#5: Tape at Pink Banana Theatre.
Why? Because Pink Banana is another young theater company that’s keeping things interesting. Here, they’ll perform Steven Belber’s Rashoman-like exploration of truth and friendship. Pink Banana’s twist: the play is set in a Midwestern hotel room, and they’ll stage it in a Midwestern hotel room. Seating is obviously limited.
#4: Two Sisters and a Piano at Renaissance Theatreworks.
Why? Because you know you’ve heard that name – Nilo Cruz – somewhere before. Probably when you read about his play, Anna in the Tropics, winning the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for drama. His 1998 Two Sisters – about two sisters placed under house arrest in 1991 Cuba – is another example of Cruz’s great sense of character and language. Mary McDonald Kerr directs this staged reading.
#3: Dr. John and the Lower 911 at Turner Hall.
Why? Because Treme is over (at least season one) and Mardi Gras is still a few months away. But any time is a good time for some New Orleans soul and perhaps an impromptu second line. And since Malcolm John “Mac” Rebennack, Jr. will turn 70 this month, we can show him that Milwaukee celebrations can compete with those of the Big Easy, even if plastic beads and parkas aren’t the most fashionable combination.
#2: Eddie Palmieri at Alverno Presents.
Why? Because he’s brought Latin rhythms to jazz (and jazz sophistication to Latin rhythms) for near 50 years, and he’ll bring a seven-piece band to the Pitman Theater. And because Milwaukee’s own Brian Lynch, who has played on several of Palmieri’s albums, will be there with his trumpet in tow.
#1: Movies, Movies, Movies.
Why? Prepare yourself for the onslaught of holiday blockbusters with something completely different as several “mini-festivals” set up shop this week. The Turkish American Association of Wisconsin hosts a weekend festival at the UWM Union Theater, which includes Soul Kitchen, the latest from Fatih Akin, a major international talent. Piedmonte Cinema is a mini-festival of three films from the Italian north, which includes introductions and discussion by film scholar Domenico Gargale and, of course, wine (Nov. 11 & 12 at Discovery World). And Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett bring their brilliant Found Footage Festival to town, a compendium of film and video clips that have been found at rummage sales, dumpsters and other fonts of cinematic treasures.
