20th Annual Marcia Legere Play Festival: A Huge Success!

By Nina Reynolds

The Fredric March Play Circle doors were opened for a different crowd on the last February weekend. Normally the location of a free movie put on by the Wisconsin Union Directorate Film Committee, this time the small theater space was filled with play-goers, young and old, excited to see the hard work of their family members and friends come to fruition in the yearly Play Festival. Even a handful of students who had accidentally mistaken Saturday night as a screening of the Disney movie "Tangled" joined the crowd to watch their fellow students perform in the three one-act plays.

Thanks to funding provided by Marcia Legere-Binns, every year students on campus can participate in the  festival. Submissions are collected in the fall and, after being ranked by judges from the Theater and Drama and English departments, three winning plays are selected to be performed at the showcase in the spring. Written, directed, performed, and produced by students, the play festival provides a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in theater outside of their normal academic focus and activities.

The three playwrights provided a wonderful variety this year. Even those expecting to see a colorful animated movie based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, Rapunzel, were entertained by the "film noir" murder mystery, the campy, futuristic science fiction spoof, and the nursing home comedy that graced the Play Circle stage.

"Murder at Bates Manor," written by Kaley Ingenito and directed by Jake Silverman, had the audience laughing almost immediately with its dramatic lighting, costuming, and plot. Actors demonstrated tremendous energy and commitment to their respective characters, as for the most part they were all onstage for the entirety of the 40-minute production. Even Dillon Read, who "died" within the first minute of the play, was able to contribute to maintaining the deceitful, conniving, and entangled web of absurd lies and mystery as he lay "dead" onstage for the remainder of the play.

"The Final Frontiersman," written by Casey Frink and directed by Iliana Rotker-Lynn, provided a comedic picture of a future set in space. Filled with amusing references, such as to the "bottle of 2011 Cabernet," the play transported the audience to a time when malfunctioning space ships and beautiful views of Earth are quite possible. The play maintained a sense of reality at times, however, with cute dialogues between soon-to-be engaged lovers, and complicated relationships with friends back on Earth.

The festival closed with Erin Bannen's "A Jar Full of Feathers," directed by Bethany Wood. It was set in the small, cluttered nursing home room of a grumpy, eccentric old man. When he is visited by a middle-aged woman doing community service time for speeding in a residential area, their conversation spanning the 18-minute performance covers life, death, and all matters in between. Both actors demonstrated remarkable focus and skill as they alone carried the dialogue that was both serious and hilarious.

Almost 200 people were present at the festival over the two days, and based on the laughter, applause, and general audience response, everyone had a great time! If you weren't able to attend this year, consider joining us next spring for another showcase of the promising writers, directors, and actors that this school has to offer.

Jeremy Denk The Writer

Erin Bannen
Writing Intern


Classical musicians are hooked into a world that flawlessly combines artistry and mathematics. It is a world that I stomped my way out of (when I was three) with a full and throaty, "I, HATE, PIANO LESSONS!" I would realize later that although I loved listening to music, my mind wasn't technical enough to be able to play it. Creative writing I could do, music, not so much. This is why I truly appreciate Jeremy Denk's blog, think denk.

Denk's blog has commentary on classical music but it also has musings about life. Check out this excerpt:

"My friend Cory said he heard a tiny scrap of laughter out his window
the other night, and it made him want to cry, thinking of all the pleasures happening elsewhere. The last days of Summer should be the last sweet drops of a long mirth. Your soul should be like a Gatsby lawn party. Yes, hold on to your laughs; they’re all sweaty and slippery; they’ve been on ice all summer, trying to keep cool, trying not to become sighs."

What this tells me about Denk is that he sees the world through a different lens. Who else would come up with such an elegant extended metaphor for laughs? It is excerpts like this that connect me to the artsy side of a classical artist, and I don't have to understand technique to connect with him. This is not to say he isn't a fantastic piano player--the New York Times just published a glowing review of his concerts. However, his blog shows a mastery over words as well. 

He even talks about loving to hate bad music:

"For many years, the greatest joy of Christmas was to wake up my parents with the worst Christmas music we could find. My brother and I would have a whispered powwow over the LP collection. We might choose Placido Domingo, for sheer tenor shamelessness, or maybe the organ-backed bombast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The most
deliciously despised choice was Barbara Streisand’s multi-metric, coke-addled version of Jingle Bells. “Oh God not that again,” we’d hear my mother moan from the bedroom, "Joe put on some coffee goddammit!'"


I feel like I could tell Denk how I hated piano lessons, and instead of being offended, he'd laugh. I can't wait to go to his concert and see what he tells me about how he views the world, and teach me about classical music. He's the kind of musician who could not only play music with elegance and grace, but speak about it as well.

2011-2012 Travel Adventure Film Series will be announced March 21

The Theater is pleased to inform you that we will be announcing the 2011-2012 Travel Adventure Film Series at East African Safari with Rick Ray on March 21 and 22. Film listing and subscription forms will be available at the theater, online or through our box office at 608-265-ARTS (2787).

The line-up will also be released on our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Patrons who subscribe to the 2011-2012 film series will receive one free ticket per subscription to any film in the series. Share it with family or friends. This year, patrons may also subscribe to the pre-film buffet dinners.

Single tickets will be available through our box office on June 13th.

2011-2012 Concert Series Available at Special Price

The Wisconsin Union Theater has announced its 92nd Annual Concert Series. It includes:

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, Friday, September 30, 2011, 7:30 pm

Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg with New Century Chamber Orchestra, Sunday, November 20, 2011, 7:30 pm

David Finckel, Wu Han and Philip Setzer Trio, Friday, February 24, 2012, 7:30 pm

Peter Serkin, Piano, Saturday, May 5, 2012, 7:30 pm

Early Concert Series Subscription with significant savings is available until April 1. Subscribe early and receive a special price for a limited time, as well as ensure priority seating and parking!

Early subscription prices:
Union Members, UW Madison Faculty and Staff:  $130
General Public: $145

To take advantage of this offer, download the order form from our website, and send it to: Wisconsin Union Theater Box, 800 Langdon St., Madison, WI 53706, or call the box office at 608-265-ARTS (2787).

Single tickets and UW-Madison student tickets will be available later. Other 2011-2012 events will be announced on April 8, at the Dianne Reeves concert.


We also offer:

•    Ticket Exchange Flexibility: Should conflicts arise, we've got you covered. Exchange your tickets at either of our box offices up to 24 hours before your event for any upcoming season event. Or trade in your tickets for a gift certificate of equal value to use later or give to a friend.
•    Missed Performance Insurance: Just because you missed one of our season events does not mean you need to miss out. Return your unused season tickets to us within three business days of the event for a gift certificate of equal value, good for any remaining season event in 2010-11.
•    Free Pre-Concert Lectures featuring John Barker and Perry Allaire are offered at 6:30 pm before each Concert Series events. See Today in the Union for location.

2011-2012 Season listing and order forms will be available online on 4/9/2011.

Reminder: Psychograss Cancelled

This is a reminder that the April 2011 tour of Psychograss has been canceled due to personal circumstances of one of the musicians. Their scheduled April 9 show in the theater will not take place.


We apologize and regret any inconvenience that this may cause.

Dianne Reeves: The Voice of Vulnerability

Erin Bannen
Writing Intern

When I am at my most vulnerable, I wrap myself in the knit blanket my Aunt Marlene made me, steep chamomile tea, and call my best friend Maggie. This is because I'm not a jazz musician.

The jazz musician takes her vulnerability onstage, cracks it open, and gifts it to an audience. The jazz musician is fearless. The jazz musician tells you flat out that you are not alone. There was a while when I thought jazz and elevator music were the same thing. This was before I realized that jazz to me is an open wound. It's raw, it's fresh, and it is unabashedly itself.


Dianne Reeves is a four-time Grammy winning pre-eminent jazz singer, but I could really care less. When she sings she's talking to me. Doesn't matter what she's singing about, or who she's singing for, if she's in a stadium, a stage, or a youtube video, she's shining a bright light onto me saying, "You know those things you feel like you can't say? Let me say them for you."


Joe Williams in Down Beat said that Reeves “is earth mother, lover, the hurt child." Gary Alderman, host of WORT's Journeys into Jazz, had this to say of Reeves: "Dianne Reeves has made a natural progression from a young jazz singer to her unique style today  while still incorporating her influences of Sarah, Billie, Ella and Dinah. Her voice is gorgeous and she relates well to audiences with very heartfelt performances."


Dianne Reeves is not a show you are going to want to miss.She'll speak for you too.

I ♥ the Archives--Grammy Winners and the UNION Theater

Happy Wednesday, folks.

Did any of you happen to catch the Grammys on Sunday?

In case you missed it, I'm excited to share with you that bassist Esperanza Spading won for Best New Artist. Oh, and where did she make her first Madison appearance? Yep, that's right, the Union Theater. This photo was taken during her performance here on February 15, 2008.

I heart not just the archives, but also Esperanza Spalding, and the UNION Theater :)

Until next time!

Travel Adventure Series: East African Safari with Rick Ray

by Christa Scherwinski
World Stage Coordinator

The Travel Adventure Series is presenting East African Safari with Rick Ray on March 22, 2011 at 7:30 pm in the Wisconsin Union Theater. The film will take an in-depth look at the wildlife and culture of East Africa, as well as the implications of the current political and social conditions on the people of this region.

The film gives a unique view of wildlife, including the giraffe, which is the tallest of land-living animals. The fur of a giraffe serves as a chemical defense and is full of parasite repellents that are responsible for the way the giraffe smells.

Along with the animals that live in East Africa, the environment itself is astounding. East Africa can be divided into three geographic sub-regions: The Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa, and the Indian Ocean islands. Having such diverse geography and climates ranging from desert to tropical rain forests gives East Africa a diversity rarely found in other countries. East African Safari with Rick Ray depicts the exotic and unique attributes of the region.

Gaelic Storm Memories

by Erin Bannen
Writing Intern

I grew up in a third generation Irish household. This means I know my way around corned beef and cabbage, and I'm still learning to make a mean soda bread, but aside from that, our Irish heritage wasn't a big thing. Until Irish Fest came around.

Irish Fest was particularly special for our neighborhood, because every year, the Irish Fest headliners, Gaelic Storm, would come a day early and give a free concert in the park by my house. My friends and I  would walk down to the park, stop by Baskin Robbins and get mint chocolate chip ice cream (because it was green) and walk to the stage by the river.

Gaelic Storm's Newest Album, Cabbage

We started the concert dancing and singing along, and ended the concert dancing and singing along. We would laugh at the jokes Patrick Murphy (who is the lead singer) told, and as we got older, they got funnier.  Gaelic Storm was an electric, pulsing energy coming into our little suburban town and it made me feel proud of what little I knew about my Irish heritage.

Now, I'm not saying I know anything about being Irish. But it was pretty cool to feel connected to a country where I know I've got roots, and be a part of something so fun and fantastic. My advice? You should not miss Gaelic Storm at the Union Theater on  Saturday Feb. 19th at 8:00. I'm going to go, dance, and remember mint chocolate chip ice cream by the river at home.

Dianne Reeves Band Incorporates Diverse Specialities

By Ben Ferris

Jazz Coordinator

On Friday, April 8, we will not only be treated to the gorgeous four-time Grammy winning voice of Dianne Reeves, but also a highly talented band. This is the same band that will be performing with Ms. Reeves this year at famous jazz performance halls such as Yoshi's in San Francisco, The Lincoln Center in New York and Symphony Center in Chicago - I am so excited that all of these musicians will be right here at the Wisconsin Union Theater.

On the drums will be Terreon "Tank" Gully, who specializes in Hip-Hop. Mr. Gully is the drummer of "Blackout" with Stefon Harris, an influential band in merging Hip-Hop with Jazz, and he has also played with Abbey Lincoln, Lizz Wright, and Common.

On Guitar will be Romero Lubambo, who specializes in Brazilian Jazz. Recently, Mr. Lubambo recorded for Yo-Yo Ma's "Appassionato" CD as well as Al Jarreau, Kathleen Battle, Grover Washington, Jr. and Paquito D’Rivera. I encourage you to check out Mr. Lubambo in The Trio da Paz, comprised of in-demand Brazilian instrumentalists.

On Keyboard will be Peter Martin, who was educated in classical music at the Juilliard School of Music. I encourage you to check out his video blog called "2 Minute Jazz" that teaches Jazz techniques with two minute videos. Mr. Martin has worked with New Orleans musicians Nicholas Peyton, Wynton Marsalis and Brian Blade as well as the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic.

On bass will be Reginald Veal, who can be heard on a number of great jazz albums. Mr. Veal was highly influenced by bass great Milt Hinton, and has recorded on many of the 1980's Wynton Marsalis albums including "Standard Time Vol. 2 and 3" and "Citi Movement", as well as many live performances such as the video featured below (with Elvin Jones). He can also be heard with Wycliffe Gordon and Cassandra Wilson.

I am very excited for this show and hope that you can make it.

I ♥ the Archives--and Louisiana Music

Hello out there!

Look at this cheery photo of Buckwheat Zydeco! He was here in 2008 (a recent archive) and warmed up the crowd with his fast tempo accordion beats.

When I found it in our photo archives, it made me smile and think of another Louisiane show/dance party which is coming to Great Hall this Friday--Fete de Louisiane with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and Cedric Watson with Bijou Creole! A perfect cure for the winter shivers.

Marcia Légère Binns: A Very Brief History of the Woman Who Started the Student Play Festival

By Nina Reynolds

Theater and Dance Coordinator

"It was wonderful to watch it take shape and performed in that big, beautiful theater."

-Marcia Légère Binns, Founder of the Marcia Légère Play Festival

Marcia Légère Binns

Although the Marcia Légère Play Festival does not usually take place in the, "big, beautiful theater" (hint hint: the Union Theater!), student participants in the annual playwriting contest on campus must share Légère's sentiments as every year they, too, watch their plays come to life on a university stage. Today the Fredric March Play Circle in the Memorial Union is the place where, thanks to Légère's generous yearly donations, any student can try their hand at various roles in the theater world. Playwrights, directors, producers, actors, stage managers, technical staff. . . the festival is dedicated to providing an opportunity where for two nights in the dead of winter, students (and only students) fill all of these roles.

It all began when Légère, a student at UW-Madison in the early 40's, won the first Wisconsin Playwrights Contest with a piece that her professor submitted secretly. Her play, "The Glory of Children," had originally been written as an assignment for a drama class and ended up being produced by the Wisconsin Players as part of the Wisconsin Union Theater season in 1945. Her words above reveal the pride she must have felt to see her creation being performed on such a distinguished stage.

Légère finished her Comparative Literature degree at UW-Madison in 1946 and went on to work for CBS in New York City. Later, in San Francisco, she wrote scripts for a television documentary called "Science in Action," and after that she wrote freelance scripts and articles. Twenty years ago, Légère decided that she wanted to give back to the university that had provided her with one of her first great accomplishments as a writer. Saddened to hear that the Wisconsin Playwrights Contest was not in existence anymore, she worked with University of Wisconsin Foundation Vice President Russell Howes to bring the competition back to life. 


Today, Légère's generous contributions continue to give students a similar opportunity to the one she had as a student. Every fall, students are encouraged to submit one-act plays that are under 40 minutes long when performed. Judges from the English and Theater departments choose three winning playwrights, and in addition to a cash prize, these three students are rewarded with the opportunity to see their plays come off the page and onto the stage. 

Inspired By His "Tonton," Afel Bocoum Delivers Own Malian Musical Message

by Ted Harks
Box Office Manager

"I'd love to do what my uncle did – and even more, come to that! – but I'll never be in a position to do so. The only thing I can inherit from him is his philosophy." -- Afel Bocoum, RFI Musique Jun 2006

Asking for the origins of inspiration is a bit like asking for the origins of a desert wind. All we can really do is point and say "it came from over there." The more important question in my mind, though, is what a person does in response to their inspirations.

At age ten, Afel Bocoum found his musical inspiration in the person of his "Tonton" (an affectionate term for uncle), the legendary Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré. And rather than shrug the inspiration off or admire it passively, Bocoum chased after it. Quite literally, in fact. In his own words, "I was the one who forced the issue. When I was a kid I'd follow him round everywhere he played, setting up the microphones or fetching coal and brewing up his tea. I'd do anything so that people around him would let me stay near him. And he finally came to accept me himself. When I was around ten or twelve I used to go off to the back of beyond with him, just so I could hear him play." At age thirteen, Bocoum was allowed into his uncle's group, ASCO, and what followed was over three decades of collaboration.

To have the pleasure of hearing Bocoum sing and play the njarka, a single-stringed violin, and the njurkel, a double-stringed guitar,is partially to recognize the degree to which Touré's signature desert blues style has woven its way into Bocoum's own work. Bocoum paid tribute to this fact when he dedicated the opening track of his album, Niger, to his late uncle.

Yet as much as Bocoum is flattered by any comparisons of him to his uncle, he keeps his own mission in mind. As only 30% of Malians can read and write, music is a very powerful means of communication. In the late '60s, Bocoum used his gifts of music not merely to entertain, but to raise public awareness of community issues. He recalls that even during the height of the Touareg rebellion, he traveled without fear to nomad villages with his band Akibar and sang for peace. Today, Bocoum continues to write songs about Mali, Africa and the general state of the world. The name of of his band, Akibar, means "messengers" and that role is one Bocoum takes very seriously. In Bocoum's words again, "My aim is not just to make an album, but to reach out and touch the maximum number of people possible so that we're all on the same wavelength."

Afel Bocoum will join Habib Koite and Oliver Mtukudzi for Acoustic Africa on March 10, 2011 in the Wisconsin Union Theater. Tickets are on sale now.

What's a Non-Musical Friend to Do? Learn!

by Erin Bannen
Writing Intern

Jeffrey Siegel

Have you ever had a friend try to convince you to go to a classical music concert? You, who knows all kinds of things about literature and art history, but couldn’t tell a violin from a viola to save your life. Your friend is probably very enthusiastic, holding an instrument ominously concealed in a big, oddly shaped plastic box and wearing a “Dorks: People who Clap Between Movements” t-shirt. You are not a dork! You just don’t know what a movement is.

This is the plight of many a culturally-savvy person in the Madison community and beyond. There are a lot of arts to cover, after all. I consider myself to have proficient knowledge in literature, visual art, theater, and dance. I just missed the boat on classical music. What are people like us to do? How do we break the mold of the “Dork” who “Claps Between Movements?” We go to concerts like Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel.

Why? Because these are “concerts with a “lively commentary,” a “brisk question and answer session” where Siegel “speaks briefly and informally to the audience before performing each composition, illustrating with a few pertinent musical examples from the keyboard.” “What’s this?” You say. “I can ask questions? He’s going to teach me things?” Yes!

Paris, 1911, by Jacque Henri Lartigue

Not to mention the fact that he’ll be playing music that was written in Paris exactly 100 years ago! Ravel's Noble and Sentimental Waltzes, exotic Preludes of Debussy and Faure, humorous short pieces of Eric Satie, and Stravinsky's colorful Petrouchka. My t-shirt toting friend tells me this is a fantastic line-up, and frankly, I can’t wait to go and see for myself. This way I’ll be sure to ask before starting when it’s okay to clap.