Wisconsin State Journal from Madison, Wisconsin • 45

jTZ Wisconsin State Journal Features Department: 252-6180 Books 3F Diner's Scorecard 5F 1F Sunday, December 14, 1997 Celebrity birthdays 8F 51! NADINE GOFF COMMENTARY This season, a new tradition UMiiMid 5 hrm) 1 1 -i Tom Haig, leader of the group that is converting the old Esquire movie house into a Downtown community theater, sits on one of the old theater seats, stripped of its upholstery. The seats will be kept and reupholstered. Theater groups enjoying giving old Esquire new life A former boyfriend once had the audacity to criticize my Christmas tree. Even though many years have passed, I haven't forgotten his insult He preferred Christmas trees that were decorated with moderation, perhaps even austerity. My Christmas trees are exuberant, decorated with all manner of lights, blown glass ornaments, homemade ornaments and shiny metal icicles.

They reflect the Christmas trees of my childhood, the kinds of trees that were a tradition in my family. Traditions are not always immutable and they're not always wonderful, but woe unto the person who dares to question or attack them. That's why arts critics often look forward to the Christmas season with a bit of fear and trepidatioa How dare anyone criticize It's often "Bah! Humbug!" for critics who dare to suggest that a local production of a traditional Christmas favorite such as "A Christmas Carol" or "The Nutcracker" is less than perfectly delightful, absolutely scrumptious. "Send us someone who understands, who enjoys what we're doing," plead directors and producers. "Don't send a Grinch!" Most theater and dance critics are not Grinches.

They do what they do because they love theater and dance. They want to encourage people to share their excitement, to persuade people to turn off the television and experience the marvels of live performance. However, most critics also realize that, in addition to being cheerleaders, they serve two other important functions: consumer advocate and historian. Most people have a limited amount of time and money available for leisure activities. Many of them want a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" recommendation before they decide to see a play or attend a dance performance.

It is the critic's obligation to report, record and analyze what she or he sees and hears and experiences. With any luck, critics will have the good fortune to enjoy whatever performance the attend and the pleasure of writing a glowing review. However, for a critic to hedge or otherwise soften criticism for fear of being perceived as "mean" is to avoid responsibility. To praise what is not praiseworthy is dishonest Traditions, however, are another matter. It's my respect for tradition mine and other people's that has led me to make what may be an unpopular decision: I won't be reviewing some of Madison's Christmas favorites this season.

Both CTM Productions' "A Christmas Carol" and the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble's "The Nutcracker" are holiday traditions for many Madison families. Both are now in their third decade. Each has grown and developed over the years, moving from modest beginnings to elaborate productions. But unless their directors make radical changes, these holiday traditions, like so many others, represent "the way things have always been done." They need no rating, no stamp of approval. Though as ephemeral as all live performances, they live on in our hearts.

So if you encounter me indulging in a bit of Christmas tradition, don't expect to hear my opinion. This season my critic's eye will be trained on the newcomers, the wannabe traditions such as "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" and "A Very Taffeta Christmas." I fMj i 'Hi i 1 ''V J.S -t i -Mai mi i. i. i State Journal photosJOSEPH W. JACKSON III The foundation is named for a Wisconsin patron of the arts, now deceased, who was partly responsible for the original Esquire theater.

The planned opening date for the theater has been moved back steadily. The original hoped-for date was January, but now realistically the date probably will be July or August, Haig said. "The sooner the better, of course, because once we open we'll be able to generate revenue," Haig said. The ultimate goal is to buy the property from Urban Land Interests, the owner. The present price is $360,000.

"If we own the building, paying our own way will be a lead-pipe cinch, I think," Haig said. "If we have to keep paying rent that is a big drain and makes it a lot harder." Actually, about $600,000 in pledges has been raised, but substantial amounts are to be donated in future years. Some 80 to 100 volunteers have donated more than 1,000 hours over the last two months to clear out the interior of the building About 17 tons of rubble and trash had to be trucked off to a landfill, Haig said. (That included a Velcro wallet circa 1985, for which the owner was found but he didn't want the wallet back) "That cost us truck rentals and landfill costs, more than $500," Haig Please see TOGETHER, Page 5F By John Aehl Wisconsin State Journal 1 he cavernous shell of the old Esquire Theatre in Downtown Madison looms cold and uninviting in these raw December days. Some vision is needed to see this space as a community theater in the not-too-distant future.

It is going to happen. Some time in August or September, the old movie house at 11 E. Mifflin St, which opened in 1971 and closed in 1993, will open as the renovated home of six theater groups that will stage plays and other live shows. The Esquire project, conceived in hope and perhaps a little desperation by theater groups looking for their own space in Madison, apparently is going along well, if a bit slowly. Much has already been done.

Much is still to be done. In the "We're most definitely going to open," said Gretchen Wheat of Mercury Players Theatre, one of the groups that have contracted to use the space. "I don't see how that would not happen. We have raised the money we needed originally." "The money" is more than $500,000, the minimum needed to rebuild and refurbish the building, even with substantial volunteer work and donations and discounts on materials. "This is a dream come true," said Jean Mindel, president of the Madison Theatre Guild.

"With everybody in ill' 1 Holiday CDs ft lower space of the old theater, Haig and his there pitching and pushing, it is being done." "We're really excited about it" said Lee Ann Cooper, of Strollers Theatre. "A wonderful thing about this project is that everyone around the Capitol Square is so receptive to having us up there. They're gung-ho about more activity on the Square. "We're anxious for this to get going." When the work is done, the building will have an upper, main theater seating 265 and a lower, second theater wife, Bobbie, do some cleanup work. seating up to 96.

There will also be rehearsal rooms and storage space. "The size comes out just fine for us," said Tom Haig, the driving force behind the project "We're happy with it" Haig is president of the Gerald A Bartell Community Theatre Foundation, the blanket name under which the theater groups have organized. The foundation consists of The Madison Theatre Guild, The Strollers, Millenium Theatre, The Mercury Players, Reprise Theatre and The Mazomanie are here, from humorous to holy The folks at Goldmine are out with a new guide just in time. Story, 2F. 1 I By Natasha Kassulke Wisconsin State Journal Anne Murray has them.

So does Amy Grant Santa's Disco Band, the Shrunken Head band, and even drag queen Ru Paul. They're called holiday music releases. And every year consumers are blown over with a blizzard of new CDs, cassettes and vinyl variations on holiday themes. This season's selection brings us predictable pop releases such as the Hanson's "Snowed In," as well as the expected benefit compilations, and even a few unex pected and irreverent releases. Here's a sampling of what's on the rack this shopping season.

Humorous There's not a snowball's chance of Texans having a white Christmas at least not the same kind of white Christmas that Midwest-erners relish. But that doesn't stop Asleep at the Wheel from turning traditional holiday songs into weird but cheerful Western-style swings in "Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all." Expect songs with names like "Xmas in Jail." But there are some serious stops on the CD, too. Listen for Willie Nelson on "Pretty Paper" and a heavily string-textured "Silent Night" Bob Rivers and his Twisted Radio Morning Crew (known and loved by Seattle music fans who awaken to his show) have released "More Twisted Christmas," the third volume in Rivers' Christmas comedy compilation series. Among the hilarious holiday parodies: a take on the B-52s the Rolling Stones You! Get Off of My and the Beatles You Need Is Remember getting to stay up late in your footie pajamas to Please see CDs, Page 2F jJaw.J i.