By Jessica Steinhoff | Photography by Maureen Janson Heintz (Pictured: “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914”)
HOLIDAY TREATS
“A MADISON SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS”
Dec. 1-3, Overture Center
The symphony teams up with hundreds of heavenly voices — its chorus, plus the Madison Youth Choirs, the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, soprano Evelyn Saavedra and tenor Limmie Pulliam — for its annual holiday extravaganza. Feeling extra festive? Join a seasonal sing-along in Overture Center’s lobby 55 minutes before showtime. madisonsymphony.org
“ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914”
Dec. 7-10, 14-17, 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. In “All Is Calm,” a musical by UW-Madison alum Peter Rothstein, the catalyst is a German soldier stepping between the trenches and singing “Silent Night.” A cappella vocals like these are the soul of this Four Seasons Theatre production, which will move you to tears. fourseasonstheatre.com
“MESSIAH”
Dec. 8, Bethel Lutheran Church
If you’ve never experienced Handel’s triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” in a concert hall, now’s the time to do it. The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Festival Choir of Madison present this masterwork in all its glory, for one night only. wcoconcerts.org
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
Dec. 9-10, 15-17, 22-23, Overture Center
La Shawn Banks of American Players Theatre fame portrays Ebenezer Scrooge in this Children’s Theater of Madison production. If all goes according to plan, the crotchety miser will become a generous gentleman, just in time for Christmas. ctmtheater.org
“THE NUTCRACKER”
Friday, Dec. 15-17, 20-24, Overture Center
Young Clara is whisked away to the Land of Sweets in Madison Ballet’s staging of the yuletide classic, choreographed by Sara Stewart Schumann. Toy soldiers will march, snowflakes will waltz and you’ll be enchanted.
madisonballet.org
MUSIC, THEATER AND COMEDY
“CLYDE’S”
Through Nov. 19, Overture Center
Sandwich artistry is the road to redemption for the formerly incarcerated staff of a truck-stop cafe where this comedy is set. Forward Theater is mounting the Tony-nominated play’s Wisconsin premiere, so you’ll be one of the first cheeseheads to savor it. forwardtheater.com
DESSA
Nov. 19, Majestic Theatre
In addition to being the queen of Minneapolis’ indie hip-hop scene, Dessa has published a memoir and two literary collections and hosts the BBC’s “Deeply Human” podcast. Whether she’s singing lyrics, slinging rhymes or simply talking, expect a spellbinding story. majesticmadison.com
PHOEBE ROBINSON
Dec. 1, Barrymore Theatre
The comedian, writer and co-star of HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” brings her “Messy AF” tour to town. For a sampling of her stand-up, watch “Sorry, Harriet Tubman,” available on (HBO) Max. barrymorelive.com
ANDREW MCMAHON IN THE WILDERNESS
Dec. 6, The Sylvee
This act’s namesake received a leukemia diagnosis the day his previous band, Jack’s Mannequin, finished recording their first album. McMahon has turned that trauma into something beautiful time and time again, founding a charity for cancer patients and crafting piano-driven pop such as “Stars,” his 2022 single about second chances in love and life. thesylvee.com
VISUAL ART AND LITERARY EVENTS
SIGRID NUNEZ
Nov. 17, Madison Public Library Central Library
The Guggenheim fellow and National Book Award winner reads from her brand-new novel, “The Vulnerables,” at a Wisconsin Book Festival event. The story unfolds during New York City’s COVID-19 lockdowns, where a woman gets to know a troubled college student, a parrot and herself. wisconsinbookfestival.org
“BURNING AT BOTH ENDS”
Through Dec. 3, Overture Center
Humankind’s quest to find comfort and escape discomfort is ripe for examination in these “works in dialogue” by Jennifer Bastian and Heather Rasmussen. Find fragments of your own image reflected in Rasmussen’s untitled installation featuring tiny pieces of mirror and large quantities of breastmilk. overture.org
“INSISTENT PRESENCE: CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN ART FROM THE CHAZEN COLLECTION”
Through Dec. 23, Chazen Museum of Art
Lived experiences, political concerns and raw emotions coalesce in this exhibition of sculptures, paintings, prints and photos by two dozen African artists. Each section of the show uses the human body to ask challenging questions about power and identity. chazen.wisc.edu
