by adults, teens and children ten and up. 273-7206.

MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL OUT LOUD, Jan. 27; The Pabst, 144 E. Wells St. 7:30 p.m. 286-3663.

MIRANDOLINA, Jan. 28-Feb. 22; Stiemke Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108. E. Wells St. A sizzling battle of the sexes catches fire in Goldoni’s eighteenth-century Italian farce.
224-9490.

GOING TO SAINT IVES, Jan. 29-Feb. 22; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St., 2nd floor. Next Act Theatre presents the tale of May N'Kame, the mother of a brutal African dictator. She travels to England to undergo delicate eye surgery from Dr. Cora Gage, who seizes the opportunity to ask that May's ruthless son release four physicians, condemned as traitors for refusing to assist in government torture. However, May demands a shocking favor in return. 278-0765.

EXHIBITS

LES PAUL’S HOUSE OF SOUND, continuing; Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr. A tribute to the accomplishments of Wisconsin guitarist Les Paul features personal items from the musician.

MILWAUKEE MUSCLE,continuing; Discovery World. Exhibit sponsored by Briggs & Stratton allows visitors to build the car of the future.

ENERGY & INGENUITY: HARNESSING THE POWER OF YOU, continuing; Discovery World. Wisconsin Energy Foundation supported exhibit challenges visitors to consider new energy sources for the future.

ON SITE: SANTIAGO CUCULLU, through Jan. 4; Milwaukee Art Museum. An efficient entanglement of sculptures, ambient sounds and everyday absurdities by the Milwaukee-based artist.

HOLIDAY SHOW AT THE DOMES, through Jan. 4; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd. God Jul Scandinavian Holiday Show.. 649-9800

M&I HOLIDAY SHOW, through Jan. 5; Lobby of bank at 770 N. Water St. Display includes 50 stuffed animals.

FANTASTIC FOREST OF HOLIDAY TREES, through Jan. 5; Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Child-decorated trees. 256-5412.

A GRAND AVENUE CHRISTMAS, through Jan. 11; Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. The mansion is transformed for the holidays in keeping with its Victorian heritage. 931-0808.

ACT/REACT INTERACTIVE ART, through Jan. 11; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Installation artwork is dependent upon intuitive and nontechnical physical actions of visitors. Among the works featured are talking tables and virtual snowstorms. 224-3200.

RICHARD HAAS, through Jan. 11; Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave. Thirty Years of Looking at Architecture 271-3656.

WISCONSIN MASTERS SERIES, through Jan. 25; Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave. Richard Earl Thompson (1914-1991). 278-8295.

I AM SOLITAIRE, through Jan. 31; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, inside Mitchell Park. Gary Gresl’s mixed media artworks. 262-781-9470.

HERENCIA, through Feb. 6; Latino Arts Inc., 1028 S. 9th St. Paintings and prints by Ramiro Rodriguez focus on figurative representations of psychological narratives, often utilizing "water, light, shadow and unusual vantage points.

STOP. LOOK. LISTEN: AN EXHIBITION OF VIDEO WORKS, through Feb. 22; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University13th and Clybourn Sts. From the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University. 288-1669, 384-3100.

ALL TIED UP: KNITTED AND KNOTTED WORK, through March 8; Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St. works from RAM's permanent collection that demonstrate diverse knotting techniques, used on a variety of materials. 262-636-8300.

CATESBY, AUDUBON AND THE DISCOVERY OF A NEW WORK, through March 22; Milwaukee Art Museum. Prints of the flora and fauna of the U.S.
.
TITANIC: THE ARTIFACT EXHIBITION, through May 25; Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 N. Wells St. Authentic artifacts and room-recreations tell the story of the 2,228 passengers aboard the Titanic during her ill-fated maiden voyage. Learn haunting tales of lives abruptly ended or forever altered when the Titanic collided with an iceberg on April 14, 1912.

WHATEVER IS THERE IS A TRUTH, through Oct. 4; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University. Robert Rauschenberg’s prints.

19TH & EARLY 20TH CENTURY MECHANICAL OBJECTS, Jan. 23-June 7; Capt. Frederick Pabst Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. The turn of the 20th century saw an explosion of mechanical inventions: elaborate clocks, intricate music boxes, amazing toys, and more! Made to impress, these items brought hours of enjoyment to many people, and dazzle visitors today. Live demonstrations of select items will be available to the public on scheduled days.

LEGO LAND - MODEL RAILROAD SHOW, Jan. 17-March 22; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes). G-scale trains travel through a land of Legos while small and miniature plants create the landscape. Special exhibits and demonstrations. Train hobbyists will be on hand to answer questions.

IMAX, PLANETARIUM

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:

SANTA VS. THE SNOWMAN, through Jan. 4; A snowman, swept away by the magical wonders of Santa's Village in the North Pole, becomes jealous of Santa at Christmas time.

MYSTERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES, through March 19; Explore this world treasure, which contains some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and a fifth of all fresh water.

GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS, through May 24; Academy Award® winning director and master storyteller James Cameron journeys back to the site of his greatest inspiration – the legendary wreck of the Titanic. You’ll explore the entire ship with Cameron and his crew, deck-by-deck, room-by-room, encountering mysteries that have remained hidden for almost a century.

SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE, Opens Jan. 5 ; Extraordinary marine reptiles of the dinosaur age come to life in a remarkable journey into the relatively unexplored world of “other” dinosaurs, those reptiles that lived beneath the water.

Current DANIEL M. SOREF PLANETARIUM shows:

MYSTERY OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR, through Jan. 4; Journey back 2000 years to Bethlehem to discover which ancient star was the one the wise men followed. Modern retelling of the Christmas story also investigates possible dates for the birth of Christ and looks at recorded sightings of astronomical events.

SEVEN WONDERS, through March 10; Witness the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, investigate theories of how these marvels were created, then travel through the universe to glimpse natural wonders far beyond earth.

NIGHT OF THE TITANIC, through May 24; The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 was part human error and part natural disaster. Weather, ice, sun, moon and stars all played a part in the tragedy. Stand on the deck of the doomed ocean liner the night she sank and discover how a complex series of natural, but unlikely, events sank the “unsinkable” ship.