#5: In Tandem Theatre’s Veronica’s Position at the 10th Street Theatre.
Why? Because you might have heard about this election thing? You go to the library, get strip-searched, and get to highlight your favorite names on a big piece of cardboard. Well politics is on the agenda at In Tandem, too. The final show of its 2011-12 season spoofs both Washington and Thee-Ah-Tah with a story about pols and actors mixing it up over the usual censorship and arts funding issues. T. Stacy Hicks and Tiffany Vance star in Rich Orloff’s muscular satire.
#4: In Love…Yet Again at Alchemist Theatre.
Why? Because Jason Powell is at it again. But this time, Milwaukee’s favorite home-grown musical theater composer sets his sights not on space aliens or villainous schoolmasters, but on the mysteries of love. He calls it a “Romantic-Depressive Musical Comedy,” and we’re guessing Powell’s tuneful songs and warped wit will tip keep the comedy in the forefront. Mallory Metoxen directs. Powell himself stars, along with Joanna Kerner, Katy Johnson, Ashley Retzlaff and Sydonia Lucchesi.
#3: In the Heights at the Milwaukee Theatre.
Why? Because it’s the Tony-award winning musical that you probably never heard of, since it’s completely void of falling chandeliers, obscene Mormons and green witches. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ portrait of New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood is full of urban energy and Dominican rhythms. The music is infectious, the dancing is electric. And the cast features Milwaukee native Kyle Taylor Parker, a graduate of the Milwaukee High School of the Arts.
#2: Summer Stories at Next Act Theatre.
Why? Because Milwaukee summers aren’t only about parading cigarette boats down the Milwaukee River, picnic-table standing at Summerfest, or deafening Lakefront air shows. John McGivern’s evening of stories evokes the quiet neighborhood summers that you remember from your youth and perhaps still experience—cicadas, being home when the street lights go on, building forts in vacant lots. Like many of his seasonal shows, this one will sell out, so don’t wait to get your tickets. And start your summer with a bit of wistful nostalgia and honest laughter.
#1: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the Marcus Center.
Why? Because last weekend, the orchestra tackled an ambitious program of Debussy and Bruckner and showed just how much the orchestra has developed under music director Edo de Waart. This weekend, the MSO plays the second of its pre-Carnegie Hall concerts, highlighting Qigang Chen’s Iris dévoilée (“Iris unveiled”), a contemporary work for orchestra and traditional Chinese instruments. “Iris” will be on the program when the orchestra plays New York’s Carnegie Hall next weekend. And even if you’re a little unsure about contemporary music, the “curtain raiser” for this weekend’s concert is Brahms’ Third Symphony.
