On Stage

Despite her reputation as demanding, Patti LuPone says she takes things as they come. – Photo: Courtesy

Having set the standard for many of the juiciest roles the musical stage has to offer, Patti LuPone is frequently asked to name her favorite. She bristles at the question.

This 1932 portrait of dock workers in Havana by photographer Walker Evans is part of the collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. – Photo: Courtesy

The most famous character in "A Thousand Words," a play by Madison author Gwendolyn Rice, never appears on stage. But his influence characterizes the often-uncomfortable collusion between art and commerce that forms the cornerstone of Rice's work, giving rise to the question of whether art is produced primarily for commercial consumption or for the benefit of its makers.

Richard Carsey and Niffer Clarke are teaming up to present ''Beyond the Ingénue'' at Skylight Opera's Studio Theatre from Dec. 30 to Jan. 8. – Photo: Courtesy

Shirley Jones, Julie Andrews and Barbara Cook defined the term "ingénue" for a generation of musical theatergoers. Wholesomely beautiful, they projected the sort of innocence that could win a man's heart – and the wit to make for an entertaining courtship. Most importantly, their glorious sopranos gave voice to the golden music of such masters of the musical stage as Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.

''Next To Normal.'' – Photo: Michael Brosilow

Mark Clements, artistic director for the Milwaukee Rep, went through a period of depression from 2005-2007. The bouts were sometimes debilitating, but initially he was too ashamed to seek help. Once he found help, he was amazed by how supportive friends, family and therapists could be. Sharing his pain helped to dissipate it and put him on the road to recovery, he found.

Jonathan Larson, the late composer of ''RENT.'' – Photo: Courtesy

Fans of the musical "RENT" are, by default, fans of its creator, the late Jonathan Larson. And fans of Larson would do well to treat themselves to Soulstice Theatre's production of "tick, tick … BOOM!," Larson's musical that preceded his better known Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning update of "La Boheme."

“A Kodachrome Christmas” reunites Emmy-award winning actor and Milwaukee favorite son John McGivern with playwright/director Pat Hazell, a consultant on the first season of NBC’s “Seinfeld.” The two collaborated successfully on “Wonder Bread Years” and “Bunk Bed Brothers” to produce nostalgic laughs for Baby Boomer sensibilities. Their latest joint effort blends the spirit of those prior works with McGivern’s popular one-man shows about growing up in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater artistic director Mark Clements directs a scene in the upcoming production of ''Next to Normal.'' – Photo: Adam Horowitz

On mild days, you might still find Mark Clements walking his pooches – boxers Walter and Blanche – on the Milwaukee lakefront. If he appears to be lost in thought, perhaps he's reminiscing about a Green Bay Packers game or London's Arsenal football (soccer) club. Don't be surprised if his head turns at the potato-potato-potato sound of an idling Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

John Arnold as the younger Galileo and William Joyner as the older Galileo in Madison's upcoming production. – Photo: Madison Opera

"In a dark time, the eye begins to see," wrote American poet Theodore Roethke. That same conceit may have contributed to the construction of "Galileo Galilei," minimalist composer Phillip Glass' biographical opera of the 17th century scientist and astronomer. History remembers Galileo as the man persecuted by the Catholic Church for his support of the theory that the earth revolved around the sun.

Blue Man Group appears Jan. 3 to 8 at Milwaukee's Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and Jan. 24 to 29 at Madison's Overture Center for the Arts. – Photo: Courtesy

Kirk Massey plans to enter the New Year being very blue, but that's something for which he also is very thankful.

Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink. – Photo: Adam Horwitz

As far as Michael Pink is concerned, comparisons between him and Billy Elliott, the fictional lad from northern England who gave up boxing to pursue ballet, are purely coincidental. But as artistic director of the Milwaukee Ballet, Pink has created a one-two punch during his nine-year tenure, coupling narrative with athleticism in ways that have turned the ballet into one of the city's performing arts heavyweights.

Moscow Ballet's ''Great Russian Nutcracker'' comes to Milwaukee's Riverside Theater on Dec. 1. – Photo: Courtesy

Wisconsin stages will be filled with singing, dancing, acting up, acting out and other forms of merriment this holiday season. Mark your calendar and make your plans for 24 days of holiday cheer.