JANUARY 2007 - Arts & Entertainment

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

WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE? Through Jan. 7, 2007; Stackner Cabaret of Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108 E. Wells St.  Four girlfriends gather to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of their own. 224-9490.

GUYS ON ICE, through Jan. 7; Stiemke Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E. Wells St. Marvin and Lloyd sing about life, love and the one that got away. 224-9490.

EDITH PIAF ONSTAGE, through Jan. 7; Studio Theatre of Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Leslie Firzwater brings back French chanteuse. 291-7800.

TRIBUTE TO THE KING, Jan. 5-8; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. Elvis tribute. 8 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

PREMIERES AND POLKAS, Jan. 6; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. World premieres presented by Present Music from Randall Woolf and Melissa Mazzoli. Composers and accordionists, Guy Klucevsek and Stas Venglevski, team up for some dynamic duos. 271-0711.

DYNASTY, Jan. 6; The Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. Presenting a KISS tribute. 7 p.m. 342-7283, 276-4545.

JESSE COOK, Jan. 12; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. 19805 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield. 262-781-9520.

RUSSIAN FESTIVAL–STORIES IN MUSIC, Jan. 12-13; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra with two masterworks. 291-7605.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Jan. 12-13; The Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. This first work by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber exploded onto the music scene in 1971. 276-4545.

MOSCOW NIGHTS & GOLDEN GATES, Jan. 16; Wisconsin Lutheran College, Schwan Concert Hall, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave. Balalaikas, bayan accordion, engaging dancers and superb vocals. 443-8802.

THE SOLDIER’S TALE: STRAVINSKY, Jan. 17; Schwan Concert Hall, Center for Arts and Performance, Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave. This unique masterpiece has a compelling story, live narration and unorthodox instrumentation. 443-8802.

AARON GARDNER SEXTET, Jan. 18; Helen Bader Recital Hall, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Ave. Sounds of contemporary jazz and funk. 276-5760.

LYLE LOVETT, JOHN HIATT, JOE ELY, GUY CLARK, Jan. 18, Pabst Theater. 144 E. Wells St. 286-3663.

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA, Jan. 19; Pabst Theater. 286-3663.

RUSSIAN FESTIVAL–TENDER AND GRAND, Jan. 19-20; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra presents Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff. 291-7605.

LEO KOTTKE, LEON REDBONE, Jan. 20; Alverno College, Pitman Theatre, 3431 S. 39th St. 8 p.m. 382-6044.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE CONCERT, Jan. 21; Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St. 4 p.m. 276-4545.

KINDERKONZERTS: BOB MCGRATH FROM SESAME STREET, Jan. 21; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. By Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. 291-7605.

NATHAN WYSOCK, Jan. 21; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. 276-5760.

EDGAR MEYER AND CHRIS THILE, Jan. 23; Pabst Theater, 286-3663.

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS, Jan. 25; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

RUSSIAN FESTIVAL–STRONG EMOTION, Jan. 26-27; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra presents the Shostakovich concerto and “Scheherazade.” 291-7605.

STEVE ROSS, Jan. 26-27; Wilson Center, Brookfield. 262-781-9520.

THE THREEPENNY OPERA, Jan. 26-28; Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. Presented by UW-Milwaukee voice students with full student orchestra. 229-4308.

TARTUFFE, Jan. 26-Feb. 11; Cabot Theatre, Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway.  Based on Moliere’s farce. Presented by Skylight Opera Theatre. 291-7800.

RIVER TRAILS AND TALES (FAMILY CONCERTS), Jan. 28; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Hear traditional music of America’s rivers–blues, jazz, gospel, and bluegrass. 276-5760.

THEATER

CUDAHY CAROLERS, through Dec. 31, Jan. 4-6; Vogel Hall, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Stasch Zelinski is on a quest to reunite the beloved Cudahy Choir for one last concert. 273-7206.

HAMLET, Jan. 5-21; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St., 2nd floor. Nevermore Theatre presents Shakespeare’s iconic tale. 278-0765.

TRANSLATIONS, Jan. 10-Feb. 11; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108 E. Wells St. Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Moving between comedy, tragedy and romance, “Translations” is a masterpiece from Brian Friel, one of Ireland’s greatest living playwrights. 224-9490.

TOP DOG/UNDERDOG, Jan. 11-Feb. 4; Studio Theater, Broadway Theater Center, 158 N. Broadway. Searing drama about the relationship between two African American brothers that earned the Pulitzer Prize, presented by Renaissance Theaterworks. 291-7800.

JAKE’S WOMEN, Jan. 12-28; Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Rd., Elm Grove. Novelist daydreams about the women in his life. 262-782-4430.

THEY CAME FROM WAY OUT THERE, Jan. 12-March 11; Stackner Cabaret, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E. Wells St. The candidates for the Paranormal Society are set to present a musical comedy show, reenacting actual paranormal events. 224-9490.

FROZEN, Jan. 19-Feb. 18; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108 E. Wells St. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents a shattering and unforgettable play that finds hope in the most tragic of circumstances. Adult language and situations. 224-9490.

THE GIVER, Jan. 23-Feb. 25; Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus  Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. First Stage Children’s Theater presents a story that’s part science fiction, mystery and adventure. 273-7206.

PARADISE, Jan. 25-Feb. 25; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St. Two 17-year-old girls–one Israeli, one Palestinian –challenge the accepted view of the most intransigent conflict of our modern world. 278-0765.

EXHIBITS

SAMSON REMEMBERED, through most of 2007; Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St. Samson, the iconic gorilla who held court at the Milwaukee County Zoo is featured in an exhibit that also includes fascinating gorillas from zoos, the wild and the movies. 278-2728. (See cover feature on page 8)

BIEDERMEIER: THE INVENTION OF SIMPLICITY, through Jan. 1; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Touring international exhibition focuses on the Biedermeier period in Central Europe from 1815 to 1830. It brings together for the first time almost 300 outstanding examples of German, Austrian and Czechoslovakian paintings, furniture, related decorative arts and works on paper that demonstrate how it is a precursor to modernism. This is the first exhibition on the subject in North America. 224-3200.

CURRENTS 32-GORD PETERAN: FURNITURE MEETS ITS MAKER, through Jan. 14; Milwaukee Art Museum, Decorative Arts Gallery. 224-3200.

GRAND AVENUE CHRISTMAS, through Jan. 14; Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. The mansion’s nationally recognized annual Christmas celebration elegantly transforms the rooms into a holiday treat for all ages. 931-0808.

PERSON TO PERSON: COMMUNICATING IDENTITY THROUGH WISCONSIN FOLK OBJECTS, through Jan. 14; Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd St. Centuries of Wisconsin folk art and its contribution to the state’s identity. 273-8288.

HOCKEY SEEN: A NIGHTMARE IN THREE PERIODS AND SUDDEN DEATH, through Jan. 14; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University. Challenges the usual boundaries between athletics and art, featuring a video installation of the 1980 Belgian television production of “Hockey Seen.” N. 13th St. and W. Clybourn Ave. 288-1669.

ART AND CONFLICTS IN CENTRAL ASIA, through Jan. 21; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University. Work from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikstan, expressing complexities of cultural identity and emerging politics. 288-1669.

BILLIE THE BROWNIE: A 75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, through Jan. 21; Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd St. Showcases one of Milwaukee’s most beloved and well-known holiday figures. 273-8288.

IN LIVING COLOR, through Jan. 21; Milwaukee Art Museum, Koss Gallery. 224-3200.

WOMEN’S TALES: FOUR LEADING ISRAELI JEWELERS, through Jan. 21; Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St., Racine. First exhibition to present an in-depth study of the work of four of Israel’s leading contemporary jewelers – Bianca Eshel-Gershuni, Vered Kaminski, Esther Knobel and Deganit Stern Schocken. On display are more than 100 pieces of jewelry and vessels. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon- 5 p.m. Sun.

WISCONSIN MASTERS SERIES: CHARLES DIX, through Jan. 28; Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave. Dix (1940-2005), earthbound astronaut, explored the cosmic universe through his “close blending” of color and form to create images of planetary places unknown. 278-8295.

PIRANESI: The Grandeur of Ancient Rome, through Feb. 11; Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave. Etchings by the Neo Classical engraver Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1788). 271-3656.

FRANCIS BACON: PAINTINGS FROM THE 1950s, Jan. 27-April 15; Milwaukee Art Museum. 224-3200.

BRAIN TEASERS 2, Jan. 27 through May 6; Betty Brinn Childdren’s Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Ave.  Brightly colored exhibit appeals to visitors of all ages and encourages parent-child interaction to solve the brain teasers. 390-5437.

COMEDY

COMEDYSPORTZ, 420 S. 1st St. Milwaukee’s longest-running improv comedy show is designed for all ages. Based on audience suggestions. Reservations recommended. 272-8888.

JAMIE FOXX, Jan. 5; Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

LILY TOMLIN, Jan. 11; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. 8 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

LEWIS BLACK, Jan. 19; Riverside Theater. 286-3663.

FRANK CALIENDO, Jan. 20; Riverside Theater. 286-3663.

COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD, Jan. 20-21; Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. 286-3663.

BOB BECKER’S DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN STARRING CHRIS SULLIVAN, Jan. 26; Pabst Theater. 286-3663.

DANCE

FIRST FRIDAY & THIRD SATURDAY IRISH CEILI DANCES, Irish Cultural & Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. Beginners and all ages welcome. 7:30 p.m. instruction, 8 p.m. music and dancing. Minimal charge benefits ICHC. 345-8800.

IMAX

The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater is in the Museum Center, 800 W. Wisconsin Ave. It now doubles as the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium,  a state-of-the-art digital planetarium. Visit www.mpm.edu for times.

Current IMAX shows:

MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION: Walking on the Moon, through Jan. 4. The film features never-before-seen photographs, previously unreleased NASA footage .

ALIENS OF THE DEEP, through Feb. 28. Academy Award-winning director James Cameron takes audiences on an incredible series of submersible dives to explore the bizarre and beautiful life that dwells in the deep ocean.

ROVING MARS, through June 14.

Current DANIEL M. SOREF PLANETARIUM shows:

Stars of the Pharoahs, through June 14, 2007: Watch Milwaukee’s sunset, twilight and evening sky, then travel to Egypt to visit temples and tombs of the ancient world. Experience the mystery of ancient beliefs and their expression in the night sky and see how science was used to align huge monuments that are the hallmarks of Egyptian civilization.

Wonders of the Universe, through June 14: See the moon, stars constellations and planets visible in the Milwaukee sky. Then, embark on an odyssey of discovery deep into space through the eyes of the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope and travel back billions of years to witness the birth of the universe.

Sonicvision, through Nov. 23: With a mix by Moby and featuring tracks from Radiohead, U2, David Bowie, Coldplay, Queens of the Stone and others, music ignites a one-of-a-kind computer-generated musical and visual experience using digital technology to illuminate the planetarium’s dome with a dazzling morphing of colorful visions.