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City Cast Madison

Rob Thomas

Do you know where this slice of pizza is from? (Submitted photo)

Frank Lloyd Wright may be the most famous architect who ever lived. He called Madison home and his influence and artistic eye 

, from our most iconic buildings to hidden gems in residential neighborhoods.

, host Bianca Martin talks to March Sweitzer about Wright’s Unitarian Meeting House, which is celebrating its 

 with an array of events starting this week.

Experience One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Influential Buildings

Here’s your guide to some of his architectural feats in and around Madison, from iconic public buildings to private homes.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Wright transformed downtown Madison with his vision for Monona Terrace, with panoramic views of Lake Monona and a terrace that leads directly to the Capitol Square. He drafted the plans in 1938, but wasn’t finished until 1997, nearly 40 years after his death. Check out “Inspired by Wright,” a fourth-floor exhibit detailing Wright’s vision for Monona Terrace and for Madison.

 is this gorgeous structure Wright built for his congregation in 1946, whose triangular design is meant to evoke both a farm plow and a pair of praying hands.

Any Wright fans will plan a trip out to the Driftless Region to see Wright’s home and studio on a beautiful 800-acre piece of land near Spring Green.

One of Wright’s visions was to build affordable housing that had an uniquely American aesthetic. His first attempt (made for just $5,000) at “Usonian” (United States of North America) architecture was at 441 Toepfer St. for Herbert Jacobs, featuring natural materials in harmony with the environment and an open-plan interior. Wright would go on to build 140 “Usonian” homes, and his designs influenced ranch home architecture of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Wright won a competition in 1893, when he was only 26, to design this boathouse, featuring two towers connected by an arch. He also designed a boathouse for Lake Monona that was never built, but 

in recent years there’s been a groundswell of interest

This 1903 residence at 22 N. Butler Street was once known as the Rocky Roost, and features an asymmetrical design and a third story roof garden. Its mix of styles lead some to speculate that one of Wright’s employees, Walter Burley Griffin, actually oversaw the design while Wright was immersed in other projects.

In contrast to Wright’s sprawling Prairie homes, this private residence near Camp Randall sits on a hill and is a two-story monolith. Because it’s built across two axes converging on a central fireplace, it’s earned the nickname “The Airplane House.”

It can be hard to find this modest private home at 3650 Lake Mendota Drive, nestled on the shore of Lake Mendota in the Shorewood Hills neighborhood. The design and natural materials blend in perfectly with its natural surroundings, and features floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the lake.

Wright’s passion for affordable Usonian housing for the middle class led to his interest in “prefab” housing packages. This one at 110 Marinette Place was built for a pair of married UW-Madison mathematicians.

Legendary designer Frank Lloyd Wright called Madison home and he left his mark on the city. Here's some of his most famous buildings, from the Unitarian Meeting House to some private homes worth seeing.

Visit Some of Frank Lloyd Wright's Most Iconic Madison Buildings

Your Guide to Frank Lloyd Wright's Madison

Find the best of everything that Madison has to offer.

Madison’s Best

Madison's Best

Just as the thawing of the lakes is proof that spring is here, the return of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s free outdoor concert series is a sign that summer is back. 

The series kicks off June 24 with a tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John

🎸 This Music Festival Goes ‘TILT’!

At the other end of the musical spectrum is the two-night 

Mad With Power Fest on June 5 and 6 at the Sylvee

. Sponsored by local metal titans Lords of the Trident, it features two days of heavy metal bands and dozens of pinball machines throughout the Sylvee set to free play.

If you’re looking for a page-turner to take to the beach this summer, UW-Madison graduate Joseph Eckert is coming back to town to Lake City Books on June 11 

to talk about his new book, “The Traveler.”

 A father starts jumping forward in time, and his son tries to save him.

🎸 The World’s Skinniest Music Festival

Summer means the return of Madison’s east side neighborhood festivals, starting with the 

Marquette Waterfront Festival on the slender Yahara Place Park on June 13 and 14

. National headliners like Ratboys share the bill with local favorites like Lost Lakes, and there’s plenty of food and drink and activities for the kids.

Author Sara Gruen relied on the archives at Circus World in Baraboo when she was writing her hit novel “Water For Elephants.” So it’s fitting that 

Overture Hall is hosting the Wisconsin premiere of the new musical

June is Pride Month, and now more than ever we need inclusive and joyful spaces to be whoever we are. 

“Live on Queen” is a free event on June 26 at the Orpheum Theater

 that mixes a drag show, live music, and a little bit of magic to create a night to remember.

Does comedian Jay Leno own a pair of white jeans? He’ll need it as the headliner at the 

All-White Party, a star-studded affair June 27 at the Orpheum Theater

 to raise money for Boys & Girls club of Dane County. All-white attire is required, and Tyrese and DJ Spinderella will keep the party going.

Your Guide to June 2026 in Madison

Long before she actually saw the stage production of “RENT,” 

 was a girl listening to the cast album in her bedroom, imagining what Jonathan Larson’s romantic and iconic update of “La Boheme” would be like.

Today, Jefferson is an acclaimed director, serving as associate director for the Broadway productions of “The Wiz” and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and most recently the resident director of “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.” This summer, she’s in Madison to bring her own vision to “RENT” as director of 

It will play at the Orpheum Theater for just four performances June 5-7

“Capital City Theatre has just been so supportive, and the cast, I couldn't have asked for a better cast,” said Jefferson while taking a break from rehearsals last week. “All of the pieces just seem to be falling into place. It feels almost too good to be true. I’m almost waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

Jefferson talked about approaching such an iconic musical from a fresh perspective.

Do you think you approach “RENT” differently because you heard it well before you saw it?

I was living in New York when “RENT” came out, and I was going to a performing arts school, so I kind of had no choice but to hear it. It was everywhere! My mother was like “You’re not going to see this show as a teenager, that’s a little too young.” So I had that space to dream up what it looks like. Even in my room I’d be singing the songs and thinking, “It looks like this.” “Will I?”, “I'll Cover You,” “Your Eyes” – those numbers just spoke to me, and being able to recreate them this time in my vision? I cry every time.

How would you distill your vision for “RENT”?

My vision for “RENT” was honest. Over the last 30 years, some versions have gotten a little more heightened and theatrical than I would prefer. This was a really nice opportunity to just break it down and make it more about the story. The truth, the honesty, the rawness, the community of it all, the parallels from where we were 30 years ago and where we are now.

Maybe not using as much of that kind of Broadway theatricality of it all, and really just grounding everyone, so the story could be heard as well as felt.

It looms so large in the culture. How much do you owe to people’s perceptions of “RENT,” and maybe their memories of seeing it in the past, versus creating a vision of your own?

There were moments where I was very clear with my design team that I did not want it to look like any traditional version. I don’t want Roger in plaid pants. But then there were moments when I said “Oh, I want to keep this.” Especially because some of those moments are so important to the audience. I don’t want to rob them of that.

Is there something about the play that speaks differently to audiences in 2026 than it did 30 years ago?

Unfortunately not. It’s 30 years later, and we're still talking about housing insecurity and wealth disparity and health care access and gentrification and mistreatment of different communities. All of that is still very prevalent and that is heartbreaking.

I'm hoping that this will kind of hold up a mirror to audiences to just say, "Oh, okay. Where can I show compassion? Where can I recognize the similarities?”

Madison's Capital City Theatre is putting on a bold new version of the Tony-winning musical 'RENT' at the Orpheum Theater June 5-7. For its director, who has helmed "Stranger Things" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" on Broadway, it's the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. 

Broadway Director Helms Madison Production of 'RENT'

How Madison’s Capital City Theatre is Reinventing ‘RENT’

Many people drive by the nondescript two-story brick building on the corner of East Washington Avenue and South Baldwin Street without realizing they’re passing by a piece of rock music history.

Smart Studios was a recording studio that was ground zero for the ‘90s alternative rock movement. Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and studio founders Butch Vig and Steve Marker’s own band Garbage recorded music there.

Filmmaker Wendy Schneider captured the grungy, influential history of the studio at 1254 E. Washington Ave. in her documentary “

.” On the City Cast Madison podcast, Schneider talked to host Bianca Martin

 about her experiences making the documentary

As musicians on the 1980s Madison rock scene, Vig and Marker would often hang out at the Plaza Tavern. When it was last call, they’d declare “Let’s get smart!” and go record music until sunrise.

After several frustrating experiences trying to book time to record at other people’s studios, the duo decided to start their own.

The original Smart Studios actually originally opened across the street

, in what was then the Gisholt Machine Tool warehouse. They invited any and all Madison bands to come record there.

Grunge bands from the Midwest heard the music coming out of Smart Studios and wanted to come to Madison and record there too. As their notoriety grew, Vig and Marker bought the two-story building in 1987 to accommodate all the demand.

When Nirvana came to Smart Studios in 1990

 to record eight songs—one of which, “Polly,” appeared on their “Nevermind” album—Smart Studios was known nationwide as a place to come and record. But Vig and Marker made a point to make sure lesser-known local bands could still book time to record there too.

As Garbage began using the studio more and more to record their own music, that left less time for outside bands to make music there. And as the ‘90s grunge movement faded in the ‘00s and Garbage took more and more of Vig and Marker’s time, the studio’s importance began to fade. The studio closed its doors in 2010.

 and planned to turn it into a combination private residence and short-term rental. But when city rules made it too onerous to convert the downstairs into an AirBnB, she made the entire two-story space her home.

While updated and modernized, the decor of the residence pays homage to Smart Studios musical roots. Walls are covered with framed posters of bands who recorded there, along with pages of the studio’s recording schedules, and other memorabilia that reminds guests of its indie rock legacy.

Why did Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Death Cab for Cutie and other bands want to record songs in Madison? As a new documentary explains, Smart Studios, the recording studio founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker of Garbage, played a key role in the '90s indie rock scene. 

Smart Studios Turned Madison Into an Indie Rock Destination

How Smart Studios Put Madison on the Musical Map

What Madisonians have been wondering. We break down why things in Madison are the way they are and how they work.

Madison, Explained

There are many podcasts out there about writers and the writing life. But there’s likely only one where the host asks the writer who their favorite Green Bay Packer is.

 hosted by Madison writer Jeff Oloizia, which launched the first episode of its 10-episode debut season last week. Each week, Oloizia, a former New York Times editor, talks to a Wisconsin author about their work, the act of writing, and the ups and downs of making it as a writer in the Midwest, far from the publishing hubs of New York and Los Angeles.

The debut episode, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast players, features Madison essayist 

. The second episode, dropping Wednesday, features “Still True” author Maggie Ginsberg, whose next novel “Daisy Chain” will be released in 2027.

Oloizia talked to City Cast Madison recently about “Writing Forward.”

When I decided once for all that I wanted to stay put here and I wasn’t going back to New York, I thought “What can I make that will challenge me and add something to the literary community here?” I thought about starting a magazine, which in 2026 is a pretty tall order. But things have gotten to a point with podcasting that it’s pretty practical to start it up yourself.

As someone who aspires to publish books himself, I like to listen to people who are in the place that I want to be, talking about it. And I think it’s all the more powerful if they’re from the same place as I am.

Listening to the first episode, it really sounds like a conversation between two writers as opposed to an interview.

My hope is that it’s like overhearing two of your favorite writers in a bar. Which is not to say that I don’t want it to have structure and real purpose. Each of my guests I choose with some themes in mind. Sure, we’ll talk about somebody’s new book, but I really want to have a more holistic conversation about the writing life and their career.

How do you think the show reflects a Wisconsin vibe?

There are certain podcasts that I won’t name that I can’t get through because they’re too pretentious. I’m aware that there’s always that risk, but the kind of writing that I like, not to mention podcasts, definitely have some high and some low. I think that’s a very Wisconsin thing, too. Don’t take yourself too seriously. We’re all just here to have a good time. I want to get into it, but I also want my guests to have a good time.

I think everybody is always happy to talk about craft. You spend four or five years working on a book, and if somebody’s going to ask you how you did it, that’s a dream. But certainly aspects of the writing life, ambition, imposter syndrome.

I feel like it’s the thing that people don’t often get to talk about, especially in Wisconsin, where you aren’t supposed to say the quiet part out loud. But I think there needs to be a place to talk about ambition. I don’t think that’s a dirty word. In some ways we sort of hold ourselves back when we ignore that.

What do you hope listeners take away from “Writing Forward”?

My hope for the podcast is that if people can listen and take away one thing, one little nugget or quote or craft idea that they can apply to their own creative life, I’ll be happy with that. I’m sort of doing the same thing. If I go to a book event or reading, that’s what I’m looking for. I just want to hear people who I admire and whose writing I admire think out loud. I get to have a front row seat to that.

On the new podcast "Writing Forward," Madison writer Jeff Oloizia interviews Wisconsin authors about their writing process, how to be successful as a Midwestern writer.

Madison Writer Starts 'Writing Forward' Podcast

Wisconsin Authors Are an Open Book on New Podcast

Madisonian? Recently on the City Cast Madison podcast, we 

talked about the experiences and traits that define a Madison resident

. If you’re not sure where you stand, here’s a quiz on some things that every Madisonian ought to know about their city.

Quiz: Are you a True Madisonian? 

Happy May! While UW-Madison commencement is the big event this month, there's plenty going on for townies and students alike. Here's your guide to the events you shouldn't miss.

😆 Charlie Berens Gets a Wisconsin Welcome

How popular is Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens? He’s sold out three of his four shows at Overture Hall on May 8 and 9 – 

only a few seats for the late show on May 8 remain

Listen to him on the City Cast Madison podcast

 talk about what makes Wisconsin funny, and his surprisingly serious stance against data centers.

Children’s Theater of Madison is putting on the hit Broadway musical

 about a group of ragtag newspaper boys who rally against their greedy publishers May 2 through 17 in the Starlight Theater at MYArts.

🎉 The Center for Black Excellence’s Grand Opening

Center for Black Excellence and Culture will open its doors on May 6

, with a free grand opening celebration and open house, so you can explore all three levels of this testament to Black resilience and creativity.

Former Wisconsin author Jane Smiley (“A Thousand Acres”) will close out the Wisconsin Book Festival’s spring series with 

a free May 6 event at Madison Central Library

 to talk about her new book “Lidie,” which revisits the main character from her 1998 novel “The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton.”

 on Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 through 24 on Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center. Headliners for the music stages include The Lovin’ Spoonful and Great White.

Acclaimed indie-rock singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett took a few years off, but she’s back with a new album and tour. 

Parrfection Produce Farm Market near Monticello is hosting its 

. There’ll be over 100,000 tulips (minus any that the deer get into), plus food trucks, bouncy houses, and opportunities for lots of beautiful photos.

From Brat Fest to Tulip Fest, from 'Newsies' to Charlie Berens, there's lots going on in Madison this spring.

What to Do in Madison in March 2026

Your Guide to May 2026 in Madison

Over 55 years after they broke up, The Beatles still have a hold on the culture like nobody else. Paul McCartney still sells out stadiums at 83, new books and remastered albums are constantly being released, and 

not one but four movies about the Fab Four are coming

Sean Michael Dargan feels that love for The Beatles when he takes the stage with his tribute band, the 

. While other Beatles cover bands dress up in costumes and moptops, the MMT focus on the music, with its five core members backed up with a 16-piece orchestra.

The Madison Mystery Tour is returning to the Barrymore Theatre on May 2 

 playing some of the band’s most famous singles and most obscure B-sides. Dargan, a fixture on the Madison music scene for years, talked about why it’s still so much fun to play The Beatles.

How did you find yourself in a Beatles tribute band?

I love The Beatles. Always have. They were the first band I really, really loved. I stole all my sister's records. But I hadn't really planned on doing a Beatles tribute, The Beatles tributes that I knew all dressed up like The Beatles and pretended to have a British accent. I didn't really want to be any part of that sort of scene. But these guys just play The Beatles like they play their own stuff, and they try to play it note for note.

How did you hit on the idea of “The Beatles Singles”?

The original premise of the band, which started over 10 years ago, was to play every Beatles album on its 50th anniversary. To be blunt, we ran out of albums and we needed something to keep playing.

The singles idea was just another way to build a show that's a little different than what we've done in the past. It’s the same canon, obviously, just more of a smattering across time. We’re doing A-sides and B-sides, so we’re getting all kinds of flavors of The Beatles.

What’s your favorite A-side to play? And what’s your favorite B-side to play?

A-side – “Let It Be,” and it’s for a purely selfish reason. I’m a guitar player, and no one's gonna confuse me with Paul McCartney on the keyboard. But that's the one song in the world that I actually perform on piano. So it's just a gas. I'm really nervous when I sit down. And I haven't felt nervous about playing, you know, in a rock setting in 40 years. So it's kind of a fun experience.

For B-side, it’s got to be “You Know My Name, Look Up the Number.” It’s just the weirdest song, and we do a really credible version of it. (Keyboardist) Steve Morgan and I take the Paul and John parts and go back and forth. It’s just an absurd song, and it’s really fun to try to pull off.

What’s special about these Barrymore shows?

The five of us are the core band, but when we do these Barrymore shows, we have an orchestra. We're doing “Strawberry Fields Forever,” which has huge orchestration, and we’re doing “I Am the Walrus,” which has huge orchestration.

Still, to this day, as soon as the orchestra kicks in on whatever song we’re playing, I get chills. It’s so cool.

Over a half-century after they broke up, the Beatles still have a huge hold on popular culture. For over a decade, the Madison Mystery Tour has been bringing their music to life on local stages, sometimes backed by a full orchestra.

Meet the Madison Band Who Makes the Beatles Come to Life

The Madison Mystery Tour Is Coming To Take You Away

You may like pizza, but do you really know pizza? Madison has several popular local pizza restaurants, each serving their own distinctive signature pies. Take our quiz and see how well you know your slices.

Test Your Knowledge of Madison's Iconic Pizzas

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Madison.

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Madison. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Madison Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Each month, we run down the best new restaurants in the Madison area that have either opened or announced plans to open in the near future. If you know of any that we missed, drop us a line at 

The long-awaited taproom and brewery in DeForest

 has an official opening date – tomorrow! They’re celebrating the launch of the 6,500-square foot space on May 29, which includes a full kitchen, with some typically normal Young Blood beers – a bourbon-barrel aged espresso stout and a pineapple upside-down cake inspired pastry sour.

This coffee shop has opened inside the Hotel Indigo on East Wash, with a summer menu that includes Dubai chocolate iced lattes and bakery goodies.

, this new spot adds meat options to the vegan space. Chef James Bloodsaw prides itself on its gluten-free fried chicken wings and cheese curds, along with salads, jerk chicken, mac & cheese, and more.

Not only do we have a firm opening date for the 

 (July 23 – squee!) but two new food vendors have been announced. Little Tibet, a longtime favorite for its Himalayan and Tibetan food, will be opening a “kitchenette” in the market. Fortune Favors, the Madison candied pecan business, will also have a presence at the market.

The food hall on West Wilson Street has opened two new vendors, a coffee shop called Social Grounds and a sushi spot called Mizu. And you can enjoy both while overlooking Lake Monona on the food hall’s new outdoor space, The Promenade.

This regional coffee chain is coming in hot to the Madison area, 

announcing on Instagram that it will open two spots

 on State Street and Middleton sometime in 2026. The menu combines hot and cold coffee drinks with cakes, macaron and other sweet treats.

Mint Mark has opened its own outdoor cocktail bar on the sixth floor of the building it occupies on East Washington Avenue, where you can have a drink and enjoy the view or wait for your table downstairs.

 tucked away in the former home of Black Rose Blending has rolled out gradually, with coffee and a limited menu that includes raclette and tins of fish. But on April 29 they kicked it up a notch with a full food menu and beer, wine and spirits.

The coffee shop that serves Garver Feed Mill just opened its first standalone location 

in the former home of Calnin Design Studio

. While Ledger focuses on the quality of its coffee, it’s hoping to sell pastries from local faves like Level 5 Donuts.

The local chain whose mission is to “bring the bright, fresh flavors of the Hawaiian Islands to the heart of Wisconsin” opened its third location on Monona Drive. Like its other locations in Middleton and Madison, expect vibrant-colored build-your-own bowls.

This new business is bringing brigadeiros, coxinhas, risoles and other Brazilian pastries to the Sun Prairie Farmers Market and the Northside Farmers Market.

Just in time for summer, this new ice cream parlor is opening on Main Street in downtown Sun Prairie, serving housemade ice cream in both traditional and adventurous flavors along with other desserts and craft sodas.

The former Benvenuto’s Italian Grill location on McKee Road is now a golf simulator lounge that includes a full bar and pizza from Salvatore’s Tomato Pies.

This month's list of new restaurants include a new coffee shop on Winnebago Street, an ice cream shop coming to downtown Sun Prairie and an eclectic spot in the Bay Creek neighborhood.

Food & Drink

Test Your Knowledge of Madison's Iconic Pizzas

Rob Thomas

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