#4: The Book of Mormon at the Marcus Center
Why? Because there’s a little skit at the Marcus Center that’s been around for a few days. Somehow, it snuck under our radar until now, the closing weekend. It isn’t based on a movie and doesn’t have a bunch of songs you remember from your teenage years, but the New York Times called it “The Greatest Musical of the Century,” so it might be okay.
#3: Summerdances: Spirits and Fugitives at UW-Milwaukee’s Mainstage Theatre
Why? Because Martin Jack Rosenblum, who died in January, wasn’t exactly your typical university professor. Poet, WAMI Award winner, historian of Harley Davidsons and Les Paul Gibson guitars. A polymath and “Holy Ranger,” he was a much loved fixture in Milwaukee and UWM artistic circles for decades. As far as we know, modern dance was one of the few disciplines he didn’t directly participate in, but that won’t stop the UWM dance faculty and students from paying tribute to him and his legacy in their annual Summerdance program.
#2: Bunny Gumbo’s Combat Theatre at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
Why? Because a few times a year, Milwaukee’s theater community throws a party. It last a whole weekend, but you can come to the best part—a dozen or so short plays that have been written, staged, rehearsed and performed with no more than 48 hours from the first idea to the last bow. It’s always a great party.
#1: The Fine Arts Quartet’s Summer Evenings of Music at the UW-Milwaukee’s Zelazo Center
Why? Because Sum-Sum-Summertime means it’s time for a heady and concentrated dose of great chamber music from the one of the premiere American string quartets. Four concerts within a span of five weeks, including everything from Bach to 21st-century music, and lots more in between. This week, violinist and violist Gil Sharon joins the quartet so they can tackle Mendelssohn’s brilliant and summery String Quintet, Op. 18. And along the way, they’ll shine some Mozart in your direction as well.
