Milwaukee has amazing theater for a city this size. We support more professional theater companies than cities twice as big.
Having said that, occasionally some theater stands just a little bit taller than the rest of the wonderful work in this town.
Such a production opens April 17 at the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre when it unveils "Talley's Folley."
It has every single ingredient for an absolutely magical night of live theater (is there any other kind?)
Number one it has an amazingly great play by Lanford Wilson. It's a story about an old Jewish guy and a young and hot Christian girl who dance around falling in love. It's funny and touching and serious, all at the same time. They gave this play a Pulitzer and they don't hand those out like Crackerjack.
This play has two great actors. I've worked with both Jonathan West and Laura Gray. Smart, sensitive, careful and brave would easily describe both of them. They will make you laugh and cry and then laugh again and that's a pretty good night out.
Michael Wright is the director. One thing about him is that he's shorter than you think he is. I had always thought of him as a giant, having seen his work and knowing how he has lifted the Chamber Theatre in this town. Then I met him and found out he's shorter. But that just means it was tougher for God to cram all that talent into that smaller body.
And finally, the theater has really comfortable seats. Enough said.
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
