By Lenah Helmke | Photo: Theatre Lila, courtesy Mary Beth Barone
LOVE, ACTUALLY
“A Love Letter: Breaking the Boundaries of Love”
Feb. 5-15, ART House 360
Expressions of love can be shown in countless ways. For Theatre LILA and AJ Juarez of Barrio Dance, the season of love will be celebrated through dance, live music and poetry in this performance. Together, they share the beautiful, unpredictable and complex sides of emotion through an experimental work of art. theatrelila.com
“Kimberly Akimbo”
Feb. 10-15, Overture Center
Do you remember your first crush? This Broadway musical will make you feel like you’re 16 again. Experience Kimberly Akimbo’s navigation of a new home, her first crush, a rare genetic condition and family dysfunction. overture.org
“Everlasting Faint”
Feb. 13 & 15, Overture Center
Inspired by a true murder story of the 1897 Greenbrier Ghost, Madison Opera’s tale takes audiences through the aftermath of a woman’s death allegedly at the hands of her husband, with themes of maternal love, ghosts and true crime. madisonopera.org
LET’S LAUGH ABOUT IT
Grace Helbig: “Let Me Get This Off My Chest”
Feb. 6, Atwood Music Hall
Remember the start of content creation on YouTube, when daily vlogs were revolutionary? Grace Helbig was there with her channel “DailyGrace.” Since her start in 2008, Helbig has found success across the entertainment industry with her infectious personality. theatwoodmusichall.com
Sherri Shepherd: “Make it Make Sense Comedy Tour”
Feb. 7, Barrymore Theatre
Actress, comedian and best-selling author Sherri Shepherd takes the stage during her comedy tour to talk about pop culture, relationships and everyday life. barrymorelive.com
Mary Beth Barone: “Galaxy Brain Tour”
Feb. 27-28, Comedy on State
After debuting her first self-produced standup special on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Mary Beth Barone has sold out headliners at the New York Comedy Fest, Netflix Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. madisoncomedy.com
Chelsea Handler: “The High and Mighty Tour”
Feb. 19, The Orpheum Theater
Once the only female late-night talk show host on-air, Chelsea Handler is a comedic genius. Her “High and Mighty Tour” is hilarious and relatable. madisonorpheum.com
A MODERN SPIN
“Hamilton”
Jan. 6-18, Overture Center
One of Broadway’s most celebrated and popular shows, “Hamilton” opens up the history book for new audiences, fusing educational showtunes, hip hop, R&B and ground- breaking choreography. overture.org
Layale Chaker
Jan. 16, Overture Center
This Lebanese composer and violinist marries contemporary music and classical ancestral narratives in her performances. overture.org
“Pointes of View”
Feb. 13 & 15, Overture Center
Part of Madison Ballet’s “Re:Focus” series, “Pointes of View” celebrates foundational technique while reinter- preting classical dance in fun, energetic performances. madisonballet.org
CRAVING THE CLASSICS
“Heartbeat”
Jan. 23-25, Overture Center
Welcome the new year with Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Escaramuza,” inspired by Peruvian heritage, Strauss’ Der Rosenkabalier Suite and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2. With guest conductor Kazem Abdullah and Yefim Bronfman on piano, this dynamic, energetic concert even has a hint of nostalgia. madisonsymphony.org
“The Hobbit”
Feb. 7-22, MYArts
The Children’s Theater of Madison dives into the world of dwarves, wizards, trolls and goblins, and they invite audiences to join in on the adventure, drawn from the iconic 1937 novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien. ctmtheater.org
“Playful Pursuits”
Feb. 20-22, Overture Center
This collaboration of guest conductor Tania Miller, violinist Rachel Barton Pine and the Madison Symphony Orchestra brings Felix Mendelssohn’s Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Madison. Traveling internationally with stops in South Korea, Canada, the Czech Republic and more, Miller has exhibited her innovative yet dynamic love of music. She’ll take the stage alongside Pine, who debuted with the Chicago Symphony at age 10 and also performs around the world. madisonsymphony.org
BOY BANDS ARE BACK
“Pet Sounds Live: The Music of the Beach Boys”
Jan. 15, Majestic Theatre
Time-travel back to the 1960s when The Beach Boys changed the world of rock and roll. “Pet Sounds Live” jumps into the studio and rerecords the classics from the album “Pet Sounds.” majesticmadison.com
Umphrey’s McGee
Jan. 23, The Sylvee
Electronic, vibrant and rhythmically captivating rock band Umphrey’s McGee brings their “Sky’s The Limit Tour” to Madison. thesylvee.com
