Emberlight Festival Main Stage Sure to Entertain

IRONWOOD – The Emberlight Festival’s 2022 Main Stage series is packed with unforgettable performances you’ll be talking about for weeks. Enjoy a night out at the beautiful Historic Ironwood Theatre for music ranging from stunning opera arias to Broadway belting to French cabaret with lots of musical surprises along the way.

The season’s Opening Night on July 1 features a ton of entertainment. After unveiling Mary Burns’ award-winning Ancestral Women Exhibit: Wisconsin’s 12 Tribes and the Emberlight Photographers show at 4pm in the Historic Depot Museum, saunter over to the Historic Ironwood Theatre for an evening of independent film.

The night will feature screenings of award-winning and fan favorite films from the 2021 International Film Festival. Last year’s winners sent in shorts, animation, and documentaries from across the United States, Argentina, China, Pakistan, and more! Then we’ll give a sneak peek of what films are making their debut at the 2022 International Film Festival from August 20 – 27. Come with friends and enjoy what Ironwood does best: Art, film, and beautiful summer nights in the heart of our beloved town. Sponsored by the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce.

After blowing our audiences away in Broadway Under the Stars last summer, Emma Stratton is back for more! All That Jazz takes us to the world of vintage Hollywood glamor and classic Broadway belting. Ms.Stratton brings her signature style and singing for two unforgettable evenings of music by Cole Porter, Jule Styne, Harold Arlen, Kander & Ebb, and George Gershwin. But what’s a diva without a couple backup boys? Miles Mykkanen and Jordan Jones-Reese (Broadway’s Miss Saigon and Ain’t Too Proud) join Emma for an unforgettable evening. Don’t miss this thrilling evening of hot songs, stunning gowns, and stories you’ll be talking about for weeks at the gorgeous Historic Ironwood Theatre (HIT). Mark your calendars for July 30th at 7:30 PM and July 31st at 2 PM.

The next weekend Miles Mykkanen and Adam Rothenberg take the stage for Sing Happy on August 5 and 6. From the world’s stages back to Ironwood! Hometown star Miles Mykkanen is finishing a banner year: Three productions at The Metropolitan Opera, the release of his first CD, and acclaimed debuts across stages in North America and Europe. Now he comes home to the HIT for two nights of personal stories and show-stopping music.

Hot off the current Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company, pianist Adam Rothenberg joins Miles for an unforgettable evening of music from Rachmaninov to Rodgers, and Schubert to Sondheim. Sing Happy features familiar and unknown German art songs, opera arias, Broadway showtunes, and French cabaret — accompanied by spectacular stories from life on and off the world’s stages.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear one of classical music’s rising stars at the Historic Ironwood Theatre this August!

And to wrap it all up, don’t forget the grand finale — Emberlight’s annual Award Show on August 27. Pull out the gowns, dust off the tuxedos — it’s time to walk the red carpet and find out who’s winning the 2022 Emberlight Awards! American soprano Ann Toomey has graced stages around the world with lead roles at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Berlin Philharmonie and Wolf Trap Opera. Now she makes her Emberlight debut as the special guest artist in our 2022 Award Show. HIT has never heard singing like this before!

Starting at 6:30pm Dan Mykkanen will be at the piano playing hits from the Great American Songbook. Then our Master of Ceremonies for the evening — Emberlight’s Artistic Director Miles Mykkanen — will join Dan, Ann, and members of the Emberlight Board of Directors to present our 2022 Ambassadors, Poet Laureate, and announce the winners of Art in the Park and the International Film Festival. The annual Award Show is an evening not to be missed!

Get ready for a busy summer featuring all of these amazing Emberlight experiences. Ticket passes are on sale now with individual tickets to follow on July 1. Check out the new Emberlight website at emberlight.org, view the calendar of events and purchase tickets. Questions? Feel free to send us an email at media@emberlight.org.

The Emberlight Festival is produced by Theatre North, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.