The Green Room at the Wisconsin Union Theater

Welcome to the Wisconsin Union Theater blog! Here you can find information on the latest season events, contests, outreach and development straight from our staff members.

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Theater Director Ralph Russo Retires! Yes, it’s True.

by Esty Dinur, Communications and Community Relations Director

This is big news! After 35 years in various roles in the Wisconsin Union and 15 years at the helm of the Wisconsin Union Theater, Ralph Russo is retiring!

“It’s not a ‘me” thing, it’s a ‘we’ thing.” Ralph Russo (r) and staff  

His list of accomplishments is long. Some of them include:

-Significant increase in the number of students participating in the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Performing Arts Committee. These are the students who, advised by the theater’s director, book the season each year. There are also more students involved in all aspects of the theater’s work, and ones performing on our stages. Here he is with members of the 2012 committee: 

-The establishment of of a Campus Arts Ticketing office, which sells tickets not just for the theater’s shows but for all arts performances on campus.

-Creation and successful 15 years of the Madison World Music Festival. About a half way through these years, the festival joined forces with the veteran Willy Street Fair. The result is the very successful Saturday Madison World Music Festival programming on the large stage on Williamson Street, taking the international gown to town. 

Here’s a full Terrace for the 2017 festival: 

Reestablishing the Isthmus Jazz Fest. The fest had been hosted by the Civic Center until it closed for construction of the Overture Center. We reached out to the organizers and invited them to bring the festival to the Memorial Union’s Terrace. It has grown since then and this June will take a full week, with performances and other offerings all over town. See the full schedule here.  Related, the Wisconsin Union Theater, under Russo’s leadership, served on the founding team for the Greater Madison Jazz Consortium, the organization responsible for a tremendous increase in the availability of jazz shows through town.

-Establishing Summer Serenades, the free classical music series on the Terrace. 

-Continuing the tradition of quality, authentic performances and expanding and diversifying the programming. 

-With the theater’s Marketing and Communications arm, establishing social media, a website and an electronic newsletter--at a significantly early stage of the technologies’ existence. 

-Bringing back to Shannon Hall productions by University Opera and University Theatre and building strong connections with the two departments. 

-Finally, and significantly, overseeing two years of renovations and remodeling, celebrating the theater’s 75th anniversary and its Concert Series’ 100th. See below the new mechanical space underground during the renovation: 

“It’s not a ‘me” thing,” Russo says, “it’s a ‘we’ thing. I had the privilege of working with a great, talented and dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and an organization that is dedicated to the arts.” 

What are his plans for retirement? 

First, he’s “looking forward to a summer untethered from my calendar.” Russo plans to spend time reimagining his photography interest, traveling, playing golf, taking a pot throwing class at Wheelhouse, taking a stab at the pile of books accumulated by his bed...and returning to the theater as an audience member for the performances of the Concert Series’ 100th anniversary. 

Later, he hopes to return to the Wisconsin Union  as a trustee--and he expect to find opportunities to continue supporting the arts in the community. 

How does he feel? 

“No sadness,” says Russo, “a little nostalgic.” He plans to take photos of various places around the Union which hold meanings for him, and to turn them into art. He also feels curious and excited about what’s next for him, and for the theater, which he feels is in a good place and certain to continue being so into the future. 

Russo’s last day as the theater’s director is May 26. We wish him a wonderful retirement and we know we’ll see him again soon. 

[wisconsinuniontheater]

Changing Role: Esty Dinur

by Esty Dinur

Dear readers,

This is a goodbye. And a new beginning.

I have been the editor and occasional writer for this newsletter since its inception many years ago, but times, they are a changin’. I am transferring to new responsibilities as the Wisconsin Union Theater’s first ever full-time Community Relations Director. The newsletter, as well as the theater’s social media and other aspects of marketing and communications, are moving to the Union’s Marketing department. I’m sure they’ll do a good job, starting with the next newsletter. 

It was a good run, giving numerous students opportunities, often for the first time, to write professionally for a newsletter. They had to learn the theater’s “voice” and get to deeply know the artists we presented. They watched their pieces being edited--and learned in our weekly meetings how to write better. Many of them have gone on to careers in marketing, communications, journalism and other writing opportunities. Some took the internships not sure what they wanted to do upon graduation and left knowing that they wanted to stay in the field of performing arts. I am proud of each one of them. They took the work seriously and learned much during their time here. 

In turn, I am excited to pioneer the theater’s full-time community relations position. I’ve done this part-time for years--bringing diverse groups of young musicians to play before our Concert Series artists (and then stay, with their families, to enjoy the concert); reviving the pre-concert lectures with exciting, knowledgeable lecturers; starting communications with leaders in the south and north sides of Madison and inviting new audiences to check out the theater’s offerings. doing it full-time will allow me and the theater to expand these efforts. I hope the results become visible soon, acknowledging that the work of creating genuine relationships with people who are different from me might take time.

Do you have ideas on connecting with groups and populations to enhance the theater’s audience and friends? my email address is [email protected] and I’d be happy to hear from you.

So long!

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Looking Towards the ‘19-’20 Season

by Communications Intern Hailey Eisenrich

It’s crazy to think that the spring months have finally arrived, and my time as an intern here at the Wisconsin Union Theater is wrapping up. Our 2018-2019 season was stellar and we were graced with the talents of so many different artists, from Victor Wooten to John McCutcheon, from Kyoko Oyobe to I’m With Her. 

Though I’ll miss serving as a communications intern, I won’t have to worry about missing our fabulous upcoming season. Here’s a peek at what I’m most excited for!

Yamato Drummers of Japan //  March 12, 2020

Yamato is a high-energy Japanese drumming troupe, founded in 1993. This amazing group of talented performers has tallied up over 3,500 performances across 51 countries. They spend six to 10 months of the year touring the world with their massive 1000 lb. instruments to present original programs.

What I find most enticing about Yamato is their ability to envelop audiences in the heartbeat-like drum pulses to recreate the feeling of “tamashy”- a Japanese phrase describing the soul, spirit, and psyche, life’s fundamental elements. This show will not only be a feat of grand physical ability and musical talent-- it will be a show you’ll feel in the pulse of your own heartbeat; a show to stir up your spirit and soul.

Pilobolus //  November 1, 2019

Pilobolus is a shadow-theater dance troupe blending modern dance with animation, projected images and moving screens. It found great success worldwide--and sold Shannon Hall--with their previous work, Shadowland. To follow up, now they are touring Shadowland 2, a new exploration in mixed-media storytelling. This new program tells the tale of a pair of lovers and their journey to save an imaginary bird. 

Shadowland was conceived in collaboration with the lead writer of Spongebob Sqaurepants, Steven Banks. Childish as some may find the animated series to be, it’s quirky and imaginative in many ways that I have yet to see again. I can’t wait to see how Banks’ visions translate into this program. 

Renee Fleming //  May 2, 2020

Acclaimed opera soprano Renée Fleming will grace Shannon Hall in August for a special Gala as part of the 100th Concert Series. Fleming has accumulated four Grammys, the National Medal of Arts, and many more awards. Most recently, she was nominated for a Tony for her role in the 2018 Broadway production of Carousel. 

The 2017 film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, was showered with nominations and awards across the Golden Globes, Academy, and BAFTA. About a month ago, I first saw the movie while on board an international flight to Austria. I remember being mesmerized by the sweetly haunting sounds of the song in the opening scene. I later found out that it was in fact Renee Fleming singing “The Last Rose of Summer,” and that she was going to be performing at Shannon Hall next year.

See that opening scene below!

There is no shortage of talent and wonder awaiting the Play Circle and Shannon Hall this season (and the new Hamel Music Center, too!). To get a glimpse of our full schedule and secure your tickets, visit our website. 

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Simply Folk Shindig | June 7

Tap Your Toes, Break Your Heart

By Angela Woodward, Wisconsin Public Radio

Two extraordinary musicians, maybe as different as you could get, show the power and breadth of American folk. On the one hand, Dom Flemons, co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. He says his music “just boom, makes you happy.” He’s a multi-instrumentalist, playing banjo, guitar, bones, jug, quills, and more. Mary Gauthier brings a completely different sensibility. The songs on her 2018 album “Rifles and Rosary Beads” are based on stories veterans told her. There’s nothing sadder than her “Mercy Now,” except for another favorite off this album, “The War After the War,” and “Morphine 1-2,” and a bunch of others. She wrings you out.

These two artists come together to celebrate another icon of folk music, “Simply Folk.” Wisconsin Public Radio’s Sunday night folk show has brought people together for 40 years. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the power of American folk music.

Get your tickets here.

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2019-2020 Season Highlights

By Communications Intern Alison Hovind

The 2019-2020 season was just announced and it contains some powerhouse performers! 

Here’s a look at a few highlights for next season...

Pilobolus - November 1, 2019

Contemporary dance company Pilobolus is not your average ensemble. Original members Moses Pendleton, an English literature major, Jonathan Wolken, a philosophy science major; and Steve Johnson, a premed student, of Dartmouth College, enrolled in a dance composition class taught by Allison Chase back in their college days in 1971. Their first dance, entitled “Pilobolus,” was the start of something grand.

Their new show is entitled “Shadowland 2.” It follows the love story of two people in a quest to save an imaginary bird. Through multimedia, projected shadow play, and front-of-screen choreography, Pilobolus seeks to break down barriers and challenge any preconceived notions about dance.

If you saw the first  Shadowland, you know you should purchase your tickets soon, before others do. Get them here!

Alicia Olatuja Quintet - November 21, 2019

Alicia Olatuja is a fresh face in the music industry and certainly one to watch. Her powerful vocals landed her a solo with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at President Barack Obama’s Second Inauguration in 2013. She gained attention from past Wisconsin Union Theater performer Billy Childs, and her career took off once she joined the “Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro” tour with Becca Stevens.

Her most recent album, Intuition: From the Minds of Women is a celebration of women composers and artists; an ode to those who came before her. 

Get tickets here!

George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - March 27, 2020

The performance I am really excited for hails from Great Britain and is a rather niche group. Where else can you find a group of all-singing, all-strumming ukulele musicians? 

Current members have played together for almost 20 years! They love “challenging people’s expectations of the ukulele,” as they often play rock-n-roll songs solely on the “bonsai guitar.” This group is sure to bring their fun and carefree style to Shannon Hall.

Get tickets soon! They are available here!  

This is only a little taste of the amazing season to come. For the full schedule and ticketing information, visit our website here. 

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2019-2020 Season to be Announced on April 26

by Esty Dinur, Communications and Community Relations Director

Get ready! We will be announcing the 2019-2020 Season on April 26!

I can’t tell you yet what it includes but here are some teasers:

We will have a show of duets by two artists we presented in the past, but not together. That one, I predict, will be a big favorite.

Likewise, we will present three outstanding musicians, all of whom played here before, this time playing together. I expect this one to be very popular too. 

There will be a Valentine's dance in Great Hall! 

You’ll get opportunities to see some amazing women artists from faraway places, as well as relatively near ones.

There will be two tried, true and beloved dance companies, and a dance residency. 

Finally, the 26th, when we announce the season, is also the day single Concert Series tickets, except for the Renée Fleming concert, will be available. 

Keep your ear to the ground!

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100th Anniversary Concert Series Announced!

by Communications Intern Hailey Eisenrich

You’ve probably heard by now that our 2019-2020, celebratory 100th anniversary Concert Series schedule has been announced and subscriptions are available! There are great benefits to subscribing: access to the best seats, 20% off the price of single tickets, no order fees, a free ticket to Wu Han’s performance with the UW Symphony Orchestra, and the opportunity to be the first to purchase tickets to Renée Fleming’s 100th Anniversary Gala Concert.    

Our past 99 seasons have been graced with accomplished and renowned musicians. As former Theater director Michael Goldberg described in a previous article,  the inaugural 1919-1920 season of the Concert Series was “kind of a vagabond, wandering from venue to venue.” Famous artists were performing in locations across campus, from Bascom Hall to the Red Gym. Some made their debut here and continued returning as their fame rose. See a timeline of past Concert Series artists here.

In this celebratory year we introduce two exciting additions: A transformative gift by Kato Perlman establishes the David and Kato Perlman Chamber Series, ensuring the world’s best chamber ensembles continue to perform as a regular feature of the Concert Series. Additionally, two Concert Series performances will take place in the Hamel Music Center of the Mead Witter School of Music. The 100th anniversary series was curated by the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Performing Arts Committee with artistic advisors Wu Han and David Finckel, celebrated musicians and Artistic Directors of several arts organizations.

The schedule for the 100th Concert Series, including the inaugural

David and Kato Perlman Chamber Music Series is:

Chanticleer

Chanticleer is a San Francisco-based Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble. Their program for the Concert Series’ 100th Anniversary, titled Trade Winds, is inspired by global travel. 

October 6, 2019  //  Hamel Music Center  

Emanuel Ax

a Grammy-winning American classical pianist

Taking the Shannon Hall stage for the eighth time, Ax celebrates Beethoven's 250th birthday.

Program Bagatelle No.25 in A minor, WoO 59, “Für Elise” .........Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2, No. 2 I. Allegro vivace II. Largo appassionato III. Scherzo: Allegretto IV. Rondo: Grazioso Six variations on an original theme for piano in F major, Op.34 Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2, No. 1 I. Allegro II. Adagio III. Menuetto – Allegretto IV. Prestissimo Five variations for piano on “Rule, Britannia!”, WoO 79 Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3 I. Allegro con brio II. Adagio III. Scherzo: Allegro IV. Allegro assai

November 2, 2019 // Shannon Hall

Kalichstein - Laredo – Robinson, Piano Trio

This American piano trio, consisting of pianist Joseph Kalichstein, violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson, has set the standard for the performance of piano trio literature. 

Program Schumann | Canonic Etudes Mendelssohn | Piano Trio #1 in D minor Beethoven | Piano Trio No. 7 in B-flat Major, op. 97 ("Archduke")

December 6, 2019 // Shannon Hall  

Escher String Quartet, featuring David Finckel

Joined on stage by 100th anniversary artistic adviser David Finckel, cello, for Schubert’s Quintet in C Major D. 956. The energetic quartet also pays homage to the first Concert Series in 1920 with Kreisler’s Quartet in A Minor.

January 25, 2020 // Shannon Hall  

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center – featuring David Finckel, Wu Han, Paul Neubauer and Arnaud Sussman

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is a constituent of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the largest performing arts complex in the world. The organization, based in Alice Tully Hall, is devoted to promoting and performing chamber music. 

Program Dvorak | Sonatina in G Major, op. 100 Suk | Piano Quartet in A Minor, op. 1 Brahms | Piano Quartet in G Minor, op. 25

March 5, 2020  // Shannon Hall

Wu Han with the UW Symphony Orchestra

Celebrated pianist Wu Han will perform as a concert soloist. Wu Han serves as the Artistic co-Director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln center, together with cellist David Finckel. She is Artistic co-Director of Chamber Music Today, an annual festival in Seoul, South Korea. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts recently appointed her Artistic Adviser for Chamber Music at the Barns for 2019-2020.

The UW Symphony Orchestra consists of about 80 UW-Madison student-musicians.

March 7, 2020  //  Hamel Music Center

Gil Shaham with Akira Eguchi

Grammy award-winning violinist Gil Shaham will join his longtime duo partner pianist, Akira Eguchi.

Program Kreisler | Preludium and Allegro Prokofiev | 5 Melodies, op. 35 Franck | Sonata in A Major for violin and piano Bach | Partita No. 3 in E Major for solo violin Sait-Saëns | Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Dorman | Nigunim

March 28, 2020  // Shannon Hall  

Renée Fleming Special Gala Concert

Four-time Grammy award-winning soprano Renée Fleming is one of the most beloved singers of our time. Just last year, she was featured on the soundtracks of the films Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Shape of Water, which won the Academy Awards for Best Soundtrack and Best Picture.

Fleming has been honored with the National Medal of Arts  Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal, Germany’s Cross of the Order of Merit, Sweden’s Polar Music Prize, and France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.

May 2, 2020  // Shannon Hall  

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Concert Series 100th Anniversary to be Announced at March 1 Concert

by Esty Dinur, Communications and Community Relations Director

A hundred years of amazing artists! That’s what we will be celebrating in the 2019-2020 season, when the Concert Series turns 100!

Fritz Kreisler performed in the Concert Series on November 5, 1920

The first season of this distinguished series, 1920-1921, featured May Peterson (soprano), Fritz Kreisler (violin) and Benno Moiseiwitsch (piano). Nineteen years later, 1939-1940, the series moved to the newly opened Wisconsin Union Theater. The first season in the Wisconsin Union Theater featured Ezio Pinza (bass), Emanuel Feuermann (cello), Joseph Szigeti (violin), Robert Casadesus (piano) and, the highlight, Marian Anderson (contralto).  

In-between and since, numerous renowned, accomplished and prominent classical musicians have played in the series, the longest continuous classical series in the Midwest. Some made their debut here and continued returning as their fame rose. 

Cuarteto Casals

The 100th anniversary season will be outstanding. Details of the artists and news about the series will be announced at the Cuarteto Casals concert, March 1, 7:30 pm. This will be a beautiful concert, with the quartet-in-residence in the Spanish Royal Palace offering the following program:

Quartet in C Major, op. 33, no. 3 ("The Bird) .................. Haydn Quartet No. 3 .................................................................. Bartók Fantasies for String Quartet (selected works) ................ Purcell Quartet in G Minor, op. 10 .............................................. Debussy

Before the concert, and the excitement of learning what the next season offers, enjoy a lecture at 6 pm in Old Madison (3rd floor east--the opposite end of the building from the theater). The lecturer is Carol Carlson who holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in violin performance from UW-Madison.

At 7 pm, the students of Music con Brio will be offering a short program for your enjoyment as you enter Shannon Hall and take your seat. 

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On the Theater’s Acoustics: Talking with the Acoustician

by Communications Intern Sebastian Khattabi

The acoustics within Shannon Hall have been revered by patrons and performers alike, since it was first built. Keeping it that way (or better) was a major concern when the theater was renovated. Indeed, whether it be a special speaker reciting a speech, a gentle piano solo, or big drum crescendos, the sound is great.

I kept asking myself why? What makes the sound so good? 

To find out, I called acoustician Rick Talaske who was the consultant for the Shannon Hall renovation. He was kind enough to meet with me and answer my questions. 

Can you introduce yourself and talk a little bit about your background with sound?

My name is Rick Talaske. I own a small consulting firm in the Oak Park area of Chicagoland and we basically specialize in the acoustic and audio design of performing arts facilities and, really, all types of  buildings.

My father and grandfather owned a music store (instruments, sheet music, records, music lessons ,etc.)  in Detroit and so I grew up with music in my blood. Being in Detroit, my dad wanted me to become an engineer and I dabbled with some engineering options. Having music in my background, I also consider myself an audiophile and I just enjoy music. I gravitated to acoustics. I was then going to University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the engineering school. Once I graduated, I worked for a year or so and then I went to Penn State University which has, in my opinion, the best acoustics program in the United States. I then landed in Chicago with a firm that works on these types of buildings as well.

What do you know about Shannon Hall?

My daughter performed on the stage as part of Humorology, so I knew the stage. I knew it had some challenges but in general, the shape of the room was good and favorable. I was talking with Wisconsin Union Theater director Ralph Russo and expressing interest in the space. We became a part of the architectural team that was selected for the Wisconsin Union Theater renovation. We started the design process. We addressed modest room acoustics upgrades and also dealt with noise control and acoustic isolation matters and a designed audio system for the space. That includes the orchestra shell. It lives up in the upper reaches of the fly tower and there is portable closure walls and ceiling elements that can be placed to create an environment that is better for acoustic music.

The orchestra shell was not here before the renovation.  We worked with a theater consultant who specializes in building the equipment.

What is the benefit of the orchestra shell?

When you are presenting acoustic music, you want to accomplish two things in the stage that are very important 1) provide the musicians the ability to hear one another so that they can play as an ensemble and 2) project that sound out to the audience so that they can enjoy the music as well. That orchestra shell does those two things

How are the acoustics in Shannon Hall currently?

The acoustics in Shannon Hall are working very well. There are panels on the walls of Shannon Hall that are a slightly different color. Those are actually a sound transparent material backed by a pretty thick sound absorbing material. Shannon Hall walls had some shortcomings as far as how the sound was being absorbed through the walls, so we upgraded the element.

We also recommended retractable banners that could be put in along the walls so that the room could swing from a more live mode to a deader mode, a more controlled reverberance within the space. But that was not desired due to historical consideration of Shannon Hall.

As an acoustician, what are some of the things you are looking for in a space when analyzing sound?

The factors that influence the sound quality within a space relate eventually down to the size, the shape, and the materials. The size, the shape, and the materials dictate the time arrival of sound reflections that arrive at the listener’s ear. It’s those factors that our consulting firm uses when evaluating a room like this.

Based on precedence and being in many halls throughout the world and going through acoustic testing of those spaces and listening to performances; after a while, you learn what is a good shape, what is a good size, and what are proper materials for a given use.

One of the challenges with a hall like this (which is multi-purpose) is that the acoustic goals/requirements change with different performances. It is sort of like with some food you like white wine and with others you like red wine.

In this case of acoustics, many times we like to create a room that is live and reverberant--where the sound lingers in the space--which is typically appropriate for classical music. For other events that are more amplified in nature or clarity it is more important that you want to turn down the reverberance.

I’ve heard that the lower balcony is the best seating for acoustics. Is that true?

When we are designing a hall, we try not to create a situation where one seating area has better acoustics than another seating area. We try and develop a very uniform sound experience. It’s not to say that it isn’t slightly different for different areas, but in terms of achieving basic characteristics of good sound quality, clarity of sound, proper reverberance, freedom of noise, etc., every space in Shannon Hall has those sound qualities. One of the things we did experience pre-renovation was that the mezzanine area was problematic. We suggested removing some of the exterior walls and created a shallower under balcony so you didn’t have that disparity between the seats in the front of the mezzanine and the back of the mezzanine. Overall, yes there are some seats that are a little bit nicer than others, but for the most part it’s nicely uniform.

Director Ralph Russo mentioned a little music box tool that you use that, played on its own,  produces no sound  but once pressed on a surface the sound reverberates throughout the whole room. Can you elaborate on this?

The little music box represents a very modest source of vibration. The way a music box works is that it has elements that are excited when the roller with the little nubs excite the instrument and you get a little tune. Usually its connected to something else that radiates sound, but I use it as a bare element on its own to demonstrate how a fair amount of vibration can create a substantial amount of sound.

Finally, what is one thing (acoustic design wise) that you find unique to the Wisconsin Union Theater?

The Play Circle. The original design, the way I understood it, was a theater that was meant to cater to television that was just starting to happen. And so there were actually three stage areas that were created. That was odd, I have never seen a theater like that and it was actually deemed too problematic to deal with, so a more traditional, flexible. studio theater was introduced

Thanks to Rick Talaske for the consulting work he has done for the theater and for taking time out of his busy schedule to sit down and talk with me.

To learn more about Rick Talaske and his  consulting firm click here!

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Sebastian’s Highlights and Goobye :(

by Communications Intern Sebastian Khattabi

Wisconsin Union Theater’s programming never ceases to impress me. From seeing Portland Cello Project perform Radiohead’s “OK Computer” on cellos, to belly laughing to the hilarious jokes from Roy Wood Jr., I’ve had an amazing time here. 

But let me assure you that the Wisconsin Union Theater is not done offering great shows. Here are some of my favorite musical artists that are coming to the theater in the Spring.

Pedrito Martinez Group

Hailed by NPR as “both a cosmopolitan entertainer and an authentic folklorist,” Cuban percussionist and rumba aficionado Pedrito Martinez finds links between the old and the new.

With a versatile sound that combines traditional genres like Afro-Cuban jazz with more contemporary styles of hip-hop and funk, The Pedrito Martinez Group serves up the kind of irresistibly danceable music rarely found outside of a Havana street corner.

With my mother hailing from Durango, Mexico, I come from a strong Hispanic background. I truly do believe that one cannot listen to Hispanic music and not dance. Whether it’s salsa, cumbia, banda, merengue, or (in this case) rumba, there’s a unique quality that’s tucked away among the complex percussive beats and symphonic melodies that move you....emotionally and physically. 

It’s also awesome to see the Afro-Latino community receiving more representation in our performing arts. When Amara la Negra visited Shannon Hall earlier this semester in celebration of LatinX Heritage month, she was able to talk about her experiences with colorism and her intersectional identity as a black Latin woman. The Afro-Latino subculture often receives little to no recognition even though salsa and rumba’s infectious beats originate from African and Caribbean drum circles. Pedrito Martinez also identifies as an Afro-Latino, and I cannot wait to see him on March 27, 2019. Not to mention, he will be performing in the Play Circle which will be a perfect setting for the instruments to fill the small and intimate space.

Click here for tickets

Cuarteto Casals

When I first listened to Cuarteto Casals, I was floored. I was instantly whisked away to this musical place where the strings flooded my computer speakers with passion and emotion. I don’t consider myself an avid listener of classical music yet there was something unique about Cuarteto Casals.  

Was it their collaborative chemistry in which they feed off each other’s performances? 

Was it their impressive technique to masterfully proceed through the works of Haydn and Mozart? 

I’m really not sure. But I know something was there. 

Named after the great Catalan cellist Pau Casals, Barcelona-based Cuarteto Casals is a string quartet dedicated to performing the great masterpieces from the 17th century to present day. The 2018 quartet-in-residence at the Royal Palace in Madrid performs a program including works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Haydn, Bartok, Purcell and Debussy.

Also, the 100th Concert Series (2019-2020) will be announced at this show. The Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Performing Arts Committee and the Wisconsin Union Theater have worked tirelessly to celebrate this amazing accomplishment of bringing classical music to Madison, WI for a century. I will hopefully see you in Shannon Hall on March 1, 2019.

FUN FACT!: The Concert Series actually predates the Wisconsin Union Theater.

Click here for tickets!

Kyoko Oyobe Quartet

To end off the season, I’m so excited to see the Kyoko Oyobe Quartet. It’s been a while since the semester ended with a jazz performance. But putting Spring Semester Final Exams aside, I will definitely set time to see this accomplished jazz pianist.

“Oyobe plays with gentleness and sincerity and her compositions are beautiful, highly lyrical and harmonically satisfying music,” – The New York City Jazz Record on “Happy Silence” (2015).

A gifted artist who explores different modes of expression, Kyoko Oyobe’s music reflects an essence and distinct color that borrows from Bebop to Brazilian, and Free Jazz to French Impressionist and 20th century voicing. Her inimitable style is adventurous and dynamic.

This performance also aligns perfectly with our mission to provide quality and unique performing arts from diverse backgrounds to the Madison area. You don’t often see a woman jazz pianist, let alone a woman from Asian descent. Her fingers simply dance over the keys, creating bubbly and improvisational melodies right on the spot. I love it! I cannot think of a better way to end the semester.The Kyoko Oyobe Quartet will be performing in the Play Circle May 2, 2019.

Click here for tickets!

It comes with a heavy heart that I will be leaving the Wisconsin Union Theater as a Communications Intern. I started this fantastic experience in October of 2017 as an eager freshman who wanted to do some work in marketing and communications. I applied for this internship on a pure whim and never thought I would actually get it. Wisconsin Union Theater Communications and Community Relations Director Esty Dinur really took a chance on me and for that I am extremely grateful. I later learned that I was the first freshman to be hired as a Communications Intern which was awesome. This internship  completely exceeded my expectations in all aspects: experiences, culture, and even tasks. I will miss the Wisconsin Union Theater dearly and there will always be a special place in my heart for this great place.

Rest assured, I am committed to leaving the position in good hands. Our new intern, Alison Hovind,will do a fantastic job. This is surely not gonna be the last of me. You’ll probably still see me  in Shannon Hall for comedy events or the Play Circle for some jazz musicians. 

Sincerely,

Communications Intern Sebastian Khattabi

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Happy Holidays!

By Communications intern Alison Hovind

As 2018 comes to a close, the Wisconsin Union Theater wants to wish you happy holidays and a safe break! 

We are delighted that we could share this year with you and many other artists that have graced the stage. We look forward to another great year of dazzling performances at the theater.

Last minute gift shopping? Give a loved one the gift of a Wisconsin Union Theater show. The experience of a performance in Shannon Hall or the Play Circle will be one they will never forget. Some of these performances come with a pre-lecture or special performance before the show. Grab some food at the Union beforehand, sit out on the Terrace, and enjoy the whole evening. We have a wide array of upcoming performances perfect for everyone on your list! 

The jazz fan? Check out Billy Child’s Quartet performing with UW jazz orchestra. The comedian? Perfect for The Flop House. The classical music lover? Don’t miss Imani Winds. So many more options are available on our website. Be sure to check it out here.

To buy tickets, click here!

See you next year!

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Concert Series Centennial

by Communications Intern Hailey Eisenrich

The Wisconsin Union Theater’s annual Concert Series, which actually predates the theater itself, has been in the center of its programming since 1919. The past ninety-nine years have seen almost every important concert artist and chamber ensemble-- to name just a few iconic names: Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Vladimir Horowitz, Olga Kern, Yo-Yo Ma, Garrick Ohlsson, Itzak Perlman, Artur Rubinstein, Andras Schiff, and Dawn Upshaw. 

In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the Concert Series coming up in the 2019-2020 season, Concert Series Assistant Director Adalia Hernandez Abrego was kind enough to share some of her thoughts with me.

Just a few of the faces that have graced the Concert Series over the years.

Q: What makes the Concert Series unique and special?

A: The Concert Series history is so valuable because there have been so many artists who have had outstanding careers and our theater has showcased them when they were young, rising stars.  It shows that the Concert Series has always been searching and supporting innovative artists who are just emerging into the music world.

Q: You are the Concert Series AD. What does this entail? What are your favorite parts of the position, and some of your favorite memories? 

A: The position of Concert Series AD is a hands-on experience and our university is the only campus in the nation which offers students an opportunity to dive into the field of the programmatic planning for a performing arts theater.  Student ADs are actively engaged throughout the entire booking process from start to finish. Every year, ADs get to attend a conference called APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) where artists showcase their work. ADs then get to take these performances into consideration of whether or not they fit their vision for the upcoming season. 

The ADs for all genres at the theater meet together weekly to discuss their ideas and create a shared vision for what artists should be brought to the theater. During the academic school year, students go through the advancing process by corresponding with agents who represent artists and planning out what the day of the show will look like and what preparations need to be done.  On the day of a show, ADs learn how to solve problems quickly and find a solution as best they can at a moment’s notice. All of the artists’ needs are unique and it is the job of the AD to make sure they arrive safely, have rehearsal time, and have any other needs, such as catering or other hospitality requests, met. These tasks ensure that there will be a successful concert for the Madison student population and greater Madison community.  I feel privileged to hold this position because I can personally meet many talented artists and have conversations with them about their careers as well as see their performing process from the beginning of the day to the end.

Adalia with vocal ensemble Cantus, 11/11/18.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about the process of booking the 2019-2020 season’s Concert Series? 

A: The planning for this Concert Series has been a long project starting last year with help from all of the staff at the Wisconsin Union Theater and an advisory committee made up of community members, faculty and students.

Q: What can we expect of the 100th anniversary series? What are you most excited about?

A: The 100th anniversary series will be announced on March 1st at the show for Cuarteto Casals. I am looking forward to building excitement for the series and celebrating how wonderful our series has been and will continue to be.  It has been truly fascinating to explore the archives and reflect on who has performed at our theater.

Adalia with pianist Lise de la Salle and cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca, 12/8/18.

Q: What are your hopes for the future of the Concert Series, and the seasons to come?

A: My hope is that the Concert Series can continue to uphold the reputation of its past and have artists who represent all backgrounds in regards to gender, race, ethnicity and age.  As we continue forward, I would love for audience members to leave the theater feeling like they have just had an experience capturing more than just going to a concert. I wish for them to leave feeling excited and inspired from the performance as well as a connection with people who share the same interest and value in artistry.  

The 100th Annual Concert Series repertoire will be announced on March 1st, 2019 at the Cuarteto Casals performance in Shannon Hall.

Tickets available here: https://bit.ly/2Ln3QAt

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Lectures and Kids on Stage: Enjoy Free Pre-Concert Offerings

by Esty Dinur, Communications & Community Relations Director

Q: What’s better than enjoying fantastic concerts of choral music, duos, quartets and chamber music?  

A:The above, accompanied by lectures presented by engaging speakers and short performances by talented youngsters!

Yes, we have these at four of this season’s Concert Series shows and we hope you’ll join us. The lectures are at 6 pm on the day of show. Please check TITU for the location. Pre-concert performances are at 7 pm. Concerts start at 7:30 pm. Both are at Shannon Hall. See below for details. 

The fantastic Cantus perform on November 11. In a concert titled “Alone Together,” this choral ensemble explores the struggle of humans and communities to find meaningful connection in our increasingly digital world. We feel that this would be of interest to many who have never attended a classical concert. Please help us spread the word. 

As of now, this concert doesn’t have additional programming. We will let you know if that changes. 

Lise de la Salle, piano, and Christian-Pierre La Marca, cello, offer a fascinating Paris and Moscow program with music by Fauré, Saint-Saëns,  Massenet, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. To add to the delight, we are offering a pre-concert by Kyle Johnson.

A pianist, Johnson recently received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the UW-Madison. His performing experience ranges from solo and festival appearances throughout the U.S. and U.K., to co-founding the Madison-based contemporary ensemble Sound Out Loud, to serving as a performance fellow in the Longitude Contemporary Ensemble in Boston, MA. His research interests correlate to his interest in 20th century piano repertoire. And...he produces a podcast series, Art Music Perspectives. 

You won’t want to miss Imani Winds. They are innovative, daring, sharp, and they play superb music. The fun will be doubled and tripled when Andrea Fowler offers a lecture, followed by the WYSO Music Makers on stage. 

Fowler is a PhD. Candidate in Musicology with a minor in Contemporary American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing her dissertation on composer Julius Eastman. She also holds an MM in Musicology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, an MA in Vocal Performance from Truman State University, and a BS in Music Education from Missouri Western State University. 

She is a Teaching Assistant at the Mead Witter School of Music, a Program Assistant at the Center for South Asia, and an instructor at the Annual Summer Music Clinic at UW-Madison. She has collaborated with Sound Out Loud and Madison Public Philosophy on a series of public outreach concerts and she presented a lecture titled “Beyond the Muse” at the inaugural LunART Women’s Music Festival in Madison. In March, she will present at the annual Creative Imperatives festival at UW-La Crosse on the topic of musical tricksters. 

And the WYSO Music Makers? You saw them last season and they played in the 2016-2017 season too. It’s a pleasure to welcome them back. Enjoy their music starting at 7 pm. 

When was the last time you heard a quartet-in-residence-at-the-Royal-Palace in Madrid? 

You get your opportunity on Friday, March 1st, 2019, when Cuarteto Casals take the stage in Shannon Hall. They specialize in the great masterpieces from the 17th century to the present day and they serve as musical ambassadors for Spain. The concert will include music by Haydn, Bartok, Purcell  and Debussy.

we will announce the program for the celebratory 100th anniversary of the Concert Series at this festival! And we offer some very fun things to do before the concert. 

Carol Carlson, Executive Director of Music con Brio, Inc., will offer a pre-concert lecture. She is an avid performer, a devoted teacher, and a successful creative arts entrepreneur. Carlson completed the Doctor of Musical Arts in violin performance at UW-Madison in the spring of 2014, after earning degrees in violin performance from Truman State University (BM), Park University (Performance Certificate) and the University of Wisconsin- Madison (MM). She often collaborates with local artists such as Madison Ballet, faculty of the UW-Madison Dance Department, and Li Chiao-Ping Dance and you can see her performing on PBS in “Ethan Bortnick: The Power of Music.”

She founded Music con Brio in 2011 with partner Amber Dolphin. The ensemble of young musicians will entertain you from stage starting at 7 pm. MCB’s mission is “offering high quality music lessons at an affordable graduated tuition schedule to a diverse mix of Madison area students, forming an inclusive, supportive community to build students' self-esteem and pride in their talents.” It is their first Shannon Hall concerts. Enjoy!

Finally, the magnificent Apollo’s Fire will play music by Uccellini,Vivaldi and J.S. Bach on Saturday, March 30th, 2019. In this season’s Fan Taylor Concert, the ensemble and its award-winning conductor Jeannette Sorrell will bring their "joyous spontaneity" (The New Yorker) and "superlative music-making" (Daily Telegraph, London). 

Trevor Stephenson will offer a pre-concert lecture . He is an early keyboard specialist based in Madison, Wisconsin. He started the Light and Shadow Record and Concert Company, and is the artistic director and harpsichordist of the Madison Bach Musicians. Trevor has recorded 15 albums, and gives concerts and lectures throughout the United States.

At 7 pm, enjoy Sonora Strings, the Suzuki student led by Diana Popowycz. These veterans of performing at Shannon Hall have done so for a number of seasons and performed before the concerts by Joshua Bell and Hilary Hahn, among others. We are delighted to welcome them again. 

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Music and Dance from Crete for the Modern World

by Communications Intern Hailey Eisenrich

Stelios Petrakis’ sweetly humble persona might initially conceal his wide array of talents and expertise, but if there ever was a man of many talents, he fits the bill. Petrakis--lead of Stelios Petrakis Quartet-- is a man working to preserve, share, and expand upon the traditional music of his native Crete. 

Once a law student, Petrakis decided to follow his heart and pursue professional musicianship. He considers the essential elements of his music to be knowledge, respect, and evolution of the music of the past. His musical journey has led him to not only play the lyra and lute, but also to handcraft them.

Stelios Petrakis brings audiences the best of both worlds with his commitment to mixing traditional Cretan music with his original compositions. He cites his inspiration as Spanish flamenco, Turkish and  classic Ottoman music and...Iron Maiden. (”It’s in the power,” he says). 

Currently, the most vibrant folk scene in Greece thrives in Crete. Stelios and his  band are part of the center of the this music scene, playing big venues in winter and open festivals in the summer, often with immensely popular Cretan singer Vassilis Stavrakakis. 

“I believe that music of Crete has not so much been present outside Crete and Greece, and that it has to be open to bigger and more audiences, because it’s beautiful, simple, and speaks immediately to the heart. So, “Cretan Quartet” was formed four years ago aiming at these goals, and it keeps improving and achieving better results,” he says.

Petrakis says the intention of the quartet is to “condense and present in a lively and tasteful way my own ‘Cretan’ compositions and the pieces of our traditional music that I admire and find moving.”  

The quartet includes Thanassis Mavrokostas (dance, mandura flute and lyre cello), Andonis Stavrakakis (mandolin, lute and voice), and Giorgos Stavrakakis (Laouto – Song). Thanassis is “a top dancer with his own style, combining perfect technique with strength, nimbleness and an improvisatory mood.” 

Stavrakakis is “a musician and singer of exceptional skill, ability and prospects...He incorporates the style and technique of the musicians in his family, while preserving his own personal singing and playing tone.” Giorgos is “the youngest and the most promising member of the Quartet. As the son of the Master singer Vassilis Stavrakakis, Giorgos is literally born into Cretan Music. He represents the style and the musical aesthetics of his family and his village of origin, and, despite his young age, he is already a highly skilled musician.” 

Good news:  Thanassis Mavrokostas will lead a free dance workshop at 6 pm in the Festival Room. 

Don’t miss your chance to get a taste of the Cretan song and dance that Stelios Petrakis quartet will bring to the Play Circle on November 14! Tickets can be bought here. 

[wisconsinuniontheater]

Rick Steves’ 10 Tips for Travelling as a Political Act

by Sebastian Khattabi Communications Intern

On Rick Steves website he includes a blog that gives travelers a few tips on how to enhance their travel experience. Take a look below.

“The great value of travel is the opportunity it offers you to pry open your hometown blinders and broaden your perspective. And when we implement that world view as citizens of our great nation, we make travel a political act. Here are my top ten tips for doing just that:

1. Get out of your comfort zone

 Choose Managua over Mazatlán or Turkey over Greece. When visiting Israel, explore the West Bank. You can enjoy far richer experiences for far less money by venturing away from the mainstream.

2. Connect with people, and try to understand them

Make itinerary decisions that put you in touch with locals. Stay in people's homes (check out Airbnb or Couchsurfing) and spend time with your hosts. Visit a university, eat in the cafeteria, and make a new friend. Seek answers for cultural riddles: Why do some Hindus feed their cows better than their children? Why do many Muslim women wear scarves? Why do Norwegians so willingly pay high taxes?

3. Be a cultural chameleon

Embrace cultural differences with joy rather than with judgment. Eat with your fingers in a Sri Lankan restaurant that has no silverware, dip your fries in mayonnaise in Belgium, smoke a hookah in Greece, kiss a stranger on both cheeks in France, or attend a hurling match in Ireland. Rather than gawking at pilgrims, become one. Climb Rome's Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) on your knees, feeling the pain while finding comfort in the frescoes of saints all around you. 

4. Understand contemporary context 

While traveling, read the local news. Scan The Times of India in Mumbai. Go to a political rally in Scotland. Listen to expat radio on Spain's Costa del Sol. Think about how all societies are on parallel evolutionary tracks. Imagine how the American approach to vexing societal problems might work in other places — and (more importantly) vice versa.

5. Empathize with the other 96 percent of humanity

Just like Americans have the American Dream, others have their own dreams. Put yourself in the shoes (or sandals, or bare feet) of the people you meet. Find out why Basque people are so passionate about their language. Drink with Catholics in a Northern Ireland pub, discussing the notion of the tyranny of the majority. As you travel, learn to celebrate the local Nathan Hales and Ethan Allens, such as Turkey's Atatürk or El Salvador's Oscar Romero.

6. Identify — and undermine — your own ethnocentricity 

The US has been preoccupied with terrorism for the last generation. But other nations have their own, sometimes heavier baggage. Ponder societal needs even more fundamental than freedom and democracy. Why is Putin so popular in Russia? Why would a modern, well-educated Egyptian be willing to take a bullet for the newest military dictator (as my friend in Cairo just told me)? Why, in some struggling countries, does stability trump democracy? 

7. Accept the legitimacy of other moralities 

Be open to the possibility that controversial activities are not objectively "right" or "wrong." Consider Germany's approach to prostitution or the Netherlands' marijuana policy, both of which are based on pragmatic harm reduction rather than moralism. Get a French farmer's take on force-feeding his geese to produce foie gras. Ask a Spaniard why bullfighting still thrives — and why it's covered not in the sports pages, but in the arts section of the local newspaper. You don't have to like their answer, but at least try to understand it.

8. Sightsee with an edge 

Seek out political street art, and find out what it means. Read local culture magazines and attend arts and political events. Take alternative tours to learn about heroin maintenance clinics in Switzerland and maquiladora labor in Tijuana. Tour the alternative-living commune of Christiania in Copenhagen. Walk with a local guide through a slum in a developing country. Meeting desperately poor villagers living with a spirit of abundance, ponder how so many rich people live with a mindset of scarcity.

9. Make your trip an investment in a better world

Our world has a lot of desperation, and travelers are the lucky few who can afford to experience what's outside their hometowns. Travel with a goal of good stewardship and a responsibility to be an ambassador to, and for, the entire planet. Think of yourself as a modern-day equivalent of the medieval jester: sent out by the king to learn what's going on outside the walls, then coming home to speak truth to power (even if annoying).

10. Make a broader perspective your favorite souvenir

Back home, be evangelical about your newly expanded global viewpoint. Travel shapes who you are. Weave favorite strands of other cultures into the tapestry of your own life. Live your life as if it shapes the world and the future — because it does. Believe that you matter. Then make a difference.”

If you are just looking for a good laugh, here’s Rick Steves outtake reel

Make sure to catch Rick Steves’ lecture on “Travel as a Political Act” in Shannon Hall November 15th at 6:30. 

Learn more about the event here

Buy your tickets here

[wisconsinuniontheater]

Cantus: Alone Together

by Sebastian Khattabi Communications Intern

When I first heard the title of the Cantus concert, I was puzzled: “Alone Together”? The phrase itself sounds like a paradox or an oxymoron. However, a quick google search as to what the program will actually entail put my mind at ease. On November 11,  in Shannon Hall, Cantus will perform a compilation of songs that delve into the damning psychological effects  of technology. 

Thinking about it reminded me of a dramatic monologue I performed in high school. “368 Friends” by Bradley Walton focused on a socially awkward teenager trying to make friends in high school. Unable to do so in the real world, he starts to engage in social media and friend requests his classmates online. With a boosted ego he has a short period of pure bliss, until he realizes the lack of sincerity and genuineness of his “friends.” He starts to post about being depressed and lonely, only to find no one commenting or reaching out to him. This sends him spiraling down a bout of depression and suicidal thoughts. The monologue ends on a mysterious cliff where the protagonist stands at a cross roads between living on and suicide.

I really connected with the piece and thought it was very relevant in 2014 and still relevant in 2018.  I appreciated the exploration of how cyber negligence can have effects as detrimental to the psyche as cyber bullying.

Reminiscing on that dramatic piece prompted a self-reflection on the current way I utilize technology. I remember boasting to my friends when I finally reached 1,000 followers on Instagram. But did I really know all 1,000 people? I remember getting in passionate political arguments on Twitter. But would I ever get this heated in real life? I remember sending photo messages through Snapchat to my “streaks” because i did not want the streak of nonstop conversation to end. But would I still converse with them if the streak didn’t exist?

So is technology affecting our psychology?

The short answer is yes.

“By almost any measure, our ability to communicate has never been more advanced. Nevertheless, people and communities – though linked by technology – still struggle to connect in meaningful ways.” 

During its 2018-2019 touring season, Cantus explores the challenges of connecting in our modern age through works by Beethoven and Bernstein paired with such contemporary composers as Jennifer Higdon, David Lang, and Gabriel Kahane. "Alone Together" will also feature a brand new, multi-movement work by Libby Larsen.

In the video, a member of the group says “Cantus is uniquely positioned to tell this story because singing in it within itself is creating a community, and that's what really prompted us to put together this program.”

Check out more about Cantus’ “Alone Together”

Buy your tickets for this truly eye-opening event.

[wisconsinuniontheater]

Radiohead via Cellos

by Communications Intern Hailey Eisenrich

20 years ago, Radiohead foreshadowed the dark side of advancements in technology and communication that were intended to bring us closer together. OK Computer is an eccentric soundscape illustrating the disillusionment, isolation, and paranoia that haunt us as technology unexpectedly drives us further apart.

The album’s name is a reference to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio series of 1978. The band was listening in together when one of the characters said, “Okay, computer, I want full manual control now,” signifying a turning point in the story: humans reclaimed control from machines to save themselves. Frontman Thom Yorke wrote it down, describing it as a “really resigned, terrified phrase,” and later used it to title their compilation of abstract tracks. He later told Rolling Stone:“The paranoia I felt at the time was much more related to how people related to each other. But I was using the terminology of technology to express it. Everything I was writing was actually a way of trying to reconnect with other human beings when you’re always in transit. That’s what I had to write about because that’s what was going on, which in itself instilled a kind of loneliness and disconnection.”

Alt-classical group Portland Cello Project first performed the entire album in 2012 for its 15th anniversary. In the years since, pieces of it have stuck in the group’s repertoire.

Portland Cello Project has a revolving cast and adheres to a three-part philosophy: to bring the cello places you wouldn’t normally see it, to perform music on the cello you wouldn’t normally associate with the instrument, and to build bridges between different musical communities. 

Don’t miss your chance to hear OK Computer on cellos this November. Snag your tickets here: https://bit.ly/2tzitsW