Stage

Issue #147 March 11, 2010

Whad'ya Know Again?

Wisconsin’s favorite radio quiz show returns to the State

Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know? is an interactive nationally syndicated program in which audience members will get a chance to answer quiz questions and be a part of a live radio show. Oh yeah, and they can win prizes, too!

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words by Lisa de Felice

Stage

Issue #147 March 11, 2010

Ron White

everyman comedian breaks State Theatre record

When news broke that comedian Ron White was coming to the State Theatre on March 25, the show sold out in six hours.

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #147 March 11, 2010

Danceworks

UWEC’s incredible annual dance exhibition

Every year, UW-Eau Claire puts on a dance show featuring the work of students, with this year featuring several pieces of modern dance, two jazz pieces, one tap piece, one contemporary ballet piece, and a contemporary jazz piece.

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words by Heidi Kraemer

Stage

Issue #147 March 11, 2010

The Sidewalk Ends Here

Bare Bones presents short plays by Shel Silverstein

Laced with his gleeful and, at times, grim humor, these plays reflect Shel Silverstein’s observations of relationships and culture.

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words by Heidi Kraemer

Stage

Issue #145 February 11, 2010

Like the First Time

Whether it’s sweet, painful, or awkward, everyone has a memory of their first experience ... we're talking about sex.

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words by Ashley Dziuk

Stage

Issue #145 February 11, 2010

Off to See the Wizard

It’s the classic tale of Dorothy Gale, who after being carried away by a tornado, house and all, lands in a magical land, meeting up with kindly scarecrows, cowardly lions, good (and bad) witches, and a host of other fantastic beings and places.

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words by Andrew Christianson

Stage

Issue #145 February 11, 2010

Grey Gardens

UWEC faculty play lead roles in historical musical

UW-Eau Claire music and theater professors Richard Nimke, Toni Poll-Sorensen, and Mitra Sadeghpour have teamed up to bring the acclaimed Broadway musical Grey Gardens to the local stage.

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #144 January 28, 2010

Whirled News Tonight

Chicago improv comedy show heads to State Theatre

Reel in a newspaper, randomly tear off several headlines, and add some stand-up comedians to the mix. The result is Whirled News Tonight.

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words by Claudia Lozano

Stage

Issue #144 January 28, 2010

UWEC Players Stage New Original Show

Determinism and the news are the two motifs embodied by the UWEC Players’ current project, CJ Krueger’s Because of Poppy Weisz.

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words by Carrie Weiss

Stage

Issue #144 January 28, 2010

Locally Penned Madrigal Play Returns to North High

While you could give your little princess a box of chocolates on Valentines Day, how about giving them a giant turkey leg this year, so they can feel like a king?

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #144 January 28, 2010

Alice in Eau Claire

Children's Theatre channeling Lewis Carroll

If you haven't ventured down the rabbit hole lately take the opportunity to see this unique classic live.

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #144 January 28, 2010

Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical

CVTG production explores the 'late, great hissy fit'

"We will all be there one day," says Bob Carr, director of Mid-Life!, "Why not laugh at ourselves a little?"

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words by Arya Roerig

Stage

Issue #143 January 14, 2010

It's Gallagher!

the 80s comedy icon comes to Ramada ready to smash stuff

Raincoats, garbage bags, sunglasses with windshield wipers, and an endurance for food squandering are necessary carry-ons for a Gallagher show.

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words by Mark Koenig

Stage

Issue #143 January 14, 2010

The Threshing

locals bring an original musical to the stage

“People will want to see this musical because it is all about local people and history. … The music is of a Broadway caliber, and the play is such a neat opportunity that everybody should see it.” – playwright Karen Hurd

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words by Heidi Kraemer

Stage

Issue #140 November 26, 2009

Holiday Theater Roundup

’tis the season for Christmas Carols and Nutcrackers

If you or your family is looking for some entertainment to get into the mood, there are loads of shows to see.

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words by Andrew Christianson

Stage

Issue #139 November 12, 2009

Sew What?

local costume designers give insight to their craft

"I didn’t go to school for this, but when my daughter was in her first Eau Claire Children’s Theater show and I helped with the costumes, I got really excited about it. I got the theater bug.”

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words by Heather Mawhiney

Stage

Issue #139 November 12, 2009

Fanny Hill Fires Up Weekly Variety Shows

Want to have a few good laughs with your next dining experience?

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words by Mitchell See

Stage

Issue #139 November 12, 2009

Playing It Fast and Suess

two unrelated local groups stage the musical Seussical

It’s zany, and cartoony, and not that abstruse, all from the mind of a man named Seuss.

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #137 October 15, 2009

Monster of a Show

locals stage original Frankenstein adaptation

“As soon as you walk into the building, it’ll be like stepping into the story ... and that just gives me chills.”

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words by Kinzy Janssen

Stage

Issue #136 October 1, 2009

Holly Henson

“irreverently upbeat” comedian to laugh off cancer

Holly Henson, a self described “irreverently upbeat” comic, is a one-woman show and a comedic sledge hammer, never coming up short on targets or laughs.

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #136 October 1, 2009

Risky Business

exactly how well do risqué shows play around here?

"Do it in a way that says it’s different and alternative, so the people that buy season tickets aren’t showing up going, ‘What’s an angry inch?’”

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words by Trevor Kupfer

Stage

Issue #135 September 17, 2009

International Folk Footwork

local folk dancers host 30th anniversary dance workshop

Have you ever wanted to impress your friends with your unique dancing skills, but you’ve never found the right opportunity – or time – to perfect them?

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words by Emily Kuhn

Stage

Issue #135 September 17, 2009

Reducing Shakespeare

complete works of Shakespeare to be staged ... all at once

This ain’t your great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother’s Shakespeare, baby!

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #134 September 3, 2009

Kids on Stage

Menomonie’s new youth theater group

“When you get kids involved, they can develop a relationship with that place and it becomes a priority for the rest of their lives.” – Blaine Halverson

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words by Diane Embry

Stage

Issue #133 August 20, 2009

A Memorable Production

UWEC Players’ completely original play Candid

Memories materialize in Candid, the newest production from student theater group, the UWEC Players.

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words by Carrie Weiss

Stage

Issue #132 August 6, 2009

Music and Film Festival Returns to Stillwater

Square Lake Film and Music Festival in Stillwater is an all-day camping, biking, watching, listening, ode to local short films fast approaching on Aug. 15.

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words by Gillian Ekern

Stage

Issue #132 August 6, 2009

Fanny Hill: Show Stopper

theater at iconic Fanny Hill to conclude in six months

“When people boast about town, one of the first things is this dinner theater. We’re known around the state. We’re part of the fabric of the community.”

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words by Trevor Kupfer

Stage

Issue #131 July 23, 2009

Mary Mack Attack

Last Comic Standing semifinalist coming to town

Mary Mack is coming to town! No, not the one from the rhyme, silly – the Last Comic Standing semifinalist.

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #130 July 9, 2009

Tech Support: The Musical

local thespians lampoon modern customer service

Tech Support: The Musical, the hilarious show centered around the not-so-funny nightmare of a tech support call, will be featured at the Mabel Tainter and Grand Little Theatre for one night only.

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words by Heather Mawhiney

Stage

Issue #130 July 9, 2009

Bilbo Comes to Eau Claire

Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild Stages The Hobbit

While 2012 might seem like an insurmountable amount of time to wait for the Peter Jackson/Guillermo de Toro feature film, fortunately the epic tale is coming to Eau Claire in July.

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words by Bailey Berg

Stage

Issue #129 June 25, 2009

Thespians & Poets on Campus

One-Act Plays, Poetry Readings on Wednesdays in July

To go or not to go will be the question of Wednesday evenings in July, and the eclectic mix of actors, spoken-word artists, and Bard-lovers alike hope you don’t take as long as Hamlet to decide.

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words by Abi Zimmer

Stage

Issue #129 June 25, 2009

Your Golden Ticket

Infamous Chocolate Factory Coming to the State Theatre

Let me ask a question, “Who can take a sunrise / Sprinkle it with dew / Cover it in chocolate / And a miracle or two?”

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words by Mark Koenig

Stage

Issue #128 June 11, 2009

Debauchery Downtown

‘Carnivalé of Debauchery’ slinks into the Stones Throw

Titillating, provoking, awakening, and enamoring. Such is the Carnivalé of Debauchery and Deviance.

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words by Mark Koenig

Stage

Issue #128 June 11, 2009

Elephants on their Way

Shriners bring their annual circus back to town

Your inner child is beckoning, so go ahead and follow the sparkling spotlights to the Big Top of the annual Mehara Shrine Circus.

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words by Heidi Kraemer

Stage

Issue #126 May 14, 2009

Improv Yourself

learn to unearth your funny side with comedy classes

Eau Claire is proud to introduce its own Who’s Line Is It Anyway?, and you’re invited to play.

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words by JoAnna Haugen

Stage

Issue #125 April 30, 2009

Second City Is Back for Seconds

Chicago’s Second City Touring Company to bring the funny

“... like a cross between wisecracking super delegates and an alcoholic uncle …"

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words by Mark Koenig

Stage

Issue #123 April 2, 2009

Theatrical All-Nighter

UWEC group stages 24 hour theatre challenge

The 10- to 15-minute productions will start 24 hours after the plawrights began writing.

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words by Carrie Weiss

Stage

Issue #123 April 2, 2009

Auditions Open for New Children’s Theater Plays

The Eau Claire Children’s Theatre will hold auditions on location for seven upcoming shows

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words by Nicole Humphrey

Stage

Issue #122 March 19, 2009

It's Intergalactic!

one-of-a-kind science fiction radio-play comes to town

A wildly appealing science fiction radio-play will be crash-landing on the State Theatre.

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words by Kinzy Janssen

Stage

Issue #122 March 19, 2009

North Coast Slam Battle

the Midwest’s best spoken word artists are on their way

Buckle up! The Midwest’s best spoken word artists are on their way.

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words by Nicole Humphrey

Stage

Issue #122 March 19, 2009

Back to Bare Bones

indie theater group is back in action

This isn’t a short-term engagement, however. Bare Bones intends to stay around for a long while.

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words by Andrew Christianson

Stage

Issue #121 March 5, 2009

Arts Madness

don’t miss the State Theatre’s 10-10-10-10 promotion

On March 10, from 10am to 10pm, all remaining shows in the theater’s schedule are just $10.

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words by Trevor Kupfer

Stage

Issue #120 February 19, 2009

Albert Herring

British opera comedy comes to UWEC’s Ganter Concert Hall

The public sees most opera as depressing music sung in a different language ...

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words by Andrew Christianson

Stage

Issue #120 February 19, 2009

Curtain Call

one last show for stage duo Larry and Lucy Weidner

“As far as I know, they were on the Ark, and have been doing plays ever since.”

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words by Briana Krantz

Stage

Issue #117 January 8, 2009

Phantom Tollbooth

Kennedy Center Theater group to present quirky classic

Intelligent and catchy musical The Phantom Tollbooth on its way.

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words by Aryn Widule

Stage

Issue #117 January 8, 2009

Blues Clues Live

dramatic detective dog scampers into State Theatre

Here comes that cotton candy-blue colored dog ...

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words by Carrie Weiss

Stage

Issue #117 January 8, 2009

Optical Delusions

magician trio mini-tour hits Grand Little Theatre

"I make sure that what I’m creating has never been done before.”

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words by Theresa Schneider

Stage

Issue #115 December 4, 2008

Better Bring Some Corn for Poppin’

area theater groups, venues putting on Christmas shows aplenty

A dose of high drama and culture would make the perfect gift ...

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words by Claire Jeffries

Stage

Issue #113 November 6, 2008

Looking to the Stars

UWEC play Lunacy explores the forgotten history of women and space

"... living with mystery is part of the human existence.”

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words by Ashley Dziuk

Stage

Issue #112 October 23, 2008

Church Basement Ladies

a play about a small-town Minnesota church, “you betcha”

“It’s a classic show that would appeal to this area.”

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words by Abi Zimmer

Stage

Issue #111 October 9, 2008

Nutty Nation

the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s Complete History of America (Abridged)

The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s Complete History of America (Abridged).

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words by Ben Freund

Stage

Issue #111 October 9, 2008

Untold Injustice

UWEC presents play about Holocaust, sexuality

Bent does seem to be, at heart, about love.

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words by Amanda Schaefer

Stage

Issue #110 September 25, 2008

Polar Bear in a Snowstorm

play about all-white painting examines art

Art revolves around Serge who shells out 200,000 francs for a piece of abstract art.

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words by Thadeus Logan

Stage

Issue #108 August 28, 2008

Touch-a Touch Me

Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild brings cult film to life

The possibility came up years ago, but guild members voiced concern about the show’s content ...

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words by Trevor Kupfer