art and entertainment - december 2009

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.

LIVE MUSIC, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights; Trinity • Three Irish Pubs, 125 E. Juneau Ave. 12/4 The Kingfish, 12/5 Element 13, 12/11 Zachary Wade Project, 12/12 The Cheapshots, 12/18 Boo the Band, 12/19 Southbound, 12/23 The Steelheads, 12/26 The Bystanders, 12/31 Element 13. 10 p.m. 278-7033.

LIVE MUSIC, County Clare pub/restaurant, 1234 N. Astor St. 12/12 Ian Gould, 12/23 Jerry Grillo Christmas, 12/26 Avalon Four. 10 p.m. Phone for additional listings. 272-5273.

PLAID TIDINGS, through Jan. 3; Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. The Plaids return from their untimely death to bring a little harmony to the world, via hits from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Presented by Skylight Opera Theatre. 291-7800.

HOLMES AND WATSON: A MUSICAL MYSTERY, through Jan. 3; Stackner Cabaret, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108 E. Wells St. Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend find themselves trapped in a locked room. They have until midnight to solve Moriarty’s deadly riddle in this world-premiere musical comedy. 224-9490.

GUY FIERI ROAD SHOW: FOOD MEETS ROCK, Dec. 2; Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. “Bad Boy” of the Food Network brings his show to town. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

FESTIVE SOIREE WITH ROBIN PLUER, Dec. 3-5; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Ave. 276-5760.

CHUCHITO VALDÉS' AFRO-CUBAN QUARTET, Dec. 4; Latino Arts, 1028 S. 9th St. 7:30 p.m. 384-3100.

LISA LAMPANELLI, Dec. 4; The Riverside. 8 p.m.

MSO HOLIDAY POPS, Dec. 4-6; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Marvin Hamlisch conducts as the Milwaukee Symphony performs favorite carols and holiday music. Surprise visits and special performances will put you in the yuletide spirit. 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun. 291-7605.

LINDA EDER, Dec. 4; Potawatomi Bingo Casino, Northern Lights Theater, 1921 W. Canal St. 9 p.m. 847-7922,
800-745- 3000.

FESTIVAL OF WINTER SPIRIT, Dec. 6; South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave., South Milwaukee. Milwaukee Children's Choir's first performance under new artistic director, Carol Storck. 2 p.m. 766-5049.

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA CHRISTMAS, Dec. 6; Turner Hall Ballroom, 1032 N. 4th St. 7:30 p.m. 273-7206.

THE IRISH TENORS, Dec. 6; The Riverside. 8 p.m.

MANHATTEN TRANSFER CHRISTMAS SHOW, Dec. 8; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

CHEAP TRICK, Dec. 9; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

THE BUCKINGHAMS, Dec. 11; Potawatomi Bingo Casino.
9 p.m.

MSO POPS AT THE WILSON CENTER, Dec. 12; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr. 8 p.m. 262-781-9520.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Dec. 13; Bradley Center.
3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 800-745-3000.

HOLIDAY CLASSICS: Messiah, Dec. 16-20; St. Various area churches. Presented by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. 291-7605.

SISTER HAZEL, Dec. 17; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

THE TEMPTERS, Dec. 18; Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

ANNIE, Dec. 18-19; The Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. Timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie, boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, 800-745-3000.

MUSIC WITH A BLACKBONE BENEFIT CONCERT, Dec. 19; Turner Hall Ballroom. 7-8 p.m. The Jeanna Salzer Band; 8:15-9:15 p.m. The Color Truth; 9:30-11 p.m. The Micah Olsan Band. Proceeds donated to American Syringomyelia Alliance Project.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH SPOON, Dec. 31; The Riverside.
9 p.m.

COMEDY

LEWIS BLACK, Dec. 5; Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

DAVE AND CAROLE-ING FOR CHRISTMAS, Dec. 12; Riverside Theater. 7:30 p.m.

JIM GAFFIGAN NEW YEARS EVE AND NEW YEARS EVE EVE, Dec. 30-31, The Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St.

DANCE

THE NUTCRACKER, Dec. 11-27; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Holiday classic is presented by Milwaukee Ballet Company. Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score is performed live by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and sung by the Milwaukee Children’s Choir, taking the production to a new level. 273-7206.

THEATER

MOON OVER THE BREWERY, through Dec. 13; Broadway Theatre Center, Studio Theater, 158 N. Broadway. Milwaukee Chamber Theatre production tells of single mother who works as a waitress to pay bills, but gains sustenance from painting and her 13-year old daughter. 291-7800.

SISTER'S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM, through Dec. 13; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. It's "Forensic Files goes to Bethlehem" by the author of Late Nite Catchism as Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages - whatever happened to the Magi's gold? ("We know that Mary used the frankincense and myrrh as a sort of potpourri - they were in a barn after all.") 273-7206.

7 STORIES, through Dec. 13; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St., second floor. The Man teeters on a seventh story ledge. We don’t know his reasons, but his purpose seems clear. The tentants who pop in and out of the surrounding windows, however, are too involved in their own petty problems to care about his dilemma. Presented by Next Act Theatre. 278-0765.

THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS, through Dec. 20; Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, 108 E. Wells St. Funny, nostalgic play based on actual letters to Ann Landers. Presented by Milwaukee Repertory Theater. 224-9490.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, through Dec. 24; Marcus Center. First Stage Children’s Theater presents unruly Herdman clan putting on annual Christmas pageant. 267-2929.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, through Dec. 27; Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. Adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens, this Milwaukee family tradition brings the true spirit of the holidays to both young and old. Presented by Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE…ABRIDGED, Dec. 3-19; Soulstice Theatre, 3195 E. Superior St. 37 plays in 97 Minutes, an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard's plays. 431-3187.

SCROOGE IN ROUGE, Dec. 4-Jan. 3; Tenth Street Theatre, 628 N. Tenth St. In a British Music Hall at the start of the 20th century, a troupe of 23 actors are about to embark on a musical version of the beloved classic, A Christmas Carol – until 20 of them come down with food poisoning. Madcap mayhem ensues as just three are left to pull off the show. Presented by In Tandem Theatre company. 271-1371.

THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI, Dec. 5-6, 11-13; Concordia University Wisconsin, Todd Wehr Auditorium, 12800 North Lake Shore Dr., Mequon. Presented by Acacia Theatre Company, this musical wraps the meaning of Christmas in the simplest of packages – selfless love. Filled with warmth, humor and lilting songs, and based on two O. Henry stories that have become holiday classics – “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Cop and the Anthem.” 744-5995.

JOHN MCGIVERN’S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, Dec. 16-27; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St., second floor. Milwaukee’s funniest man returns to the Off-Broadway with a new take on his favorite holiday season. Spiced with a few of his best hits, John’s latest tour through the McGivern family archives includes adventures on his paper route and mischief in the pews. Presented by Next Act Theatre. 278-0765.

EXHIBITS

LES PAUL’S HOUSE OF SOUND, MILWAUKEE MUSCLE, ENERGY & INGENUITY, CITY OF FRESHWATER, continuing; Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr.

ANDY WARHOL: THE LAST DECADE, through Jan. 3; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. First U.S. museum survey exhibit to explore the work that this seminal American artist produced during the final years of his life. 224-3200.

A GRAND AVENUE CHRISTMAS, through Jan. 10; Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. Featuring over a dozen of the mansion’s rooms elegantly transformed by local designers, businesses and residents. Stunning decorations, engaging Milwaukee history, and events and activities for all ages.

A VERY VINTAGE CHRISTMAS, through Jan. 10; Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave. From artichokes and greenery swags to multi-fruited garland, the Italian Renaissance-style mansion is decorated in the time honored tradition of Della Robbia. 271-3656.

A VERY VINTAGE CHRISTMAS, through Jan. 10; Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave. Featuring exquisitely adorned trees, greenery and the rich colors and traditions found in Milwaukee homes at the turn of the century.

PERSIAN VISIONS: CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY FROM IRAN, through Jan. 17; Haggerty Museum of Art, 530 N. 13th St., Marquette University. Works of photography and video installations by 20 of Iran’s most celebrated photographers. 288-1669.

TINKERTOY: BUILD YOUR IMAGINATION, through Jan. 24; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E Wisconsin Ave. Tinkertoy construction (celebrating the toy’s 95th anniversary) and educational activities inspired by GE technologies. 291-0888.

DOLLS OF THE WORLD: CUSTOMS, CULTURES AND CELEBRATIONS, through Jan. 30; Waukesha County Museum, 101 W. Main St., Waukesha. Developed with Toy Museum of New York, exhibit features dolls from England, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan, China, India and Africa. 262-521-2859.

CUBAN ARTISTS' BOOKS AND PRINTS: 1985–2008, through Feb. 5; Latino Arts, 1028 S. 9th St. non-traditional books and printed pieces created by 13 acclaimed artists from Cuba in response to living under a repressive government and difficult conditions. 384-3100.

UNSEEN ARCHITECTURE, through April 30; Eisner Museum of Advertising, 208 N. Water St. 18 local architectural firms showcase projects that have never been built or seen before. 847-3290.

CUBAN ARTISTS' BOOKS AND PRINTS: 1985–2008, Dec. 4-Feb. 5; Latino Arts, 1028 S. 9th St. 384-3100.

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 and upcoming IMAX shows:

AFRICA: THE SERENGETI, through Jan. 21: Safari into the "last great place on earth" where life and death dramas are played daily within the earth's most important animal sanctuary.

WILD OCEAN, through March 18: Explores the interplay between man and the endangered ocean ecosystem, an epic struggle for survival where animals collide mankind.

THE POLAR EXPRESS, through Jan. 3; Extraordinary train ride to the North Pole.

Current and upcoming DANIEL M. SOREF PLANETARIUM shows:

ICE WORLDS, through Dec. 11; Travel to the Arctic and Antarctic to examine the ecosystems that live and thrive there, then travel beyond Earth. Finishes with “The Pluto Story,” a look at the ex-planet produced by the Milwaukee Public Museum.

GALILEO: THE POWER OF THE TELESCOPE, through March 18; Learn Galileo’s personal and powerful story, and explore how his discoveries displaced long-held views about the universe.

MYSTERY OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR, through Jan. 3; Journey back 2000 years to Bethlehem to discover which ancient star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus.