December 15, 1994 LEISURE The 5B 0 Theatre raises Entertainment funds Mix of Dickens' tales is entertaining comedy A with ornament sales GENESEE DEPOT For a tax-deductible donation of $30 or more, American Inside Theatre donors will receive an It's a Wonderful Life" ornament. For a gift of $200 or more, a poster signed by the entire "It's a Wonderful Life" cast and a gift certificate to a Waukesha restaurant is included with the ornament. Call 547-8333 for details. Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Nov. 26.
He is an internationa Ily known bandleader who has led his ow orchestras for more Meisner than 40 years. Meisner also received a Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award in a ceremony at Milwaukee's Performing Arts Center earlier this year. Local musician receives recognition EUCLID, Ohio -Waukesha bandleader Verne Meisner was inducted into the National Firstar Eve tickets are now on sale MILWAUKEE Tickets for Firstar Eve festivities on Dec. 31 are on sale at all Firstar Banks. Waukesha Firstar locations are at 101 E.
Sunset Drive and 2040 Silvernail Road. County events include music and fireworks at the Waukesha County Expo Center, ice skating at Eble Park Ice Arena and sledding, skating and hiking at Menomonee Park. New Berlin Public Library will sponsor games, storytelling, a magician and a murder mystery. The Kettle Moraine Ice Center and YMCA will sponsor sports activities. Party-goers can attend as many parties as they like with a Firstar Eve all-location pass, which is $5 for adults and $2 for children.
These passes must be purchased in advance. Single location tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children. They may be purchased in advance or at the door. Children younger than 5 are free; those younger than 16 must attend with an adult. Lake Country Players seek staff for 'Oliver' Applicants should submit a resume including references and salary request to Barb Emmerich, 30556 Bette Ann Drive, Hartland, WI 53029.
Application deadline is Jan. 10. Call 966-3530 for information. Museum to close Christmas Day MILWAUKEE The Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells will be closed Dec.
25. Normal hours resume Dec. 26; the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
For information call 278-2751. Trip to New York is prize in AIT raffle GENESEE DEPOT Raffle tickets sold by American Inside Theatre qualify purchasers for a prize drawing Dec. 29 during the intermission of the final performance of It's a Wonderful Life." The first prize is two roundtrip tickets to New York City on Continental Airlines, a twonight stay at the Marriott Hotel on 42nd and Broadway and two tickets to any production playing on Broadway. Ten more people will a pair of tickets to any AIT production in the remainder of this season. Tickets are $3 each, two tickets for $5 or six tickets for $14.
They may be purchased in the Otteson Theatre lobby, 232 N. East Waukesha, during play intermissions through Dec. 18 or the Performing Arts Center lobby, 929 N. Water Milwaukee, during intermissions Dec. 20-29.
Tickets may also be purchased by calling 547-8333. HARTLAND Applications for the position of director, musical director and choreographer are now being accepted for the Lake Country Players and Lake Country Children's Theatre joint production of "Oliver." Auditions are tentatively set for mid-May, with rehearsals beginning May 30. The Sunset Playhouse's holiday offering a madcap melange of Dickens' popular favorites "A Christmas Carol" and "Oliver Twist" opened to the enthusiastic belly -laughs of a packed house Dec. 9. Created by Chicago's Illegitimate Players," A abandons the sweetness and sentimentality of the Dickens originals in favor of broad slapstick comedy in the style of Monty Python.
The name of the play indicates not only the two plays upon which it is based, but also the comical twists that have been given to Dickens' plots and characters. For example, Tiny Tim and Oliver Twist become Tiny. Twist, a nerdy 20-year-old who lives in a poor house owned by Scrooge and managed by Scrooge's nephew, Mr. Bumble. Scrooge has been transformed into an almost likable old man who keeps coal in his safe and participates in sending a chain letter in hopes of getting even richer.
Heading the uniformly strong cast is Sunset veteran Frank Lisi in the role of Scrooge. Physically, Lisi manages to Holiday Events Here's a sampling of the events scheduled in the area during the holiday season. A Dickens Christmas: holiday show at Mitchell Park Domes; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Jan.
Show Dome, Mitchell Park Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Milwaukee. 649- 9830. Santaland: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday and Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 24; Springhouse Village, 272 W. Main Waukesha. It's a Wonderful Life: by American Inside Theatre; Performances through Dec.
18 will be at Carroll College's Otteson Theatre, 232 N. East Waukesha. Performances Dec. 20 to Dec. 29 will be at Vogel Hall, Performing Arts Center, 929 N.
Water Milwaukee. Showtimes vary. Tickets are $12 to YWCA Christmas Angel Program: angel tree contributions benefit young mothers' transitional housing program; through Dec. 31; Christoph Memorial YWCA, 306 N. West Waukesha.
$10, $25, $50 and $100. 547- 1872. A Christmas Carol: by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater; through Dec. 23; Pabst. Theater, 144 E.
Wells Milwaukee. 224-9490. Beatrix Potter's Christmas: by First Stage Milwaukee; through Dec. Todd Wehr Theater, Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water Milwaukee.
$7 to $15. 273-7206. A Child's Christmas In Wales: Dec. 16-18; Waukesha Civic Theatre, 506 N. Washington Waukesha.
Adults, children 15 and younger, group rates available. 547-0708. Breakfast or Lunch with Santa: featuring a meal, entertainment, zoo admission and a gift for children; 9 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. and noon Sunday, Dec.
17-18; Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee. Adults, children 2. and younger, $3. 256-5412.
Christmas Through the Years: teaturing mercantile, St. Peter's Church and Yankee, Victorian, Finnish and Irish Christmas celebrations; 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18; Old World Wisconsin, S103- W37890 Highway 67, Eagle. Adults, children 5-12, Breakfast on the Farm with Santa: Sunday, Dec.
18; Hoppe Homestead Farm, East Troy. 534-6480. Stoney Brook Farm Holiday Fair and Llama Viewing: tree, wreath and craft sale, llama viewing, refreshments and photo opportunities in antique sleigh; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 24; Stoney Brook Farm, W338-S9025 Highway Mukwonago. 392-2438. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: by Productions; 10 a.m.
Monday through Friday, Dec. 12- 16 and Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 19-21; noon and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Doc. 17; Cooley Auditorium, MATC.
1015 N. 6th Milwaukee; $5.50. 272-7701. The Nutcracker: by the Milwaukee Ballet; through Dec. 29; Performing Arts Center, 929 N.
Water Milwaukee. 273-7206. Holiday Night Lights: featuring holiday lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, ornament making and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus; 6 p.m.
to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16- 18; Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee. Adults, seniors 60 and older, Juniors 12 and younger, $3.50.
256- 5412. What Is Cold: theater show and' breakfast with Santa; 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; Discovery World Museum, Central Library Building, 818 W.
Wisconsin Milwaukee. Reservations required. members, $4. 765-9966. Santa Cruise: visit with Santa, milk, cookies, Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan cruise aboard the glass-ensel; 10 a.m.
to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. closed Edelweiss Cruise Dining Ves17. Reservations required. $6.
272- 3625. Fiestas De La Navidad: holiday exhibition with Latin American seasonal decorations, celebrations, workshops DAVID HUNDHAUSEN appear at times doddering and at other times like a sprightly old goat. Psychologically, he gives Scrooge a whacky weirdness that makes him humorous and charming. Each of the other eight cast members plays at least two roles. Here are a few of the highlights.
Brad Weber's Bob Cratchit is a Mr. Nice Guy with a character flaw: he's sad*stic, but in a thoroughly pleasant sort of way. It seems perfectly reasonable when he blindfolds the hapless Tiny Twist, who clings desperately to his crutch as Cratchit gleefully spins him around to play Blindman's Buff." David Lutz offers a fastidious and thoroughly unscrupulous Mr. Bumble. His movements and crisp delivery of Bumble's elaborately and foods; through Jan.
15; Walker's Point Center for the Arts, 911 W. National Milwaukee. Free. 672- 2787. A Christmas Memory: by Theatre 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; through Dec. 23; Broadway Theatre, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee.
Dinner theater packages available. 291-7800. Subs and Strings with Santa: sub sandwich meal, visits and photos with Santa and concerts presented by the Kettle Moraine District Orchestras; Thursday, Dec. 15; Kettle Moraine Middle School, 301 E. Ottawa Dousman.
Dinner 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and concert, 7 p.m. $3. 392-2173, 968-2679 or 968-4723.
Oconomowoc Community Chorus: featuring high school and church choirs; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15; Oconomowoc Middle School, 623 E. Summit Oconomowoc. Free.
567-1282. Country Western Christmas Party with Go West Instructors: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15; Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8100 W.
Greenfield West Allis. Adults, children 12 and younger, $3. 548- 1880. Royale Snowflake Faire: silent auction, games, crafts and resale shop; 11:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16; Stone Bank School, W332- N6786 Highway Oconomowoc. 367-6710. Winterfest: with Olympic-sized outdoor ice skating rink, family activities, figure skating exhibitions, music and ice sculpting; through Jan. 29; Cathedral Square Park, 510 E.
Wells Milwaukee. (800) 837-3378. Visit with Santa: sponsored I by Pewaukee Kiwanis for children of all ages; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
17; Sentry, 121 Oakton Pewaukee. Celebration: Hispanic and Puerto Rican procession and musicians sponsored by La Casa de Esperanza and the Waukesha Business Improvement District; 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 17; downtown Waukesha. Event begins at Waukesha State Bank and ends at Metropolitan Mall.
547-0887 or 549-6154. Christmas Lunch and Party: featuring entertainment and a visit from Santa; Sunday, Dec. 18; Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago Milwaukee. 223-2180.
Kettle Moraine High School Hollday Choral Concert: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18; Kettle Moraine High School Auditorium, 349 Oakcrest Drive, Wales. Free. Menotti Amahl and the Night Visitors: featuring the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18; Elmbrook Church auditorium, 777 S. Barker Road, town of Brookfield. $6 to $20. 291-7605.
Christmas Concert: by the Concord Chamber Orchestra and the Waukesha Choral Union; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18; St. Bernard Church, 1500 Wauwatosa Wauwatosa. Adults, students, $6.
964-3854. Turning of the Year: seasonal folk songs and traditional carols by David HB Drake, Clifford Long and Dusty Rose; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18; Mitchell Park Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Milwaukee.
Free with domes. admission of $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for children. 649-9830. Winter Art Camp for Kids: activities for children 5-8, 9-11 or 12-16; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 27-29; Milwaukee Art Museum, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee. Non-members, $82; members, $74. 224-3200.
Holiday Humdinger Workshops: three separate workshops with handson science, messy experiments and gadgets galore; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 27-29; Discovery World Museum, Central Library Building, 818 W. Wisconsin Milwaukee.
765-9966. A Viennese New Year: presented by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 through Jan.
Uihlein Hall, Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water Milwaukee. $14 to $47. 273-7206. convoluted dialogue give his character a superficial stylishness that conceals the cad underneath.
Outstanding in the dual roles of the shrewish Mrs. Cratchit and the ditzy Ghost of Christmas Past is Rebecca Greasby. While the two characters are very different, Greasby's versatility enables her to give us two very different characterizations. Rounding out the cast are Kate Frkovich as a feisty Artful Annie, Terry Haller as fa*gin, Robert Pantuso as Tiny Twist, Jane Hanley as a boozy Ghost of Christmas Present and Tom Smith as Mr. Fuzzywig.
Director Michael Duncan has staged and paced the production skillfully. He knows how to squeeze the most out of the script's farcical characters and situations. The multi-leveled unit set, designed by John Kleis, is attractive and functional. Five hanging signs identify the various locales and they light up to indicate where a scene is occurring. The costumes by Wendy Collins are appropriate to the A time period and the characters.
Several deliberately anachronistic costumes are humorous: the pink ball gown and tiara for the Ghost of Christmas Past and the mink coat and co*cktail dress for the Ghost of Christmas Present. John Dolphin's lighting captures the changing moods of the show. It's not great theater, but it's the kind of entertainment that is sure to add to your holiday fun while filling the Sunset's Christmas stocking. 0 000 "A Christmas Twist" runs through this weekend with performances at 8 p.m. today and Friday, 6 p.m.
and 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove. Tickets are $10.
Call 782-4430 for tickets or more information. (David Hundhausen is an associate professor of communication arts at the University of WisconsinWaukesha, where he also directs the campus' theater program.) A A JOURNEY BACK THROUGH TIME! Celebrate Christmas traditions in various eras during our special Children's Christmas Program, 'Back to Bethlehem!" Sunday, December 18, 10 a.m. Holidays are a time of family togetherness. Come celebrate with the family at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ 100 East Broadway, Waukesha 542-8008 Dr. David Hansen, Minister Peter Zuzga, FREEMAN STAFF Frank Lisi is Scrooge in Sunset Playhouse's production of "Ch- ristmas Twist." POINSETTIA PARADISE 1000'S IN STOCK' Waukesha's LARGEST Selection of Beautiful Poinsettlas All grown in our own greenhouse.
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