On Stage

Doing the Time Warp again in Madison

Written by Michael Muckian Feb 10, 2011
Richard O'brien's "The Rocky Horror Show"

Richard O'brien's "The Rocky Horror Show"

If it’s been a while since you’ve donned Riff Raff’s hump, Brad’s horn-rimmed glasses or Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s eye makeup and bustier, never fear. Thanks to University Theatre on the UW-Madison campus, we’ll all soon be able to do the Time Warp again.

‘39 Steps’ takes suspense to hilarious heights

Written by Jody Hirsh,
Contributing writer
Jan 27, 2011
Gerard Neugent and Reese Madigan in “The 39 Steps.”

Gerard Neugent and Reese Madigan in “The 39 Steps.” – Photo: Michael Brosilow

The funny thing about “The 39 Steps,” now playing on the Quadracci Powerhouse stage at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater is … it’s funny! The murder, mayhem, espionage, chase scenes and miraculous escapes of the iconic Alfred Hitchcock thriller on which the play is based are all there. But in Patrick Barlow’s brilliant 2005 stage adaptation, they’re presented with humor.

Speaking of love in Madison

Written by Michael Muckian,
Contributing writer
Jan 27, 2011
The Love That Changed My Life

Forward Theater Co.’s monologue festival is Feb. 11-12 in Promenade Hall at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts. Go to forwardtheater.com

Just in time to help lovers of all persuasions celebrate St. Valentines Day, Madison’s Forward Theater Co. presents “The Love that Changed My Life,” a monologue festival featuring short works by playwrights from Wisconsin and across the nation. The individual readings take place in Promenade Hall at Overture Center for the Arts Feb. 11- 12.

A year of talent, on stage and off

Written by Harry Cherkinian,
Contributing writer
Dec 30, 2010
The Subject was Roses

“The Subject Was Roses”

With the dawn of 2011, it’s time to reflect on last year’s rich theatrical offerings in Milwaukee. The good news? The city has an uncanny abundance of great talent, both in front of the spotlight and behind it. With so much to choose from, here are a few standouts that made the past year memorable for this reviewer.

‘Becky Shaw’ explores the hazards of love

Written by Harry Cherkinian Feb 10, 2011
“Becky Shaw” is onstage Feb. 15-March 20. – Photo: Courtesy

“Becky Shaw” is onstage Feb. 15-March 20. – Photo: Courtesy

Having performed in many productions in the Milwaukee area for years, out local actor David Flores is comfortable on stage. But with “Becky Shaw,” he’s taking a different turn, directing his first straight drama (pun intended) at Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre. He’s finding that being an acting veteran onstage helps with directing offstage.

‘Red Light Winter’ explores obsession

Written by Harry Cherkinian,
Contributing writer
Jan 27, 2011

Youngblood Theatre Company’s production of “Red Light Winter” was interrupted a year ago after Andrew Edwin Voss, one of the company’s actors and co-founders, was stabbed and critically injured. Fortunately Voss recovered, and Youngblood has remounted the production for those who missed the few original performances of this intelligent, compelling and decidedly adult work.

Playwright Adam Rapp’s bleak, desolate vision of romantic obsession is centered on two former college buddies – the neurotic, insecure and romantically challenged Matt (David Rothrock) and the arrogant, cocky Davis (Voss). On a trip to Amsterdam, Davis decides to end Matt’s “love drought,” which he himself caused by stealing Matt’s fiancé. Davis visits the city’s Red Light District and brings back the French prostitute Christina (Tess Cinpinski). Matt falls for Christina, and Christina falls for Davis. And Davis? He is the emotional poison that slowly, irrevocably works its way into the core of this threesome, with disastrous results for all, including Davis himself.

Kathy Griffin tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 14

Written by Louis Weisberg Jan 12, 2011

Kathy Griffin, who twice headlined at Milwaukee PrideFest, is filming a special for Bravo live at The Riverside Theater on Saturday, Feb. 19. The Emmy-winning Chicago native will perform two stand-up shows that evening – at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Reserved seating tickets are $35 and go on sale Friday, Jan. 14, at noon. They can be purchased online, by phone at 800-511-1552 or at The Pabst and The Riverside box offices.

Drag is spicing up New York stages this winter

Written by Louis Weisberg Dec 22, 2010

Will Swenson went from very hairy to virtually hairless in a matter of weeks.

He jumped from acting in “Hair: in London's West End in May to vamping in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical” in Toronto. Now instead of cultivating his curls, Swenson finds himself shaving – a lot.

‘Crumbs’ provides a buffet of themes

Written by Harry Cherkinian,
Contributing writer
Jan 27, 2011

Milwaukee theater continues to expand its horizons with an exciting collaboration between Renaissance Theaterworks, the city’s only women-founded, women-run theater company, and Uprooted Theatre, the only all African-American theater company.

As part of its diversity series, the two companies recently staged “Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” an early work by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, an African-American playwright whose last work was seen at The Rep with the 2006 production of “Intimate Apparel.”

Look out, old Mackie is back in town

Written by Michael Muckian,
Contributing writer
Jan 27, 2011
The Threepenny Opera

Madison Opera’s production of “The Threepenny Opera” runs Feb. 4-13 at The Playhouse at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts. Go to madisonopera.org.

Mack the Knife and his colorful entourage of petty thieves and streetwalkers return to the stage Feb. 4 in Madison Opera’s new production of “The Threepenny Opera.” By author Bertolt Brecht and composer Kurt Weill, the gritty classic on social injustice in Victorian London runs for seven performances.

‘Mamma Mia!’ Here they go again

Written by Michael Muckian,
Contributing writer
Dec 30, 2010
Mamma Mia

From the touring production of “Mamma Mia!” – Photo: Joan Marcus

As part of the ensemble for the North American touring company of “Mamma Mia!” for the past 18 months, Mario Matthews is well acquainted with the music of ABBA. The play revolves entirely around the Swedish pop group’s playlist, and Matthews knows all the words to all the songs that appear in the seemingly never-ending touring show.

Painting Hope

Written by Michael Muckian,
Contributing writer
Dec 16, 2010
Thom Bierdz

Actor/artist Thom Bierdz – Photo: Courtesy

When the actor Thom Bierdz returned to the CBS daytime drama “The Young and the Restless” to reintroduce his character of Phillip Chancellor III, he made history of a sort as the first openly gay actor to play an openly gay soap opera character. It was the only way he would return to the show, the Kenosha native said, because he had changed and needed his character to be true to who he is.