Stage
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Liz Lauren
“Blood Knot” feud
After facing a firestorm of online criticism for casting James DeVita as a light-skinned black man, American Player Theatre hosts a pay-what-you-can performance and post-show discussion of “Blood Knot.” more
Liz Lauren
House of cads
George Bernard Shaw’s finely tuned satire merges perfectly with the comic timing of an A-team cast in American Players Theatre’s “Heartbreak House.” more
Aug 14, 2018
Neal Izumi
Unusual autobiography
“Imperfect Gentlemen,” a one-man show by Ben Moffat and Bradley Wayne Smith, explores a family’s experience after a father decides to transition to female. The show plays twice at Trinity United Methodist Church. more
Aug 9, 2018
A sparkly mess
“Diamond Girl,” a benefit performance for Save the Rainforest at the Bartell Theatre, is a convoluted mish-mash. more
Jul 27, 2018
Joan Marcus
Deliciously imperfect
Although some of the supporting characters are over the top, “Waitress” is a heartfelt and funny story of a woman finding herself. It features a gorgeous score by Sara Bareilles sung by a spectacular lead, Desi Oakley. more
Jul 26, 2018
A.J. Magoon
Poetry in nature
With minimal props and maximum enthusiasm, Summit Players tour Wisconsin state parks to present workshops and Shakespeare productions. The shows are free and accessible to everyone. more
Jul 26, 2018
Shira Friedman
"Held" launches to New York
“Held,” a musical written by Madison’s Kelly Maxwell and Meghan Rose, started as a 10-minute play and grew into a full-length musical. more
Jul 19, 2018
Topsy-turvy operetta
For the first time in its 55-year history Madison Savoyards will stage an opera not written by Gilbert and Sullivan. They’ve chosen “Die Fledermaus,” a topsy-turvy tale featuring mistaken identity and a man dressed as a bat. more
Jul 19, 2018
5:00 AM
Beau Meyer
Man-eating delights
University Theatre’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is a delightful take on a campy horticultural horror story. It’s having a short run at Vilas Hall through July 29, and will be remounted this fall. more
Jul 18, 2018
4:40 PM
Satirizing the surreal
For 39 years, the Capitol Steps have been creating musical political satire from recent headlines. Founding member Elaina Newport talks about keeping up with Trump — and how Madison is the greatest, greatest city of all time. more
Jul 5, 2018
5:01 AM
Liz Lauren
Absurdity of life and death
Reviews from two shows opening at American Players Theatre: In “Exit the King,” James Ridge portrays a monarch’s final hours. And in the Restoration comedy “The Recruiting Officer,” simple townsfolk get played by royal officers, to mixed effect. more
Jul 5, 2018
5:00 AM
Benjamin Barlow
Toothless "Shrew"
“Taming of the Shrew,” one of the Bard’s most problematic comedies, gets a fun yet ineffective family-friendly production from Madison Shakespeare Company more
Jun 29, 2018
4:59 AM
Liz Lauren
Brain of gold
Garson Kanin’s 1946 play “Born Yesterday” features an uncouth and unscrupulous businessman who takes Washington, D.C., by storm. This uncanny and relevant show opened at American Players Theatre on June 23. more
Jun 28, 2018
5:00 AM
