The Happy Elf

Sunday @ the Marcus Center - 7 p.m.

Dec. 07, 2008

midnight

The Marcus Center’s production of The Happy Elf, which is performed at 7 p.m. today, is based on the 2005 animated TV special, which itself grew out of a Harry Connick Jr. song. Connick wrote six new songs for the stage version and Andrew Fishman wrote the musical book from his own adaptation. Add in Tony Award-winning director John Rando, as well as an ensemble of Broadway and local actors, and the caliber of talent adds even more magic to this visually fun, fast-paced show.

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Sunset offers four different subscription series u...

Sunset offers four different subscription series under its roof, three of which use only professionals. And I'd venture to say that half the performers in its main stage shows appear all over the area in a professional capacity every year. Community theatre ain't what it used to be.

Susan more than 14 years ago

Having been in the community theater scene since t...

Having been in the community theater scene since the 70's I know for fact that professionals also do community theater. These may not be Equity Union actors, as they are contracted through Equity. But they are people who also do most of the small semi-pro companies our town. In fact most community shows are so pro, that many upcoming theater folk lose roles to area semi-pros. I have also seen Union professionals, who gave up their career, and later in life do community shows. This is very popular in senior areas like Florida and Palm Springs. Every community show in our town has amazing talent in their productions. Keep attending community shows, and you will also see a star or two from many area semi-pro companies in the cast.

Old Fan more than 14 years ago

Sunset Playhouse is one of the top community theat...

Sunset Playhouse is one of the top community theatres in the Midwest, featuring professional quality production values in their shows. When you compare the quality of their productions to other professional union houses in the Milwaukee area, they come out very well. Therefore it's no surprise that some very good actors who can & do get paid at other venues work at Sunset for free. Actors are artists who's medium depends on other people's money in order to practice their craft, so to some actors, it's all about the work, not the pay.

Anonymous more than 13 years ago

"Sunset generally doesn’t work with a professional...

"Sunset generally doesn’t work with a professional cast..." What qualifies people as "professional"? Run through their season cast list some time. Bet you'd be surprised to find just how many would absolutely qualify by *anyone's* definition of the term. ;)

Ruth more than 14 years ago