By Mary Boyle

If you're above a certain age, you may recall the film The Producers, written and directed in 1967 by Mel Brooks, and starring Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock, a has-been Broadway Producer, and Milwaukee native Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom, an accountant who's always wanted to be a Broadway producer.  While the film put Gene Wilder on the map, and started a series of collaborations with Mel Brooks, including Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, the story made a much bigger splash when it made its way to Broadway in 2001, starring Nathan Lane as Bialystock and Matthew Broderick as Bloom.  Now, you can see The Producers for yourself, in all its offensive, yet Tony award-winning, glory at Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove. 

Fans of Mel Brooks know that there isn't a subject too taboo for him to make fun of, and this show is an equal opportunity offender.  Max Bialystock (Robert A. Zimmerman) was once the King of Broadway, but now he's penniless after a long series of flops.  When he overhears his bumbling, nervous accountant, Leo Bloom (Zach Zembrowski) speculate that, with a bit of creative math, a failed Broadway show could earn far more money than a successful one, the two embark on a scheme to produce the biggest Broadway flop in history; a show so offensive, it can't possibly be a hit, and they can't possibly get in trouble...except the show, "Springtime for Hitler," somehow manages to be a hit!

Directed by Tommy Lueck, The Producers is shockingly good (grown-up) fun.  Robert A. Zimmerman sounds remarkably like Nathan Lane, and Zach Zembrowski is wonderful as Leo Bloom.  Molly Morrow is Ulla, the sexy Swedish secretary/performer, and Eric Safdieh-Nelson is Roger DeBris, the worst Director in New York who, along with his partner, Carmen Ghia, played by Andrew Kelly, bring a whole lot of fabulous to the show, as well as the show within the show.  The show-stealer, though, is Steven Sizer, who recently appeared as a prince in Into the Woods at Sunset,  and now returns to the Sunset stage as Franz Liebkind, the Nazi sympathizer who penned the musical.

Sunset Playhouse is a great little community theater, with easy parking and not a bad seat in the house, combined with excellent productions for a bargain price, right in the heart of Elm Grove.  If a Broadway show is on your bucket list, this is the perfect place to check it off.  See it while you can!

The Producers runs through August 5th at Sunset Playhouse, located at 800 Elm Grove Road in Elm Grove, WI.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (414) 782-4430, or online at www.sunsetplayhouse.com.

About Sunset Playhouse
Over the past 60 years, Sunset has benefitted from the leadership of Ian Dobbie, Alan Furlan, Michael Spicer, Thomas Somerville, Michael Duncan, Mark Salentine, Jonathan West, Diana Alioto, and our current Artistic Director, Nancy Visintainer-Armstrong. The theater’s staff consists of an Education Director, Technical Director, Business Manager/Volunteer Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Box Office Manager, Box Office Associates, and Theater Technicians. In addition, Sunset benefits from a large pool of talented and dedicated volunteers who work in conjunction with these professionals and are essential to the on-going success of the Playhouse. Sunset is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership.
Sunset produces eight Furlan Auditorium Productions per season consisting of comedies, mysteries, musicals, and dramas. The Playhouse is also home to three professional series–Musical MainStage Concert Series, with six concerts each season, a six-show cabaret series titled SideNotes Cabaret Series, and a three-show children’s series called Bug in a Rug.
 
  

By Callie Gay 

Stepping inside Brandywine after eight o’clock on a Saturday night, I was sure we wouldn’t be able to find a seat. Outside, the tables were full and, through the large front windows, it was clear that they were having a busy night. The buzz of half a dozen conversations followed my friends and I up the steps, through the door, into the historic building in downtown Cedarburg, where husband and wife team Andrew and Rhiannon Wilson, opened their first restaurant just weeks ago, after years of planning and dreaming.

With a quick scan of the front and back room, I could see that we were going to have to wait for a table to open up. There wasn’t even an open seat at the bar and, judging from the tired look on the servers’ faces as they moved around patrons and did their best not to appear overwhelmed, they’d been busy all evening.  The hostess greeted us with a smile, and asked how we were doing — a courtesy almost shocking on a busy weekend night, especially when two more groups of people were moving in the door behind us and waiting their turn to be seated. When I spoke with the co-owner, Andrew Wilson, he told me that finding good people had been his top priority, and I could tell he accomplished his goal when I saw the calm demeanor of the hostess in the face of a snappy customer, as well as the time  our waiter took to describe a dish, though he was clearly juggling several tables.

If you didn’t know this was the first restaurant Andrew and Rhiannon had ever opened, or that it’s only been in operation for less than a month, you’d never guess it while you’re sitting at the table surrounded by an air of comfortable charm, scanning the small but impressive menu of handmade pastas and simple but rich desserts that are made daily, and listening to the hum of conversation all around. Tables on both sides of us were filled with big groups of laughing friends; couples leaned in close to one another, deep in conversation; all of them giving the impression that they’d been there a dozen times before, and would come again a dozen more.  Andrew said that their hope was to create “a neighborhood place, where people feel comfortable and leave full.” Sitting at the table trying to find the right words for the rich but light flourless chocolate cake, I was amazed that the Wilson’s vision has come together so fully in such a short amount of time, because an ambiance of delicious comfort is the only way I can accurately describe Brandywine.

Andrew started working in a restaurant as a busboy and dishwasher seventeen years ago at Trattoria Stefano, an Italian restaurant in Sheboygan, where he was later promoted to cook, and then went on to be an executive sous chef for Bacchus. “I really enjoy the fast-paced, physical nature of it,” he said, “and beyond that, I’ve always really enjoyed the camaraderie and the team element of being in the kitchen with a group of people and working hard towards a common goal.”  Owning a restaurant has been his goal as long as he’s been in a kitchen.  Then, in 2015, he lost both of his parents, and that heartbreak spurred him into action, “I just decided, you should chase your dreams.” From that loss, Brandywine was born.

With his wife, Rhiannon, and their three children, the Wilson’s moved from Madison to Glendale to be closer to Rhiannon’s parents, and to begin to look for the perfect place to open the restaurant they named after Andrew’s Mother’s favorite variety of Amish tomato. “She was a really avid gardener,” he said. “There were a couple of years that we had a few too many tomato plants, and when I thought about a name for the restaurant, I thought of that.”  They looked all around Ozaukee county, but Cedarburg is just what the couple was looking for. No matter where they looked, they always came back to it, citing the city’s charm and small town feel as the biggest reasons they wanted to make it work. “I love the idea of doing business where I live,” Andrew said, “and we knew we wanted to live here.” ​

Last year, the family moved from Glendale and spent the summer living in the apartment above the restaurant, as their vision began to come together. With the help of family (Rhiannon’s father-in-law, in particular, who is a commercial painter and did a lot of the finishing), the Wilson’s have been putting in long hours and hard labor, working towards their opening.  “I think you have to have healthy dose of naivety,” Andrew said. “You think, 'I’ve worked hard before and I can do this,' but the last month or so has probably been the most challenging of my life. But it’s been fun, too. I’m trying to enjoy the ride.” 

Opening weekend proved to the new restaurant owners that the city of Cedarburg and its residents had anxiously awaited everything they have to give. Friends, old and new, coworkers, and the community, at large, all came to show their support (and probably also to sample some of the delicious food that ranges from burgers with caramelized onions and beer battered cheese curds, to braised pork mezzaluna in a spicy tomato sauce).

As I finished a piece of flourless chocolate cake slathered in salted caramel and topped with whipped creme fraiche and raspberries, the door opened with more new customers hoping to get a table. Our waiter told us to let him know when we needed the check, but we didn’t feel pushed to leave — quite the contrary; along with all the patrons around us, we felt free to linger, though we didn’t. We left and made room for others to discover their new favorite place to go for dinner and drinks in Cedarburg. ​

​​Callie Gay is a freelance writer, and mother of two boys. In her former life she traveled the world and hunted down the most delicious food she could find. These days she spends her time begging two small people to try a vegetable, and marveling at the fact that she prefers it. She writes to avoid doing laundry.

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The Twisted Willow Restaurant is pairing food with a good cause at its very first Farm to Fork Charity Experience on Friday, September 14 at 6 p.m. This amazing dining experience will benefit programs and services funded by United Way of Northern Ozaukee. Owner Jill Bunting, along with her brother Dan Wiken, chef and farmer, and their team have created a unique and delicious evening using freshly harvested ingredients from their very own local farm in Grafton, as well as local purveyors.

“The Twisted Willow has been involved in multiple fundraisers and supported various charities. We have worked with United Way on many events in a smaller scale. Celebrating our fifth year, we wanted to do a bigger charity event that would give back to the community that has supported us. Because the United Way offers so many channels of outreach, we are honored to partner with them for our Farm to Fork Charity Experience,” said Bunting.

A portion of each ticket for this event will be reinvested to strengthen local individuals and families through United Way’s result-driven programs.  United Way partners with thirteen strategic partners to deliver critical services that help working families who are struggling to make ends meet, address the intensifying needs of an aging population, protect and advocate for the most vulnerable among us, and to ensure that young children can get a good start by providing early parenting and educational opportunities for children and families.

In addition to enjoying a wonderful evening of great dishes paired with fine wines, there will be a Port Washington hor d’oeuvre trolley tour ride, entertainment by a local celebrity, and a live auction and raffle throughout the night. The live auction will feature unique, one of a kind experiences such as a winter retreat near the Chequamagan National Forest on the Flambeau River, a week’s stay in Kissimmee Florida in an eight bedroom home, free four hour rental of the Port Exploreum Museum for a private party, and a table for four at Twisted Willow Restaurant’s 6th annual 6-course Harvest Feast.

For more information, or to purchase your ticket, please contact Twisted Willow at 262-268-7600, or visit their website at twistedwillowrestaurant.com

United Way of Northern Ozaukee is a champion for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Ozaukee County. We work to improve lives by mobilizing people and leveraging our vast community network to raise money, and engaging leaders in solving our community’s most daunting challenges.  We invest in resources that produce measurable improvements. For more information about United Way Northern Ozaukee’s work, or to join our fight to create meaningful, measurable, and lasting change for people throughout our county, visit unitedwayno.org.

There's nothing quite as Americana as the 4th of July in the small town communities of Oz.  Looking for a celebration near you?  Look no further!

Belgium  The celebration begins early in Belgium, with fireworks at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, June 29th at Heritage Park.

Thiensville  Thiensville's Family Fun Before the 4th is a nearly all-day event, and a great day for the whole family!  On Saturday, June 30th, the parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Follow it to the Village Park, where free ice-cream, live music, and a variety of events await, followed by fireworks at dusk.

​Grafton  Grafton's Independence Day Celebration happens on Saturday, June 30th, in conjunction with the annual Grillin' in Grafton.  The parade begins at 17th Ave. by the tennis courts at 11 a.m., and makes its way to Centennial Park.  Fireworks will take place at dusk.

Rotary Music Festival in Cedarburg  The Drum Corps International Tour will return to Cedarburg on Tuesday, July 3, at 7 p.m. for the 19th Annual Rotary Music Festival. Cedarburg High School Stadium is set to play host to a lineup of 7 World and Open Class corps during this event that will take place on the eve of Independence Day.

Freistadt  It doesn't get any more Americana than Trinity Freistadt's 4th of July Parade and Picnic!  Spend your day enjoying one of Ozaukee County's best kept secrets, beginning with an outdoor worship service at 10 a.m. (weather permitting), an 11 a.m. picnic (complete with root beer floats), a tour of the Trinity Historical Grounds, and a  1 p.m. parade, followed by a flag raising, and the very German music of the Alte Kameraden Band and dancing by the Pommersche Tanzdeel Dancers.

Port Washington  Port's parade begins at 10 a.m. on the 4th; follow it to  Veteran's Park on the lakefront for an old fashioned ice cream social, bicycle judging, a watermelon seed spitting contest, and music throughout the afternoon.  The only fireworks over the lakefront in Oz begin at dusk, and are best seen from Rotary Park or Coal Dock Park.

Saukville  Saukville's parade begins at 1 p.m., going through downtown and ending at Grady Park for a picnic from noon-5 and music from 2-4.   There will be music and food from 5 p.m. until dusk, and  fireworks are at dusk over Peninsula Park.

Cedarburg  Cedarburg's 4th of July Hometown Celebration boasts the largest parade in Ozaukee (roughly 2 hours long!), which begins at Fireman's Park at 10 a.m., and heads south along Washington Ave., making its way to Cedar Creek Park, where a picnic, music,  and activities can be found until 9:30 p.m.  The Madison Scouts perform at 1 p.m., and Dante's Bop will play from 2-7:30 p.m.  The Civic Band performs in the band shell at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30.

Happy Independence Day, Ozaukee!

John's involvement in Door inspired his younger brother, Luke, who will be a Junior at University School in Milwaukee this fall, to get involved.  Luke made his Door debut at the age of 14  in Julius Ceasar and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and is now returning for his third summer with Door.  He echos his brother's sentiments regarding his involvement with the company:  "The thing I love most about Door Shakespeare is the impact it has on both audiences and actors, alike. As cheesy as it sounds, being in the woods all day without cell connection makes people connect with each other more, and I think it is part of the reason lasting friendships are built within the company. With all of the natural beauty surrounding the theater, actors often go to the waterfront or walk a trail while practicing their lines. While many actors argue that their job is enjoyable regardless of location, I think being able to work in such a gorgeous location makes the job even more enjoyable."

Both brothers shared some worthy tips for those thinking of making the trip:  bring blankets and wear multiple layers, because it is often cold; come early to give yourself time to walk the trails and enjoy the lake view; and finally, the  5 p.m. Saturday performances are best for patrons with children.  To learn more about Door Shakespeare, their play schedule, and their other programs, visit http://www.doorshakespeare.com​.
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​For those willing to travel just a bit further, one of the best outdoor theatre experiences in Wisconsin is just outside of Spring Green at the American Players Theatre.  APT has multiple productions, both modern and classic, throughout the summer on two different outdoor stages, but they never fail to perform at least one of Shakespeare's plays.  This year, APT has selected two by the Bard:  As You Like It and Measure for Measure.  The APT season opens Friday, June 15th, and runs through Sunday, October 7th.  To learn more about APT's complete season, including free concerts, go to: ​https://americanplayers.org/

While there's only one show, it's a bit closer to home:  the West Bend Theatre Company will be performing Much Ado About Nothing on Thursday, August 23rd, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Jansen Family Park in West Bend.  Set in the 1980's and featuring some well-known 80's pop tunes, this should be an interesting evening of Shakespeare.  Find out more at: https://www.wbtheatreco.com/
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There is a reason that Shakespeare in the Park can be found in outdoor spaces throughout the country: in William Shakespeare's time, his plays were mainly performed in open-air theaters, so it feels right to recreate those conditions for today's audiences.  The outdoor theatre experience, much like an outdoor concert, has an energy all its own that must be experienced to be understood.  While every live theatre performance is unique, the weather and nature are crucial and unpredictable parts of the outdoor theatre production that give an entirely different, and highly individual, dimension to a play, and make for an unforgettable performance.  Add to the itinery of your camping trip, or go just for the show, but make sure you add one of these performances to your summer calendar!  ​

 
Richard Taylor, who is represented by Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, never took a class on making sculptures, however, he completed his undergraduate degree in Art History at UWM in the 1980’s and went on to receive his MFA in painting and printmaking from UWM. As the Artist in Residence at Quad Graphics in the early 1990’s, Taylor made huge murals for the company. Founder, Harry Quadracci gave Taylor free reign to experiment with the various tools and resources at Quad Graphics. Taylor learned to use the computers and related design software, and he began working with metal, especially aluminum, in the metal fabrication shop.  
 
Music plays a big role in Taylor’s life. He plays saxophone and his love of jazz is revealed in his work though titles, shapes and suggestions of rhythms, harmony, syncopation, and through color. Other recognizable shapes in Taylor’s works include chess symbols, which represent choices in life. Well-known artists who have influenced him artistically are David Smith, Frank Stella, Alexander Calder, and Stuart Davis. 
 
The sculptures on view are just a slice of Taylor’s current artistic endeavors. Last year he started a residency at Studio 224 in Port Washington, where he has returned to print making, using found objects for his inspiration. Many of the shapes in his prints resemble the motifs on view in the Cedarburg Art Museum’s courtyard. 
 
Taylor has done site-specific works and enjoys working in series. He is working collaboratively with engineers at UWM to create solar panel sculptures. Some of his colorful aluminum works are wall mounted, for display indoors. These include a series of “farmscapes” that all have similar components in variable arrangements and colors, echoing the subtle differences between farms that consist of fields, barns and silos. 
 
The museum is proud to present five exhibitions this summer, including Paul Yank: Process and Perspective, From China with Love: Hand-Colored Photographs and Letters Home, 1919-21, Gifts of Carl Marr’s Milwaukee Family, and Selections from the Plein Air Best of Show Collection. The opening reception for Altered Scale: Sculpture by Richard Taylor and all of the other summer exhibitions at the museum is June 9th starting at 4pm. The Beer Garden will be open from 5-8pm to kick off the season. For the full Beer Garden schedule visit Cedarburgartmuseum.org/beergarden. ​

One of the best parts of summertime in Ozaukee County is the plethora of outdoor concerts to attend.  From Summer Sounds to Gathering on the Green, there's something for everyone.  Here's the 2017 lineup:

Belgium Summer Nights LIVE  Beginning Friday, June 1st from 6-9 p.m., Belgium's Community Park will feature live music and family fun for all, starting with Tuesday Afternoon and DocRube.  Food and drinks are available for purchase, and sign up for kickball!  Two more concerts are TBA on August 3rd and 31st.

Summer Sounds in Cedarburg  The 16th Season of Summer Sounds kicks off Friday, June 15th, at Cedar Creek Park with Con Brio from San Francisco, and special guest, Mic Over Matter, and continues every Friday through August 17th.  Each concert begins 6:30 p.m., and there is plenty of food and drink available on site, as well as a playground for the kids nearby.  Bring a blanket or chairs, find your spot, and plan on an evening of fun!

GALA in the Park  On Thursday nights at 6:30, beginning July 12th with the Altered Five Blues Band and running through August 23rd with Totally Neon, the Grafton Area Live Arts Concert Series will return to Veterans Park on the Milwaukee River.  Popcorn and beverages will be for sale by the Grafton Lions, and John's Pizzaria will be serving food.

Shully's River Sounds in Thiensville will have free concerts on the first Thursday of each month from 6:30-10 p.m., rain or shine, with some delicious food available, made (of course!) by Shully's.  June 7th is Five Card Studs, July 12th is the Alex Wilson Band, and August 2nd is the Eddie Butts Band.  Attendees are encouraged to bring two non-perishable food items for Family Sharing's Food Pantry.  

Live at the Triangle in Saukville's Veteran's Park will return with 6 free concerts this summer on Wednesday evenings from 7-9:30 p.m., beginning with Pack on June 13th, and ending with Our House on August 22nd.  Food and beverages are available for purchase on site.

Gathering on the Green at Mequon's Rotary Park returns for its 23rd year on Friday, July 13th with American Authors, and Saturday, July 15th with Denis DeYoung and the music of Styx, and Lou Gramm, the original voice of Foreigner.  New this year is a Battle of the Bands, with the top 5 Industry and local bands competing the weekend of the event.

Newport Shores in Port Washington has bands scheduled all summer long on their outdoor stage, right on the shore of Lake Michigan, beginning on June 2nd with Midlife Oasis, and going through September 22nd with the Shane Dar Band.  

Beanies Summer Rock the Patio concert series happens every Sunday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m.  from June 24th to August 26th.  Grab a famous Beanies Margarita, relax, and listen to some great tunes!

Climb the hill to the iconic St. Mary's church on Fridays from noon to 12:30 for the St. John XXIII Summer Music Series: Music on the Hill!  The perfect accompianment to your lunch break, with an ecclectic mix of music from June 22nd to September 22nd.  

Nines Live on the Sunset Deck is an outdoor concert series on Thursday nights from 7- 10 p.m. at the Nines American Bistro in Mequon.  The series begins on June 7th with Marcell &Friends, and continues through August 30th with the Jackie Brown Trio.

Cedarburg Art Museum Beer Garden will have live music and food Thursday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. beginning on June 14th and through September 13th, as well as during Strawberry Festival and Wine & Harvest Festival, and for a special Opening Reception on June 9th from 5-8 p.m. and a Beer Garden Party on July 3rd.

If you don't mind the drive, Sheboygan has the amazing Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series kicks off on Thursday, June 21st at 7 p.m. with Boogát.  Most performances are Thursday evenings beginning at 7; however, the Series also incorporates the Midsummer Festival of the Arts on Saturday and Sunday, July 21st and 22nd, on the JMK Arts Center Festival Green.

Also not too far from Oz, the Homegrown Music Festival returns to Regner Park in West Bend on Sunday, July 8th from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., with The Coulee Boys, Trapper Schoepp,  The Freques, Faux Fawn, Redshift Headlights, Driveway Thriftdwellers, and Nickel & Rose.  Parking is free, and a $10 donation is recommended.

To stay informed about all of the great live music happening in and around Oz, make sure to stay tuned to the Ozaukee Living Local Events Page, and subscribe to our Friday Newsletter​!  

By Mary Boyle

While Shakespeare wrote a number of histories, there has been a bit of a revival of the eight plays concerned with the War of the Roses (the battles between the House of York and the House of Lancaster for the throne of England), in large part because of the BBC Television Film Series, The Hollow Crown, which was released in 2012 and featured a number of famed British actors, such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Dame Judi Dench, and Jeremy Irons.  Earlier this season, the Bard & Bourbon Theatre Company took on Shakespeare's Henry V, the final play in Shakespeare's second tetralogy (series of four plays), which was preceeded by Richard II and Henry IV Part I and Part II.  Now, they're on to Richard III which, although was written as the final play of the first tetralogy (after Henry VI, Parts I-III), actually comes later in chronological history.  Is this all too confusing?  Don't worry - just have a drink and enjoy B&B's telling of this monumental history.

While it may seem confusing to jump three plays in a series, it actually works very well.  Henry V dies at the end of his play, leaving his son, Henry VI, too young to properly run the Kingdom.  The land his father won in France is quickly reclaimed by the French armies, led by Joan of Arc, and the throne of England is being disputed over by two men:  the Duke of York and the Duke of Somerset.  The nobles take sides and wear the colors of their champions: white roses for York and red for Somerset; thus, the War of the Roses.  Meanwhile, King Henry VI marries princess Margaret of France, and Somerset and his supporters align with the king, who is of the House of Lancaster, and the feud is now between the York and Lancaster Houses and their supporters.

To make the long story of Henry VI Parts I-III short, York's sons, Edward and Richard, take up the cause against the Lancasters.  Richard kills Somerset in battle, and Henry VI, wanting to keep his seat, promises the throne will pass to the Yorks after his death.  His wife, Queen Margaret doesn't like that plan and attacks the house of York, killing the eldest York and his youngest son.  Edward and Richard's brother, George, joins the fight, and Edward is pronounced King at the battle of Towton, while Richard is named the Duke of Gloucester and George the Duke of Clarence.  Edward marries Lady Elizabeth Grey and, within a couple of battles, Henry VI is imprisoned in the Tower of London, the three York brothers kill Henry and Margaret's son, the Prince, and Richard kills Henry VI.  Edward's throne, at last, seems secure, but Richard has bigger plans than just helping his brother succeed.

Richard, the Duke of Glouscester (Ian Tully) is the lame, hunchbacked brother of the newly crowned Edward (Dylan Sladky); a cripple who has already been the cause of a number of royal deaths, but who nobody really takes seriously as a threat — a mistake that the remaining houses of York and Lancaster will come to regret.  As it turns out, Richard has a vicious, remorseless, and cunning mind inside his broken body, and he uses it to get rid of everyone who stands in the way of his path to the throne, beginning with his brother, George, the Duke of Clarence (Bryant Mason).  The widowed Queen Margaret (Maura Atwood) tries to warn them all about Richard but, as a Lancaster, she is ignored.  Eventually, Richard can trust no one; even his closest confidants, Lord Buckingham (Sean Duncan), Lord Hastings (Bryant Mason) and Lord Catesby (Amber Regan).  Even those who once supported him are hoping his evil reign will be defeated by Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond (Maggie Arndt).

Richard III is the second longest play in Shakespeare's works, after Hamlet, but the text and the characters are pared down as far as they can be in this production while still keeping the heart of the story.  Although the premise of the play is dark, there is always humor to be found where the Bard is concerned, and even more so when Bard & Bourbon gets a hold of it (I watched Bryant Mason drink over 16 shots of bourbon through the course of the play, which was good fun, though — to his credit — it didn't seem to affect him much).  Ian Tully, who was also seen in B&B's Henry V, was delightfully twisted, but strong, as Richard, and the only actor to play just one character.    Watch for Sean Duncan's smaller part as "Murderer 1" — he's simply brilliant.  Dylan Sladky, who directed B&B's Twelfth Night (drunk) at the beginning of the season, demonstrates that he can act as well as he can direct, playing four different characters (one being a woman).  Both Maggie Arndt and Maura Atwood make an impressive B&B debut as the valiant Earl of Richmond and the bitter Queen Margaret, respectively, among others, while Samantha Martinson and Amber Regan return to the B&B stage after both appearing in The Merry Wives of Windsor (drunk).

If you're new to, or intimidated by, Shakespeare, the Bard & Bourbon Theatre Co. is a good place to get acquainted, but even hardcore fans will enjoy these productions.  The alcohol adds a fun unpredictability-factor to each performance, but the actors have to know their play well in order to accomodate that, and it's clear that they do.  Besides, Shakespeare, didn't take himself too seriously — why should we?  It's Shakespeare, it's history, and I promise it's a really good time!

Richard III runs through June 2 at the Tenth Street Theatre, located at 628 N. 10th St. in Milwaukee.  Tickets can be purchased online at  www.bardandbourbon.com. 

Back for the third year under new management, the Port Washington Pirate Festival returns to downtown Port Washington this June 1-3 with a new attitude, and a new name to reflect it: Pirate Family Daze.

Tracy Ripple, one of the event organizers, said that there was concern that the event was not really for families, and the new name would hopefully reflect their commitment to education and fun for the whole family.  "There were some who felt that it was more of an adult event, to dress up and drink, but there are bouncy houses, educational opportunities, and all kinds of other activities for kids.

The event opens on Friday, June 1st, at 5 p.m. The Thieves Marketplace will have both modern and themed vendors to shop, and the Gruel Galley features a number of food trucks and concessions.  This year, there will be a variety of live music opportunities.  On Friday evening, the Kenny James Duo opens the Island Bar, 16 Paces is at the Buccaneer Bar, and Mumblemouth is at the Barnacle Stage and Mini-Bar.  At 7 p.m., Vinyl Groove takes the stage at the Island Bar, and Hearthfire takes over at the Buccaneer Bar.  Live music continues through the weekend, with Block Party at 1 p.m. at the Buccaneer Stage and Hey! Captain Knight at 1 p.m. on the Island Stage.  Saturday evening, Left on Sunset takes the Buccaneer Stage at 7 p.m., and The Pillage People are at the Island Stage at 7 p.m.  On Sunday, Riding Shotgun is at 2 p.m. at the Buccaneer Bar, and Shut the Front Door plays the Island Stage at 2 p.m.  Besides music on the event grounds, everyone's favorite a capella sea shanty group, Bounding Main, will be performing at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. at the Smith Bros. Coffee House on Saturday.

There will be both an Adult and Children's Costume Contest again, this year; the Children's Contest happens on Saturday and Sunday at noon at the Dockside Stage, while the Adult Contest happens at 6 p.m. at the Buccaneer Stage on Saturday night.  As in past years, there will be a Parade at 1 p.m. on Sunday on Washington Street, which runs east and west past the north slip and to the Marina parking lot.

The Tall Ship Denis Sullivan will be in the harbor for sails and deck tours throughout the weekend.  Sail tickets can be purchased through the Port Exploreum, an interactive historical museum that tells the story of Port Washington and Lake Michigan, located in Port Washington's historic downtown.  The Port Exploreum's newest exhibit, Not A World Apart: How We Lived, tells the stories of 8 individuals who lived in the local poorhouse or  were buried in nearby Potter's Field at the turn of the century.  Port Washington's 1860's Lighthouse and Light Station Museum and the  Historic Judge Eghart House will also be open for tours.

Besides bouncy houses and hamster balls, there will be a lot of fun entertainment around the grounds — some of it with a Rennaisance theme, such as the Courtesan and the Cabin Boy, a music and comedy duo; Gryphon Poursuivant, a reenactment group that portrays a seige encampment in the 16th Century; and, GSM Bristol, which is another 16th Century military reenactment group. Those familiar with the festival may remember the bellydancing Stellamani Caravan, the entertaining antics of Knotty Bits and Cutlass Cooking, the River Valley Fife & Drum Corps, Thee Bluebeard, and Alice Wilson the Living Statue.  New this year is the magician Shandini, who hails from Central Wisconsin and has performed at many area festivals and events.

Volunteers are needed to help work the Children's Activities and more.  If you are interested, contact Tracy Ripple at (262) 323-6612.  For more information, visit the Pirate Family Days website, ​www.piratefamilydaze.org, or the Facebook Page.