Holiday Guide - Dec. 1, 2009
Seasonal shows salute the holiday spirit
The holidays can be blizzard of shopping trips, family gatherings and trips to church or temple, so take some time to recharge your own batteries with a holiday-themed show.
Tags: nutcraker, best christmas pageant, christmas story, mso pops, annie, mystery of north star, marcus center, plaid tidings, museum, sleighriders, holiday shows, holiday plays, christmas plays and shows

Arts & Entertainment - Nov. 12, 2009
Original "Rent" stars bring their show to Milwaukee
More than a decade after they made "Rent" a Broadway success, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp reprise their roles as Roger and Mark when the musical makes a Milwaukee stop later this month.
Tags: marcus center, rent, adam pascal, vince lombardi, broadway

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. 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

Music - April 3, 2009
Mozzer's fans only more rabid 23 years later
While I know and appreciate that Morrissey has made some great solo records, I remain much more a fan of The Smiths than of the Mozzer himself. That said, I'm still going to see old Stevie tonight when he returns to The Rave. In the 23 years since his "Beatlemania"-style Milwaukee debut, it's likely his fans have become more and more devoted.
Tags: Morrissey, The Smiths, PAC, Marcus Center, The Rave, The Underground, Tony Selig, Die Kreuzen

Arts & Entertainment - Feb. 23, 2009
Marcus Center announces Off-Broadway series
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts has announced an Off-Broadway series in Vogel Hall that will kick off in April.
Tags: Marcus Center, off broadway, vogel hall, shear madness, bunk bed brothers, raise the praise, alter boyz, alter boys

Arts & Entertainment - Dec. 16, 2008
Paul Williams talks about "Happy Days" musical
Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe winner Paul Williams was in Milwaukee on December 12 to do advance press for "Happy Days -- A New Musical." "Happy Days" will be at the Marcus Center Jan. 6-11, 2009. Mr. Williams wrote the music and lyrics for this new musical.
Tags: Paul Williams, Happy Days musical, marcus center, muppet movie, rainbow connection

Arts & Entertainment - Aug. 14, 2008
Five questions for my wife who saw "The Color Purple"
My wife saw the touring production of "Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple" on Tuesday at the Marcus Center. Here are her thoughts.
Tags: Color Purple, Marcus Center, Broadway, Oprah, Sofia, Hell No

Arts & Entertainment - July 28, 2008
Marcus Center gets national exposure in NYT.com
Today, nyt.com takes note of a Downtown Milwaukee performing arts institution in a story titled "Fans of L.E.D.'s Say This Bulb's Time Has Come."
Tags: New York Times, Marcus Center, Focus Lighting, public art, L.E.D., Chris Abele

Arts & Entertainment - May 1, 2008
"Spamalot" is more fun than a ferocious rabbit
I took in the touring musical show "Spamalot" last night at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
Tags: "Spamalot", Marcus Center, Monty Python

Arts & Entertainment - March 28, 2008
"Color Purple," "Happy Days" top new Broadway series
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts announced its new Broadway Across America -- Milwaukee series for 2008-'09.
Tags: Broadway, Marcus Center, Color Purple, Happy Days, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, A Chorus Line

Arts & Entertainment - March 22, 2008
Puppets channel Kafka in "The Ballad of Josef K."
The Mask & Puppet Theatre presents "The Ballad of Josef K.," a musical puppet adaptation of "The Trial" Friday, March 28-Sunday, April 13 at Marcus Center's Vogel Hall.
Tags: ballad of josef k, the trial, franz kakfa, mask & puppet theater, puppets, john schneider, max samson, thunder in the valley, marcus center, jose padilla

Arts & Entertainment - Feb. 5, 2008
Downtown already roaring about "The Lion King"
The roar of "The Lion King" is already being felt in Downtown Milwaukee.
Tags: Lion King, Broadway, Milwaukee Theatre, Marcus Center, Hakuna Matata, Disney