If Milwaukee has a leading man it is undoubtedly James Pickering, an actor of immense talent and experience and commitment to the Milwaukee community.

He and his wife, Rose, who died last year, were the first couple of Milwaukee theater, providing thousands of fans with memorable performances that helped to establish the Milwaukee Rep as a top flight regional theater company.

Pickering was most famous, perhaps, for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Rep's annual production of "A Christmas Carol" that transformed The Pabst Theater into a witch's brew of holiday fear and cheer.

Thousands and thousands of fans, from young children to grandparents made going to the Pabst for the production an annual tradition. The play introduced many young children to their first experience with live theater.

And no actor was more identified with the play that Pickering.

It's against that background that I was so shocked to get a press release from the Rep announcing that a New York actor named Christopher Donahue will play the role of Scrooge in the 2012 production.

Now, I have nothing against Donahue, who has a lengthy resume of classical roles in regional theaters around the country and a few television appearances. He may well be a fine actor.

But there was no mention in the press release of why The Rep was making the change from the familiarity and love we all had for Pickering to this unknown quantity. The item from the Rep did the one thing you never want to do in a press release – it raised more questions than it answered.

I understand the marketing department and its director, Lisa Fulton, who hasn't returned my call, wanting to focus on the upcoming season. They aren't going to sell tickets for what happened last season. It is only this season that matters, according to all the proven marketing techniques.

But Pickering has been Scrooge for 450 performances. Four hundred and fifty. It's not as if he dropped in for a cameo and then left town. His Scrooge is as…

It's Thursday afternoon and I'm doing some serious work with the television on right at the corner of my desk.

I could be watching CNN for all the news about the Supreme Court decision upholding President Obama's health care plan.

I could be watching Tiger Woods play the Congressional Country Club (which I've played) in the PGA tournament.

I could be watching Wimbledon or a replay of a Milwaukee Mustangs game (although that's not really on the list).

But I find myself watching Germany play Italy in the semi-final of the EuroCup '12 soccer tournament.

Soccer. I hate soccer.

But here I sit, rooting for the Italians, none of whom I know, against the Germans, none of whom I know.

I hate to actually say this but there is something beautiful about watching this game.

All of my OnMilwaukee.com colleagues, who are much more up to date than I am on the world of music, are offering their favorite shows for the upcoming days of Summerfest.

I can't compete with them on knowledge, taste or experience.

So I pick the bands I think are worth seeing by their name. Music has lent itself to unusual and colorful names over the decades. Think of The Duke Ellington Orchestra or The Beatles. So, I've compiled my all-name list for Summerfest.

Wednesday, June 27
Hank Thomas and the Cathouse Drifters, Noon, Potawatomi Stage
4th floor, 1 p.m., Rock Stage
10 Paces, Fire, 1:30 p.m., Cascio Stage

Thursday, June 28
Fatboy Run, noon, Miller Stage
Peter Mac and the Fighting Fish, 6:30 p.m., Rock Stage

Friday, June 29
Your Villain My Hero, 6 p.m., Miller Stage
The United States Army Field Band Volunteers, 2:30 p.m., Harley Stage
Air Dubai, 6:30 p.m., Rock Stage

Saturday, June 30
Left on Sunset, 3 p.m., Miller Stage
Whiskey of the Damned, 5 p.m., Rock Stage

Sunday, July 1
Rooftop Jumpers, Noon, Harley Stage
The Celebrated Workingman, 7:30 p.m., Cascio Stage

Tuesday, July 3
USAF Mid America Starlifter, 2:30 p.m., Briggs & Stratton Stage
The Nearly Deads,, 4:15 p.m., U. S. Cellular Stage

Wednesday, July 4
Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts, 7:30 p.m., Potawatomi Stage
Ben Captain & The Casual Smokers, 5:30 p.m., U. S. Cellular Stage
Animals in Human Attire, 7:30 p.m., Cascio Stage

Thursday, July 5
Naughty Monkey, noon, Miller Stage
Radio Disney Party Patrol, noon, Briggs & Stratton
Full Blown Margaret, 3 p.m., Cascio Stage

Friday, July 6
Boney Fingers, 2 p.m., Harley Stage
The Heroes Lie, 6:30 p.m., Rock Stage
Art of Dying, 8 p.m., Rock Stage
Surgeons in Heat, 3 p.m., Cellular Stage

Saturday, July 7
Ian Olvera & The Sleepwalkers, 1:30 p.m., Cascio Stage

Sunday, July 8
Crazy Man's Basement, noon, Miller Stage
Rabid Aardvarks, 3 p.m., Miller Stage
Favorite Shape Triangle, 4:30 p.m., Cascio Stage
Neil Diamond, 7:30 p.m., Marcus Amphitheater

I am currently in rehearsals for "Macbeth," the newest production in the wonderful free Shakespeare in the Park program staged by Optimist Theatre.

The production opens Thursday at Alverno College and some of Milwaukee's finest actors are in the production that has been skillfully directed by Ron Scot Fry.

James Pickering, Marti Gobel and Tom Reed are all wonderful actors who star in "Macbeth" along with many of the best young actors in the city.

The performances are all outside on the campus and it promises to be an enchanting evening of theater, watching a couple where one embodies treachery and the other goes mad.

Information can be obtained by calling Optimist at (262) 498-5777 or go here. The play will run June 21-24 and June 28-July 1.

By the way, I play Old Siward, the "oldest and greatest warrior in all Christendom."