Popular chanteuse CAROLYN WEHNER will lead audiences through a selection of unforgettable hits from classic and contemporary Broadway shows in a cabaret titled BROADWAY BLOCKBUSTER SINGALONG, June 13-16, 2019 in the SideNotes Cabaret. Performances are presented Thursday through Saturday, June 13-15 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, June 16 at 3:00 PM in the Marla Eichmann Studio Theater of Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.

A seasoned cabaret performer, Wehner has appeared throughout Wisconsin and the greater Chicagoland area in shows that highlight Broadway showstoppers and favorites from the Great American Songbook. She initially pursued a career as a classical vocalist, receiving her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her piano studies began at age five, and along the way she was encouraged to blend the two abilities into the jazz-cabaret singer/pianist niche she now occupies. Wehner is an active member and performer with Chicago Cabaret Professionals and recently performed at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre and the Skokie Theatre. She also has appeared at Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel and Wisconsin Club, and Lake Geneva’s Baker House.

Carolyn will be accompanied by Michael Britz on bass and Michael “Ding” Lorenz on drums. Britz performs locally with the Milwaukee Symphony, Florentine Opera, Skylight Opera, and many touring Broadway shows and revues. He recently retired from a 33-year career as Orchestra Director for the West Allis-West Milwaukee Schools and currently is the bass instructor at Carroll University. Lorenz serves as Staff Percussionist and Orchestra Contractor for Skylight Music Theatre where he has performed in over 135 productions including his popular percussion/comedy show titled “Things That Go Ding.” He also records shows for the Fireside Theatre, serves as Principal Percussionist of the Wisconsin Philharmonic Orchestra and plays drum set with the Minnesota Orchestra.

Sunset Playhouse is celebrating its 59th season and, in addition to the six SideNotes Cabarets, offers eight productions in the Furlan Auditorium, six Musical MainStage concerts, four shows in the new After Sunset series, and three shows in the bug in a rug Children’s Theater series. To reserve tickets, call 262-782-4430 or visit staging.sunsetplayhouse.flywheelsites.com. For group sales, contact Stephanie at 262-782-4431, ex. 291.

Past Shows

THE PRODUCERS

July 12, 2018 - August 5, 2018

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Furlan Auditorium Production

More Info

QUEENS OF COUNTRY

June 14, 2018 - June 17, 2018

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SideNotes Cabaret Series

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HEATHERS THE MUSICAL

June 7, 2018 - June 10, 2018

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After Sunset Studio Series

More Info

ANY NUMBER CAN DIE

May 31, 2018 - June 17, 2018

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Furlan Auditorium Production

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IT’S TOO DARN HOT: COLE PORTER

May 17, 2018 - May 20, 2018

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SideNotes Cabaret Series

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C’MON GET HAPPY: A Judy Garland Tribute

May 12, 2018 - May 13, 2018

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Special Event

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ANIMAL TALES: AESOP’S FABLES

May 9, 2018 - May 12, 2018

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Children's Theater Series

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BAND ON THE RUN

April 30, 2018 - May 1, 2018

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Musical MainStage Concert Series

More Info

Sunset Playhouse has announced six original productions to be offered as part of its 2019-2020 SideNotes Cabaret Series. SideNotes offers a unique assortment of musical entertainment presented by talented professionals in the comfortable atmosphere of the Marla Eichmann Studio Theater, a relaxed and intimate setting complete with a full-service bar.

The SideNotes season begins in September with CROWN JEWELS OF JAZZ, an homage to the women who reigned supreme in America’s original art form. In December, UNFORGETTABLE celebrates the 100th birthday of Nat King Cole, an extraordinary pianist and singer.

BACKSTAGE BROADWAY, a cabaret offered in February, will feature veteran performers sharing music, memories, and anecdotes from their experiences on the Great White Way. In March, RHODE’S ROADHOUSE ROWDIES will offer an eclectic mix of music from folk to funk.

In May, music by chick singers of the ’70s will be featured in a cabaret titled NOBODY DOES IT BETTER. The SideNotes Series concludes in June with THE START OF SOMETHING BIG, an encore performance paying tribute to iconic duo Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé.

CROWN JEWELS OF JAZZ – September 26-29, 2019

UNFORGETTABLE: THE MUSIC OF NAT KING COLE – December 4-8, 2019

BACKSTAGE BROADWAY – February 13-16, 2020

RHODE’S ROADHOUSE ROWDIES – March 19-22, 2020

NOBODY DOES IT BETTER: CHICK SINGERS OF THE ’70s – May 7-10, 2020

THE START OF SOMETHING BIG: A TRIBUTE TO STEVE & EYDIE – June 11-14, 2020

Season tickets for the 2019-2020 season at Sunset Playhouse are now on sale, both Full Package and Pick & Choose Flexible Package. Individual tickets will go on sale July 9, 2019.

Sunset Playhouse is proud to be celebrating its diamond anniversary 60 th season as one of the city’s premier community theaters, offering eight productions in its Furlan Auditorium. The Playhouse also is home to four professional series: the Musical MainStage Concert Series, the SideNotes Cabarets, the After Sunset Studio Series, and the bug in a rug Children’s Theater series.

To reserve tickets or for more information, call 262-782-4430 or visit staging.sunsetplayhouse.flywheelsites.com. For group sales, contact Stephanie at 262-782-4431, ext. 2

FOLK MUSIC TRIBUTE AT THE SIDENOTES CABARET

Legendary folk artists will be honored at Sunset Playhouse as the SIDENOTES CABARET SERIES presents DON’T THINK TWICE, IT’S ALL FOLK, March 20-24, 2019 in the Marla Eichmann Studio Theater. Singer/musicians SARA HUBERTZ, DON LOBACZ, HAL MILLER, and CASEY OLSON celebrate an American genre that had its roots in bluegrass, gospel, and the blues. This unique, powerful music was the foundation of country-western, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll and made international stars of performers like Pete Seeger, The Kingston Trio, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul and Mary.

SARA HUBERTZ has been performing for many years and appears locally with ACOUSTICATS, a guitar/vocal duo. DON LOBACZ is a popular singer/actor, known for his appearances with area theater groups and BtW, a classic rock band.  HAL MILLER is a freelance bassist who has performed with national and international jazz artists.  CASEY OLSON is rapidly becoming Sunset’s in-house musician, playing and singing in both the SideNotes Cabarets and the Musical MainStage Concert Series.

Performances of DON’T THINK TWICE, IT’S ALL FOLK are Wednesday through Saturday, March 21-23 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, March 24 at 3:00 PM.  The Wednesday performance has been added to the line up due to sell outs of the original four performances.

Technician Sponsorship for this cabaret is provided by TOM and KATHY SCHMIT.

Sunset Playhouse is celebrating its 59^th season and, in addition to the six SideNotes Cabarets, offers eight productions in the Furlan Auditorium, six Musical MainStage concerts, four shows in the new After Sunset series, and three shows in the bug in a rug Children’s Theater series.  To reserve tickets, call 262-782-4430 or visit staging.sunsetplayhouse.flywheelsites.com. For group sales, contact Stephanie at 262-782-4431, ex. 291.

DON’T THINK TWICE, IT’S ALL FOLK

SideNotes Cabaret

March 20-24, 2019

Sunset Playhouse

VALENTINE’S DAY TREATS AT THE SIDENOTES CABARET

In celebration of hearts, flowers, and romance, the SideNotes Cabaret presents FRANKLY SENTIMENTAL, February 14-17, 2019 in the Eichmann Studio Theater at Sunset Playhouse. Backed by the six-piece SWING EXPLOSION combo and featuring popular vocalist PETE SORCE, performances will be filled with memorable vocals and instrumentals from the Great American Songbook.

PETE SORCE has worked with a “Who’s Who” of legendary entertainers including Les Brown, Nelson Riddle, Mel Tormé, and Duke Ellington. He attended Lincoln High School where he sang with his friend, Al Jarreau, and also worked with popular rock groups Big Apple and Toll Free. THE SWING EXPLOSION SEXTET includes Jeff LaBarge (leader/arranger and saxophone), John Rose (trumpet), Dave Smith (trombone), Chris Klinkhardt (keyboard), Jeff Hoormann (bass), and Jim Ryan (drums). 

Sunset’s SideNotes Cabaret Series offers a unique assortment of musical entertainment presented by talented professionals in an intimate, relaxed setting. Performances of FRANKLY SENTIMENTAL are Thursday through Saturday, February 14-16 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 17 at 3:00 p.m. Technician Sponsorship for this cabaret is provided by TOM and KATHY SCHMIT.

Sunset Playhouse is celebrating its 59^th season and, in addition to the six SideNotes Cabarets, offers eight productions in the Furlan Auditorium, six Musical MainStage concerts, four shows in the new After Sunset series, and three shows in the bug in a rug Children’s Theater series.  To reserve tickets, call 262-782-4430 or visit staging.sunsetplayhouse.flywheelsites.com. For group sales, contact Stephanie at 262-782-4431, ex. 291.

SEASONAL FAVORITES AND MUSICAL MEMORIES

AT THE SIDENOTES CABARET

Award-winning vocalists ELLEN WINTERS and JOHNNY RODGERS welcome the holiday season with music and memories in SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM ROSIE & BING at the SideNotes Cabaret, December 12-16, 2018, in the Studio Theatre of Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.

WINTERS and RODGERS reunite after their smash hit cabaret ELLA MEETS MEL, this time in a tribute to Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby, written and directed by PEGGY PETERSON RYAN. Backed by a top-notch combo of Sam Steffke on piano, Steve Rindt on bass, and Jim Ryan on drums, audiences will be treated to timeless duets, seasonal favorites, and many of Rosie and Bing’s signature songs.

ELLEN WINTERS has appeared at Sunset Playhouse many times in the SideNotes Cabaret and also as part of the Musical MainStage Concert Series, most recently in FRANK & ELLA & FRIENDS.  She has won numerous awards including Jazz Musician of 2017 from the Shepherd Express “Best of Milwaukee.”  Winters is sought after as a vocalist and cabaret singer throughout southeastern Wisconsin and the U.S., and also works as a clinician, adjudicator, and arranger.  JOHNNY RODGERS is an internationally-celebrated singer, songwriter, pianist, Broadway star, and recording artist.  He has been described as an “Ambassador of American music” and has won songwriting awards from the Billboard and The Great American Song contests, as well as the ASCAP Foundation. Rodgers spent several years touring with Liza Minnelli as a featured singer, dancer, and pianist and continues to tour the world presenting concerts and cabarets.

Writer/Director PEGGY PETERSON RYAN is well-known to audiences from her many appearances with local theatre companies and from her work with the SideNotes Cabaret Series since its inception in 2008.  In addition to her work onstage and behind the scenes, she also has served as playwright and lyricist for the production of VICTORY FOR VICTORIA at Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

Music Director SAM STEFFKE is a three-time WAMI award-winning pianist and a graduate of Berklee College of Music.  He plays with several local bands and maintains a teaching practice. Double bassist STEVEN RINDT is a freelance bassist with the Wisconsin Philharmonic and Festival City Symphony and with several classical and jazz groups. Drummer JIM RYAN has been playing regionally for decades, appears regularly with big bands and smaller combos, and maintains a private drum instruction studio.

Performances of SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM ROSIE & BING are Wednesday, December 12 through Saturday December 15 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 16 at 3:00 p.m.

Sunset Playhouse is celebrating its 59^th season and, in addition to the six SideNotes Cabarets, offers eight productions in the Furlan Auditorium, six Musical MainStage concerts, four shows in the new After Sunset series, and three shows in the bug in a rug Children’s Theater series.  To reserve tickets, call 262-782-4430 or visit staging.sunsetplayhouse.flywheelsites.com. For group sales, contact Stephanie at 262-782-4431, ex. 291.

The classic songs of country music icons will be center stage as vocalists KELLI CRAMER and SARALYNN EVENSON star in a cabaret titled THE QUEENS OF COUNTRY, June 14-17, 2018 in the SideNotes Cabaret at Sunset Playhouse. The show will trace the careers of several popular female singers who have risen from their humble beginnings to the heights of international stardom.  Written and directed by Becky Spice, THE QUEENS OF COUNTRY will feature some of the greatest hits by Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Kitty Wells.

Audiences throughout the Midwest are familiar with KELLI CRAMER from her portrayals of Patsy Cline at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Waukesha Civic Theatre, and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center.  For her performance of the title role in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at the Oakbrook Drury Lane Theatre, Cramer received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress.  SARALYNN EVENSON recently appeared with Skylight Music Theatre in ZOMBIES FROM THE BEYOND! and is known to Sunset audiences from her appearances in the Musical MainStage concerts and its recent production of SHE LOVES ME. Evenson spent many years appearing in New York jazz clubs and regional theatres.

Music direction and accompaniment will be provided by LINDA NOEL HALVERSON, who served in that capacity for Sunset’s recent production of ANYTHING GOES. Other Playhouse credits include GODSPELL and THE FANTASTICKS. Halverson will be joined by Sunset favorites CASEY OLSON on guitar and JIM RYAN on drums.  Both Olson and Ryan have been featured in SideNotes Cabarets and Musical MainStage concerts, and often appear with other groups in clubs and venues throughout the greater Milwaukee area.

Performances of THE QUEENS OF COUNTRY are Thursday, June 14^th through Saturday, June 16^th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 17^th at 3:00 p.m.  Call 262-782-4430 or click HERE for tickets

Milwaukee favorites BECKY SPICE and JACK FORBES WILSON star in a tribute to Cole Porter titled IT’S TOO DARN HOT, May 17-20, 2018 in the SideNotes Cabaret at Sunset Playhouse. The duo was such a hit in their previous SideNotes show, RED HOT MAMA, that they have reunited to create a show with a festive party atmosphere where they and their special guests will present an evening of Porter’s witty and clever songs.

BECKY SPICE has performed in many of Sunset’s Musical MainStage concerts, most recently in a tribute to Elton John titled ROCKET MAN. She also is familiar to SideNotes audiences from her appearance in last season’s HOLIDAY BELLES. This past summer, Ms. Spice was featured as the Old Lady in CANDIDE at Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay.  For more than 30 years she has been a regular at Skylight Music Theatre where favorite roles include Reno (ANYTHING GOES), and Eliza (MY FAIR LADY). Ms. Spice has performed many solo cabaret shows at venues such as The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, Skylight, and other civic and corporate events.

Local audiences know JACK FORBES WILSON from his many appearances in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Stackner Cabaret including his widely acclaimed performance in LIBERACE.  Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Wilson came to Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received a Master’s Degree in music.  A talented music director, singer, actor, pianist, and teacher, Mr. Wilson has worked with American Players Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Third Avenue Playhouse, Madison Rep, and Skylight Music Theatre. Mr. Wilson also contributes his many talents to the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, where he serves as Resident Artist.

Performances of IT’S TOO DARN HOT: THE SIZZLING SONGS OF COLE PORTER are Thursday through Saturday, May 17-19 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m.

Sunset Playhouse is celebrating its 58^th season and, in addition to the six SideNotes Cabarets, offers eight productions in the Furlan Auditorium, six Musical MainStage concerts, four shows in the new After Sunset series, and three shows in the bug in a rug Children’s Theater series.  To reserve tickets, call 262-782-4430 or visit www.staging.sunsetplayhouse.flywheelsites.com.  For group sales, contact Stephanie at 262-782-4431, ex. 291.

Stylish arrangements and intricate harmonies will fill the air as BOYGIRLBOYGIRL presents an evening of musical entertainment March 22-25, 2018 in the SideNotes Cabaret. SideNotes is continuing its tenth season in the intimate Studio Theatre of Elm Grove’s Sunset Playhouse.

Featuring DON LOBACZ, TOMMY LUECK, LAURA MONAGLE, and MICHAELA RISTAINO, BGBG has been crowned “Milwaukee’s Manhattan Transfer.” LOBACZ and LUECK are well known to Midwest audiences thanks to their many appearances with Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets and other local theatre companies.  MONAGLE appears regularly with Boulevard Theatre, The Fireside Theatre, Off the Wall, and Children’s Theatre of Madison.  RISTAINO has appeared in Milwaukee with Skylight Music Theatre and currently performs with Choral Artists of Sarasota in her hometown on Florida’s Suncoast.

The talented quartet will be backed by two exceptional musicians, Mark Mrozek and Tim Karth.  Mrozek serves as resident music director for Sunset Playhouse and is Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Bruno’s. In addition to his work with Hal Leonard Music Publishing, Karth performs with several local vocal groups and theatre companies.

Performances of BOYGIRLBOYGIRL are Thursday through Saturday, March 22-24 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m.

BY MARILYN JOZWIK

PUBLISHED ON DEC. 19, 2017

Virtually everyone can conjure up the voice of Julie Andrews. Whether she’s singing “Do-Re-Mi” from “The Sound of Music” or “Wouldn’t it Be Loverly” from “My Fair Lady,” Andrews’ pure, pitch-perfect British-accented voice is memorable.

In the show, “Our Favorite Things,” presented recently at Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, Taryn Whipple sang some of Andrews’ beloved tunes with a superb voice that easily glided through the yodeling in “Lonely Goatherd,” soared in “The Rain in Spain” and trilled gently in the finale of “The Simple Joys of Maidenhood.” 

Joining Whipple for most of the vocals was Don Lobacz, who introduced himself at the opening by saying, “Hi, I’m Don and I sing all the boy parts.”

Accompanied by a solid, three-piece orchestra consisting of Kerry Hart Bieneman on piano and vocals, Steven Rindt on double bass and Jim Ryan on drums, the duo provided 90 minutes of music, jam-packed with more than 30 tunes made famous by Andrews and/or her musicals.

The pair opened the show by introducing themselves during “You and Me” from “Victor, Victoria.” Each subsequent segment, containing several songs from one of Andrews’ notable musicals, was introduced by the pair with some tidbits about the show or the iconic star herself, such as her start as a singer at age 4 and early days in vaudeville.

Andrews was already a stage veteran in London when she came to America to star in her first Broadway musical, “The Boyfriend,” in 1954. The show opened on the eve of her 19th birthday.

Meet ‘The Boyfriend’

Whipple and Lobacz were charming in the numbers they did from “The Boyfriend,” really meshing well with the orchestra on the Flapper Era music, which included a bit of the Charleston dance.

The rest of Act 1 was devoted mostly to two Lerner-Lowe classics, “My Fair Lady” and “Camelot.” 

 “My Fair Lady” has produced some of the most memorable tunes of all time and the pair performed them wonderfully, starting with Whipple’s taking on a Cockney accent for “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly.”

Lobacz has a pleasant voice that accented Whipple’s nicely. His vocals were not as strong as Whipple’s, but worked nicely on tunes such as “On the Street Where You Live” and his energetic “I’m Getting Married in the Morning.”

Whipple stretched easily to hit all the high notes in “The Rain in Spain,” as well as “I Could’ve Danced All Night,” an audience favorite.

In the “Camelot” sequence, the arrangements seemed a little thin, but there were several highlights, including Whipple’s effortless trill at the end of “Simple Joys of Maidenhood” and Don and Taryn’s gorgeous rendition of “If Ever I Would Leave You.” Whipple added some cute, bird-like whistling to “What Do the Simple Folks Do?”

Practically perfect

Act 2 featured music from Walt Disney’s “Mary Poppins,” closing with tunes from “The Sound of Music.” In the intro to the “Poppins” segment, it was indicated that Andrews thanked Jack Warner for not casting her in the film version of “My Fair Lady” (Audrey Hepburn played the role), which allowed her to take the “Mary Poppins” role for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for 1964.

The audience joined in for “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” as well as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” which they really enjoyed. In the lovely lullaby “Feed the Birds,” Bieneman added a layer of harmony to the duo that gave the tune a rich sound. Bieneman’s vocals were a welcome addition to several numbers, giving them more fullness and depth. She also did well on a couple solo pieces.

Ending the show with tunes from “The Sound of Music,” Andrews’ best-known musical, was a no-brainer. Lobacz indicated that the show had the highest grossing box office sales of all time, adding that Andrews many of the characteristics of Mary Poppins–she was “practically perfect in every way.”

Starting with “Do-Re-Mi” and some audience participation, Whipple moved into “The Sound of Music” with added subtle harmony from Bieneman and Lobacz.

Lovely to look at

In “The Lonely Goatherd,” Whipple slid through the roller coaster of yodeling as easily as a sled down an icy hill. Lobacz added guitar on the acoustic “Edelweiss,” while Whipple showed off her skill on the violin.

Whipple sounded most like Andrews in “My Favorite Things” and ended the show with “Climb Every Mountain.” Though the latter was not sung by Andrews in the film, it was a perfect finale to the show.

Whipple looked gorgeous in her black velvet and satin gown with glittering jewelry to open the show. Lobacz joined her in a handsome light gray suit with a lavender shirt. While a good-looking outfit, it looked pale next to Whipple’s. The bow-tie tux in Act Two was a much better look paired with Whipple’s lacy black gown.

The show moved at a quick, lively pace, with nary a bobble to be seen or heard, professional in every way. Though the pair were musically comfortable, it would have been good to see the duo loosen up a bit and be a little more spontaneous with each other and the audience. A bit more comedy, perhaps in the introductions to the segments, would have been welcome also.

Sunset’s cabaret space is a wonderful venue with an updated sound system that showcased the music while not overwhelming the audience.