#5: The Fine Arts Quartet at UWM’s Zelazo Center
Why? Because it’s time to say hello to Robert Cohen, the new cellist of the city’s preeminent chamber ensemble. A Brit who made his performing debut at Royal Festival Hall in London (at the tender age of 12, no less), Cohen has played with just about every major orchestra, conductor and chamber ensemble you can think of. For his inaugural concert with the FAQ, the group will tackle Saint-Saens and Brahms, including the Brahms F minor piano quintet—considered by many to be his greatest piece of chamber music—with the equally preeminent Joseph Kalichstein.
#4: Tick, Tick. . . Boom! at Soulstice Theatre
Why? Well, there are about 525,600 reasons why. Larson, of course, was the man behind the much heralded and loved Rent, including the song “Seasons of Love,” which wondered whether the course of a year can be measured in minutes (see above). Larson’s first work, a one-man-show about the struggles of a musical theater composer much like himself, was adapted after his death into this three-person chamber musical. The intrepid folks at Soulstice will certainly connect with the scores of Rent groupies with this production.
#3: Gershwin and Friends at the Skylight Theatre
Why? Because sometimes, you’re maybe not in the mood for musicals with dark, tragic undertones (see above), and feel like the time is right (like maybe, the middle of a dreary winter) for some luscious love songs and witty wordplay. The Skylight is happy to oblige, reprising its hit show from last season, and bringing it to the Cabot Theatre where it can really raise the rafters. It’s a simple idea, a couple—the talented Cynthia Cobb and Parrish Collier—pay tribute to the great songwriters of the early 20th century: George and Ira, of course, but also Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen and Fats Waller.
#2: “Terminal Milwaukee” at Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall
Why? Because if you want to acquaint (or reacquaint) yourself with your home town, WMSE’s Tom Crawford is your man. In the latest from his continuing series with the storytelling collective, Ex Fabula, Crawford recalls his time in the Burnham Park neighborhood, and the hangouts like Art’s Concertina Bar (now called Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall), The Outer Limits and The Daily Planet. Crawford hosts an evening of stories at Kochanski’s that revolve around the theme “Generation Gap.” And invites others to share their recollections—even, perhaps, you.
#1: The Poetry Marathon at Woodland Pattern Book Center
Why? Because you like poetry. You occasionally dabble in it. And you may just want to go beyond dabbling in the near future. Even if you haven’t stepped inside Milwaukee’s literary haven in years, there is something comforting about knowing that it’s there, doing it’s good work, and keeping books on its shelves in anticipation of a future browser. The annual poetry marathon is a chance to see established poets—Susan Firer, Antler, Marilyn Taylor, Brenda Cardenas—sample from their recent work. But it’s also a tribute to dabblers who are reading their work for the first time. It’s a great community celebration of words and ideas and creative energy. And it will keep you warm and moving forward through the cruel months ahead.
And in this particularly busy week and weekend, we can’t help mentioning a few more events:
Eric Jacobson and his quintet pay tribute to Clifford Brown at the Wilson Center
Frank Almond and friends honor Franz Liszt at Schwan Concert Hall
First Stage Children’s Theater stages Madeleine L’Engle’s classic story, A Wrinkle in Time
Daily Show funnyman John Oliver holds forth at the Pabst Theatre
And the Milwaukee Symphony stirs things up with a performance of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring
