Arts & Entertainment - Oct. 15, 2009
The smell of comedy on two Milwaukee stages
When Renaissance Theaterworks was created in the early `90s as Milwaukee's first and only women's theater company, the founders emphasized that they welcomed and loved men. Most of the organizers were married, several had sons. There would be no battle of the sexes going on with this group.
Tags: renaissance theaterworks, the smell of the kill, michelle lowe, reva fox, julie swenson, karen estrada, bunk bed brothers, john mcgivern, marcus center

Music - Oct. 14, 2009
"Beatlemania Now" has special meaning to some
As a kid I was a huge Beatles fan. So, in summer 1977, my mom loaded me and my brother onto the D train and took us to see "Beatlemania" on stage at Broadway's legendary Winter Garden Theater. But there's another Milwaukee with much stronger ties to the show. A related show, "Beatlemania Now" comes to Milwaukee this week.
Tags: Beatlemania Now, Marcus Center, Reed Kailing, Winter Garden Theater, Beatles

Arts & Entertainment - Sept. 24, 2009
As fall awakens, "Spring Awakening" comes to the Marcus Center
Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik had been working on "Spring Awakening" for two years, and if they weren't quite ready for prime time, they knew they needed to get the show on its feet and in front of a paying audience. A national touring company will open a weeklong run of it at the Marcus Center Oct. 6.
Tags: spring awakening, duncan sheik, michael mayer, marcus center, steven sater

Arts & Entertainment - Aug. 25, 2009
Theater preview: Bunk Bed Brothers
Tickets went on sale Aug. 23 for "Bunk Bed Brothers," a play starring Chris Tarjan and John McGivern. The show runs Oct. 9-Nov. 15 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $40-46.
Tags: bunk bed brothers, marcus center, john mcgivern

Arts & Entertainment - Aug. 4, 2009
Backstage with "The Phantom"
"The Phantom of the Opera" officially opens tomorrow and runs through Aug. 30 at the Marcus Center. Recently, David Hansen, the show's advance stage manager, gave me a sneak peek of the incredible construction process that takes place in preparation for such an extravagant show.
Tags: the phantom of the opera, marcus center