BWW Review: First Stage Offers Persistence in Tough and Tenderhearted MOCKINGBIRD
First Stage invites a recent Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts production to Milwaukee for a Midwest premiere: Mockingbird (mok'ing burd). The National Book Award WinnerYoung Adult novel by Katherine Ersking and adapted by Julie Jensen presents the story of Caitlin-a 12 year old challenged by autism. To add to the young girl's life, Caitlin recently lost her brother Devin. This leaves only her father and she to deal with their grief and moving forward in the compelling and poignant production.
BWW Review: Langston Hughes' BLACK NATIVITY Portrays Christmas Gospel through Poetry and Soul
Black Arts MKE presents their joyous and triumphant 2nd annual version of Langston Hughes' Black Nativity first produced in 1961. Numerous theaters throughout America remount the production every year to celebrate the holiday season with an all African American cast. At Wilson Theater in Vogel Hall, Malkia Stampley directs an all star cast of 18 members including charming children and professional actors accompanied by live musicians under the music direction of Antoine Reynolds, along with drummer Taurus Adams and bass player Afton Johnson, while they dance to Marvette Knight's rousing choreography.
BWW Review: Renaissance Theaterworks' THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL Pleads for Human Compassion
Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) inhabits the Studio Theater at the Broadway Theatre Center and presents a true ballad--a dramatic narrative told over generations often set to music and dance--where this powerful tale recounts the life of 14 year-old Emmett Till. Over the thrid October weekend, Ifa Bayeza's The Ballad of Emmett TIll visiblly moved Milwaukee audiences using an evocative stage designed by Madelyn Yee, ghost like in representing a church sanctuary centered on a coffin-like altar where a circular window, an archtectural rose window, a wheel from a cotton gin or perhaps star, was placed above the 'altar.' Arches, like skeletons of stained glass windows, framed both sides of the backdrop The innventive set combined with a dream cast imaginatively directed by Marti Gobel breathes life into this young boy's ballad.
BWW Reviews: GOLDILOCKS AND THREE BEARS GIVES 'Oh SO GOOD' Music and Message
'Children's Theater' appears to be a misnomer--Instead, the name professional theater produced for children respects the work that First Stage presents in the First Step series for pre-schoolers. Goldilocks and the Three Bears opened this weekend at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, a musical creation by George Stiles paired with Anthony Drewe, the team of Mary Poppins fame, for any and everyone three and over. This utterly entertaining production represents the sophistication currently attached to professional theater for children, a delight for young and old to appreciate.
BWW Reviews: First Stage Fights for Freedom in A MIDNIGHT CRY
What does the public or young people remember about slavery---pre or post Civil War? Last weekend, James DeVita's poignant play A Midnight Cry returned to First Stage at the Todd Wehr Theatre after premiering in 2003. A young Missouri slave, Lida June Anderson, must escape through the Underground Railroad while leaving her family behind, although she discovers other people willing to help her along the way to freedom.
