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.

CHEETAH GIRLS, Dec. 5; U.S. Cellular Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. 7 p.m. 276-4545.

MICKY'S MONKEES CHRISTMAS & THE BUCKINGHAMS, Dec. 5; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. 8 p.m. 847-7400, 276-4545.

MSO HOLIDAY POPS, Dec. 5-7; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert. 291-7605.

KENNY G, THE HOLIDAY SHOW, Dec. 6; The Riverside, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY, Dec. 8; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

A BRENDA LEE CHRISTMAS, Dec. 10; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

FIVE BY DESIGN-RADIO HOLLY DAYS, Dec. 10; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, inside Mitchell Park. 1 & 8 p.m. 262-781-9520 or www.wilson-center.com.

THE NYLONS CHRISTMAS SHOW, Dec. 11; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. 7 p.m. 262-375-3676.

HOLIDAYS AND HITS, AN EVENING WITH AL JARREAU, Dec. 11; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

BEL CANTO CHORUS PRESENTS SING ALONG MESSIAH, Dec. 12; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. 7:30 p.m.

LINDA EDER ROCKS THE HOLIDAYS, Dec. 12; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

HARRY CONNICK, JR., Dec. 12; The Riverside. 8 p.m.

GERI DIMAGGIO, Dec. 12; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. 8 p.m.

MSO HOLIDAY POPS, Dec. 13, 20; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. 8 p.m.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Dec. 14; Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St. 3 & 7:30 p.m. 276-44545.

CELTIC THUNDER, Dec. 16; The Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Avenue. 8 p.m. 276-4545.

TONY KENNY, Dec. 17; Irish Cultural & Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. Irish Christmas Cabaret comes to town. Opening act 7 p.m., concert 8 p.m. Part of the Hallamor Concert Series. 345-8800.

CATHEDRAL CLASSICS, Dec. 17-18; Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S 6th St. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert. 7:30 p.m. 291-7605.

CATHEDRAL CLASSICS, Dec. 19; Cathedral of St. John, 812 N Van Buren St. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert. 7:30 p.m. 291-7605.

HALLELUIAH SANTA'S IN TOWN, Dec. 21; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. Milwaukee Metropolitan Voices. 2 p.m.

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER, Dec. 22-23; The Milwaukee Theatre. 8 p.m.

CAKE, Dec. 31; The Riverside. 9 p.m.

BREAKING THROUGH TO JOY, Dec. 31-Jan. 2-3; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra joined by Symophony Chorus for Beethoven's Sym. No. 9 on Dec. 31. 8 p.m. 291-7605..

DANCE

SNOW, Dec. 4-6; Stiemke Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108 E. Wells St. Winter-inspired work by Wild Space Dance Company and solo with snowshoes by guest performer Erin Dudley of New York. 8 p.m. 271-0712.

THE NUTCRACKER, Dec. 12-28; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Tchaikovsky's familiar, captivating score played by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra in a performance by Milwaukee Ballet Company that transports the audience to Clara's dream world filled with marching soldiers, flying angels, dancing dolls and pirouetting snow fairies. 273-7206.

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).

HOLIDAY COMEDY REVUE, Dec. 12-13; Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg. 8 p.m. 262-375-3676.

JIM GAFFIGAN, Dec. 30-31; The Pabst. 286-3663. 7 p.m. Tues., 10:30 p.m. Wed. 286-3663.

THEATER

THE DUCK VARIATIONS and REUNION, through Dec. 7; Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre, 2252 S. Kinnickinnic. Two plays by David Mamet reveal a heart and charm in Mamet that will affect and amaze you. 744-5757

THE DALY NEWS, through Dec 14; Broadway Theatre Center, Studio Theater, 158 N. Broadway. Jonathan Gillard Daly, well-known Milwaukee actor and playwright, takes us back to 1940s Milwaukee for a touching musical memoir about love and the distance between fathers and sons. Presented by Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. 291-7800.

MURDERERS, through Dec. 14; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St., 2nd floor. Next Act Theatre presents Jeff Hatcher's play, with a delightfully-dark humor and flair for the unexpected that keeps audiences guessing and laughing until the bitter end. 278-0765.

THE HAPPY ELF, through Dec. 24; Todd Wehr Theater of Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. First Stage Children's Theater presents heart-warming holiday musical from Harry Connick, Jr. that captures the joy of the season. Most appreciated by adults, teens and children three and up. 273-7206.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, through Dec. 28; Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. The Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents the timeless classic. 224-8490.

GREATER TUNA, through Dec. 28; Stackner Cabaret, Milwaukee Theater Center. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents a comedy that takes us to Texas' third smallest town. 224-9490.

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

A CUDAHY CAROLER CHRISTMAS, Dec. 3-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 SHOW, Dec. 4-20; Tenth Street Theatre, 628 N. 10th St. Songs and sketches to spice up the holidays, presented by In Tandem Theatre. 271-1371.

RUDOLPH, THE PISSED-OFF REINDEER, Dec. 5-20; Alchemist Theater, 2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. A thrill-comedy parody of the Rudolph story by Milwaukee playwright Patrick Schmitz. Visit www.bayviewlounge.com for showtimes and tickets.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Dec. 5-7, 11-14, 18-21, 31; Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Rd., Elm Grove. A holiday classic adapted from the Frank Capra film. 262-782-4430.

THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD, Dec. 9-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.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES & SEASON'S GREETINGS, Dec. 12-13 & 19-20; Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth St., Downtown Racine. Over Our Head Players presents two irreverent holiday tales by David Sedaris. Performances run just two weekends, Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:30 and 8 p.m. 262-632-6802.

WINTER TALES, Dec. 16-Jan. 4; Off-Broadway Theatre. John McGivern's Milwaukee memories promise memories and nostalgia. 278-0765.

GUYS ON ICE, Dec. 17-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.

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.

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.

TURN THE PAGES SLOWLY, through Dec. 7; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University. Rare books and manuscripts from the 14th through 20th centuries. 288-1669, 384-3100.

THE JEWELRY OF ARLINE FISCH, through Dec. 7; Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St. Fisch is a pioneer and innovator in the application of fiber techniques to metal. 262-636-8300.

FOSSIL, VINTAGE-OLOGY, through Dec. 31; Eisner Museum of Advertising and Design, 208 N. Water St. Fossil's iconic designs in products and packages. 847-3290.

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.

THE COTSEN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN BASKET COLLECTION, through Jan. 4; Racine Art Museum.

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; 770 N. Water St. Display includes 50 stuffed animals.

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. Installation artwork is dependent upon intuitive and nontechnical physical actions of visitors. Among the works featured are talking tables and virtual snowstorms. 224-3200.

STOP. LOOK. LISTEN: AN EXHIBITION OF VIDEO WORKS, through Feb. 22; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette Univesity. From the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University.

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.

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

HERENCIA, Dec. 5-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.

I AM SOLITAIRE, Dec. 8-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.

RICHARD HAAS, Dec. 10-Jan. 11; Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave. Thirty Years of Looking at Architecture 271-3656.

WISCONSIN MASTERS SERIES, Dec. 14-Jan. 25; Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave. Richard Earl Thompson (1914-1991). 278-8295.

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:
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.

SANTA VS. THE SNOWMAN, Nov. 28-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.

Current DANIEL M. SOREF PLANETARIUM shows:
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 ÒunsinkableÓ ship.

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.