Holiday Fun abounds this holiday season in Milwaukee with plenty of great entertainment to choose from for all ages. The Milwaukee Rep celebrates with its 36th annual production of Charles Dickens’ beloved A Christmas Carol starring James Pickering as the inventor of “Bah! Humbug” who learns the true meaning of Christmas thanks to three ghosts.The Rep production delights with its very musical version created by director Joe Hanreddy and veteran writer-director Ed Morgan. (Runs through Dec. 24 at the Pabst Theatre).
Speaking of Ol’ Scrooge…………this time he takes on quite a humorous persona in In Tandem Theatre’s hilarious send up, Scrooge in Rouge. Set in a Victorian British dance hall setting, three performers play a variety of roles in this nonstop funny retelling of Dickens. Kudos to Chris Flieller, Marcella Kearns and especially Matt Daniels, who once again, delights as the oversized, clumsy dance hall “vixen.” You have to see this to fully enjoy the comic slapshtick In Tandem does so well. A bit of Christmas cheer for adults only. (Runs through Dec. 31).
Christmas in the Basilica at St. Josaphat echoed with the enchanting sounds of Bel Canto Chorus under the flawless direction of Richard Hynson. Both performances were sold out (even given the Packers/Raiders game!) and it’s easy to see and hear why. The 85 minutes of music (minus 25 minute intermission) filled the gorgeous setting with such familiar tunes as “The First Noel” and “Away in an Manger to the majestic strains of “Torches” and a deeply moving version of “Silent Night,” highlighting the innovative arrangements of Michelle Hynson, whose works shone light a bright star throughout (“On High” medley). The Bel Canto Boy Choirs charmed the attentive capacity audience with “O Magnum Mysterium” and “I saw Three Ships” among others. For those who couldn’t finagle a ticket, Bel Canto just released a new Christmas CD which contains many of this year’s selections. (visit: http://www.belcanto.org for more information).
There’s still time to celebrate the holidays if dance is your way to “get the holiday party started” with The Milwaukee Ballet‘s annual production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker which runs through Dec. 26. Artistic Director Michael Pink has made this holiday classic the ballet’s own, with delightful sequences geared to children, young (and older as well), especially as Clara and her nutcracker prince travel to faraway places and see the sumptuous carousel in Act 2, moveable parts and all. A seasonal delight that truly always delights. (Visit: http://www.milwaukeeballet.org).
And if you’re already thinking ahead to New Year’s entertainment……The Skylight Opera Theatre will feature the ever talented actress Niffer Clarke in her (well-deserved) one woman show, Beyond the Ingenue. Skylight audiences will remember Clarke’s amazing range–vocally and otherwise–as the frumpy Wife in Josh Schmidt’s Adding Machine last season to the Skylight’s most recent show, the thoroughly entertaining The Music Man where Clarke dazzled as Marian the Librarian. In Ingenue, Clarke pays homage to singing greats Julie Andrews, Barbara Cook and Shirley Jones, who Clarke toured with and well tell stories and anecdotes. (It was Jones who played the screen role of Marian in the film The Music Man).
And when you’re home from all the holiday performances, here’s wishing everyone the happiest and merriest of Christmases!
blognirvana 