Madison serves up another week of shows in advance of the early summer doldrums. The calendar includes: the Madison Young Playwrights Festival, and productions of Les Misérables and Don Pasquale; a book reading by Wendy McClure; the Project M Finals; and, more live music from the German Art Students, Cait & the Girls, and S. Carey.
Monday 5.9
NOTEWORTHY: Patty Hearst released from prison, 1977.
BIRTHDAYS: Emmy-winning actress Candice Bergen, 1946; actor/singer John Corbett.
Tuesday 5.10
NOTEWORTHY: Nelson Mandela sworn in as South African President, 1994.
BIRTHDAYS: U2 frontman/human-rights activist Bono, 1960; supermodel Linda Evangelista, 1965.
High Noon Saloon, 6 pm
The power-pop trio's been entertaining Madison ears for 13 years and making fans giggle with whimsically titled songs like "Disgruntled Figure Skating Judge" and "Steve Vai Boyfriend." With Centime.
Barnes & Noble-West Towne, 7 pm
The author discusses The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie, her book about the time she spent grinding grain, churning butter, visiting sites and otherwise immersing herself in Laura Ingalls Wilder's milieu.
Madison Young Playwrights Festival
Overture Center's Playhouse, 7 pm
Local directors and actors stage short works by playwrights from area schools, including Edgewood, Middleton and East high schools.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Wednesday & Thursday, May 11 & 12, 8 pm
If you've still never seen the iconic 1980s musical based on Victor Hugo's novel, the show that gave us "I Dreamed a Dream" and all that, then check out this touring production, part of Overture's Broadway series.
Wednesday 5.11
NOTEWORTHY: Reggae great Bob Marley dies, 1981.
BIRTHDAYS: Perky original MTVJ Martha Quinn, 1959; actress Natasha Richardson, 1963.
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
The rockin' chanteuse and her girls -- a band of four boys -- release their debut, This House, tonight. Learn more in this week's music story. With Nathan Kalish & the Wildfire and Catch Kid.
Capitol Lakes, 7 pm. Also Thursday, May 12, Oakwood Village-West, 6:30 pm
Candid Concert Opera performs this small-scale presentation of Donizetti's 1843 comic opera. The troupe's m.o. is concert performances of opera with piano accompaniment, sans sets and costumes. The better to enjoy the singing.
Annex, 8 pm
Previous rounds of 105.5 Triple M's reality show tested the performing and songwriting skills of nine brave candidates. Now the last three square off for the glory and the prizes.
Thursday 5.12
NOTEWORTHY: Liz Taylor marries Eddie Fisher in Las Vegas only three hours after his divorce from Debbie Reynolds is finalized, 1959.
BIRTHDAYS: Rock singer-songwriter Steve Winwood, 1948; actor Gabriel Byrne, 1950.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Last year, Bon Iver's drummer wowed critics with his deeply felt solo debut, All We Grow. See what this year holds for the talented multi-instrumentalist and his Eau Claire stomping grounds. With Other Lives.
