Musicals in Madison This Summer
Written by Zhiyun Zhao
Photography by Aida Ebrahimi
Wisconsin's winter seems to be endless this year. There is still no trace of warmer weather, even if it’s already April. But here’s the good news--summer break is finally approaching! While many of us enjoy outdoor activities in the summer, theatres can be a nice place to hide from the heat and dive into the magical world created by acting and technical designs. So, if you are staying in Madison this summer, here are three musicals you won’t want to miss.On Your Feet!On Your Feet! is a jukebox musical about Gloria and Emilio Estefan, a Grammy Award winning Cuban-American musician couple. The musical shows the audience how they fall in love with each other and how they gain fame in the music industry. It also touches on Gloria's severe car accident and how she successfully made her comeback with her strong determination. Originally performed in Chicago, the musical has received good reviews as well as box office success, especially since its opening on Broadway. It has even had a Dutch adaptation. You can see this show at the Overture Center for the Arts from May 15 to May 20.Little Shops of HorrorHorror, comedy, rock, musical. If you’re a fan of any of these four, you won’t want to miss University Theatre's summer production of Little Shops of Horror, a musical about a strange plant that has a thirst for human blood. The musical has been performed both in the US and the UK, and it also has a movie adaptation. University Theatre's production will run from July 12 to July 29. Can’t make it this summer? There will also be a remount from September 13 to September 23.WaitressAdapted from the 2007 film Waitress, this musical's main themes are cooking and relationships. After her unexpected pregnancy, Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and pie baker, finds herself caught between an unhappy marriage and an affair with her doctor. The musical is about Jenna dealing with all the relationships, and baking plays an important role in this process. Eventually the arrival of the baby gives her the courage to end the marriage and the affair, and to start out a new life. Entertainment Weekly calls this show "a little slice of heaven!” and the audience in Madison will be able to enjoy it from July 24 to July 29 at the Overture Center for the Arts.