Airness

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Ross Zentner

A person playing air guitar.

Nadja Simmonds in the the Forward Theater production "Airness," 2023.

Is air guitar the most truly American of the art forms? This comedy by Chelsea Marcantel centers on Nina, who enters an air guitar competition only to find levels of meaning she didn't suspect were there, like the importance of setting yourself free. Forward Theater Company's production of Airness is the Wisconsin premiere. For those about to rock, we salute you. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, plus 2 p.m., Feb. 4 and 11. Read Gwendolyn Rice's review here.

media release: For their third production of the 22-23 season, Forward Theater Company will present Airness by Chelsea Marcantel, directed by Molly Rhode. Performances are in the Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts, January 26 - February 12. Airness is making its Wisconsin premiere at Forward Theater, after earning a face-melting stamp of approval at theaters across the country:

“The most fun you will have at the theater this year … to call this play a ‘crowd pleaser’ is a drastic understatement.” – Insider Louisville

When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next national champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend - it’s about finding yourself in your favorite songs, and performing with raw joy. Will Nina be able to let go and set herself free onstage?

Following Nina’s quest to shred or be shredded, Airness is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to rock is already inside us.

Thursday, January 26-Sunday, February 12, with evening performances (Thursday-Saturday) at 7:30pm, matinees (Sat & Sun) at 2:00pm. All performances are in the Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts.

Airness features James Carrington, Josh Krause, Ashley Oviedo, Joe Picchetti, Jess Schuknecht, Nadja Simmonds, and Marcus Truschinski.

Scenic Designer: Neil Mills; Lighting Designer: Greg Hofmann; Costume Designer: Shannon Heibler; Sound Designer/Composer: Joe Cerqua; Props Master: Pam Miles; Technical Director: Kevin Zimmer; Asst. Director: Doug Clemons; Stage Manager: Shawn Galligan; Asst. Stage Manager: Abbi Hess

Tickets for the production are on sale now, and can be purchased online at forwardtheater.com, or via overture.org. Tickets can be purchased via phone at 608.258.4141. Adults: $34-$52. Artist and student rate: $15 anytime. January 26 preview performance ticket prices - General public: $20, Students/Educators: $10.

Airness is generously sponsored by Madison Community Foundation, Sybil & Maurice Better, Frank Productions, State Bank of Cross Plains, Stafford Rosenbaum LLC, and Our Lives Magazine.

The Air Guitar Summit

Forward is excited to present the Air Guitar Summit at High Noon Saloon on Monday, January 30, at 7:00pm. This promotional head-banging event will feature rock n’ roll trivia, an interactive air guitar workshop and performances, and a variety of music-themed prizes. Free to public.