#5: The Prometheus Trio at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
Why? Because the Milwaukee chamber music season officially begins with its flagship ensemble, and they offer a typically imaginative and original program for those who enjoy music a little “smaller.” There’s nothing “small” about Beethoven’s Second Symphony, but the Prometheus—cellist Scott Tisdel, violinist Timothy Klabunde and pianist Stephanie Jacob—bring Beethoven down to size with the composer’s own arrangement of the Second for string trio. Gabriel Pierné’s Op. 45 Trio opens the concert to get everyone in the mood.
#4: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the Marcus Center.
Why? Because after last weekend’s stunning concert version of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, you’d think Edo de Waart and company would take it easy. But they are back at it with cellist Alisa Weilerstein (a 2011 MacArthur “genius”) to perform a substantial program that includes Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Benjamin Britten’s suite from Peter Grimes, and Dvorak’s uplifting and stirring 8th Symphony.
#3: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s The Good Father at the Broadway Theatre Center.
Why? Because MCT’s artistic director C. Michael Wright is as fond of the familiar as they next guy, but he also loves unearthing little known plays for Milwaukee audiences. Christian O’Reilly’s Irish gem fits that bill, and it allows Wright to work his magic with two of Milwaukee’s finest actors, the real-life husband-and-wife team of Laura Gray and Jonathan Wainwright. Here they play two people from different walks of life who meet in a bar one night and find their lives changed forever.
#2: Next Act Theatre’s Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter.
Why? Because Next Act’s choice of this 2008 play by Julie Marie Myatt was tragically prescient. Picked for the season when many American soldiers were on their way home from Iraq, it now premieres just as talk of new deployments are again in the news. Myatt’s play focuses on Sutter, a soldier who struggles to adjust to life in America after serving her country. Chelsea D. Harrison makes her Milwaukee debut as Jenny Sutter. And much revered Milwaukee actor Deborah Staples makes her directing debut.
#1: Skylight Theatre’s Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre Center.
Why? Because fairy tales do come true, and even if you don’t believe in pumpkin carriages and fairy godmothers, you’ll certainly thrill to the charging rhythms of Giacomo Rossini and the superb vocal writing of the composer at his height of his powers. Skylight music director Viswa Subbaraman is at the podium. And the stage director is Jill Anna Ponasik, who was behind the recent stunning production of Master Class by Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.
