Out on the Town: A curated listing of local entertainment

Jan. 13 – 27

Ongoing

A dysfunctional family mixed with a dash of Chekov takes center stage in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. The show is sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio, and runs Jan. 12–28 at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave., Racine. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, with 2 p.m. matinees Jan. 20 and Jan. 28. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors (62+), and $13 for students (21 and under). Two additional performances are offered Jan. 21 and Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. for a discounted rate. 262-633-4218 or racinetheatre.org

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Among the most famous political novels of all time, Animal Farm is an allegory of idealism betrayed by the desire for personal power. The Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents its production of the Orwell classic through Feb. 11 in the Quadracci Powerhouse at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. Showtimes are Tuesday–Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 to $60. 414-224-9490 or milwaukeerep.com

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Renaissance Theaterworks presents Erika Sheffer’s moral thriller, Russian Transport, a Russian immigrant family’s story of its struggle to achieve the “American Dream.” Directed by Laura Gordon, the drama runs Jan. 19–Feb. 11 at the Studio Theater at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. Showtimes are Wednesday–Friday at 7:30 p.m., select Saturdays at 8 p.m., and matinee performances Saturdaya at 4 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and select Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Tickets are $40, with senior and student discounts available. 414-291-7800 or r-t-w.com

Degas to Picasso: Creating Modernism in France tells the story of modern art’s development through 150 works by influential artists working in Paris during the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition — which includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures — features works by masters of modern art including Manet, Degas, van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso, and is on view through Jan. 28. The Milwaukee Art Museum is located at 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday, which is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $19 for adults, $17 for students (w/ID) and seniors (65+), free for members, and free for kids 12 and under courtesy of Kohl’s Cares. 414-224-3200 or mam.org

January 13 to 20

Milwaukee Record presents Local Coverage, a night of nine local Milwaukee groups and artists covering the music of their fellow local artists. The 15-minute sets include De La Buena playing Jaill, Whiskey of The Damned playing Listening Party and Space Raft playing NO/NO. The show takes place Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N. Fourth St., Milwaukee. Tickets are $12. All profits go to Milwaukee Women’s Center. 414-286-3663 or pabsttheater.org

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Da Vinci & Michelangelo: The Titans Experience returns to Milwaukee Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. The multi-media event features host Mark Rodgers and an assemblage of movies, 3-D animations, and images of da Vinci and Michelangelo’s inventions, machines, sketches, codices, paintings and sculptures. Tickets are $25–$40. 414-286-3663 or pabsttheater.org

Laughing Liberally Milwaukee is a monthly, progressive political comedy show featuring some of Milwaukee’s top liberal and progressive comedians. The show takes place Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. at ComedySportz Theater, 420 S. First St., Milwaukee. Admission is $8. The show is hosted by comedian, satirist and progressive talk-radio host Matthew Filipowicz, and January’s outing will feature Deon Green, Brittany Tilander, Josh Fred, Chastity Washington, Jason Hillman and sketch comedy group The Accountants of Homeland Security. In addition to the comedians, Laughing Liberally Milwaukee will feature an interview with Amy Mizialko, the vice president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. laughingliberallymilwaukee.tumblr.com

January 21 to 27

Young cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser — together known as 2CELLOS — have achieved success by taking cello performance to a new level, breaking down boundaries between musical genres, from classical and film music to pop and rock. The duo brings The Score Tour to the BMO Harris Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St., Milwaukee, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 to $57.50. 414-227-0894 or bmoharrisbradleycenter.com

An all-new, monthly comedy showcase presented by Good City Brewing and Milwaukee Comedy, Craft Brew Comedy takes place Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Good City Hall, 2108 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee. Tickets are $7 pre-sale or $10 at the door. The show presents some of the finest in local and regional comedy acts, along with food and craft beer from Good City. goodcitybrewing.com

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South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center presents master illusionist Vitaly Beckman in An Evening of Wonders. The show happens Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave., South Milwaukee. Tickets are $25–$40 for adults, $20–$35 for seniors (60+), and $10–$20 for students (age 4 through college). Beckman has mystified fans from all over the world, including Las Vegas superstars Penn & Teller, whom he successfully fooled on their television show, Fool Us. 414-766-5049 or southmilwaukeepac.org

MJ LIVE is a Michael Jackson tribute show featuring a full theatrical stage production with powerful sound, lighting, visual effects, team of dancers and live band, taking audiences back to when the King of Pop ruled the charts. Rotating impersonators including Justin Dean, Jalles Franca and Tony Kouns perform as MJ. The show takes place Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Pabst Theater 144 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. Tickets are $29.50–$75. In addition to Michael Jackson’s solo hits, MJ LIVE also includes a Jackson 5 segment. 414-286-3663 or pabsttheater.org

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Myths come alive in a pair of English one-act operas presented by Florentine Opera Company. John Blow’s Venus & Adonis and Henry Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas blend with one another into one evening of opera. The performances take place Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 28 at 2:30 p.m. at Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 State St., Milwaukee. Single tickets start at $40. Audiences will hear the pieces the way 17th-century audiences did, with lower-pitched tuning and gut strings providing a warm sound. 414-291-5700 or florentineopera.org

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Comedian and performer Wayne Brady headlines Laugh It Up Milwaukee 2018, the annual Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) fundraiser that celebrates community partnership. Brady is the current host of Let’s Make a Deal and recently starred as Aaron Burr in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamilton in Chicago. The show takes place at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at The Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Tickets are $45–$95. Proceeds support programs of the JCC and Laugh It Up Milwaukee 2018 partner beneficiary Safe & Sound. 414-286-3663 or pabsttheater.org

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Standup comedian and actor Jim Florentine is perhaps best known for co-hosting VH1 Classic’s heavy-metal talk show That Metal Show and his work on Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers. Florentine brings his comedy to the Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, 1721 W. Canal St., Milwaukee, Jan. 27, with shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. 414-847-7922 or paysbig.com