Elvis birthday bash

Wausau events worth checking out: week of Jan. 12, 2023

By Kayla Zastrow

Give Our Regards…An Evening of Broadway Music

FRIDAY 1/13 | LUCILLE TACK CENTER FOR THE ARTS, SPENCER

Veteran musical theater vocalists Bruce Ewing and Kristen Hertzenberg, along with Broadway Musical Director and Pianist, Philip Fortenberry, present an evening of songs from classic composers as Rogers & Hammerstein, Irving Berlin and the Gershwins to contemporary writers Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sondheim and Lin Manuel Miranda. Bruce and Kristen’s lighthearted performance includes a glimpse into the shows of yesteryear through the present day, as they croon tunes from Oklahoma and Hello, Dolly! to Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen, each artfully accompanied by the brilliant Fortenberry at the piano. 7:30 pm. $35. Details at lucilletackcenter.com. 

Elvis Birthday Bash and Legends of Rock Show

FRI.-SAT. 1/13-14 | DALE’S WESTON LANES

Elvis birthday bash

This 20th annual show celebrates the King of Rock and Roll with five award-winning Elvis tribute artists that bring you back to every era of Elvis, complete with all the exciting jumpsuits and costumes. On Saturday, you’ll enjoy Elvis performances by Dakota Pongratz, Jimmy Holmes, Fred Heidmann, Leo Days and Riley Jenkins all backed by the ultimate legends band performing Elvis’ most-beloved songs. Come on Friday for the Legends Show featuring tributes to Aretha Franklin, Dean Martin, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, and The King of Pop, Michael Jackson! Fri.: 8 pm show. General admission $30 advance. Sat.: 2 & 8 pm. General admission $30 in advance. Details and tickets at Elvisbash.com.

Hairspray

MONDAY 1/16 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU

Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the 60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Hairspray is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” according to The New York Times. This all-new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell to bring Hairspray to a new generation of theater audiences. 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $70. Details at grandtheater.org.

The Foxfire Affair

SATURDAY 1/14 | UNCOMMON PINTS, ROTHSCHILD

Foxfire affair band

Multi-instrumentalists Daniel and Claire make up this acoustic duo who like to keep it simple with guitar, mandolin and cajon—a wooden box percussion instrument. Before the couple married and had kids, they played in separate bands, but later ended up in a band together. Now that their kids are older, they’re returning to their musical passion. While trading off lead vocals and harmonies, the duo spans several centuries of music as they perform everything from Irish traditions to sea shanties, folk and rock. 4 pm. 715-298-1671.

A Kid Like Jake

FRI.-SAT. 1/13-1/14 | SENTRY THEATER,  STEVENS POINT

Central Wisconsin Area Community Theater presents this play by Daniel Pearle. The dramedy is set on the eve of admissions for Manhattan’s private schools. Alex and Greg are working on getting their son Jake, a four-year-old who prefers Cinderella to G.I. Joe into a great school. However, Jake’s behavior becomes irregular and volatile. This causes other adults in his life to wonder if his fondness of dress-up might be cause for concern. A Kid Like Jake is cwACT’s entry into the 2023 American Association for Community Theater Festival, a biennial forum that has community theaters from around the nation compete for a spot at the national festival in June. Starts at 7:30 pm. $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $7 veterans and children. Details at showtix4u.com and cwact.org.

Midwest Seasons

ON VIEW THRU MARCH 18 | CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, WAUSAU

This annual exhibition at the Center for the Visual Arts  features artists from all over the country who propose pieces that capture the spirit of the Midwest and its seasonal wonders. Original works draw inspiration from Midwest impressions and activities such as the excitement of summer sports, the fresh scents of spring awakening, the warmth of a hot cup of soup in the bitter winter, or the crisp autumn colors. Melinda Childs, Community and Cultural Development Director for ArtStart in Rhinelander, is the juror for the exhibit. Open reception starts at 5:45 pm on Fri. 1/13. Museum open Wed.-Fri. 10 am-4 pm; Sat. 12 pm–4 pm. Closed Sun.-Tues. Details at cvawausau.org.