The Milwaukee Post

18 • Milwaukee County Post • May 11, 2018 Windfall Theatre adroitly conducts 'Celebration' of life By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic MILWAUKEE — It is rare to see two musicals by the same creative team in the same week. Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, best known for "The Fantasticks," presently playing at the Tenth Street Theatre, also collaborated in writing "Celebration," a less-performed but still delightful creation, well- produced by Windfall Theatre, known for unearthing dramatic gems. Schmidt and Jones also enjoyed success with "I Do I Do." "Celebration" contrasts light and dark, generosity and greed, life and death, and joy and despair. It employs a narrator, just as "The Fantasticks" does, one who offers commen- tary as the story proceeds and also plays the charac- ter Potemkin. Shayne Steliga has both the pres- ence and the voice to give the role the stature it needs. He provides the wisdom that a fable typically con- veys. The rather naive orphan, played by Josh Perkins, symbolizes inno- cence and longing. He is still hopeful that he will find his lost garden. Then we meet two other important characters — Mr. Rich, so beautifully por- trayed by David Flores, and Angel, nicely rendered by Alicia Rice. Angel wants to become a TV star, or so she thinks. Because she sees fame as a more desirable commodity than love, she initially scorns the advances of the Orphan. He can't provide her with the fame and fortune that she sees as the ultimate goal. Mr. Rich has lost his zest for life, having achieved wealth but little else with his varied inventions. He has all his mirrors covered because he can't face his mortality and his loveless life. Flores brings depth to the role. His ability to be both comedic and dramatic, along with his lovely voice, all serve him well as this character. The rest of the cast of seven provides movement and ensemble music, both significant contributions to the beauty of the whole. Angel is seen as the answer to Mr. Rich's bore- dom and inability to experi- ence emotion, and she sees him as her pathway to suc- cess, though she has second thoughts when she com- pares him to the young, hopeful Orphan, to whom she is more naturally attracted. Alicia Rice has a clear, pure soprano voice and also moves with grace. The cho- rus takes on multiple roles as needed to tell the story but is most effective when they are the cleverly masked revelers. The whole strong and melodic ensem- ble participates in most of the songs. Though none of the tunes have a life outside the story, many of them echo some of the musical motifs heard in "The Fantasticks." Orphan and Angel meld nicely in "Love Song" and "Under the Tree." "Where Did It Go" and "Bored" are Mr. Rich's strongest num- bers, and "Celebration," which begins and ends the story, is very nicely execut- ed by the whole group. Carol Zippel's overall direction along with the musical direction of Paula Foley Tillen, the choreogra- phy of Alicia Rice and the costume design of Liz Shipe all combine to pro- vide lovely entertainment and a reminder to celebrate the wonders of our precari- ous, lovely little lives while we have them. Submitted photo From left are Josh Perkins as Orphan, Alicia Rice as Angel and David Flores as Mr. Rich in Windfall Theatre's production of "Celebration.". ENTERTAINMENT "Celebration" The Windfall Theatre play runs through May 18 in the Village Church, 130 E. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee. Call 414-332-3963 or visit www.windfalltheatre.com. At a glance Dance Milwaukee Rebels Swing Dance Club, beginner West Coast swing lesson, 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., open dance from 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. May 27, the Delaware House, 2499 S. Delaware Ave., Milwaukee, no partner required, $12 each. Beginner West Coast swing lesson, 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., intermediate, 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m., and advanced 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. June 10, The Delaware House, 2499 S. Delaware Ave., Milwaukee, no partner required, $12 each. With $30 membership fee receive free beginner swing lessons for a year. Beginner West Coast Swing lesson, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., and open dance, same prices and location as above. West Coast swing workshop, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginner ($4) and open dance ($10), no part- ner required, 8:30 p.m. to midnight May 19, July 21, Sept. 29 and Nov. 3, Casa di Danza, 21415 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin. www.milwau- keerebels.com. Film "Michael Bolton Presents American Dream: Detroit," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Menomonee Falls Cinemas 16, W180-N9393 Premier Lane, Menomonee Falls, South Shore Cinemas 16, 7261 S. 13th St., Oak Creek, and Ridge Cinemas 20, 5200 S. Moorland Road, New Berlin. Fanthomevents.com. Health Active Adult: Tai Chi and Qigong, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Milwaukee Public Library — Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. The series helps improve endurance, vitality and bal- ance, manage stress and restore concentration. Space is limited; arrive National Alliance on Mental Illness Milwaukee Walk, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 19, Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee. 5K walk starts at 11 a.m. The walk is pet-friendly and includes face-painting, clowns, a 10- piece horn band, drum line, coffee, bagels, hotdogs and other food. Free parking. w w w . n a m i w a l k s . o r g / greatermilwaukee or 414- 344-0447. There is no charge although donations are encouraged. Among other programs, the walk helps pay for support groups and educational classes for those with men- tal illness and their families, and community education. The Face of Mental Health: Youth Behavioral Health and Wellness Summit, noon to 4 p.m. May 19, Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee. Free event for youths living with mental ill- ness or behavioral disor- ders as well as youth facili- tators, providers, parents, family members and friends. Hors d'oeurves and beverages. For more infor- mation, call 262-207-4130. Kids Saturdays at Central: Fairy Tale STEAM, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Milwaukee Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Explore con- cepts in science, technolo- gy, engineering, art and math — with a fairy tale twist for young ones. NatureNauts: Hail a Snail and Hug a Slug, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. May 20 and 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. May 21, Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin. $12 per child; $10 for Milwaukee County resident; $7 for Friends of Wehr members. $3.50 parking. For ages 4 to 6 with an adult. To register, call 414-425-8550. Lectures Introduction to Food Preservation, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 21, St. Francis Public Library, 4230 S. Nicholson Ave., St. Francis. Jeanine Becker, a certified master food pre- server and owner of Madam J's Sticky Finger Jams and Jellies, will explain all types of food preservation, equip- ment needs and provide handouts along with helpful tips. For 18 and older. Register in advance. stfran- cislibrary.org or 414-481- 7323. THE LIST THE LIST "Coming Away: Winslow Homer and England" When: Through May 20 Where: Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee Cost: $19, $17 for students with ID and seniors, free for 12 and younger, members and K-12 teachers More info: www.mam.org, 414-224-3200

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