Milwaukee, WI
16 music and theater performances to see in Milwaukee in January 2026
Meet Jennifer Bouton, Milwaukee Symphony piccoloist and flutist
Meet Jennifer Bouton, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra piccoloist and flutist. She’s trying to raise the profile of the little instrument.
During the performing arts season, arts editor Jim Higgins recommends promising music, dance and theater productions to see in the coming month. Look for these stories in the newspaper the final Sunday of the month. They post online the preceding week at jsonline.com/entertainment/arts.
In Milwaukee’s performing arts scene, the first month of 2026 brings the return of the 21st century’s revolutionary musical, plus a new stage work about Wisconsin artist Mary Nohl.
Also, it’s a good month for Mozart, both in the concert hall and on stage.
Here are 16 theater, music and dance performances you can enjoy in the Milwaukee area in January. I would never tell you that these are the only shows worth seeing here during that time period.
‘The Godfather,’ Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Associate conductor Ryan Tani leads the MSO in performing Nino Rota’s Oscar-nominated score live to screenings of Francis Ford Coppola’s classic American film. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2-3. Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave. Visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605.
‘Cardboard Piano,” Renaissance Theaterworks
Hansol Jung’s drama, which opens in war-ravaged Uganda in 1999, takes on compelling conflicts about faith and homophobia. Jan. 9-Feb. 1, 255 S. Water St. Visit rtwmke.org or call (414) 278-0765.
‘The Fisherman’s Daughters,’ Milwaukee Repertory Theater
In singer-songwriter Katie Dahl’s musical, set in Door County, two sisters fight the state of Wisconsin’s attempt to take their land by eminent domain. Milwaukee Rep says this show is recommended for people 10 years and older. Jan. 9-March 1, Stackner Cabaret, 108 E. Wells St. Visit milwaukeerep.com or call (414) 224-9490.
‘Celtic Throne II – Psalter of Ireland,” Marcus Performing Arts Center
This all-ages Irish dance, music and theater show is built around the story of the mythological lawgiver Ollav Fola. 7 p.m. Jan. 15, Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. Visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.
‘The Lehman Trilogy,’ Milwaukee Repertory Theater
The Rep’s second fully staged production in the upgraded Checota Powerhouse Theater is an epic story of immigration, economic ascension and financial collapse, running an estimated 3 hours and 40 minutes with two intermissions. It’s coming to Milwaukee from Minnesota’s Guthrie Theater. Jan. 13-Feb. 8, Checota Powerhouse Theater, 108 E. Wells St. Visit milwaukeerep.com or call (414) 224-9490.
‘Maybe We’ll Fly,” Milwaukee Opera Theatre
Milwaukee Opera Theatre is presenting staged readings of a new play by Wisconsin playwright Marie Kohler with music by composer Josh Schmidt. Subject: the life and passion to create of Mary Nohl (1914-2001), who transformed her Fox Point cottage and yard into an artistic environment. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 17, Florentine Leuders Opera Center, 926 E. Burleigh St. Visit milwaukeeoperatheatre.org.
‘Folk Songs,’ Trio Mediæval
Early Music Now presents this Norway-based vocal ensemble, in a concert of Norwegian and Scandinavian songs, including lullabies and tales of courtly love. 5 p.m. Jan. 17, St. Joseph Chapel, 1515 S. Layton Blvd. Visit earlymusicnow.org or (414) 225-3113.
‘Hamilton,’ Marcus Performing Arts Center
The 21st century’s most popular musical returns for its third visit to Milwaukee; it was last here in 2021, when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop-infused look at the Founding Fathers reopened the Marcus Performing Arts Center following the pandemic lockdown year. Sixteen performances are scheduled for Jan. 20-Feb. 1 at MPAC, 929 N. Water St. Visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.
‘Amadeus,’ Skylight Opera Theatre
Peter Shaffer’s play pits Mozart, genius composer but vulgar human being, against his more ordinary rival Salieri. Skylight’s production will include a live chamber orchestra. Matt Daniels, Milwaukee Rep’s Scrooge, takes on the key role of Salieri. Jan. 23-Feb. 8, Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Visit skylightmusictheatre.org or call (414) 291-7800.
Kerson Leong and Bernard Labadie, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Soloist Leong performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, one of the peaks of violin repertoire. Guest conductor Labadie leads the orchestra in Hadyn’s Symphony No. 103 (“Drumroll”). 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23-24, Bradley Symphony Center. Visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605.
‘I Am My Own Wife,’ Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Doug Wright’s one-actor play won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a Tony Award for best play in 2004. In Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s new production, Jonathan Riker will perform all the characters in this story of famed German transgender figure Charlotte von Mahlsdorf. Jan. 23-Feb. 8, Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Visit milwaukeechambertheatre.org or call (414) 291-7800.
‘Baroque Unbound’ Frankly Music
Harpsichodist Paolo Bordignon and piccoloist Jennifer Bouton join violinist Frank Almond and other musicians to perform music of the Baroque era by Vivaldi, Bach and other composers. 7 p.m. Jan. 26, Wisconsin Lutheran College Schwan Concert Hall, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa. Visit franklymusic.org.
‘Encore,’ Milwaukee Ballet
Milwaukee Ballet performs a program of classical and contemporary dance in its intimate We Energies Performance Studio, a 172-seat venue. Jan. 30-Feb. 8, Baumgartner Center for Dance, 128 N. Jackson St. Visit milwaukeeballet.org or call (414) 902-2103.
‘Hellenika,’ Marcus Performing Arts Center
Playwright-composer Kyle Thomas Hanneken has been working for seven years on this large-scale musical about the Greek philosopher Socrates, his teacher Aspasia and the fate of democracy in Athens. While these performances are billed as public readings rather than a fully staged production, this is a big show with 20 performers and 30 songs. 7 p.m. Jan. 30-31, Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. Visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.
Stephen Hough, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Pianist Hough, a MacArthur “genius grant” awardee who’s also a composer and a significant writer about music, visits the MSO to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, which movie buffs know from its use in “Elvira Madigan” (1967). Guest conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni leads a program that includes Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony and works by Ligeti and Kodály. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Bradley Symphony Center. Visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605.
Julian Lage, Wilson Center for the Arts
A former child prodigy, Lage is a leading contemporary jazz guitarist and composer. His performance was rescheduled to this date from a previously planned summer concert here. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Wilson Center for the Arts, 3270 Mitchell Park Drive, Brookfield. Visit wilson-center.com or call (262) 781-9520.
Milwaukee, WI
Check out these Milwaukee-area places to celebrate Pi Day on March 14
For Pi Day, grocery shoppers get quizzed on what pi means
From the video archive, Columnist Jim Stingl quizzes Whole Foods Market customers on the mathematical pi. Video originally published March 14, 2010.
For math enthusiasts and foodies, Pi Day on March 14 is upon us once again.
We all know what pie is, but what the heck is pi? Pi ― 3.14 ― is the ratio of the circumference of a circle (the distance around the outside of it) to the diameter of that circle (the distance edge-to-edge). As we may have learned in math class, no matter the size of the circle, pi is always 3.14.
Hence on March 14, many bakeries and eateries in and around Milwaukee are offering pie sales and diverse pie selections. A selection of them are listed below.
Note that pie availability is typically while supplies last and preordering or calling beforehand is recommended. If there is a bakery or restaurant that is recognizing Pi Day and is not included in this list, let us know so we can add it.
Gather Bakehouse in Bay View
At Gather Bakehouse, the bakery will have mini 3-inch pies as well as 9-inch pies. Flavors include Dutch apple, strawberry rhubarb, cherry, French silk, honey custard and key lime. There will also be preorder options.
Location: 1100 E. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee
Hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It’s closed on Monday.
For more information: Visit gatherbakehouse.com
National Bakery & Deli in Brookfield, Greendale and Milwaukee
National Bakery & Deli will have multiple pies available for National Pi Day: banana cream, cherry, apple, chocolate cream, Dutch apple and strawberry cream.
Location: 13820 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield; 5637 Broad St., Greendale; and 3200 S. 16th St., Milwaukee.
Hours for all locations: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information or to order online: Visit nationalbakery.com
Kelly’s Pot Pies & More in Greenfield and East Troy
Kelly’s Pot Pies & More will have $3.14 off any large Reuben pot pie or shepherd’s pie beginning Pi Day and running through St. Patrick’s Day. These specials will be at both the East Troy and Greenfield stores.
Kelly’s Pot Pies & More also has other pot pies, including beef, turkey, veggie, taco and pizza. They also offer quiche, cheesecake, lemon torte and key lime pie.
To help guarantee a pie, order online two hours or more in advance.
Locations: 3785 S. 108th St. in Greenfield; and 3268 Main St. in East Troy
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
To order online or for more information: Visit kellyspotpies.com.
Mr. Dye’s Pies at 3rd Street Market Hall in Milwaukee
At Mr. Dye’s Pies at 3rd Street Market Hall, there are a plethora of pies sold by the slice or as a whole pie including peanut butter, sweet potato, pecan, key lime and blueberry.Location: 5504 W. State St. (First Floor, South Hall located in the row of stalls to the right of Dairyland)
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday
For more information: Visit 3rdstmarkethall.com/locations/all-vendors/mrdyespies
The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago
The Elegant Farmer will participate on National Pi Day from March 9 to 15 and will offer $3.14 off 5-inch apple pies baked in a paper bag (original price is $9.99). The pies baked in a bag feature a flaky crust with a sugar cookie-like top.
Location: 1545 Main St. (at Highways ES & J) in Mukwonago
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
For more information or to order: Order online at elegantfarmer.com or call 262-363-6770
Periwinkle’s Bakery in Waukesha
Periwinkle’s Bakery on Broadway in Waukesha will have its full pie menu for special order on March 14 and a variety of 9-inch-deep dish pies for sale that same day at its retail location at neighboring Rochester Deli. These include French Silk, caramel apple, Key West lime, wild blueberry and peanut butter French silk.
Online orders need to be placed the week prior.
Location: 143 W. Broadway, Waukesha (Bakery for purchase inside of Rochester Deli)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday
For more information: Visit periwinklesbakery.com
All in Favor, Say Pie in Waukesha
At All in Favor, Say Pie, you can order your pie online to pick up in Waukesha. Flavors include Door County cherry pie, apple blueberry, Dutch apple pie, cranberry apple, mixed berry and blueberry. Pies should be ordered two to five days in advance.
For more information and to order: Visit https://sites.google.com/view/allinfavorsaypie/home
Aggie’s Bakery and Cake Shop in West Allis
Aggie’s Bakery and Cake Shop will sell pies including cherry, apple, caramel apple, blueberry, peach and banana cream pie on National Pi Day.
Location: 7328 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday
For more information: Call 414-482-1288 or visit aggiesbakery.com
The Bake Sale in West Allis
The Bake Sale in West Allis has pie options that customers can order online days in advance which include key lime, French silk, apple, caramel apple, strawberry rhubarb, pecan, whiskey chocolate pecan and fruity pebble. Pies are available on National Pi Day while supplies last. Select pies are available in the store.
Location: 6923 W. Becher St., West Allis
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday
For more information or to order: 414-543-4230 or bakesalewestallis.com
Bishop’s Sweets in West Allis
For National Pi Day, Bishop’s Sweets will have whole pies and slices available while supplies last. If you want a specialty pie or to ensure there is one ready, order the pie 72 hours before March 14.
The featured pie flavors include apple, cherry, banana cream, coconut cream and Bishop’s Sweets requested favorite, French silk pie. The bakery will also be introducing additional pies for people to try, including chess, buttermilk and Mississippi mud pie.
Location: 8005 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis. Bishop’s Sweets also offers delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on National Pi Day, March 14, or until the pies are sold out. Otherwise, hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. (It is closed Monday through Thursday.)
For more information: Visit www.facebook.com/BishopsSweets or call 414-763-2436.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Celtics?
Porter has helped the Bucks stay afloat; what’s his Milwaukee future?
Kevin Porter Jr. has helped the Milwaukee Bucks stay afloat without an injured Giannis Antetokounmpo; what’s Porter Jr.’s future in Milwaukee?
The Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum just over 24 hours after one of their most disappointing losses of the season, when they scored just eight fourth-quarter points and gave up a 39-point swing in the second half in a blowout loss at Chicago on March 1.
Boston comes into town as one of the league’s hottest teams having won eight of its last 10 and after beating Philadelphia on March 1. The Celtics (40-20) are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are looking to stay in front of New York.
The Bucks (26-33), meanwhile, had been winning games but have dropped two in a row and three of their last five. In those three losses, all to teams currently in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the team failed to score 100 points.
Is Giannis playing?
Yes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo began the day as questionable to play, and was upgraded to available after his pregame workout. It was the first time he had been listed as anything other than “out” since reinjuring his calf on Jan. 23. The game will mark the return of the former two-time MVP, who has missed the last 15 games with a strain of his soleus muscle in his right calf.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
11-17.
Milwaukee is 15-15 when Antetokounmpo plays any number of minutes. They are 1-2 when he has exited games early due to injury.
Is Jayson Tatum playing?
No.
Boston’s all-NBA wing is continuing to work his way back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the playoffs in May. Tatum has been doing five-on-five work lately.
Boston Celtics injury report
- Jayson Tatum, out (Achilles)
- Jaylen Brown, out (illness)
- Neemias Queta, out (rest)
Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (right calf strain)
Bucks probable starters
- Guard: AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr.
- Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Myles Turner
What time is the Bucks game?
The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Wesley Matthews and Melanie Ricks on the call. The game was originally supposed to be a national broadcast on Peacock but was moved to NBA TV.
NBA playoff standings
The Bucks are currently out of the postseason picture entirely. Here are the play-in standings in the Eastern Conference heading into game play on March 2:
No. 7: Orlando (31-28): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. The Bucks host the Magic on March 8.
No. 8: Miami (32-29): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. Milwaukee travels to Miami on March 12.
No. 9: Atlanta (31-31): The Bucks lead the season series 1-0. The Bucks host the Hawks on March 4 and then travel to Atlanta on March 14.
No. 10: Charlotte (30-31): The Bucks own the tiebreaker over the Hornets having won the season series 3-1.
No. 11: Milwaukee (26-33): The Bucks have had better luck against the play-in teams to date, as they are just 5-13 against the top six seeds in the conference.
“We say we didn’t play ourselves out of it,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said. “Obviously I’m competitive. I think we should’ve had an even better record. But, not having your best player for that long and staying above .500 is huge for us. It’s funny, when he went out (Jan. 23) the talk around me was ‘being .500’ and I was like we can be better than that. We were. I’ll take it. But, never satisfied.”
The four teams in the play-in will face one another to determine the final two playoff teams (which will face the top two seeds). Teams that hold the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds only have to win one game to advance, teams that hold the Nos. 8 and 9 seeds must win twice to advance
Bucks vs. Celtics odds
Boston is a 7.5-point favorite over Milwaukee with the over/under set at 216.5 points, per BetMGM.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Weather – Frosty and cold morning, sunny day ahead
MILWAUKEE – Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Lisa Michaels
Frosty Monday morning with temps in the teens inland to low 20s near the lake.
Mostly sunny to sunny skies on Monday. Highs in the mid-40s inland, upper 30s near the lake.
A total lunar eclipse will happen Tuesday morning, total eclipse from 5-6am. It may be tough to see due to increasing clouds.
Increasing clouds on Tuesday with highs in the low 40s. Chance of rain and storms possible Wednesday through Friday with warming temperatures.
Today: 39 Lake. Mostly sunny.
High: 44°
Wind: SE 5-10
Tonight: Partly cloudy this evening, mostly clear overnight.
Low: 27°
Wind: SE 5
Tuesday: 39 Lake. Mostly cloudy.
High: 43°
Wind: E 5-10
Wednesday:41 Lake. Chance for scattered showers and t-storms.
AM Low: 32° High: 45°
Wind: E 5-10
Thursday: 39 Lake. Mostly cloudy. Chance storms.
AM Low: 37° High: 42°
Wind: NE 5-10
Friday: Chance for showers and t-storms Warmer. Warming at night.
AM Low: 37° High: 57°
Wind: SE 5-15
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with AM rain showers. Blustery with falling afternoon temperatures.
AM Low: 47° High: 53°
Wind: NE 5-10
6-day planner
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
FOX Weather app
FOX Weather
Big picture view:
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
FOX6 Weather Experts in social media
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