Thursday, October 9, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Join America’s premiere radio theatre company for a special back-to-back double bill of chills, thrills, and great literature as they present two masterpieces of science fiction and adventure. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Wisconsin-native Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast, L.A. Theatre Works makes it clear why H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds is truly the mother of all space invasions.Also, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's campy adventure The Lost World follows this scientific expedition deep into the Amazon jungle—and back in time.
Tickets: $45–$25; $36 Group (10 or more)
Five By Design
Radio "Holly" Days
Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Backed by a live big band, the Minnesota quintet Five By Design crafts a family holiday musical retrospective from radio’s golden age with holiday selections that transcend the decades, including White Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Making a return appearance at the Wilson Center with a new show, Cirque Éloize brings the third part of the Sky Trilogy directed by Daniele Finizi Pasca and co-produced with Zurich’s Teatro Sunil. Meaning fog in Italian, Nebbia explores the world of dreams and the imaginary. In the fog, you get lost, you find each other, but above all, you are confronted with the unexpected.
Tickets: $55–$45; $44 Group (10 or more)
Performing Arts Series
Performing Arts Subscription price (8 shows) $336–$200 SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Create your own subscription price (4 shows) $176–$100
Presented by Johnson Bank
Stephen Schwartz and Friends Friday, September 26, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Sponsored by Accunet Mortgage
This unforgettable evening of musical theater features Grammy® and Oscar®-winning songwriter Stephen Schwartz with Debbie Gravitte and Scott Coulter for performances of Schwartz’s songs from animated films like Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, along with his musicals Godspell, Pippin, and the smash Broadway hit Wicked.
Photo credit: Palma Kolansky
Marsalis Brasilianos
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Sponsored by VJS Construction Services
and Judy and Gary Jorgensen
A celebration of the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, featuring Branford Marsalis, in his rededication to classical music, and 34 members of the Filharmonia Brasileira (Gil Jardim, Conductor). This fascinating new project commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the revered Brazilian composer’s death.
Trey McIntyre Project
Saturday, November 1, 2008, 2:00 & 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Sponsored by Assurant Health
Dubbed “one of ballet’s most surprising talents” by The New York Times and one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine, McIntyre will lead his new company on its first tour during the 2008-09 season with one of the initial stops at the Wilson Center for a two-week residency and two public performances. TMP is dedicated to breaking ballet boundaries and developing dance audiences for the future.
Jesse Cook
Frontiers
Friday & Saturday, November 14 & 15, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Back at the Wilson Center to showcase his sixth studio album, Juno Award-winning Rumba Flamenco master Cook blends African percussion, Cajun accordion, classical cello, and the pop vocals of Bob Dylan with his own style to create a thrilling, multi-textured global hybrid.
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Pops
Saturday, December 13, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Sponsored by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Elmbrook Memorial
Share in the spirit of the season as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra brings their popular holiday concert to the Wilson Center for a seventh season. One of America’s major orchestras, the MSO will offer a variety of holiday music selections as well as their traditional sing-a-long.
Photo credit John Kuczala
Eileen Ivers
Beyond the Bog Road
Friday & Saturday, January 23 & 24, 2009, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Backed by her band Immigrant Soul, fiddler Eileen Ivers’ Beyond the Bog Road is a multi-media live stage celebration of music, story, dance, and video designed by director/filmmaker D.J. Mendel (Rosanne Cash, Hal Hartley) of the Irish immigrant’s impact on America and America’s impact on the Irish immigrant.
Blue Note Anniversary
Saturday, March 28, 2009, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the legendary BLUE NOTE RECORDS label, an all-star band featuring some of today’s finest jazz musicians will travel the world throughout 2009—Bill Charlap musical director and piano, Ravi Coltrane tenor saxophone, Pat Martino guitar, Nicholas Payton trumpet, Steve Wilson alto saxophone, Peter Washington bass, and Lewis Nash drums—and what’s a trip around the world without a stop at the Wilson Center?
Kathy Mattea
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Grammy® Award-winner Kathy Mattea presents an evening of stories and songs from the coal-mining culture of her native Appalachia. Kathy and her trio of musicians Bill Cooley (guitar), Eamonn O’Rourke (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), and David Spicher (bass, vocals) welcome you to the “back porch” for a sampling of Kathy’s best-loved songs.
Classical Series
Classical Series Subscription price (4 shows) $168–$100 SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Presented by Richard Blomquist & Patti Bringe
Photo credit: Palma Kolansky
Marsalis Brasilianos
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Sponsored by VJS Construction Services
and Judy & Gary Jorgensen
A celebration of the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, featuring Branford Marsalis, in his rededication to classical music, and 34 members of the Filharmonia Brasileira (Gil Jardim, Conductor). This fascinating new project commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the revered Brazilian composer’s death.
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Classics
Saturday, December 20, 2008, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Family and friends will delight in this classical holiday program with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra featuring some of the most beloved sacred and secular music ever written.
Piano Arts
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 2:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Piano Arts winners make headlines and perform with some of the most prestigious symphony orchestras across the country. Wilson Center audiences will be the first to hear the 2008 winner of a celebrated competition that sets the national standards for emerging young artists.
Photo credit: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
Jennifer Frautschi
Friday, May 1, 2009, 8:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Equally at home in the classic repertoire as well as 20th- and 21st-century works, Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient violinist Jennifer Frautschi is rapidly gaining acclaim as an adventurous performer with a wide-ranging repertoire such as the Britten Concerto, Poul Ruders' Concerto No. 1, Steven Mackey's Violin Sonata, and Mendelssohn's rarely played d minor Concerto, along with standards such as the Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Berg Concerti.
Cabaret Series
Cabaret Series Subscription price (4 shows) $88SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Justin Hayford
Friday & Saturday, October 10 & 11, 2008, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
Described as a “superb Chicago talent” by the Chicago Tribune and singled out as a “remarkable lyric interpreter and marvelous keyboardist” by Cabaret Scenes Magazine, Justin has established himself as a specialist in reviving little-known songs from the American popular songbook.
Sally Mayes
Friday & Saturday, November 7 & 8, 2008, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
Award-winning Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and cabaret recording sensation, Sally Mayes made her Broadway debut in Cy Coleman's Welcome to the Club. Her performance won critical praise along with a Theatre World Award and Outer Critics Circle nomination as one of Broadway's outstanding newcomers.
David Burnham
Friday & Saturday, February 20 & 21, 2009, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
Tenor David Burnham was a member of the original Broadway cast of the six-time Tony® Award winning musical The Light In The Piazza and is currently starring on Broadway as Fiyero in Wicked.
Photo credit: Lawrence D'Attilio
Anne Kerry Ford and John Boswell
Friday & Saturday, April 24 & 25, 2009, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
Broadway veteran and cabaret favorite Anne Kerry Ford and her musical director John Boswell offer fresh, innovative arrangements of some of the greatest songs from Broadway and the Great American Songbook.
Jazz Club
Jazz Club Subscription price (5 shows) $100SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Jordan Baskin Trio
Friday, October 24, 2008, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
Chicago jazz pianist, Jordan Baskin leads Milwaukee-native Brian Ritter on drums and Chicagoan Jake Vinsel on bass through jazz standards mixed in with more exotic fare.
Gerri DiMaggio
Friday, December 12, 2008, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
This Madison native captivates her audience with a sultry mix of Brazilian music along with a fresh blend of jazz standards. Gerri studied music and voice at the University of Wisconsin, and Jazz studies with the venerated Professor of Bass and Jazz history Richard Davis. A major presence in the Madison music scene, she was one of the original producers of the outdoor summer Jazz series “Jazz at Five”.
Photo credit: R. Andrew Lepley
Pete Zimmer Group
Friday, February 27, 2009, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
Judgment marks the third album by drummer and Waukesha native Peter Zimmer and his quintet. This album, along with their two previous releases, distinguishes the quintet as one of the premier upcoming straight ahead jazz groups of the early 21st century.
Manty Ellis and Friends
Friday, March 6, 2009, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
Manty Ellis is the cornerstone of Milwaukee jazz and co-founder of the jazz program at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. A recipient of the 1997 Arts Midwest Jazz Masters award—Manty is Milwaukee Jazz.
Jim Pugh
Friday & Saturday, May 8 & 9, 2009, 8:00 pm
DAWES STUDIO THEATER
World-renowned trombonist and composer/arranger, Jim Pugh has contributed to over 4,000 jazz, film, soundtrack, and commercial recordings; played with Woody Herman Big Band and Chick Corea, and regularly records and tours with Steely Dan.
Matinee Series
Matinee Series Subscription price (5 shows) $88.75–$68.75 SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Presented by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Elmbrook Memorial
The Phantom's Leading Ladies
Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 1:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Teri Bibb, Karen Culliver, and Mary D’Arcy, the trio of Broadway stars (who all played Christine in Phantom) sing everything from Broadway classics to the Beatles. Think the Three Tenors, but cooler, funnier, and they look better in cocktail dresses!
Steve March Tormé
Totally Tormé
Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 1:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
The first-born son of legendary Jazz vocalist Mel Tormé presents a magical evening of music with some of his dad’s favorite toe-tapping tunes including Lulu’s Back in Town, Mountain Greenery, and The Folks Who Live on the Hill to name a few.
Five By Design
Radio "Holly" Days
Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 1:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Backed by a live big band, the Minnesota quintet Five By Design crafts a family holiday musical retrospective from radio’s golden age with holiday selections that transcend the decades, including White Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Sophie Milman
Make Someone Happy
Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 1:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Barely 24 years old, vocalist Sophie Milman has sold almost 100,000 copies of her self-titled debut, hit the Billboard Top 5 in Canada, and the Top 15 in the United States. Meanwhile, Sophie has maintained a rigorous touring schedule–headlining sold-out shows in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Japan, and throughout Europe–and continued to balance her burgeoning music career with her commerce studies at the University of Toronto.
Lee Lessack and Linda Purl
Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 1:00 pm
KUTTEMPEROOR AUDITORIUM
Lessack's graceful lyric baritone vocals, and sophisticated yet endearing persona, have made him popular on the international cabaret scene. Award-winning actress and singer, Linda Purl’s lush, jazzy voice has appeared on television to Broadway and everywhere in between.
