© 2024 Milwaukee Public Media is a service of UW-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Theater Critic Dave Begel on Supporting the Arts and Local Companies

ugljesaras
/
Fotolia

Milwaukee Theater CriticDave Begel is a longtime lover and reviewer of Wisconsin theater. When the season is in full swing, he will often seen four or five shows over a weekend. It's his job, but it's also his passion. 

"If you go once you're probably going to go the rest of your life, cause it's an unmatched experience. It's not the same as going to a movie or binge-watching on television," he says. 

Begel will join Lake Effect on a semi-regular basis to talk about Wisconsin theater at large as well as discuss lesser-known theater companies and performances. He will also talk about the many struggles facing local theater companies and the artists who create the live performances.

Begel reminds us that most theater companies operate on a fine financial line and most local actors don't just make their money through performing. 

"From the Rep to the newest, smallest company in town, they all wonder: how can I get people to come to the theater? You know, doing theater is a labor of love for almost everybody," he says. "I mean, you don't make a lot of money doing theater. So it's a labor of love and you'd like to see that love rewarded by people coming and appreciating it." 

Bonnie North
Bonnie joined WUWM in March 2006 as the Arts Producer of the locally produced weekday magazine program Lake Effect.