Pale Waves moves crowd with powerful performance
by Victoria Alexander, Times Staff Reporter
March 19, 2019
On Nov. 23 I was delighted to attend the Pale Waves concert at the Rave/Eagles Club. Finishing up the tour for their new album, “My Mind Makes Noises,” this was their second time in Milwaukee, and the first time I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them live. The four members of the indie-pop band -...
‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical’
by Valerie Evans, Times Staff Photographer
March 19, 2019
Captivating for all ages, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical” is continuing to play throughout the month of December at the Todd Wehr Theater. A misguided group of children feel left out of a Christmas play. While others consider them to be the “worst kids in the history of the world,”...
First Stage’s ‘Matilda’ brings it!
by Peace Speaks, Times Staff Reporter
February 14, 2019
First Stage’s first full-length Broadway musical was a delight for all ages to indulge in. Todd Wehr Theater has opened its doors from January 11 - Febuary 24 for the approximately two hours and 40 minutes long Tony Award-winning musical. With the awe-inspiring robust talent of a quite large cast,...
Stan Lee’s ‘X-Men’ made it OK – heroic, even – to be different
by Tracy Brown, Tribune News Service
January 24, 2019
The distinct instrumental opening theme of “X-Men: The Animated Series” will always remind me of the excitement and wonder I felt whenever I sat down to watch the show as a kid in the ‘90s. The thrumming beats and strings that accompanied cuts of animated explosions and blasts of superpowers led...
Courtney Marie Andrews tells about people
by Kirsten Schmitt, Times Senior Editor
January 24, 2019
Courtney Marie Andrews is no stranger to change. Moving from Arizona, where she grew up, to Seattle, she has been touring on the road since she left home at 16 to pursue her singing career. Despite a small crowd at Turner Hall on Nov. 12, Andrews impressed with her big voice. Her singing was soulful,...
Emotions flow through Nicki Bluhm’s concert
by Kirsten Schmitt, Times Senior Editor
January 24, 2019
With a glass of red wine in her hand, and swaying to the music, Nicki Bluhm impressed the crowd at Shank Hall with her great vocal range on Nov. 9. Bluhm, who left the group the Gramblers, is debuting her new solo album, "To Rise You Gotta Fall." Commenting on her leaving the Gramblers, Bluhm said,...
Raye Zaragoza as the opening is opening eyes
by Peace Speaks, Times Staff Reporter
December 19, 2018
On Dec. 1 the National Historic landmark, Turner Hall Ballroom, made way for the award-winning singer-songwriter and performer Raye Zaragoza. On the tail end of a summer-long tour opening for the band Dispatch, the 25-year-old, multinational (Native American, Mexican, Taiwanese and Japanese) Manhattan, New Y...
‘In the Heights’ draws audience into performance
by Victoria Alexander, Times Staff Reporter
December 13, 2018
The musical “In the Heights” is based on the book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also wrote the popular musical, “Hamilton.” This production of the show was performed at the Quadracci Powerhouse in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and was directed...
Thunderpussy puts on incredible show
by Gregory Zeller, Times Staff Reporter
December 13, 2018
Seattle-based band Thunderpussy rocked Milwaukee at the Rave on Oct. 19. The crowd was young, energetic and enthusiastic. I’ve never witnessed a crowd that was so alive and in tune with a band’s music like this one. With every song opening with a drum solo, the crowd seemed in tune every second....
Carlie Hanson lights up the stage
by Maribel Guarin, Times Staff Reporter
December 13, 2018
Pop singer Carlie Hanson graced the Eagles Ballroom with her catchy music and a memorable stage presence to match on Oct. 20. The La Crosse native, who with Kim Petras served as an opener for Troye Sivan, began the show with “Why Did You Lie?”– a song with tropical elements that was met with approval...
Michael Myers and Laurie Strode still going after 40 years
by Mara Cook, Times Editor-in-Chief
December 13, 2018
The brand is what’s going to draw the audience to this slasher film. Even if you scare easily I think this film would be right up your alley, because it’s not scary in the traditional sense. Michael Myers is still up to his antics of killing everything that moves, but the story between him and Laurie...
There’s nothing rotten about ‘Something Rotten’
by Kirsten Schmitt, Times Senior Editor
December 12, 2018
A very original musical, “Something Rotten!” follows two brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, playwrights in Elizabethan London who are trying to be better than William Shakespeare. The play opens with a man singing on stage, setting the scene. It’s a little hard to understand everything he’s saying becau...