By Jessica Steinhoff | Photo by Becky McKenzie
THEATER, DANCE AND VISUAL ART
“PRIDE AND PREJUDICE”
Through Nov. 17, Mitchell Theatre, UW Vilas Hall
Jane Austen’s tour de force crackles with wit and its heroine’s indomitable spirit in a fresh adaptation by UW theater faculty Aly Renee Amidei and Ann M. Shanahan. artsticketing.wisc.edu
“PETAH COYNE: HOW MUCH A HEART CAN HOLD”
Through Dec. 23, Chazen Museum of Art
Coyne celebrates women’s complexity with sculptures made of silk flowers, scrap metal, hat pins and other materials that spark viewers’ curiosity. chazen.wisc.edu
“WINTER FANTASIA: REIMAGINED”
Dec. 5-8, Overture Center
Cold-weather traditions from faraway places take center stage in this Kanopy Dance production. Works by artistic director Lisa Thurrell put a modern twist on Scandinavian fairy tales, and guest artist Udbhav Desai shares the magic of a folk dance from the Hindu festival of Navratri. kanopydance.org
“ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914”
Dec. 5-15, Overture Center
A Christmas miracle happened in 1914: thousands of World War I soldiers set aside their weapons and celebrated the holiday with their enemies on the Western Front. Featuring a cappella vocals, this Four Seasons Theatre play showcases an extraordinary true story of camaraderie, music and peace. fourseasonstheatre.com
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
Dec. 7-22, Overture Center
Whether you’re eight years old or 88 years young, compassion is a theme worth exploring. This Children’s Theater of Madison production is a memorable — and yule-tastic — way to do it. ctmtheater.org
“THE NUTCRACKER”
Dec. 13-24, Overture Center
Frolicking candy canes and an ethereal Sugar Plum Fairy are two of the confections choreographers Sara Stewart Schumann, Tom Mattingly and Ja’ Malik are serving at this Madison Ballet production featuring the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. overture.org
“FUNNY GIRL”
Dec. 21-Jan. 5, 2025, Overture Center
Based on the story of Fanny Brice, this musical comedy tells the tale of Brice’s journey to become one of the most beloved performers in history. Audiences will love the iconic score with hits like “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and “People.” overture.org
LIVE MUSIC
FLANNEL FEST
Nov. 16, Barrymore Theatre
Blitzen Trapper, Old 97’s, Beth Kille Band and The Mascot Theory bring lots of rock and a little twang to this fundraiser for the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund. barrymorelive.com
“Funny Girl”
Nov. 21, Capitol Theater
The star of Broadway’s “On the Town” presents an evening of song-fueled storytelling. overture.org
BEN WENDEL AND TAYLOR EIGSTI
Nov. 22, Capitol Theater
Jazz saxophone is Wendel’s bread and butter, and the foundation of collaborations with envelope-pushers such as Snoop Dogg and Grammy- winning pianist Eigsti. overture.org
HANDEL’S “MESSIAH”
Nov. 22 & 23, Bethel Lutheran Church
The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the Festival Choir of Madison team up for their annual holiday tradition, which features a jubilant presentation of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” The soloist roster includes alto Sadie Cheslak, a rising star from Minnesota, and tenor Gene Stenger, a prizewinner from Madison’s Handel Aria Competition. wcoconcerts.org
“A MADISON SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS”
Dec. 6-8, Overture Center
Each holiday season, the symphony and hundreds of local singers — the Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir — share their gifts with audiences. Midwestern opera talents Vanessa Becerra and Craig Irvin will make the 2024 proceedings extra jolly. madisonsymphony.org
AN ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS WITH OVER THE RHINE
Dec. 6, Stoughton Opera House
Multi-instrumentalist Linford Detweiler says his harmonious folk duo will make “an intimate but hopefully holy ruckus” at this historic opera house. The band’s December concerts typically feature deep cuts from their more than 30-year recording history and Christmas carols they’ve adored since childhood. stoughtonoperahouse.com
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