The Milwaukee Post

16 • Milwaukee County Post • November 17, 2017 Would you like to read the Milwaukee Post ONLINE? Then GO TO www.ifoldsflip.com/t/34594 OR Like Us On FACEBOOK OR Pick Up a Copy at our Office: 3397 South Howell NW Corner of Howell & Holt 257661005 Looking for a special gift idea, merchants that carry gift cards or an event to take the family to this holiday season? Check out the Milwaukee Post's special section, Holiday Shopping and Events Guide, running through December 22nd. By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic MILWAUKEE — One of our local boys has made it to the big time. Joe Kinosian grew up in Wauwatosa and attended the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, where his inter- est in theater was sparked. One of his teachers took interested students to many of the theater productions at The Rep, where he became more intrigued and engrossed in the possibility of pursuing a career in the- ater. Moving to New York after graduation, he met a kindred soul while attend- ing a Musical Theatre Workshop. He and his even- tual creative partner, lyri- cist Kellen Blair, dreamed up this crazy mix of come- dy and mystery called "Murder for Two," which has been a national and international success and the winner of several awards. Now, Kinosian is at the Rep, the theater where he witnessed so many wonder- ful productions. He gets to experience what it's like to be on the other side of the equation. Matt Edmonds is the investigative detective in the show while Kinosian plays all the other roles — an assortment of guests who are attending a sur- prise birthday party for a famous mystery writer. The novelist, alas, is shot before the festivities begin. The entire play involves exam- ining the evidence and try- ing to determine a motive by questioning all the atten- dees. Both men also play the piano throughout the show with humor and skill. They sing earnestly and quite effectively convey the clever lyrics by Blair. The bulk of the humor, however, comes from Kinosian's adept impersonations of multiple characters, both men and women and some tough little kids. For a man his size, he is quite flexible, and his body language and facial expressions are amazingly varied. "Murder for Two" attempts to combine an Agatha Christie mystery (specifically the writers were inspired by "And Then There Were None") with Marx-Brothers-style humor, so much of the show is farce, but the music adds another delightful dimen- sion. The audience obviously enjoyed themselves, attest- ed to by the immediate standing ovation that fol- lowed the merry mayhem. How anyone like Kinosian can perform with this much energy night after night, doing eight shows a week for nine weeks, is the biggest mystery of all. That can only happen when one is driven by a passion for performance and a desire to entertain others. Kinosian's life dream has come true — to be a writer, a musician, a come- dian, and an actor. "Murder for Two" is proof of that. Well-directed by JC Clementz with a simple but effective set design by Regina Garcia, the show is sure to be a hit. It was wel- comed by a full house on opening night. Michael Brosilow Joe Kinosian, left, and Matt Edmonds in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's presentation of "Murder For Two," in the Stackner Cabaret. ENTERTAINMENT Inspired by The Rep, Milwaukee County native returns to roots ""Murder for Two" The musical runs through Jan. 14 at the Stackner Theatre, 108 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. Call 414-224-9490 or visit MilwaukeeRep.com for times and tickets. Combine Marx Brothers with Agatha Christie, along with lyrics, and you get 'Murder for Two' MILWAUKEE — The downtown will be aglow through Jan. 1 with the 19th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. The first tip-off that something's different might be chandeliers sus- pended above Wisconsin Avenue. Events will be held at the newly lit "Santa's Polar Palace" at Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave., "Community Spirit Park" at Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., and "Downtown's Yule Lounge" at Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan St. Each setting has corporate spon- sors. Jingle Bus rides present- ed by Meijer will operate from 6 to 8:20 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 30. Rides are $2 per person and depart from The Shops of Grand Avenue — Center Court, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. The Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District No. 21 is responsible for the procurement, installment and maintenance of the decorations. MILWAUKEE — "Tellabration: 2017 — A Night of Storytelling for Grownups" takes place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Mount Mary University's Stempke Hall, 2900 N. Swan Blvd. Professional adult "tellers" from southeastern Wisconsin will tell their best stories geared for the audience. This year's storytellers include: Art Beaudry, Joan Christopherson-Schmidt, Larry Devaill, Mary Jane Huber, Midge Miles, Debra Morningstar and Mark Steidl. It's $5 at the door; reser- vations not needed. For more information, call 414-962-4425. Holiday lights brighten downtown thoroughfare, parks Mount Mary to host Tellabration: storytelling for adults

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