Several of the city’s major arts groups open shows this weekend, and there ain’t any lightweights in the bunch. From Beethoven to Prokofiev, Wagner to Tennessee Williams, Milwaukee goes canonical—but not without a few twists along the way. To get warmed up, you might want to tune in to the Bel Canto Chorus for a wide-ranging program of contemporary American music (including Pharell Williams and Billy Joel) or liven up the season with a Concord Chamber Orchestra concert that includes Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Then you’re ready for the main event: all five of them.
#5: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the Pabst Theater
Why? Because the august statue of Beethoven will be looking down on the proceedings at another of the MSO’s Pabst Theatre tributes to Ludwig Van. As in the past, the programs pairs an iconic Beethoven symphony with an interesting blend of contrasting works. Here, it’s Ravel’s neo-classical tribute, Le Tombeau de Couperin and Vivian Fung’s electrifying Violin Concerto, played by the soloist who premiered it in 2012, Kristen Lee. Then settle in for Beethoven’s ebullient Eighth Symphony, conducted by Daniel Cohen.
#4: Uprooted Theatre’s Suddenly, Last Summer at Next Act Theatre
Why? Because this production is the swan song of one of the most ambitious theater companies in the city, and it should be a worthwhile sendoff. One of Tennessee Williams’ most personal plays is revived in an all-African-American production featuring with the talented Marti Gobel playing a Southern matriarch who is unwilling to face the reality about her son’s death. Dennis F. Johnson directs. See my article about the company and production in the new issue of Milwaukee Magazine here.
#3: Frankly Music at Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Schwan Hall
Why? Because Frank Almond plays well with others. His concertizing outside Milwaukee has led him to musical friendships with some of the finest chamber musicians in the world. For a decade, he’s brought some of those people to town—to join him and the best local players in unique and memorable performances. This season’s closing concert is no exception, as the Aeolus Quartet (currently In Residence at Juillard) and Chicago pianist Winston Choi join Almond for a showcase that includes the rarely heard Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet by Ernest Chausson.
#2: The Skylight Ring at the Broadway Theatre Center
Why? Because for all Viswa Subbaraman’s innovations and adventurous programming in his two years at the Skylight, this may be his most audacious idea yet: present the story and music of Richard Wagner’s epic, 15-hour “Ring” cycle in a two-hour, four-person performance. If anyone can do it, the eclectic team of Robert Frankenberry and Daniel J. Brylow can. Frankenberry is a singer-pianist-conductor active in all sorts of different national music circles. Brylow is a Milwaukeean who has been involved in Skylight’s superb productions of Hydrogen Jukebox and El Cimarrón. Hold on to your leitmotifs, it’ll be a helluva ride.
#1: Milwaukee Ballet’s Cinderella at the Marcus Center
Why? Because Michael Pink and company are closing this season of classics with a real crowd pleaser, Pink’s own adaptation of the venerable fairy tale set to the pungent music of Sergei Prokofiev. There is elegance and grace to be sure, but also a hefty dose of humor to go along with the romance. For more, see my complete review here.
