Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A detailed, painstaking postmillennial restoration of the
Milwaukee Theatre
(500 W.
Kilbourn Ave., 414/908-6000,
www.milwaukeetheatre.com
)
, a historic 1909 gem, has cre-
ated a state-of-the-art facility for concerts and theatrical productions.
Theater
The city has nearly two dozen theater companies performing in many locations. The
Skylight Music Theatre
(414/291-7800,
www.skylightmusictheatre.com
)
and
Milwaukee
Chamber Theatre
(414/276-8842,
www.chamber-theatre.com
)
are residents of the lovely
Broadway Theatre Center (158 N. Broadway, 414/291-7800) downtown. The Chamber
Theatre's language-centered contemporary plays are always a challenge.
Oneofthenation'sfewAfricanAmericanprofessionaltheatergroupsisthe
Hansberry-
Sands Theatre Company,
which performs at the Marcus Center (929 N. Water St., 414/
273-7121,
www.marcuscenter.org
)
.
The
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
(108 E. Wells St., 414/224-1761,
www.milwaukeerep.com
)
is part of an international network of cooperating organizations
and offers classical, contemporary, cabaret, and special performances September-May.
Music
The
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
(700N.WaterSt.,414/291-6010,
www.mso.org
)
is
one of the nation's top orchestras. No less than
New Yorker
magazine, with an all-too-typ-
ical coastal undercurrent of surprise, described it as “virtuoso.”
CITY OF FESTIVALS
Another term of endearment for Milwaukee is the City of Festivals, as you'll find
a nearly infinite variety of celebrations here. Aside from Summerfest and its innate
chaos, the festivals on this list are relatively headache-free. Unless otherwise speci-
fied, each of the following takes place at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (the Sum-
merfest grounds).
•
Summerfest
This is the largest music festival in the world. For 11 days in late June, national
and local acts perform on multiple stages along the lakefront, drawing millions
of music lovers and partiers. During Summerfest, traffic will be a nightmare, and
