On Stage

Soprano Erica Schuller (Elvira), bass Kevin Glavin (Mustafa), baritone Daniel Belcher (Taddeo), tenor Ryan McPherson (Lindoro). Bottom: soprano Daniela Mack (Isabella). – Photo: Richard Brodzeller

The moment they announced the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording nearly a month ago, Daniel Belcher realized he’d be up there all by himself on stage. Alone. To accept a Grammy Award. He looked around the celebrity-studded auditorium. No one else was moving toward the podium.

Greta Oglesby as Ma Rainey

“White folks don’t understand the blues,” says Ma Rainey to her sidemen during a break in the recording studio, which is run by white men. “They hear it come out, but they don’t know how it got there. They don’t understand that’s life’s way of talking.”

Betsy Skowbo, Drew Brhel and C. Michael Wright. – Photo: Mark Frohna

When it comes to collecting stamps, mistakes and errors augment the value – a paradox that’s at the center of Theresa Rebeck’s intriguing thriller “Mauritius.” Her background in writing television crime dramas is evident in both the atmosphere and dialogue of the play, which receives riveting treatment at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.

A scene from choreographer Petr Zahradnicek’s “Concourse” (2010). – Photo: Mark Frohna

It’s a typical afternoon at the Milwaukee Ballet rehearsal spaces. Dancers lounge around waiting to practice, observing other dancers in motion from the viewing balcony on the second floor. They whisper their approval when one of those rehearsing below executes a difficult move.

Daniela Mack

The moment they announced the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording nearly a month ago, Daniel Belcher suddenly realized he’d be up there all by himself on stage. Alone. To accept a Grammy Award. He looked around the celebrity-studded auditorium. No one else was moving toward the podium.

“Make Me a Song” features Nicole Riege, Bruce Wheeler, Lisa Spierer, Bobby Goderich and Ken Kusiak. – Photo: Alex Szele

Look out, Scott Walker! “Make Me a Song,” a satirical musical that takes on the Republican Party, receives its Midwestern premiere on March 11 in Madison. The play is by William Finn, the lyricist-composer who created the hit “Falsettos.”

Steve Koehler, Liz Baltes, PJ Baccari and Alison Mary Forbes. – Photo: Courtesy

Thanks to the Skylight Opera Theatre, the songs of Jacques Brel are alive and well performed once again, giving audiences the chance to see and hear this rarely done revue by the Belgian singer/songwriter.

Marilyn White in the titular role in Off the Wall Theatre’s production of Bertolt Brecht’s classic “Mother Courage.” – Photo: Courtesy

Throughout history, war has always been good for business.

Colleen Madden and Olivia Dawson in “Going to St. Ives.” – Photo: Zane Williams

When strong women come together, hearts ignite, sparks fly and sometimes a combined clarity of vision emerges to reveal truths that aren’t always pretty. This thesis, brought to life by two compelling characters, drives Forward Theater Co.’s powerful production of Lee Blessing’s “Going to St. Ives” at Promenade Hall in Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts.

‘Corpus Christi’ – Photo: Courtesy

Since opening in New York in 1998, Terrence McNally’s play “Corpus Christi” has sparked controversy throughout the world for its depiction of Jesus as a gay man living in 20th–century Texas.