Holiday Shows at Overture: An immersive family tradition

Among humanity’s greatest treasures are our memories, taking the form of sights, sounds and feelings. At Overture, it brings us joy to feed the soul and kindle the spirit by way of the arts during the holiday season. Guests can enjoy familiar and reimagined classics in addition to groundbreaking and innovative productions, geared toward “kids” from one to 92.

As an inspired young dancer, Amber Writt of Dane fondly remembers attending The Nutcracker with her mother. Now a mother herself to Celia and Ruby (ages 11 and 13), Amber takes her own daughters and their grandmother on an annual girls’ date to Madison Ballet’s production at Overture, a seven-year ritual for their family.

“It wouldn’t feel like the holidays without it. It has become part of our Christmas celebration. The costumes are great, the choreography and dances themselves are fantastic, and the orchestra is phenomenal,” says Amber, who last year appreciated a window into the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra pit from first level box seats.

Most of Overture’s productions feature live music, drawing from the rich pool of local professionals as well as touring performers. And, with numerous key roles for children in many holiday shows, young artists benefit from interactions with live orchestra, seasoned professional dancers, actors and theater technicians.

“They (the kids) have to work hard, but they see how hard the pros work, and how everything behind the scenes operates,” says Stacy Regehr, a pianist from Madison Ballet.

Stacy has both a professional and a personal relationship with The Nutcracker, having served backstage as a warm-up pianist and parent volunteer. Her son Julian debuts as “Spanish Boy” this year, and her daughter Zoey previously danced in two productions as a soldier.

“I remember being in the show fondly whenever I see it,” reminisces Zoey, age 13. “It’s cool seeing everything backstage.”

“It reminds me of how much fun Christmas is,” says Julian, age 10. “It’s impressive how people dance like that.”

Beyond getting an insider’s view of the costume shops and lighting rigs, Stacy says kids contribute another dimension to the performance.

“Unexpected things happen onstage even for professionals, but kids add that whole element of ‘anything could happen,’” she says, recalling a time Zoey nearly lost her hat while performing and another instance when the stage cannon failed to fire on cue.

Stacy and her husband, Keil, began attending The Nutcracker at Overture when they moved to Madison in 2006. What began as an annual night out for the young married couple now includes their three children and extended family. As a special rite of passage, each child received a nutcracker marking the year they were old enough to attend the ballet.

While many enjoy the timeless treasures steeped in nostalgia, such as A Christmas Carol by Children’s Theater of Madison, others adopt more fluid rituals. For example, Winter Fantasia: Reimagined by Kanopy Dance offers a fresh global perspective, ushering in a twist on the traditional.

Overture has long been “on the radar” as a performing arts hub for Steve and Jane Morgan of Madison. They have attended many holiday shows over the years, including the seasonal classics and A Madison Symphony Orchestra Christmas. However, All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 has become their recent theater tradition, a meaningful experience they share with their 14-year-old grandson, Louis. Presented by Four Seasons Theatre, Steve and Jane first saw the show at Overture in 2019 and introduced it to Louis last year.

“He was deeply moved by it,” says Jane.

Told from both the British and German perspectives, the true story takes place during World War I on the Western Front, recounting the cease-fire of Christmas 1914.

“This is our thing now,” Louis told his grandparents.

Attending a show invites us to pause life in order to appreciate life, and it goes beyond the magic of the performance itself. While the show may be the impetus to gather friends and family from near and far, guests frequently enjoy perusing decked-out shops on State Street and taking in the spectacle of holiday lights. A post-show hot cocoa or dinner at a local restaurant nicely caps off the downtown excursion.

Overture is honored to be part of immersive energy of the city and ups the ante when it comes to holiday glitz.

“I personally love all the lights hanging in the windows. Those little twinkly lights instantly thrill me,” says Jane Morgan.

While Overture welcomes you to come as you are, the festive vibe inspires guests to glam up beyond the typical Madisonian casual. Coming to this unique destination is a treat, and both the Regehrs and the Writts dress up as a family for the occasion. After all, who doesn’t want to look like royalty for a photo op in the Nutcracker throne?

For Overture, it is a privilege to play a role in our community’s family traditions. This holiday season, and all year long, we can’t wait to set the stage for your extraordinary artistic experiences and lasting memories.

Plan your holiday celebration with Overture now!

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