Vocalist Stacy Sullivan performs on Nov. 7 in It’s a Good Day: A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee.
“Ko-Thi Dance Company’s November concert (Ujima) is comprised of a totally engaged and culturally proud multigenerational cast between the ages of 5 and 40 years old,” says the troupe’s Ferne Yangyeitie Caulker.
It’s a Good Day: A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee
It’s A Good Day: A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee is described by vocalist Stacy Sullivan as “a journey of discovery through the extraordinary musical legacy of Peggy Lee and the personal struggles of a woman whose voice captivated millions.” The classic songs, intricate rhythms and exquisite arrangements that defined Lee’s successful career are elegantly portrayed in this loving homage, created with jazz master, pianist and arranger Jon Weber.
The show allows attendees to experience Lee’s rise from a tragic childhood on the desolate plains of North Dakota to the elite company of popular song legends—becoming one of the first and foremost successful female singer/songwriters in history in the process. The audience members will hear selections from Lee’s famous canon, including such timeless hits as “Fever,” “Lover,” “Johnny Guitar,” “I Love Being Here With You,” “He’s a Tramp” and “Is That All There Is?”
Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Harris Theater of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive. For tickets, call 262-781-9520 or visit ticketing.wilson-center.com.
“Friday Flix! Classic Hollywood Scores”
The Wisconsin Philharmonic presents its first Friday night subscription concert in decades with a program of great American film music—an increasing presence on orchestra programs, and, I believe, rightfully so. Film scores, at their best, are modern-day adaptations of classical music’s time-honored incidental music, tone poems and opera scores. The concert features America’s foremost living film composer, John Williams.
“Most of these scores will be presented in their original Hollywood orchestrations—the same lush sound as in the original cinema presentations,” according to the Philharmonic’s website. Violinist Tim Kamps, the orchestra’s new concertmaster, will make his solo debut in Williams’ hauntingly beautiful music from Schindler’s List. And, yes, there will be music from the Star Wars films!
Friday, Nov. 2, in the Harris Theater of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive. For tickets, call 262-781-9520 or visit ticketing.wilson-center.com.
The Jealous Revolver, Episode 2
With this second installment of a trilogy, Cabaret Milwaukee takes audiences on a “criminally noir trip back to 1932” and, specifically, to a “Prohibition Era, sleazy speakeasy on the seedy side of Milwaukee with all the gangsters, dames, bullets and vengeance you can handle,” according to Cabaret’s Facebook page.
Lest you’ve missed the first part (which ran through Sept. 14), Episode 2 will begin with a recap to bring you up-to-date. Episode 1 opened with a robber tied to a chair, in the back of a speakeasy, who’s about to be executed by Vick Marconi, a rash gangster played by Kerric Stephens. But, that was just the beginning. Expect plenty more action this time as well, interspersed with segments from the radio show’s host, Richard Howling, and the rest of the “Howling Radio Hour” cast of characters. (John Jahn)
Nov. 2-17 at the Astor Hotel, 924 E. Juneau Ave. For tickets, visit facebook.com/cabmke.
Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility
“Ko-Thi Dance Company’s November concert is comprised of a totally engaged and culturally proud multigenerational cast between the ages of 5 and 40 years old,” says Ferne Yangyeitie Caulker, the troupe’s founder and artistic/executive director about its upcoming show. “Audiences will be thoroughly amazed by an intentional, collaborative, seamless choreographic and orchestrated quilt of vibrant movement and rhythmic vocabulary.”
Ujima, named for the third principle of Kwanzaa, represents Ko-Thi’s stated commitment to “build and maintain our community together.” It’s a fully collaborative ballet that takes the audience back in time to a village in West Africa during the preparation for the annual harvest. Using traditional West African dance and music styles to immerse the audience in this milieu, Ujima presents a full afternoon of dance and music. (John Jahn)
Sunday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. in UW-Milwaukee Helene Zelazo Center’s Bader Auditorium, 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. For tickets, call 414-229-4308 or e-mail psoatix@uwm.edu.
More To Do
Killjoy
Jerry Mayer’s Killjoy is an unpredictable romantic comedy/thriller boasting witty dialogue and interesting characters. Carol is being driven crazy by her charming monster of an ex-husband, Victor, and his new wife—both of whom are employing every trick in the book to end Carol’s $1,000-per-week alimony from Victor. The former couple have kids, too, further complicating the plot. Finally, throw in Carol’s ongoing affair with Victor’s divorce lawyer, and you have all the ingredients for an enjoyable theatre experience. Nov. 2-11 at Memories Ballroom, 1077 Lake Drive, Port Washington. For tickets, call 262-284-6850 or visit memoriesballroom.com.
You’ve Got a Friend
Two significant (to say the least!) singer-songwriters of the Baby Boom Generation—Carole King (b. 1942) and James Taylor (b. 1948) are a dream team whose compositions include such time-honored, massive hits as “I Feel The Earth Move,” “Fire and Rain,” “It’s Too Late” and “Your Smiling Face.” In this show, musicians Kerry Bieneman, Casey Olson and Melissa Cardamone join forces to pay tribute to these powerhouse musical artists. Nov. 5-8 at the Waukesha Civic Theatre, 264 W. Main St., Waukesha. For tickets, call 262-547-0708 or visit waukeshacivictheatre.org.
