Nina Simone: Four Women
Milwaukee Rep Quadracci Powerhouse Theater
Sunday, May 5, 2024 2 pm Matinee
Fiery Anthems from "The High Priestess of Soul"
The creator of some of our nation’s most powerful Civil Rights anthems, Nina Simone shook the world with her music. After the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Simone's tribute song "Four Women" transformed her from gifted pianist to trailblazing activist, charting a new course as an agent of change and healing. This play with music shines a light on how she found her true calling and gave voice to a movement through impactful and inspirational songs like "Everything Must Change," "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" and “His Eye is on the Sparrow."
Born in 1933 in North Carolina, Ms. Simone became a singer, songwriter, piano prodigy, composer, arranger and civil right activist. Her music spans styles including classic, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop having attended Julliard School of Music in New York. She changed her name to "Nina Simone" to disguise herself from family members, having chosen to play "the devil's music" or so-called "cocktail piano" in the beginning of her music career.
In 1964, Nina Simone came out with her first album to include a song that addressed US racial inequality (triggered by the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham). Civil Rights messages became the norm in her recordings and concerts. She aligned more with her neighbor Malcolm X than with Martin Luther King. As her activism rose, her release of new music slowed.
The four-time Grammy award nominee recorded more than 40 albums between 1958 and 1974 and was inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Simone at No. 21 on their list of the Top 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
"Entertaining, enlightening, and educational... a stirring portrait of a tortured artist yearning to have her voice heard.” – BroadwayWorld
A co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
Approximate Running Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission
Recommended Age: 14 and up
Nina Simone: Four Women will be staged in the large, yet intimate Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. Information and photos about this unique theater venue.
The Quadracci Powerhouse Theater is handicapped accessible. There is handrail support on each row as you descend and ascend the aisle.
Directions to the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater: From the Milwaukee Rep’s Wells Street entrance, walk straight ahead under the atrium dome. The Quadracci Theater is located on the Mezzanine Level. Take the elevator or walk up the white marble stairway. From the Mezzanine Level elevator exit, walk around to the right into the Powerhouse Theater entrance.
The Quadracci Powerhouse Theater is handicapped accessible. There is handrail support on each row as you descend and ascend the aisle.
Tickets: Our group will be in Prime seating in sections 3 and 4 on both sides of the center aisle of the theater.
Accessibility Policy: On the bus, you must be able to climb steps to board and exit the bus. If you need assistance, we require that you bring a friend to give you a hand.
Pre-Show Discussion: Optional, but free and highly recommended. It starts at 12:45 PM, but you can enter at any time.
Post-Show Talk Back: We will allow time for those that want to stay for the Talk Back Immediately following the performances. Join members of the cast and artistic team to discuss the production.
Free Time: From 11:15 am until the show begins at 2:00 pm there will be free time for lunch, shopping, and exploring. Lunch is on your own, but there is a Group Lunch Option to those who want to register, but may be hesitant... not knowing anyone and uncomfortable eating alone. The Group Lunch Option addresses this concern and is a good way to make new theater trip friends. Just answer "Yes" to Group Lunch questions on the registration form. Please note that the cost of lunch is separate and as such is not included in your registration fee.
Our Group Lunch is at The Public Market We will save tables on the second-floor. Each person is responsible for ordering, paying for and carrying their own meal from one of the nine unique eateries in the Public Market to the second floor dining area. In addition to the nine eateries, there is a bakery, wine shop and bar, coffee shop, etc. An elevator and stairs access the second floor and restrooms near the seating area. Again, lunch is not included in your registration.
Our bus will also drop-off and pick-up at the Milwaukee Public Market for lunch alternatives. There are many nearby Third Ward restaurants from which to choose. Many restaurants have changed over time so please check to see if they will be open and we highly recommend that you make a reservation.
Itinerary
Bear in mind that our boarding bus route is like Madison Metro or any other municipal bus service. Please arrive early at your boarding stop so you don’t miss the bus. When everyone is aboard and seated, we leave.
Don’t be late. We can wait just 5 minutes at any one location.
Accessibility Policy: On the Badger Bus, you must be able to climb steps to board and exit the bus. If you need assistance, we require that you bring a friend to give you a hand.
Leaving Madison
9 AM Westside: Bus arrives for boarding at Oakwood University Woods, 6205 Mineral Point Road
9:10 AM Westside: Bus departs from Oakwood University Woods
9:35 AM Central: Bus departs from Capitol Lakes, 333 W. Main St.
10:05 AM Eastside: Bus departs from New Location - Oakwood Prairie Ridge, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison. Leave for Milwaukee (sooner if everyone is aboard).
In Milwaukee
11:15 AM Drop off at Milwaukee Public Market for the Group Lunch and additional nearby restaurants
1:00 PM Bus returns to the Milwaukee Public Market for those who need a ride to the Rep-in-Depth pre-show discussion and would rather not walk five blocks to the Milwaukee Rep. (See Walking Map.)
1:15 PM Rep-in-Depth optional pre-show discussion begins
2:00 PM Nina Simone: Four Women performance begins
4:30 PM Nina Simone: Four Women Talk Backs ends and bus boarding begins. (There will be adequate time for coat check retrieval and restroom use.)
5:00 PM Depart for Madison (sooner if everyone is aboard)
Arrive Madison (Estimated)
6:10 PM Bus returns to Oakwood Prairie Ridge
6:40 PM Bus returns to Capitol Lakes
7:00 PM Bus returns to Oakwood University Woods
Non-Member Policy: Members must register their guests. Each PLATO member is entitled to bring one non-member guest per bus trip. Members may bring more than one guest near the registration deadline date if seats are available. Check with trip organizer. Non-member guests pay an additional $10 registration fee.
PLATO Membership: PLATO membership is $60.00/year and all memberships renew on August 1.
Mail-In Registration Form: Print, complete and mail in Nina Simone Mail-in Registration Form
For further information contact the Trip Organizers:
Sue Josheff sooziej@sbcglobal.net or 608-770-3828
Carla DiIorio carlad@tds.net or 608-886-4556
