Pictured: Madison Opera
Madison’s vibrant and diverse arts season is kicking off in full force.
THEATER
“THE GARBOLOGISTS”
Sept. 7-24, Overture Center
In this comedy’s Wisconsin premiere, two people who couldn’t be more different on the surface discover what unites them while working on a garbage truck. This season will be Forward Theater Company’s 15th year in action. forwardtheater.com
“THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP”
Oct. 13-28, Bartell Theatre
This horror-comedy fusion staged by Strollers Theatre, called “high camp humor and biting satire” by the Chicago Critic, first debuted off- Broadway in 1984. Strollers has been praised for various performances, including Taylor Mac’s “Hir” last season. strollerstheatre.org
“THE BIRDS”
Oct. 13-28, Bartell Theatre
Based on the short story by Daphne du Maurier, which inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary 1963 film, Mercury Players Theater’s performance emphasizes the feeling of the characters’ isolation. And, the audi- ence will be on stage with the actors in this performance. bartelltheatre.org
“TOSCA”
Nov. 3 & 5, Overture Center
Giacomo Puccini’s 1900 dramatic opera is bringing Rome to Madison with a tale of love and sacrifice in this Madison Opera performance. madisonopera.org
“THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME”
Nov. 10-18, Diane Ballweg Theatre (Edgewood College)
Edgewood College Theatre Arts students bring Mark Haddon’s mystery novel to life in this play, which follows detective Christopher Boone’s journey to investigate the death of a neighbor’s dog. theatre.edgewood.edu
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
Dec. 9-23, Overture Center
A Madison tradition, the Children’s Theater of Madison brings the story of Scrooge and Bob Crachit once again to Overture’s Capitol Theater for some holiday cheer. ctmtheater.org
“THE ANONYMOUS LOVER”
Feb. 2 & 4, 2024, Overture Center
A combination of French lyrics and English dialogue helps tell Madison Opera’s romantic and funny story of a young woman receiving anonymous love letters. Opera Wire called “The Anonymous Lover” “a truly wonderful piece of operatic art.” madisonopera.org
“LIFE DOESN’T FRIGHTEN ME: FEARLESS ROYALTY”
Feb. 3-18, 2024, MYArts
This Children’s Theater of Madison production is based on a poem by Maya Angelou and celebrates every child’s courage and strength in this interactive, upbeat performance. ctmtheater.org
“WINE IN THE WILDERNESS”
March 7-17, 2024, Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre (UW–Madison)
Writer Alice Childress tells a poignant story of race, gender and class set in 1964 Harlem, performed by UW– Madison’s theater and drama students. theatre.wisc.edu
ON BROADWAY
Love large-scale productions? Check out a Broadway at Overture performance. For details on these shows, visit overture.org.
DISNEY’S “ALADDIN”
Oct. 10-15
Experience all of the music from the beloved Disney film, plus new tunes from “Newsies” composer Alan Menken.
“MY FAIR LADY”
Nov. 21-26
This musical, performed by a Lincoln Center Theater cast, inspired the Oscar-winning 1964 film starring Audrey Hepburn.
“BEETLEJUICE”
Jan. 9-14, 2024
In what Stage Left calls a “ghoulishly good time,” this classic Tim Burton film about an eccentric ghoul named Beetlejuice is brought to life on stage.
“LES MISÉRABLES”
Feb. 14-18, 2024
A journey of struggle and sacrifice in 19th-century France, “Les Misérables” has consistently been dubbed the “world’s most popular musical.”
“MAMMA MIA”
March 19-24, 2024
In this hit Broadway musical set in a Grecian paradise, a daughter seeks to find her father, accompanied by a famous ABBA soundtrack.
DANCE
“SHADES OF LIGHT”
Oct. 20-23, Overture Center
Tadej Brdnik, who was a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, is directing and performing with Kanopy Dance Company in this exciting, innovative performance. kanopydance.org
“INNOVATION”
Oct. 26-Nov. 5, Overture Center
Madison Ballet’s choreographers and dancers, as well as “The Lion King” tour cast member Alia Kache, present new works inspired by the concept of innovation in every area, from music to movement. Madison Ballet says that this production upholds “their commitment to commission works by female-identifying artists and artists of color.” madisonballet.org
“THE NUTCRACKER”
Dec. 15-24, Overture Center
This holiday classic is one of Madison Ballet’s signature performances, choreographed by Sara Stewart Schumann and accompanied by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. madisonballet.org
DANCE FESTIVAL FOR A CAUSE
Jan. 27 & 28, 2024, Verona Area High School
This free festival will feature performances by local dance students and raises funds for the Madison Contemporary Dance Outreach Program, a program for dancers without resources. madisoncontemporarydance.com
UW–MADISON DANCE DEPARTMENT STUDENT CONCERT
April 11-13 & 18-20, 2024, Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space, Lathrop Hall
UW–Madison student choreographers and dancers present solo and group performances at this end-of- year showcase. dance.wisc.edu
VISUAL ART
“RECOLLECT: SAM GILLIAM”
Through March 3, 2024, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
This exhibition celebrates internationally-recognized artist Sam Gilliam, who traveled annually to Madison for 40 years, serving as an artist-in-residence at UW–Madison and working with Tandem Press. His works were an important contributor to the city’s creative scene. mmoca.org
“INSISTENT PRESENCE: CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN ART FROM THE CHAZEN COLLECTION”
Through Dec. 30, Chazen Museum of Art
This exhibition showcases a collaboration of 24 artists currently living in Africa and the diaspora. Its three sections explore the human body in all its forms, through sculpture, photography and more. chazen.wisc.edu
KELLI HOPPMANN AND THERESA ABEL
Nov. 10-Dec. 31, Abel Contemporary Gallery
This exhibit will showcase the decades-long creative relationship between these two artists. Both create detailed, narrative oil paintings, with Hoppmann showing allegories of love, lust and pathos, and Abel exploring art history and religion. abelcontemporary.com
LIVE MUSIC
“AMERICAN RHAPSODY”
Sept. 22-24, Overture Center
This concert commemorates music director John DeMain’s 30th anniversary with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and includes music from four American composers, along with the MSO debut of pianist Terrence Wilson. madisonsymphony.org
MAKAYA MCCRAVEN: “IN THESE TIMES”
Oct. 11, Memorial Union
Music producer and drummer Makaya McCraven is a self-proclaimed “beat scientist” — and for good reason — “In These Times” is his sixth self- composed studio album full of groovy, self-produced tunes and impressive drum skills. union.wisc.edu
MAMA DIGDOWN’S BRASS BAND
Oct. 14, North Street Cabaret
You’re going to want to dance to Mama Digdown’s New Orleans brass band music. North Street Cabaret offers seating — as well room to move. northstreetcabaret.com
“MONUMENTAL MOMENTS”
Oct. 20-22, Overture Center
MSO will perform a violin-centered concert with music from Leonard Bernstein, Dmitri Shostakovich and Johannes Brahms. Featuring Naha Greenholtz on violin and her husband, Kyle Knox, conducting, this performance is a must-see for strings lovers. madisonsymphony.org
“HASTA LA MUERTE: A DAY OF THE DEAD SHOW”
Nov. 1, Memorial Union
Chicano band Las Cafeteras is native to Los Angeles and fuses a blend of multiple genres to create an Afro- Mexican style that is all their own. “Hasta La Muerte” celebrates Day of the Dead with music, dance and theatrical performances. union.wisc.edu
“THE PERFECT PAIR: MOZART AND MAHLER”
Jan. 19-21, 2024, Overture Center
Pianist Joyce Yang returns to MSO with a Mozart piano concerto, followed up with what music aficionados consider Mozart’s perfect pair: Gustav Mahler. The orchestra will play Mahler’s fifth symphony in what is sure to be a majestic musical event. madisonsymphony.org
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE
Feb. 20, 2024, Memorial Union
This orchestra is one of Ukraine’s most well-known, and has received multiple Grammy nominations in the past few decades. union.wisc.edu
“MSO AT THE MOVIES: PIXAR IN CONCERT”
Feb. 24, 2024, Overture Center
For one night only, MSO will honor 25 years of Disney and Pixar films with music from 15 classic cartoons in this never before seen performance. From “Toy Story” to “Ratatouille,” this family-friendly concert is sure to lift your spirits. madisonsymphony.org
“REVELATION”
March 22, 2024, Overture Center
Overture Center has been home to the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra since 2004, and its core ensemble of 34 musicians will debut the world premiere of Dr. Bill Banfield’s original “Symphony No. 14 Revelation” in the venue’s Capitol Theater. wcoconcerts.org
“FIESTA FINALE”
May 2-5, 2024, Overture Center
This joyful Cinco de Mayo-inspired concert is peppered with influences from various Mexican musicians. A mariachi band will finish the performance in a high-energy conclusion to MSO’s 2023-2024 season. madisonsymphony.org
CONCERTS
MISTERWIVES
Sept. 23, The Sylvee
Misterwives’ upbeat indie pop music once sent their hit song “Our Own House” to number 31 on the Billboard 200, and they are returning to touring this fall with up-and-coming alternative star Bishop Briggs as their opener. thesylvee.com
ERIC HUTCHINSON
Sept. 28, High Noon Saloon
Eric Hutchinson has been making feel-good pop music since the release of his first album in 2007. His 15th anniversary tour kicked off in May, and will continue until November throughout the U.S. high-noon.com
MAY ERLEWINE
Oct. 20, The Bur Oak
Erlewine, a Michigan folk artist, can rock out on instruments from the guitar to the violin, and has produced more than 10 original albums and EPs throughout her career. The Bur Oak’s intimate stage will allow an up close and personal look (and listen) at Erlewine’s discography. theburoakmadison.com
“MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE TOUR”
Oct. 22, The Orpheum
This tour has been recreating the magic of ABBA since 1999. Beginning in London, this tour travels internationally and touches down in Madison this fall. madisonorpheum.com
LIL YACHTY: THE FIELD TRIP TOUR
Nov. 4, The Sylvee
Lil Yachty’s rap has been in the public eye for less than a decade, but he has skyrocketed to popularity with many of his songs having hundreds of millions of listens on Spotify. His recent album “Let’s Start Here” is more experimental, and he strays from hip-hop music into a psychedelic rock style that was referenced in Rolling Stone as a “second chapter in [his] career.” thesylvee.com
STEELY DANE HOLIDANE SHOW
Dec. 9, The Orpheum
The region’s premier Steely Dan tribute band brings a cheery touch to this holiday performance. madisonorpheum.com
STAYIN’ ALIVE: ONE NIGHT OF THE BEE GEES
Jan. 14, 2024, The Barrymore
Tribute band Stayin’ Alive brings the Bee Gees’ classic hits to The Barrymore. barrymorelive.com
STANDUP COMEDY
“TODD BARRY: HALF JOKING TOUR”
Oct. 4, The Majestic
Barry has voiced a variety of smaller characters on Fox’s hit animated comedy “Bob’s Burgers” and has comedy specials on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Comedy Central. majesticmadison.com
ARI SHAFFIR: THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY TOUR
Nov. 3, The Barrymore
Along with comedy, Ari Shaffir has his hand in acting, writing and producing as well as hosting his podcast, “The Skeptic Tank.” Catch him here during his nationwide comedy tour. barrymorelive.com
