#5: Grand Guignol at Off the Wall Theatre.
Why? Because what’s Halloween without a play called “The Kiss” that involves sulfuric acid, or a story of French citizens subjected to Chinese torture, or Killer Clowns! OTW stages its annual tribute to the legendary Paris theater that featured tales of the macabre and outré (and other French stuff). This year, the roster includes a musical based on the story that inspired the opera Pagliacci.
#4: Feast of Crispian’s Julius Caesar at Next Act Theatre.
Why? Because The Feast of Crispian is famous for Henry V’s stirring pre-battle rally in Shakespeare’s play (“We happy few. We band of brothers…”). And it’s also becoming known as the name of an innovative theater program (founded by UW-Milwaukee theater faculty Bill Watson and Jim Tasse, and actor Nancy Smith-Watson) that helps veterans process their wartime experiences with Shakespeare. Here, the group presents the results of their work over several months with a performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
#3: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Composer Institute at the Zelazo Center.
Why? Because it’s not always about the dead guys. The MSO again teams up with UW-Milwaukee and the American Composers Forum to offer a showcase for emerging symphony composers. Five selected artists have been in town all week, participating in workshops and rehearsals of their work. This Thursday night concert is the culmination of their week, and it’s free and open to the public. Steven Schick conducts.
#2: Augustin Hadelich and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the Marcus Center.
Why? Because 31-year-old violinist Augustin Hadelich is one of the MSO’s most popular guest soloists, and the house should be filled for his appearance this weekend. He’s playing Beethoven after all. And he recently was awarded the $100,000 Warner Music Prize, initiated to celebrate and support young artists. Edo de Waart leads Hadelich in the Beethoven Violin Concerto, and in 20th-Century composer Carl Nielsen’s wild sonic ride of a symphony—The Fifth.
#1: Barbara Furtuna at Alverno’s Chapel of Mary Immaculate.
Why? Because David Ravel and the folks at Alverno Presents believe you might be interested in a touch of The Sublime to go with the usual Halloween ridiculousness. Barbara Furtuna (translation: Cruel Fate) is a vocal quartet from Italy that is part of the revival of Corsican vocal music, a style of harmonizing that dates back to the 12th Century. It’s as raw and rich as the landscape of Corsica, and just as beautiful.
