By Jessica Steinhoff | Photo by Shawn Harper
BLASTS FROM THE PAST
“LITTLE WOMEN”
Through Nov. 23, UW-Madison Vilas Hall
Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about Civil War-era sisterhood gets a 21st-century Broadway treatment. artsticketing.wisc.edu
“WINTER FANTASIA: REIMAGINED”
Dec. 4-7, Overture Center
Kanopy Dance Company presents an updated version of its multicultural ode to wintertime, which explores Nordic legends and South Asian folk dance traditions. kanopydance.org
CHEAP TRICK
Dec. 5, The Sylvee
The band famous for the ’70s hit “Surrender” will rock you into submission with songs from a new album, “All Washed Up.” thesylvee.com
VISUAL ART
“CUESTIONES CARIBEÑAS/ CARIBBEAN MATTERS: ASSEMBLAGE AND SCULPTURE BY PABLO DELANO”
Through Dec. 14, Chazen Museum of Art
Delano uses photos, found objects and more to examine how shadows of colonialism shape tourism, migration, and other issues in the Caribbean. The subject matter is weighty, but his irony-driven approach is wonderfully witty. chazen.wisc.edu
“SABINA OTT: ALL THIS AND NOT ORDINARY”
Through Feb. 15, 2026, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
This show shares 33 late-career works by the multidisciplinary artist and Guggenheim Fellow, who used playful art-making as a way to tease new meanings out of trauma. Though Ott died in 2018, the spirit of experimentation is alive and well in pieces such as “the weight of air,” a sculpture featuring polystyrene, spray paint and mirrors. mmoca.org
Found Footage Festival Vol. 11
Dec. 19, Barrymore Theatre
Childhood friends from Stoughton who’ve gone on to work for The Onion and CBS’s “The Late Show” present their favorite clips from thrift- store VHS tapes. barrymorelive.com
LIVE MUSIC
DAKHABRAKHA
Nov. 29, Atwood Music Hall
This quartet from Kyiv melds Ukrainian folk music with instruments and rhythmic traditions from Africa and Asia. Check out their NPR Tiny Desk performance from 2015 to have your entire concept of rock ’n’ roll obliterated and rebuilt in 14 minutes. theatwoodmusichall.com
THEATER, DANCE AND COMEDY
“GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL”
Through Nov. 30, Overture Center
Can two fearless friends mount a musical about an unlikely subject, the inventor of the printing press? Find out as you laugh yourself silly, especially when the duo of dudes portrays every character in their half-baked tale. forwardtheater.com
JORDAN KLEPPER WITH LANGHORNE SLIM
Dec. 13, Barrymore Theatre
“The Daily Show” co-host and correspondent is taking his Emmy-winning political comedy on the road for his “Suffering Fools” stand-up tour. He’s teaming up with a special guest, roots-rock revelation Langhorne Slim, to help you bid farewell to the chaos of 2025. barrymorelive.com
GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Even if traditional holidays aren’t your cup of tea, celebrate the season of hot cocoa and champagne toasts at these soul-warming performances.
“THE PIGEON GETS A BIG TIME HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA”
Nov. 29-Dec. 21, MYArts
Mo Willems’ freakout-prone Pigeon and other characters from his zany children’s books are bringing a sleighload of silly songs and holiday-themed humor to town for this Children’s Theater of Madison production. ctmtheater.org
“The Nutcracker” Times Two
Watching Madison Ballet’s professional dancers and pint-size ballerinas share the stage is one of many treats in this yuletide must-see featuring the Land of Sweets, the Sugar Plum Fairy and a delicious performance by Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. (Dec. 12-21, Overture Center, madisonballet.org).
On Dec. 20 and 21, catch Dance Wisconsin’s version of “The Nutcracker,” which features the Dance Wisconsin Orchestra, the Monona Grove High School Singers, updated choreography and new costumes. (Dec. 20 & 21, Wisconsin Union, dancewisconsin.org)
“A Charlie Brown Christmas with Strings”
Nov. 29, Orpheum Theater
Jazz ensemble Mr. Chair joins forces with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Madison Youth Choirs musicians to perform all of Vince Guaraldi’s iconic 1965 album “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The TV special of the same name wouldn’t be nearly the same without this transformative score. madisonorpheum.com
“A MADISON SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS”
Dec. 5-7, Overture Center
The symphony and its chorus, the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, Madison Youth Choirs, soprano Alexandra LoBianco and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen collaborate to put on Madison’s most epic holiday concert. Hit the Overture lobby an hour before the concert to carol with several stars of the show. madisonsymphony.org
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
Dec. 6-21, Overture Center
Charles Dickens’ Christmastime redemption tale is the perfect opportunity to meditate upon your own past, present and future. Or simply enjoy the budding talents of young local youth, and, if this year is like others in recent memory, a special appearance by a seasoned thespian from American Players Theatre. overture.org
