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Nat Geo Live: The Untold Story of Sharks
With Marine Biologist Jess Cramp | Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30pm
Buy Tickets
Experience the Fringe
Saturday, February 28 - Sunday, March 1
Learn more about our weekend-long fringe festival! Purchase tickets to six one-of-a-kind Fringe performances, enjoy FREE, interactive performances and immersive experiences, learn more about Fringe artists, and explore what it means to be part of the Fringe – join us for one performance or delight in the entire weekend!
Overture. Forever.
We did it—together! Thanks to generous community support of the Overture Forever Campaign, we have reached our $30 million goal—ensuring Overture Center continues to be Madison’s home for the arts.
It's all about you!
Save with a Make Your Own subscription!
Handpick three or more Overture Presents performances to create a custom lineup that reflects your interests and get a 15-20% discount.
The organizations that call Overture home
Resident Companies
Overture Center for the Arts includes nine award-winning resident arts organizations. Although they call Overture home, they offer independent, innovative and diverse experiences suitable for a wide range of audiences.
Overture Blog
Mendota students receive valuable performance tips during workshop with Step Afrika! artists
Coming Up
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February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Improv Comedy, Overture Presents Chris Grace: Sardines (a comedy about death)
The Playhouse
After performing his smash-hit show “Chris Grace: As Scarlett Johansson” last year to an adoring and 100% satisfied audience, Chris Grace is back for Overture Center's second annual Fringe Festival! This time, the actor and comedian is moving from solving racism to solving... death?
2:00 PM -
February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Theater, Variety Dinosaur World Live
Overture Hall
Dare to enter a prehistoric realm where lifelike dinosaurs roar before your eyes. From the mighty T. Rex to the towering Giraffatitan, meet incredible creatures up close in an interactive family show. Don’t miss this thrilling Jurassic adventure live on stage!
3:00 PM -
February 28 - March 1
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Improv Comedy, Overture Presents Baby Wants Candy
The Playhouse
They’re back! Prepare for an unforgettable night of spontaneous hilarity as Baby Wants Candy brings you a fully improvised musical—made up on the spot from a single audience suggestion.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Theater, Variety Caitlin Cook - The Writing on the Stall
Promenade Hall
Caitlin Cook's hit bathroom graffiti musical transforms stall scribbles into the lyrics of her original songs and trail markers along her journey in this confessional, immersive and uproarious one-of-a-kind show.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Theater, Variety The Naked Magicians
Capitol Theater
Brace yourself for a magic show like no other! Direct from Las Vegas and London’s West End, Australia’s “The Naked Magicians” deliver world-class illusions and nonstop laughs—while wearing nothing but a top hat and a smile. 18+ only.
7:00 PM -
February 28 - March 1
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Improv Comedy, Overture Presents Shamilton
The Playhouse
Join members of famed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy as they create an epic musical on the spot based on a historical celebrity of your choosing—from Genghis Khan to Kim Kardashian.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 1
Sunday
Free Events, Fringe Festival, Variety Fringe Festival: Day 2
Promenade Hall
Sunday only, enjoy additional free local talent acts The Hitterz Collective and Arclight before ticketed performances of “Baby Wants Candy” and “Shamilton.”
2:00 PM -
March 1 - March 8
2025/26 Season, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Variety, Visual Arts "Earthlings: Revisited" By Jeanne C. Wilkinson
Rotunda Studio
Free exhibition in Rotunda Studio! Step into artist Jeanne Wilkinson’s “Cloud Tunnel” and immerse yourself in a mesmerizing interplay of shifting images and color.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 3
Tuesday
2025/26 Season, Educational/Talks, National Geographic Live, Overture Presents The Untold Story of Sharks with Marine Biologist Jess Cramp
Capitol Theater
Dive into our planet’s waters and observe the fascinating lives of sharks with marine biologist Jess Cramp. Fifty years after “Jaws,” discover the real story of these ancient predators, the trailblazing women of shark science and Cramp’s mission to protect them.
7:30 PM -
March 4
Wednesday
Classical Music, Free Events The Final Forte
Overture Hall
Four of Wisconsin's brightest young musicians compete in The Final Forte, a free concert held in Overture Hall on Wednesday, March 4th.
6:45 PM -
March 5
Thursday
2025/26 Season, Cabaret, Music, Overture Presents Canceled - Kyle Taylor Parker: Juke Joint Jubilee
Capitol Theater Stage
Kyle Taylor Parker: Juke Joint Jubilee has been canceled. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and will follow up with all ticket holders to provide next steps.
6:30 PM -
March 7
Saturday
Dance, Educational/Talks, Family Friendly, Folk Music, Free Events, Music, Theater, Variety, Visual Arts International Festival
Multiple Venues
Celebrate the rich cultural heritage within our community and enjoy nearly 30 FREE performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase and learn about the many local businesses with global connections.
10:00 AM -
March 7 - March 22
Children's Theater of Madison, Family Friendly, Theater Tiara’s Hat Parade
MYArts Starlight Theater
A heartwarming one-woman show celebrating creativity, resilience and the importance of community. Based on Kelly Starling Lyons' award-winning best-selling children's book, this touching story shows how one small gesture can impact an entire community and that kindness is always in fashion.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 10
Tuesday
2025/26 Season, Music, Overture Presents DRUM TAO: The Best
Capitol Theater
Experience the pulse-pounding power of Drum TAO, where traditional Japanese Wadaiko drums meet breathtaking performance and modern spectacle. Renowned for their dynamic choreography, striking visuals and thunderous rhythms, “Drum TAO” delivers a performance that is more than just a concert—it’s a full-body experience.
7:00 PM -
March 10 - March 15
2025/26 Season, Broadway, Six-Show Package Back to the Future: The Musical
Overture Hall
When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally alters history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself... back to the future.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 14
Saturday
Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda Kalaanjali Indian Dance Company
Rotunda Stage
Experience breathtaking stories of the East through the graceful postures, percussive feet, vibrant costumes and dynamic expressions of the Kalaanjali dancers.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 19
Thursday
Comedy, Stand Up Comedy Craig Ferguson: Pants on Fire
Capitol Theater
Get ready for a night of sharp wit, big laughs and unforgettable stories with Craig Ferguson, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedian, actor, writer and director.
7:30 PM -
March 20 - March 22
Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Ax Plays Mozart
Overture Hall
Strauss’ “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks” is a mischievous tone poem that follows the antics of a legendary trickster. From daring escapades to clever pranks, the music captures Till’s irreverent spirit with virtuosic orchestral writing and humor.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 21
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Tom Pease
Rotunda Stage
One of the series’ most popular performers, Tom Pease engages children with imaginative songs, humor and full audience participation. Pease’s show leaves audiences with a renewed appreciation for their own sense of place and community.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 21
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Classical Music, Cover Bands, Music, Overture Presents One Night of Queen performed by Gary Mullen and The Works
Capitol Theater
Get ready to rock! This high-energy, two-hour stage show brings the legendary music and iconic theatrics of Queen to life, featuring the incredible Gary Mullen & The Works.
7:30 PM -
March 27
Friday
Classical Music, Music, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Masterworks IV - Dueling Violins
Capitol Theater
Prepare to be mesmerized as two extraordinary violin masters, Gilles Apap and Eric Silberger, return to the stage for “Dueling Violins”—not as rivals, but as creative counterparts.
7:30 PM -
March 28
Saturday
Educational/Talks, Theater New Works: On Deck
Playhouse
Experience "Steady She Goes" and "Dan Seavey: Confessions of a Great Lakes Pirate" as part of the Four Seasons Theatre's production "New Works: On Deck."
Multiple Showtimes -
March 28
Saturday
Classical Music, Film, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert
Overture Hall
Madison Symphony Orchestra’s MSO at the Movies presents “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert,” featuring John Williams’ GRAMMY® Award-winning score performed live to the film led by conductor Kyle Knox at Overture Hall.
7:30 PM