Bea and Lau Christensen: Love of music inspires ongoing support for Overture

The Christensens are matching all donations to the Overture Forever Campaign, up to $250,000, through June 30.

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Longtime Madisonians Bea and Lau Christensen love music and their community. 

“We are both musicians,” said Bea. “We both play in a band.” 

Each joined the New Horizons band independently and met soon after. 

“We've been making beautiful music together for a long time,” said Lau, who plays trombone, while Bea sings and plays bass clarinet. 

Their love of music naturally draws them to Overture Center.  

The couple visits as often as they can, partaking particularly in the musical offerings of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Madison Opera.  

“We love making music, and we love attending musical productions, especially in Overture Hall,” said Lau.  

They especially enjoy Greg Zelek’s organ performances with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. 

“The way he presents the wonderful, world-class organ that we have right here in Overture Hall is pretty amazing,” said Lau.  

Bea added with a smile, “We sit in the box that looks down on him, so he doesn't get away with too much. We watch everything he does.” 

Zelek has been known to wave up to the Christensens, who are series subscribers and donors. 

“Overture is a pillar of our community. It is an amazing gift from Jerry Frautschi to the community, and we all owe him a great debt of gratitude. We feel like the contributions we make to Overture are small payments on that debt of gratitude,” explained Lau.

Lau and Bea are passionate about The Playhouse theater in Overture’s lower level, home to Children’s Theater of Madison and Forward Theater Company. 

Years ago, Lau performed there with his children, back when it was called the Isthmus Playhouse. 

“I performed in an uncountable number of ‘A Christmas Carol’ performances—as well as other Children's Theater of Madison productions,” he said. 

“We love children,” said Bea. “We have 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, so children are a big part of our lives. When we think about how happy they make us feel, we like to think that they make other people feel just as happy.” 

Because The Playhouse is dear to them, they have generously supported improvements to maintain it as a modern, state-of-the-art space.  

“In our philanthropy, we really concentrate on how we can make a difference now in our community,” said Lau. “Endowments are certainly important, but in our philanthropy, we prioritize capital projects, and we put a substantial amount into The Playhouse. It just spoke to us.” 

Their support is making possible a new Apex lighting control console from Electronic Theatre Control’s (ETC)—made here in the Madison area—an advanced system featuring 4K-resolution, multi-touch displays and customizable options tailored to the needs of any show, along with new Chroma-Q Color Force II instruments, capable of creating millions of colors—from soft pastels to vibrant hues.

The Christensens hope to inspire others to donate to the Overture Forever Campaign by matching all donations up to $250,000 through June 30, 2025.  

“Jerry Frautschi made this amazing investment. He conceived of and created Overture,” said Lau. “But any facility needs ongoing maintenance, investment, updating. We feel like we're supporting this pillar of the community by investing in Overture. We have done so for many years, and we plan to continue.” 

The couple loves Overture performances, but most of all, they love seeing people having extraordinary experiences here.  

“I get excited because all the people have a big smile on their faces, and they look so happy to be there,” said Bea. “That makes me feel good.” 

Lau agrees, “Whenever I enter Overture, I marvel at this amazing, world-class facility right here in downtown Madison. It just warms my heart.” 

Supporting Overture Center is one way the Christensens support their community.  

“We are enthusiastic about the Overture Forever Campaign,” said Lau. “We encourage everyone else in the community to support this campaign—so we will have this pillar of the community now and forever.” 

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