Stephen Hemming, one of Wisconsin's best known and most widely respected actors, died in Milwaukee April 19 of complications from AIDS. He was 37. A native of Janesville, Wis., Hemming began acting as a teenager with the Madison (Wis.) Repertory Theatre. He joined the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, as an acting apprentice in 1983 and gradually grew into playing many of the great roles of classical theatre--Iago, Falstaff, Tartuffe, and others.
Hemming was named an associate artist with the American Players Theatre in 1993, the same year he became a member of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's acting company. He continued to work full-time with both troupes up to his death. Hemming's other credits included the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Northern Stage Company, Great American Children's Theatre, and the now-defunct Wilson Street East dinner theatre.
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre managing director Carla Slawson is resigning the position she has held for five years because her husband has taken a job in Chicago. She will remain with the Chamber Theatre through the opening of its final production of the season, Love Letters, on May 22.
The Boulevard Ensemble, Milwaukee's small storefront theatre company, is celebrating the conclusion of its 10th season with a gloriously raucous, in-your-face, intelligently conceptualized, and highly stylized production of Tartuffe. Director Mark Bucher has moved the comedy to the present and placed it in a Milwaukee Italian restaurant. The production's vivid and distinctive style swings between idyllic romance and over-the-top conflict. Assisted by strong acting, the show works well.
--DAMIEN JAQUES
TheatreVirginia's A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, starring the indefatigable Julie Johnson received such accolades its run was extended two weeks (closed May 5).
Swift Creek Mill Playhouse's production of Honkey Tonk Highway runs through July 6. It's set at a Tennessee roadhouse where members of a country-music band hold a reunion and perform Richard Berg's engaging songs. Under the direction of Tom Width, it stars Robyn O'Neill, Greg DeBruyn, Eric Williams, Paul Deiss, and Jim Daab.
Daab operates the local Mystery Cafe where All This Talk Is Killing Me is currently playing (through June 8) featuring Francie Shepherd, Ronald Blankenship, Jeffrey Meisner, Jennifer Frank, Jeff Clevenger, and Kathy Parker. Daab, who must split himself in half, directed.
Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Frank McGuinness' wrenching play exploring the crises endured by political hostages, plays at Theatre IV's Little Theatre through May 19. Inspired by Brian Keenan's experiences, it stars Joel Vilinsky, Rick Brandt, and Daniel Moore, under the direction of Scott Burrell.
Theatre IV's mainstage production, Peter Pan, runs through June 2. Directed by Steve Perigard with musical direction by Ron Barnett, the show stars the perennial juvenile Ford Flannagan as Peter Pan, with Daryl Clark Phillips as Captain Hook, Jill Bari Johnson as Wendy, and Linita G. Corbett as Tiger Lily.
Papers, a comedy by Canadian playwright Allen Stratton, plays at Firehouse Theatre (through May 18) with Michael Goodwin, Carol Piersol, and Nicole Bergeron under the direction of Janet Wilson.
Barksdale Theatre's revival of Oil City Symphony opens May 17. It focuses on the antics of four musically inclined high school graduates who, at their 20th reunion present a recital in honor of their beloved high-school music teacher. It stars Jimmy Hicks, Julie Fulcher, Leanne Findel Lugo, and Jim Smith (who is also music director). Under the direction of Amy Perdue, it runs through June 22.
--CA