The Milwaukee Post

By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic It seems as soon as Halloween is over, the ads start pushing Christmas. By Thanksgiving, we are well on our way to preparing for this glorious feast. The local theaters help us prepare for the season, either with traditional fare or by taking a slightly differ- ent approach to this holiday of holidays. Here are 11 regional offer- ings: 1. Through Dec. 23 — The Fireside Dinner Theatre, 1131 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, started its long run on Nov. 2. This year they have chosen the classic "Miracle on Thirty- Fourth Street," a story that's almost as popular as "It's a Wonderful Life" as holiday fare. Call 800-477- 9505 or visit www- firesidedinnertheatre.com for times and tickets. 2. Nov. 18 through Dec. 3 — Acacia Theatre at Concordia University's Wehr Auditorium at 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, is extending its Christmas show this year to three week- ends. It is offering "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol," a unique take on Charles Dickens' story from Marley's point of view. How does he escape eternal perdi- tion? Come and find out. Call Acacia Theatre at 414-744- 5995 or visit acacia@aca- ciatheatre.com. 3. Nov. 22 through Dec. 17 — Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, chose a spiritual story called "Miracle on South Division Street" for its Christmas offering. A staunchly religious mother claims that the blessed Mother appeared to her father in his barbershop, but granddaughter Ruth has ideas and claims of her own, which definitely upset the family's foundation. A clash of faiths. Call 414-291-7800 or visit www.milwaukeecham- bertheatre.com. 4. Nov. 29 through Dec. 31 — First Stage Children's Theatre, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee, returns to its delightful ver- sion of "Charlie Brown's Christmas" with Matt Daniels and Jack Forbes Wilson returning to their previous roles as Snoopy and piano accompanist. Call 414-267-2978 or visit www.firststage.org. 5. Nov. 29 through Dec. 24 — The Millwaukee Rep, 108 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, presents its classic version of "A Christmas Carol," the Charles Dickens tale of greed and redemption, for the 41st time. It is always an event to remember. Call 414- 224-9490 or visit www.mil- waukeerep.com. 6. Nov. 30 through Dec. 10 — Lake Country Players, 221 E. Capitol Drive, Hartland, with its usual excellence when it comes to musical presentations, has started a tradition of offer- ing a musical version of "A Christmas Carol." It's a lovely version on this tradi- tional tale. Call 262-367-4697 or visit www.lakecountry- playhouse.org. 7. Nov. 30 through Jan. 7 — In Tandem Theatre, at the Tenth Street Theatre, 628 N. 10th St., Milwaukee, has unearthed this farcical ren- dition of Dickens' famous tale. It's called "Scrooge in Rouge." When 20 of the 23 actors come down with food poisoning, three of the actors have to take all the parts, a challenge which proves to be a hilarious scramble. Call 414-271-1371 or visit www.InTandemtheatre.org. 8. Dec. 1 through Dec. 3 — Patio Players in Menomonee Falls, as part of a family tradition, puts on "A Christmas Carol, a Musical." Two of its mem- bers, Carol Klose and Jack Strawbridge, have added eight original carols in French and English to other traditional yuletide songs. There are five performances in three days. Join them for the first production in their newly renovated auditorium at North Middle School. N88- W16750 Garfield Drive. Menomonee Falls. Call 262- 255-8372 or visit www.fallspa- tioplayers.org. 9. Dec. 1 through Dec. 17 — The Waukesha Civic Theatre is changing its fare this year with its presenta- tion of "The House Without a Christmas Tree," a premiere by WCT education director Doug Jarecki, at the theater, 264 W. Main St., Waukesha. A fifth- grader teaches her grumpy father a lesson in how to cel- ebrate the season. Call 262- 547-0708 or visit www.wauke- shacivictheatre.org. 10. Dec. 9 through Dec. 26 — The Milwaukee Ballet again offers its traditional symphonic ballet "The Nutcracker Suite" by Peter Tchaikovsky at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee, A very popular draw each year, appealing to those who love beautiful music, graceful dancing and colorful pageantry. Call 414- 273-7206 or visit www.mar- cuscenter.com. 11. Dec. 15 through Dec. 23 — Next Act Theatre is again renting out its space at 255 S. Water St., Milwaukee, to Doug Jarecki for his delightful original play "Twas the Month before Christmas," a very human look at Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. Call 414-278-0765 or visit nex- tacttheatre.org. November 10, 2017 • Milwaukee County Post • 17 ENTERTAINMENT Acacia Theatre will put on "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol," one of several seasonal offerings that will be at local theaters before the holidays. Submitted photo 'The Cherry Sisters': Something to ponder and sounds like the wailing of damned souls issued there from ... ." Putting oneself out there night after night, not to mention the stress of travel- ing from venue to venue, takes a degree of courage. Wondering with each performance how you will be received — praised or vilified — must be exhaust- ing. Director Simon Provan certainly gave us something to ponder by choosing this piece. Accompanist Megan Steer deserves mention as well. MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Art Museum is offering a variety of holi- day events for visitors of all ages: ■ Yoga @ the Museum — 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday Get a view of Lake Michigan and get in some yoga before Thanksgiving dinner. Register with a $15 donation (registration clos- es at 5 p.m. Friday). It includes same-day admis- sion into the museum. Walk-ins welcome, if there is room. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Bring your own mat. ■ Museum Store Sunday — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26 Receive a special gift on this international day high- lighting the unique offer- ings of museum stores. Check out the vendor trunk shows, enjoy live music and members enjoy 20 percent off. See the collections and exhibitions, including "Degas to Picasso: Creating Modernism in France. " continued from Page 16 Coming to a theater near you: 11 plays of Christmas "The Cherry Syisters Revisited" "The Cherry Sisters Revisited" runs through Nov. 12 in the Raabe Theatre at Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8900 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Milwauke Art Museum offers holiday respites

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