Happy November! The unseasonably warm weather we had for a few days in October made it feel not quite like autumn, but we are definitely in fall mode now! This November guide should help you get the most out of the month in Madison, including new theater world premieres, ways to help out your neighbors in the community, and one Dynamite movie screening.
The Play’s the Thing
A comedic whodunit set in a Wisconsin supper club? That’s the irresistible premise of “Murder Girl,” the new play by Heidi Armbruster that is having its world premiere at Forward Theater Company. “Murder Girl” will play in the Overture Center’s Playhouse from Nov. 7 to Nov. 24.
Meanwhile, Capital City Theatre is presenting its musical adaptation of one of my favorite movies, Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life,” at Madison College’s Mitby Theater from Nov. 22 to Dec. 1. Attaboy, Clarence.
And Overture Center is bringing the touring production of the musical “& Juliet” to Overture Hall from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1. A girl-power retelling of “Romeo & Juliet” that also features millennial pop anthems? Here for it.
Do Some Good
There’s never a bad time to volunteer into the community, but Thanksgiving is always a good reminder that we have neighbors in need. There are some useful and even creative ways to help out this November.
The Goodman Community Center is sending out 4,000 Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. It’s an enormous undertaking that can use plenty of help. They’re looking for either financial donations or donations of frozen turkeys, canned vegetables and more.
Plenty of food pantries around Madison could also use donations and volunteers this season, including Second Harvest Foodbank, The River Food Pantry, and Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin.
One especially fun way to help out and get a little exercise is “Cranksgiving.” It’s sort of like a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, where volunteers get a list of ingredients and the places to get them, and then bike around town gathering them.
Run Run Run!
Another way to get some fall exercise (and also help out) are the traditional Thanksgiving morning 5k runs that have become a tradition for many Madisonians. Lace up in Fitchburg for the Birdie Derby (formerly the Berbee Derby), which features a 5K and 10K (both for teams and individuals) and a kids’ run and raises money for Dane County schools and community centers.
And the Madison Turkey Trot will bring runners of all abilities to the Alliant Energy Center, which includes a 5K and a kids’ run, as well as a virtual 5K for those who want to participate but can’t make the trip. That long-running event raises money for United Cerebral Palsy of Dane County.
Vote for Pedro!
What the flip? It’s been 20 years since the comedy cult classic “Napoleon Dynamite” was released? If you’re the sort of person who endlessly quotes from the movie, you should go see the special screening on Nov. 9 at the Barrymore Theatre.
Stars Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), Efram Ramirez (Pedro), and Jon Heder (Napoleon himself) will be on hand for a post-show conversation and Q&A. The show is strictly BYOT (Bring Your Own Tots).
