Since the golden age of Hollywood, dinner and a movie has been a classic date night pairing. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) recreates this tradition with a live performance during screenings of the Bogart-and-Bergman masterpiece, “Casablanca.”
From Friday, Feb. 14th through Sunday, Feb. 16, the MSO will perform Max Steiner’s Oscar-winning score inside the Bradley Symphony Center. Plus, cuisine from the exclusive catering company at the Bradley Symphony Center is available before the film, and a pop-up “gin joint” similar to the one in the movie will offer after-show nightcaps.
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
“You’ll be hard pressed to find a more unique Valentine's date night than coming to the Bradley Symphony Center to experience the MSO perform live and delicious cuisine inspired by Rick’s Café and the Moroccan setting of Casablanca,” says Sam Hushek, Director of Events. "Plus, having dinner and a show under the same roof keeps you and your date out of the cold Milwaukee winter."
The meal, crafted by Resonance Food Co., is part of the Sound Bites series. Sound Bites features a rotating menu week to week, often playing off the theme of the performance.
For "Casablanca" weekend, Executive Sous Chef Ben Bartlett will prepare a variety of dishes for guests to choose from serving stations located in the Ellen and Joe Checota Atrium on the second floor. The aptly Moroccan menu includes a pita chip bar with olive tapenade, red pepper roasted hummus and herb yogurt; spicy beef meatballs with a green goddess dressing; chickpea, cilantro and lemon soup; Israeli couscous salad; balsamic vinegarette and buttermilk ranch green salad; toasted barley pilaf; honey glazed root vegetables; feta/oregano potatoes; spiced cauliflower steaks, chicken tangine; roasted leg of lamb; orange almond cake; fig galettes; and chocolate covered strawberries.
Full bar service is available featuring cocktails, mocktails, tea or coffee. The drink menu will also include themed “Casablanca” cocktails. Following the performance, the Ellen and Joe Checota Gallery will temporarily transform into a “gin joint” and feature live music performed by pianists from the Milwaukee Jazz Institute.
The culmination of music, food and drink aims to make a winter night out as easy and appealing as possible.
“Having a one-stop shop for world-class entertainment by the MSO paired with deliciously crafted food and beverage offerings takes away the hassle of planning date night,” says Hushek.
Get tickets for "Casablanca" with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra here. For tickets for the Sound Bites dinner, click here. Registration for dinner reservations is available through Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
