#5: Soulstice Theatre’s The Foreigner at the Marian Center.
Why? Because like homemade chocolate chips cookies or a favorite bedtime story, some things are worth revisiting again and again. You may have seen Larry Shue’s side-splitting and award-winning comedy before – on Broadway, at the Milwaukee Rep, at your kid’s high school – but its combination of hilarity and heart make it worth a rerun.
#4: Stas Venglevski and Mischa Litvin at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
Why? Because you’re heard Stas Venglevski play Bach or Tchaikovsky on the accordion-like bayan, but you’ve never heard him visit the old country, performing Russian folk songs that are tailor-made for his instrument. Add Mischa Litvin’s mandolin, and you have just the right atmosphere for a samovar of tea and some hearty brown bread and butter.
#3: Gogol Bordello at Turner Hall.
Why? Because on Halloween weekend, it’s a fine time to “Start Wearing Purple,” as Gogol Bordello’s anthem commands. And it’s a fine time to move and groove in a sea of world-music fans as they gyrate to Eugene Hutz’s punk-ish blend of gypsy, samba and psychedelia. With Transcontinental Hustle, the band’s major label debut, fresh pressed and ready to sell, the Bordello crew should be in particularly high spirits.
#2: Milwaukee Ballet’s Esmerelda at Marcus Center.
Why? Because Lon Chaney and Charles Laughton are dead and gone, but Victor Hugo’s tale of the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral lives in on Michael Pink’s ballet adaptation of the story. As with last year’s hit, Peter Pan, the music is by Philip Feeney, and there’s a great story to tell.
#1: Youngblood Theatre’s Freakshow at Lincoln Warehouse.
Why? Because the emergence of the adventurous Youngblood company is bringing new energy into the Milwaukee theater scene. And because its production of Spirits to Enforce was a highlight of last season, and they’ve chosen another curious and original play to open this year: Carson Kreitzer’s story of a stalled traveling sideshow. Don’t miss it.
