DECEMBER 2005 - 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.

ANIMAL CRACKERS, through Dec. 18; Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Skylight Opera Theatre presents those madcap masters of mayhem, the Marx Brothers. 291-7800

THE ANDREWS BROTHERS, through Jan. 8; Stackner Cabaret of Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E. Wells St. Kept out of the Army for various ailments, a trio makes it to the South Pacific as USO headliners. The USO thinks they’re the OTHER Andrews trio. 224-9490.

THE IRISH ROVERS, Dec. 1; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721, W. Canal St. 8 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER, Dec. 2; Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St. 276-4545.

SPARKLING STRINGS: ANA RUTH BERMUDEZ AND RENE IZQUIERDO, Dec. 2; Latino Arts, Inc., Latino Arts Auditorium, 1028 S. 9th St. 7 p.m. 384-3100.

ANNE AND THE JAZZ ORPHANS, Dec. 2-3; Dream Dance, Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 10:30 p.m. –1:30 a.m. Free. 847-7400.

DOC’S HOLIDAY POPS, Dec. 2-4; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Join Principal Pops Conductor Doc Severinsen and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. 291-7605.

BOSTON CAMERATA-A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS, Dec. 3; Basilica of St. Jospahat, 601 W. Lincoln Ave. Early Music Now, “America’s foremost early music ensemble, is joined by The Milwaukee Choral Artists in a program of 10th-15th century seasonal music. 225-3113.

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SINGING, Dec. 3-4; Alverno College, Pitman Theatre, 3431 S. 39th St. Milwaukee Children’s Choir and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. 2 p.m. 382-6044.

THE MECAN RIVER RAMBLERS, Dec. 4; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave. Bluegrass, with vocal harmonies and fiddlng. 7 p.m. 262-375-3676.

HOLIDAY POPS, Dec. 6; Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. “America’s Orchestra,” the world-famous Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, and the choral group New York Voices. 276-4545.

A BRENDA LEE CHRISTMAS, Dec. 7-8; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 2 & 8 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

A DIANNE REEVES CHRISTMAS; Dec. 9; Alverno College, 3431 S. 39th St. 382-6044.

PIECES OF 8 & COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARTY, Dec. 9; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield. 262-781-9520.

CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST, Dec. 9-10; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, a vocal quartet and the MSO Chorus join for a classical Christmas celebration. 291-7605.

ASHLEE SIMPSON, Dec. 10; The Rave, The Rave/Eagles Ballroom, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. 8 p.m. 342-7283.

JOHN GORKA, Dec. 10; Cedarburg Cultural Center. Part of the Wisconsin Singer/Songwriter Series. $1 discount with non-perishable food item (3 maximum). 8 p.m. 262-375-3676.

DAVE & CAROLE-ING FOR CHRISTMAS, Dec. 10; Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. Morning team at WKLH plus the Cudahy Carolers. 8 p.m.

LEE GREENWOOD: A TENNESSEE CHRISTMAS, Dec. 11, Schauer Arts and Activity Center, 147 N. Rural St., Hartford. 262-670-0560.

A POLISH CHRISTMAS, Dec. 11; Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S. 6th St. Carols, Chopin and more. 3:30 p.m. 800-547-5472.

Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz: Dec. 13, Bradley Center. 276-4545.

KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS, Dec. 14; Wisconsin Luther College, Schwan Concert Hall, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave. 7:30 p.m. Mozart-Schubert: Romantic Fantasies includes prologue, performance by Jeffrey Siegel, and Q&A. 443-8802.

KENNY ROGERS AND FRIENDS, Dec. 15; Riverside Theater. Christmas show complete with a winter wonderland. 8 p.m.

HOLIDAY CLASSICS, Dec. 15; Basilica of St. Josaphat. By MSO. 7:30 p.m. 291-7605.

HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT, Dec. 17; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra with holiday music and sing-a-long. 262-781-9520.

TARTAN TERRORS, Dec. 17; Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. Join Charles Dickens and friends as they give this North American Celtic comedy group a lesson in Christmas traditions. Internationally known musicians and dancers leave audiences laughing and shouting for more. Opening act, Athas, 7 p.m., main concert, 8 p.m. 345-8800.

PROMETHEUS TRIO, Dec. 18; Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg. Chamber music that spans centuries and styles. 3 p.m. 262-375-3676.

BLUES IN THE ‘BURG-RORY BLOCK, Dec. 19; Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg. Mississippi Delta blues tradition brought to life for 21st century audiences. 262-375-3676.

THE LETTERMEN, Dec. 19-20; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 2 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

LORIE LINE -MY FAVORITE THINGS TOUR, Dec. 22; Milwaukee Theatre. 8 p.m. 276-4545.

JUDY COLLINS HOLIDAY CONCERT, Dec. 22; Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd., Cedarburg. 7:30 p.m. 262-376-6161.

A PETER WHITE CHRISTMAS Featuring Rick Braun and Mindi Abair, Dec. 22; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

A TALENT TO AMUSE, Dec. 29-Jan. 8; Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Skylight Opera Theatre presents a one-man show recounting the joys, passions and clever wit of Noel Coward. Gary Briggle performs, with Jamie Johns on piano. 291-7800.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Dec. 29; Bradley Center. 276-4545.

THEATER

GOLDA’S BALCONY, through Dec. 4; The Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave.. Valeries Harper stars as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in this riveting portrait. 908-6001.

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY & THE OLD LADY SHOWS HER MEDALS, through Dec. 18; Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Milwaukee Chamber Theatre presents Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” and “The Old Lady Shows Her Medals” by James M. Barrie. 291-7800.

RED HERRING, through Dec. 18; Off Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St. Next Act company presents a comedy set in 1952. 278-0765.

THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS, through Dec. 24; Todd Wehr Theater of Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. First Stage Children’s Theater presents this story of how Father Christmas springs into action when ten-year-old Ginny questions the existence of Santa Claus. 273-7206.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, through Dec. 24; Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. Milwaukee Repertory Theater production combines traditional Christmas carols, magnificent costumes, and memorable characters. 224-9490.

LAUGHING STOCK, through Jan. 8; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater of Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E. Wells St. A hilarious look at a thespian’s valiant attempt to turn a barn into a place for theater magic. 224-9490.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES, through Jan. 8; Vogel Hall, Marcus Center. John McGivern’s hilarious and sarcastic take on Christmas. 273-7206.

HOLIDAY HELL: THE CURSE OF PERRY WILLIAMS, Dec. 1-31; Walker’s Point Center for the Arts, 911 W. National Ave. Crooner Perry Williams is ready to hold his annual Christmas TV show in 1957, but has a secret and would do anything to keep it. 444-2316.

SUPPRESSED HOLIDAY MEMORIES, Dec. 9, 16, 17; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N7546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. Holiday humor with scenes, skits and readings. 8 p.m.262-375-3676

EXHIBITS

2005 FESTIVAL OF TREES, through Dec. 6; Wyndham Milwaukee Center Hotel, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. Display of trees, auctioned Dec. 6 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. 291-4765.

MOSER: GLASS OF KINGS, through Dec. 11; Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Prospect Ave. Collection of glass produced in the Moser factory in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). 271-3656.

STEVE SLASKE: DRAWINGS & WATERCOLORS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC & AUSTRIA, through Dec. 11; Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum. 271-3656.

JOHN SZARKOWSKI, through Jan. 1; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. 224-3200.

CHOCOLATE: THE EXHIBITION, through Jan. 1; Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St. Explore the plant, products, history and culture of chocolate through the lenses of botany and ecology, anthropology and economics, conservation and popular culture. Presented in both English and Spanish.

THE AMERICAN WEST 1871-74: PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY, through Jan. 1; Milwaukee Art Museum. 224-3200.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SHOW, through Jan. 1; Mitchell Park Conservatory, the Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Over 1,000 poinsettias of different varieties and scenes from the classic poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” 649-9830.

M&I MARSHAL & ILSLEY BANK ANNUAL HOLIDAY DISPLAY, through Jan. 3; M&I Bank, 770 N. Water St. Daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Weekends, Christmas & New Year’s Day 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The lobby will be closed after 1 p.m. on Dec. 10 and Dec. 24, and at 5 p.m. on Jan. 3. 765-7700.

REMBRANDT AND HIS TIME: MASTERWORKS FROM THE ALBERTINA, VIENNA, through Jan. 8; Milwaukee Art Museum. Collection of some of the greatest drawings and paintings ever produced by Netherlandish arists, organized in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt van Rijn’s birth. Only US showing. 224-3200.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES OF THE PAST, through Jan. 8; Capt. Frederick Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. See KEY cover feature, page 8. 931-0808.

MODERN TIMES IN MONTEVIDEO, through Jan. 31; Latino Arts Inc. Gallery, United Community Center, 1028 S. 9th St. Photos of urban life in Uruguay by Martin Morante, a young Uruguayan photographer. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon. through Thurs., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri.

GO FIGURE! Dec. 17-March 17; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Interactive exploration of math. 390-5437.

COMEDY

BONKERZ COMEDY, Dec. 2, 17, 23, 30; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. Comedy acts perform in free shows. 8 & 10 p.m.847-7922.

DREW CAREY AND THE IMPROV AL-STARS, Dec. 3; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 7 & 9:30 p.m. 847-7922, 276-4545.

IMAX

All IMAX shows are at the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater in the Museum Center, 800 W. Wisconsin Ave. Call 414-319-4629 for show times and reservations or visit www.mpm.edu.

NASCAR, through Jan. 1; AMAZON through Jan. 1

SHARKS, through Feb. 3

MYSTERY OF THE NILE, through June 4

LEWIS & CLARK, Great Journey west, Mon.-Fri. through June 4

SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTATION: Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” with Johnny Depp in the Raold Dahl classic. Through Jan 1.