Madison Symphony names Laura Jackson as new director
Laura Jackson, conductor of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra in Nevada, has been selected to lead the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
Moving ‘Casey and Diana’ plumbs the messy layers of hope
Inside Casey House, hope has a sound. Thomas, the longest tenured resident at this AIDS hospice in Toronto, can hear it “through the walls and floors … a faint, warm ringing.”
‘As You Like It’ sparks love at first sight at American Players Theatre
“As You Like It” is one of Shakespeare’s most quotable plays, staged up the hill by American Players Theatre this summer.
A Madison nonprofit promotes public art. Artists warn of red flags.
As the city of Madison prepares to invest more than ever in public art (meaning more money from other sources), a group of artists has identified specific, consistent challenges with Madison Public Art Project.
How immigration restrictions show up in Madison’s concert halls
For the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, visa cancellations have become an expensive pattern. “This is an industry-wide challenge,” said CEO Joe Loehnis. “You have a whole marketing department that is ready to pivot on a dime ... It’s nerve-racking.”
‘Lady Disdain’ world premiere rides sparkling into Overture
In “Lady Disdain,” a delightful new adaptation of “Much Ado About Nothing,” playwright Lauren Gunderson takes the sparring enemies-to-loves of Shakespeare’s comedy and leaves the tropes we no longer have use for.
Theatre Leaders in Milwaukee: Strength in ‘a Moment of Crisis’
Execs from more than 40 of the country’s largest regional theatres gathered in Wisconsin to share practical advice for an industry that is ‘exceptionally strained.’
Forward Theater’s darkly funny ‘Ironbound’ has grace and grit
In Martyna Majok's "Ironbound," Polish-born Darja waits for a bus that never comes.
Two Crows Theatre explores the icy tundra in Lovecraftian thriller
Two Crows opens its 2026 season with “Before the Mountains of Madness," a world premiere. It is a loose adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft story.
An insider’s take on ‘Hamilton’ — when not everything goes as planned
What happens when the turntable stops turning? A.D. Weaver shares show-stopping moments from the "Hamilton" tour.
Home for the Holidays: 20 arts performances around Madison
Netflix comedian Taylor Tomlinson is ready to hear Madison confess
David Frank of American Players Theatre leaves a legacy of language
During 23 years at APT, Frank took the Spring Green company from financial precarity to stability. The former producing artistic director died on July 21.
‘The Death of Chuck Brown’ shows a changing D.C.
“In our community, we have sages,” said Gavin Dillon Lawrence, playwright and director of “The Death of Chuck Brown,” now in a world premiere at American Players Theatre.
In sultry ‘Picnic’ at APT, sparks fly on a summer night
Amid the birdsong and breezes on the hill, American Players Theatre's production of William Inge's “Picnic” feels lively and lived-in.
Michael Jackson’s music can’t save grim ‘MJ the Musical’
Jackson was the King of Pop, a generational talent. We loved him. Why is this show such a bummer?
Wisconsin Triennial makes a showy splash on State Street
Threads of color and transformation run through the 2025 Wisconsin Triennial, which itself runs through Sept. 14 at the museum at 227 State St.
Trump's NEA slashes grants for Madison-area arts groups
Ten minutes before the curtain rose on “Don Giovanni,” an email dropped into the inbox of Madison Opera general director Kathryn Smith. The opera’s $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts had been canceled by the Trump administration.
Hey, Jerry Seinfeld. What’s the deal with those $800 tickets?
At a Madison venue, it looks like a typo: A single seat in Overture Hall three rows away from Jerry Seinfeld’s hour-long comedy set on May 30 costs 863 American dollars.
‘A Case for the Existence of God’ finds space for the soul
Forward Theater pulls the audience close for its final full-length production of the 2024-25 season, staging Samuel D. Hunter’s drama in the round through April 13.
The MercLab, a Madison DIY theater space, makes way for housing
For nearly 20 years, this badly air conditioned former garage encouraged some of the city’s weirdest theater. Soon, it will be demolished to make space for an apartment building.
MMoCA’s 2025 Triennial offers creative snapshot of Wisconsin art
The final selection of 24 artists who will show about 50 works in the 2025 Triennial was announced in mid-January.
Pop musical ‘& Juliet’ comes of age to a millennial mixtape
Rachel Simone Webb, the magnetic singer playing Juliet in theaters across the country, has her work cut out for her by Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande in this playful, hummable show.
Capital City gives ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ a promising premiere
With a jazzy score and selective adherence to Frank Capra’s familiar story, “Wonderful Life” has promise.
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