#5: “Reach Across the Breach” at King Community Center, 1531 W. Vliet St.
Why? Because this production from Loose Canon Theatre features performers from Milwaukee’s homeless community, who will sing, tell stories and otherwise display their many talents. And because sometimes, the most meticulously constructed play can’t compete with a personal story, truthfully told. May 22 at 1:30 p.m. For information contact Jessi Miller at jessimiller17@gmail.com.
#4: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Pabst:
Why? Because Jones is the real thing, spending the last 30-some years in the background of soul and Motown recordings, and working as a prison guard when the music gigs weren’t forthcoming. Because her fourth album with the Dap Kings (you might remember them from Amy Winehouse’s debut), is full of sweet Stax horns and Jones’s signature bravura vocals. And because they are a force of nature in concert, as well.
#3: Pink Banana Theatre’s Sex, Drugs and The American Way
Why? Because Pink Banana’s annual one-act play festival lets you sample not one or two but eight different all-new plays. Because it promises “all the chemical dependency you can stand.” And because it also promises a taste of the unsavory craze that is claiming innocent victims across the U.S.: Live Theater.
#2: The Florentine’s Rigoletto at the Marcus Center:
Why? Because this vengeful court jester is one of the great characters created by opera master Guiseppe Verdi. Because it’s a way to tackle a Victor Hugo story without reading 1000 pages (very fine print). Because a little taste of the skullduggery in the court of Mantua will make good old American skullduggery seem like a day in the park. And because you loved Georgia Jarman in Daughter of the Regiment and I Capuleti e i Montecchi, and can’t wait for her performance as the jester’s daughter, Gilda.
#1: Skylight Theatre’s Rent at the Broadway Theatre Center:
Why? Well, there are 525,600 reasons why, but consider just a few. Because you know and love Jonathan Larson’s hit 1996 musical, and you’ve seen it in New York and on tour. But you’ve never seen it in an intimate space like the Cabot Theater. Or…because you just haven’t gotten around to seeing it, and are a little curious about this 90s update of Puccini’s La Boheme. Or because the Skylight has been eager to do this show for years, and you can be sure they will bring their A-game, including netting Donna Drake, former Chorus Line cast member and Broadway director to helm the show.
