Back By Overwhelming Demand! THINGS THAT GO DING At Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre announced the return of the wildly popular Things that go Ding! featuring Skylight percussionist Michael "Ding" Lorenz and his astonishing collection of eclectic and vintage percussion instruments.

Performances are Friday, February 22 through Sunday, March 3, 2019 in Skylight's beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Things that go Ding! features Lorenz along with virtuosic pianist Jamie Johns and Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Ray Jivoff. The artistic advisor for the show is Skylight Artistic Associate Jill Anna Ponasik.

Return Engagement After Sold Out Shows

Things that go Ding! was first staged in 2009 as a cabaret show in the Skylight Bar & Bistro. It was such a hit that Lorenz expanded the show in 2012 and presented it in the Studio Theatre to sold-out audiences. This is the first time Things that go Ding! will be performed on Skylight's Cabot Theatre stage.

"It is safe to say there is nothing else like this anywhere," said Lorenz. "It is a combination concert, theatre, vaudeville, comedy and variety show, all reflecting my wacky sense of humor and outlook on life."

Lorenz, a lifelong collector of percussion instruments, has amassed one of the largest private collections of modern and vintage percussion instruments in the world. He says this new version of Things that go Ding! will be bigger and better, showcasing hundreds of instruments.

Inspired by Spike Jones, Victor Borge and PDQ Bach

"This show represents a culmination of my entire career as a performer and a collector, and my admiration for artists such as Spike Jones, Victor Borge and PDQ Bach," said Lorenz, who started playing drums at age five. He went on to a career as a percussionist that spans from rock and roll to symphony orchestras. He calls Skylight Music Theatre his "artistic home" having first performed there in 1972 and now serving as staff percussionist and orchestra contractor.

"I have heard from countless patrons encouraging us to bring this show back to Skylight," said Artistic Director Jivoff. "We are looking forward to seeing those patrons again, while also introducing the fun and zaniness of this show to new audiences."

The Shepherd Express called the show "pure magic" with "serious musicality" and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote, "A virtuoso evening! Part concert, part variety show, part vaudeville."

Things that go Ding!

February 22 - March 3, 2019

Created by Michael "Ding" Lorenz and Jamie Johns

Orchestrations by Jamie Johns, Michael "Ding" Lorenz and Ed Doemland

Creative Input by Ray Jivoff

Recommended for ages 9 and up

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