By Emilie Heidemann | Photo courtesy Children’s Theater of Madison
BROADWAY, DANCE, AND COMEDY FUN
Leah Rudick
Nov. 19, Comedy on State
Los Angeles-based comedian Leah Rudick from HBO’s “High Maintenance” takes the stage. Rudick has built a devoted fanbase of nearly two million followers across social media accounts with her signature “weird girl” comedy. Deadline named Rudick as a Top 20 Comic to Watch in 2026. madisoncomedy.com
Liz Glazer
Nov. 23, Comedy on State
Liz Glazer takes the stage as a standup comedian and former tenured law professor who delivers high-energy, punchline-heavy comedy. A recent winner of both the Boston Comedy Festival and Ladies of Laughter competition, Glazer also made her recent debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Kevin Hart’s “Funny AF” on Netflix and “Comics Unleashed” on CBS, and has sets online with “Don’t Tell Comedy,” “Comedy Underground Overground” and Nate Bargatze’s “The Showcase.” madisoncomedy.com
“Maybe Happy Ending”
Nov. 24–29, Overture Center
This Tony Award-winning musical tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure and maybe even love. Two obsolete helper-bot robots, Oliver and Claire, form a bond in the futuristic setting of Seoul, South Korea. overture.org
Caroline Bowman
Nov. 19, Overture Center
Broadway star Caroline Bowman brings her powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence to Overture’s Capitol Theater for a thrilling night of Broadway favorites. Known for iconic roles including Elsa in “Frozen,” Elphaba in “Wicked” and Eva Perón in “Evita,” Bowman has captivated audiences around the world. overture.org
“Winter Fantasia Reimagined”
Dec. 3–6, Overture Center
Kanopy Dance lights up the stage with holiday dazzle and enchantment in “Winter Fantasia Reimagined,” celebrating a mosaic of cultural traditions. Delight in the lure of mythical places and ancient Nordic legends, adapted by artistic director Lisa Thurrell, that come to life through the magic of dance. Then travel the globe to India for a festive Gujarati “garba” folk dance called “Chalo Ramiye”— a colorful, centuries-old ritual that is performed in authentic, lavishly adorned costumes, choreographed by South Asian guest artist Udbhav Desai, who also performs. kanopydance.org
ARTFUL ENCOUNTERS
There’s a lot going on at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art through the first half of winter, including “Slick,” an exhibition that brings together artworks that conceptualize the body as fluid, altered and expansive. The works in this show move beyond realistic representation by showing bodies that are flexible, shifting and open-ended (through Jan. 31, 2027). Another art exhibition, “As It Seems,” displays photographs from MMoCA’s permanent collection that have been visibly changed through a range of techniques, revealing photography as a medium of manipulation as much as documentation. This show traces the ongoing exploration of the relationship between truth and construction (through March 3, 2027). And “Extended Play: B-Side” explores the works of Sam Gilliam, one of the most significant American abstract painters of the past six decades. This also features works from MMoCA’s permanent collection alongside loaned pieces (through March 7, 2027). mmoca.org
GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS
“The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!”
Nov. 28–Dec. 20, MYArts
When Mo Willems’ characters get together for the holidays, it’s bound to be the biggest extravaganza as the the Unlimited Squirrels deck the halls and Elephant and Piggie come ready to celebrate — but will the Pigeon join in the festivities, or will he run all the way to the North Pole in search of the greatest gift ever? Terrific tunes, silly stories, goofy gifts, audience antics: it’s all in this brand-new Children’s Theater of Madison production (above) that “sleighs.” ctmtheater.org
“A Madison Symphony Christmas”
Dec. 4–6, Overture Center
Bring family and friends together for this beloved holiday performance. The Madison Symphony will perform carols, classics and other holiday favorites — and there may be a visit from Santa Claus. madisonsymphony.org
Four Seasons Theatre’s “All Is Calm”
Dec. 10–13 & 17–20, Overture
The Western Front during WWI on Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into no man’s land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music and peace. This play tells the true story in words and song of the men who lived them. overture.org
Madison Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 11–20, Overture Center
Whether you’re discovering the magic for the first time or continuing a treasured family tradition, Madison Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” performed with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, is a thrilling celebration of the season. madisonballet.org
“A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 12–23, Overture Center
Step into Victorian-era London for a fresh take on Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic. Follow the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as visits from three unforgettable ghosts inspire him to reconsider what matters most — and rediscover the joy of generosity. This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Children’s Theater of Madison performing this classic. ctmtheater.org
Dance Wisconsin’s “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 19 & 20, Wisconsin Union Theater
Take an enchanted journey with Clara and her nutcracker from her family’s holiday party, to an epic battle, to a moonlit snowfall and finally to the Land of Sweets. dancewisconsin.org
INDEPENDENT MUSIC SCENE HAPPENINGS
Tropidelic with Surfer Girl, The Quasi Kings
Nov. 19, Atwood Music Hall
Experience a night of reggae rock, hip-hop and high energy funk music. theatwoodmusichall.com
Craig Finn and The Band of Forgiveness
Nov. 22, Atwood Music Hall
Craig Finn, best known as the frontman of The Hold Steady, is hitting the road with The Band of Forgiveness, featuring Minneapolis-based musicians Nelson Devereaux, Joe Strachan and Ethan Elseth. theatwoodmusichall.com
Yid Vicious Klezmer Ensemble
Dec. 6, North Street Cabaret
Yid Vicious, which has been engaging audiences throughout the Midwest since 1995, brings its unique blend of contemporary klezmer to the stage. northstreetcabaret.com
Becca Murray & The Wildflowers, Luke Frees & The Shadow-band, Bear in the Forest
Dec. 10, The Bur Oak
Enjoy an evening filled with pop, funky rock and indie jams. theburoakmadison.com
The Cardinal Summer
Dec. 11, Atwood Music Hall
This emerging Madison pop-rock band focuses on developing a community of fans dedicated to putting their phones down and living in the moment. theatwoodmusichall.com
