By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published Apr 09, 2014 at 3:03 PM

Milwaukee Public Television and the Milwaukee Ballet present "Peter Pan" for a national audience on PBS at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 18.

"I wanted to create the kind of theatrical adventure that you would want to see time and time again – and now you can," said Michael Pink, the ballet’s artistic director. "We’re thrilled that audiences across the country will have the chance to experience its magic."

If you’ve seen the production in person, then you know that it is larger than life with a pirate ship that sails across the stage. The stage show had actors and dancers in cables, highlighted by Pan and Captain Hook’s aerial combat and other remarkable special effects.

"At MPTV, we have a proud history of working with area arts groups to bring their most intriguing and entertaining works to tens of thousands of television viewers, " MPTV GM Ellis Bromberg said. "It’s gratifying to know that people across the country will get to see what a jewel we have in Milwaukee Ballet and its outstanding talent." 

"Peter Pan from Milwaukee Ballet" is a part of the "PBS Arts" initiative, which offers viewers a front-row seat and a backstage pass for the music, theater, dance, art and cultural history programs PBS makes available on-air and online.

"’Peter Pan' has become the company’s most successful performance of all time," Pink said. "Both our loyal supporters, as well as young families new to the ballet, were drawn to the magic of 'Peter Pan.'"

"Now, through our partnership with MPTV, we can bring the enchantment of this production to the entire nation. Milwaukee Ballet is proud to be the first major arts organization in Milwaukee to be presented on PBS since 1992."

MPTV produced the program in 2010, which featured Marc Petrocci as the iconic Peter Pan and Valerie Harmon as Wendy. MPTV’s Emmy Award-winning producer/director Phillip Byrd worked Pink and a creative team with composer Philip Feeney, costume designer Judanna Lynn, stage designer Richard H. Graham and Emmy Award-winning lighting designer David Grill, who is known for his work on the 2013 and 2014 Super Bowl Halftime shows.

Up next for the Milwaukee Ballet is Pink’s world premiere of "Mirror Mirror," which debuts May 15-18. Ticket information and details can be found at milwaukeeballet.org.

OFF THE AIR: As cable outlets and local television companies continue to negotiate retransmission fees, sometimes the signal is knocked off the service as a ploy. In the Milwaukee market we’ve seen this tactic used numerous times throughout the years.

The latest is between DISH and Hearst stations in 25 markets, including WISN-TV Ch. 12, ABC affiliate in Milwaukee. The block out started late Tuesday night.

VOCAL TOUR: Fans of NBC’s "The Voice" will have the opportunity to see a number of the contestants in person as the summer tour hits the Riverside Theater in July. Talpa Media and AEG Live announced the 31-show concert tour earlier this morning.

Tickets for the July 19 show go on sale at 10 a.m. on April 17 at The Pabst and The Riverside Box Offices. Reserved seating starts at $35, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show.

Tessanne Chin, the Season 5 champion will join teen artist Jacquie Lee and powerhouse singer Will Champlin on the tour. Dia Frampton, a member of Team Blake from Season 1 will also be on stage, and will join the top winners from Season 6. The show’s finale is set for May 20 on NBC.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Fox News Channel’s Megyn Kelly will interview Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg tonight at 8 p.m. on "The Kelly File."

Sandberg, who is releasing her book "Lean in for Graduates," will discuss how working women are in the middle of a national debate about pay, opportunity and the politics involved. Additionally, they’ll talk about female empowerment and Sandberg’s "Ban Bossy" campaign.

Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist

Media is bombarding us everywhere.

Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.

The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.