The Buddha Prince an Outdoor Walking Play Makes for a Unique and Enchanting Experience

This was my first experience with TigerLion Arts the company behind this singular theatrical experience. The Buddha Prince tells the biography of the 14th Dalai Lama from his discovery as a toddler to his exile in India. I was familiar with the basics of his life having seen Martin Scorsese’s film Kundun several years ago. But prior knowledge is not needed as the company does an excellent job of walking you through his life. Filled with all manner of theatrical expression from music, masks, puppets, and dance we are guided by the Dalai Lama himself around Washburn Fair Oaks Park located directly across from The Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). It’s a unique way to stage a play, but then this is a unique play. It’s enriched by the surroundings and by the physical experience of symbolically traveling with the 14th Dalai Lama through his life’s journey. It’s educational, inspirational, and entertaining, everything you could ask for from a show.

The story is told by the 14th Dalai Lama played by Jay Ramos, to a reporter played by Winifred Froelich. As he tells her the story of his life, we move to various stations throughout the park and see those portions of his life acted out. The Dalai Lama is portrayed at different ages by Clay Man Soo and Tenzin Namgyal. Each time the Dalai Lama moves, we as an audience move with the performers. Traveling from the present day home of the Dalai Lama, to the village he was born in, on to the palace at Lhasa, to his visit to China, back to Lhasa, then on his journey to flee Tibet, then ending back where we began. As the cast and audience move through the park, musicians led by Tenzin Ngawang play Tibetan instruments while singers and dancers perform and guide the group. The music is beautiful and exotic, something different than we are used to hearing in Western culture. I found the sounds and the visuals of the dancers, costumes, and props completely engrossing.

Some tips about attending and making the experience the best it can be. Online when you order your tickets, you can opt for a $12.00 food item, Tibetan Momos (Tibetan Dumplings from Amazing Momo). They’re delicious and I highly recommend sampling them. Helpful hint, order them prior to the shows beginning, they will be served after the shows conclusion and expect to wait around for your order to be filled as they prepare them so they are hot and fresh. Bring a chair or blanket, they do have little folding camping chairs you can use, and they work fine, but you might want something a little more robust, if so bring it. Wear comfortable shoes, you will be walking, it’s not a lot, but there are mild inclines and you’ll want to be comfortable. As you arrive at each station sit as close as you can, but I also recommend noticing where instruments are set up and sitting a little ways away from them so that the dialogue and singing isn’t overwhelmed by the music. I highly recommend this experience to learn more about the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan culture. Go in open to all the sites and sounds, not just the story. Allow yourself to broaden your focus beyond the story to be aware of your environment, the natural world all around you is a part of this event and contributes to the whole.

For more information about The Buddha Prince which runs through July 9th and to purchase tickets go to http://www.buddhaprince.org/ To learn more about the current state of Tibet and what you can do to support Tibetans go to https://tibetaction.net/

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Loch Mess! On the Rooftop of the Bakken Museum is a Hilarious Way to Spend a Summer Evening

Tom Reed, Jared Mogen, Abilene Olson, and May Heinecke. Photo by Nicole Neri

Loch Mess! is purported to be the world’s largest freshwater musical. Now I don’t know if that’s just hyperbole or if they’ve actually measured it. What I can tell you, according to the Stages of MN Spectroclapometer and other scientific sounding gadgets, I measured it to be the silliest and most delightful original musical. It also ranked in the top 10% in heartwarmingliness. It’s the kind of show that inspires you to make up words. Performed on the green roof of the Bakken Museum near Uptown Minneapolis, Loch Mess! is a fantastic way to spend a summer evening in Minnesota. It’s the live theater equivalent of a big popcorn summer movie. Nothing but fun and I spent the entire 80 minute run time with a grin on my face. If you saw Open Eye Theatre’s summer production Hair Ball last year, you’ll have an idea of what’s in store. I had a blast with Hair Ball but I think Lock Mess! is even better. With a spectacular cast, catchy and hilarious original songs, Lock Mess! also contains a positive message about gender equality and a reminder that love is love. If you enjoy positive upbeat musicals, regional humor, Pina Coladas, and having fun, Lock Mess! is going to be right up your alley. If you do not like Pina Coladas, that’s OK, they do not figure into this show at all, I just think that people who do, are definitely the kind of people who will enjoy Loch Mess!

“Beatrix Barnes from Beaver Bay, MN, an intrepid young girl who journeys to the bright lights of Duluth (“the San Francisco of the North!”) seeking to become the first female steamship captain. But fate has a different plan, as Beatrix ends up serving as stagehand to Vaudeville diva Lillian Legrand, the headliner of the soon-to-be doomed showboat The Gooseberry Flower. With the audience along for the ride as steamship passengers, Beatrix and her companions are soon assailed by Superior Lake monsters and embroiled in wistful romance, requiring a detour to Wisconsin to pick up Scottish monster hunter, Dangus MacMacaroney.“
Open Eye Theatre Website

This cast is just perfect, favorite Tom Reed, who could make opening mail hilarious, plays Dangus MacMacaroney with a wonderfully rich Scottish accent that he somehow keeps up while singing. This reminded me, because I’m used to seeing him in comedic roles, what a rich singing voice he has. His character alone could be the basis for a show. But the lead is Abilene Olson as Beatrix and she rocks the girl power message while belting her way into our hearts. Antonio Rios Luna who plays Captain Handy has great musical comedy skills along with Lux Mortenson as Lillian LeGrande, and France Roberts as her agent Barrymore J. Davenport. This could easily turn into three paragraphs gushing about every performance down to the uncredited background players, who looked like they had just won the lottery, I’ve never seen such happy looking performers which was completely the right tone for this show. But I do want to mention the stellar job Jared Mogen does as the Narrator/guitarist. He’s in character for about 10 minutes before the show begins acting as a lifeguard and throwing out little jokes here and there. He plays the guitar to accompany the performers and has a real gift for acting as the overseer. A show like this has to have a cast that’s all on the same page tone wise, and this one absolutely does. They swing for the fence everyone of them, and it’s an absolute hoot.

The show was written by playwright and composer Josef Evans, as was last years Hair Ball. Evans clearly has an ear for both regional humor and catchy melodies. I really enjoyed the songs in Loch Mess! while they’re primarily humorous, Evans isn’t afraid to inject a moment of tenderness or a beautiful lyric. There have been some improvements to the presentation from last year. The first is the use of microphones, which makes a big difference and allows one to sit back and enjoy the show more rather than straining to hear some of the dialogue. The odd choice though is to use several mics on stands placed around the grassy performance space and to block everything so that the actors are holding the mics. They choreograph it well, and it adds a sense of danger to the proceedings as you wonder who will be the first to faceplant after tripping on a cord (no one did). Joel Sass directs the show, making great use of the openness and the thrust aspect of the performance space. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own camping chairs or blankets to lay out on the lawn on three sides of the “stage”.

You know there really are not a lot of shows that I can enthusiastically recommend for the whole family but this is definitely one of those. When those come along I encourage you to take advantage of them, sharing live theater experiences can create great memories and new family traditions. If Open Eye Theatre continues to produce summer shows as good as this, I can think of no better family tradition than the summer show above the Bakken. Loch Mess! runs through July 16th on the green roof of the Bakken Museum. Show times are 7:00 PM. Your ticket includes free admission to the Bakken Museum before the show from 6-7. Don’t wait too long, the performance I was at was sold out, for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.openeyetheatre.org/loch-mess

It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Stupidity is the New Improv Heavy Show at Dudley Riggs Theatre

Brave New Workshop, the company known for its sketch and improv comedy shows, is doing something a little bit different with this summer’s production, It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Stupidity. This show, unlike previous shows since their return from covid, is entirely made up of Improv, there are no pre-written sketches. Not only that but the performers are changing throughout the Run. What this means, every show is different. When you go, you’ll be seeing something nobody else has seen other than those in the audience with you for that performance. You know what else that means? It’s really hard for me to review the show in a way that’s useful to you. Nothing I saw is something you’re going to see. In fact, the performers I saw you may see some of them but not all of them. I saw three performers that I’ve seen in Brave New Workshop shows before, Caleb McEwen, Doug neithercott, and Isabella Dunsieth. Not present at the performance I attended were regulars, Denzel Berlin, and the great Lauren Anderson, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be at your performance. The show I attended had Dorian Beal and Richie McLarn, neither of which I had seen before but we’re both hilarious. The special treat for me and the reason I chose this performance was that Nissa Nordland would be performing. Faithful readers will know, Ms Nordland it’s one of those performers that I try to see everything she’s in.

Since I can’t tell you anything specific about what you’ll see when you buy tickets for It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Stupidity, the best I can do is to assure you that I’ve never attended a Brave New Workshop show that I didn’t wet my pants just a little bit from laughing so hard. It isn’t going to matter who you get because Brave New Workshop the company brings in the very best. If you want more assurance, I can tell you that the June 30th and July 1st performances will feature Duck Washington and that alone will be worth the price of the ticket. I can say with little fear of being contradicted that Duck will not be performing a solo show either of those days. So, when you think about it, those ones you’ll probably make money going to. Don’t think too hard about that, just roll with it. One thing holds true, whatever performance you attend you’ll be in the very capable hands of Musical Director, Jon Pumper, and Technical Director, Matthew Vichlach.

It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Stupidity is recommended for audiences 14 and older. The show runs through August 5th at The Dudley Riggs Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Show dates and times vary, for more information and to purchase tickets click here https://hennepintheatretrust.org/events/its-not-the-heat-its-the-stupidity/

Into the Woods at The Guthrie Fractures All the Fairytales in a Fantastically Fun Production

Lisa Howard (Witch), Robert Knight (Baker) and Madeline Trumble (Baker’s Wife). Photo by Dan Norman

It’s been over thirty years since I saw a live stage production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods. After all this time I must say, I really enjoyed this journey back Into the Woods. The production is filled with humor and wonderful performances from new faces around the country as well as many local favorites. It’s especially nice to see a couple of local actors making their Guthrie debuts. It’s fantastic to see a big scale musical back on stage at the Guthrie, this is their first since 2019 when they staged Guys and Dolls just a few months before I launched The Stages of MN. This is such a wonderful production that I’m confident it will usher in the return of the annual summer musical at The Guthrie. It’s also nice that the return is a musical that can be enjoyed by all. Unlike Sunday in the Park with George or Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods is a show that can work for families with kids say 12 and up. I think they will get a kick out of watching the fairytales they grew up with on their ear and viewed from a more mature perspective. It’s also a great gateway into the more sophisticated musical for that age group between 12 and 16, who have been exposed mostly to Annie and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This is Sondheim after all, whose music is complex and layered which can be challenging for those used to the instantly sing-a-longable “Do-Re-Mi”. This is Sondheim at his most accessible and allows those new to his style quicker access to the rewards of his artistic genius. After this, if they are old enough, show them Tim Burton’s film version of Sweeney Todd. By time Company plays at the Orpheum this fall, they’ll be begging you to take them. And that my friends, is how you create a lover of musical theater, and it all starts this summer at the Guthrie.

The classic fairy tales that James Lapine retells with his book for Into the Woods are Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk. Using the original characters of a Baker, his wife, and the Witch who lives next door, Lapine weaves the stories together. In order to lift a curse that the Witch has placed upon his family, the Baker and his wife must bring her four objects before three days have passed. A Cow as white as milk, a Cape as red and Blood, Hair as yellow as corn, and a Slipper as pure as gold. Each one of the objects plays a role in the four fairytales and so the Baker and his wife find themselves interacting with those characters as their stories play out. By the end of Act One, all of the fairytales has reached their happy endings as well as the new tale of the Baker and his wife. Now be careful, there have been reports of people leaving at intermission not fully aware that there is an Act Two wherein we learn that not everyone lives happily ever after in the woods. Act Two is also where characters have to deal with the consequences of their actions and things they do seem less like a fairy tale plots and more like the foibles of real people. The unfaithful spouse, the overprotective mother, Classism. Stephen Sondheim’s songs don’t simply serve as musical moments for characters to express their emotions or to serve as simple entertainment. The songs serve to progress us through the story, at times replacing dialogue rather than reinforcing what has been said. They are integral to the plot.

It’s very much an ensemble show with the Baker and his wife played by Robert Knight and Madeline Trumble being the closest to leads, as their characters weave in and out of all the other characters stories. Both Knight and Trumble are fantastic with great voices and performances that make you care about them. They also imbue their relationship with a genuine sense of warmth and affection for each other. Lovely to see local artists Suzie Juul as Little Red Riding Hood, Kim Kivens as Jack’s Mother, and Anna Hashizume as Rapunzel making their first appearances at the Guthrie. Juul and Kivens bring so much humor to their characters while Hashizume gets to show off her considerable vocal skills. Always great to see Sasha Andreev and Max Wojtanowicz in a show as any show is lucky to have their vocal talents. Regina Marie Williams plays the Narrator and the Mysterious Man and is perfect in both roles. For the narrator in particular, you need a strong presence and someone who commands the audience’s attention, which is Williams’ bread and butter. Trevor James plays Jack whom his mother tells us isn’t quite right in the head. Playing stupid well takes talent, and James does a great job of making his idiocy come from within the character not just on the nose one liners. We believe he’s that dumb and that his cow is his best friend. Finally, I want to mention John Yi who plays Cinderella’s Prince and more importantly Milky White, Jack’s best friend, the cow. Yi is dashing and charming as the prince, but it’s as Milky White, a silent role, that Yi gets more laughs than probably anyone in the cast.

The production is directed by Sarna Lapine, whom according to a web search, is James Lapine’s niece. It must run in the family because Sarna Lapines understanding of the material and how to stage it, is spot on. We get some wonderful moments staged very creatively, my favorite being the rescue of Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother from inside the Wolf. The Scenic Designer is Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams, and it’s a less literal design than I’ve previously seen. There is no beanstalk for instance, but what is there works, it’s more about suggesting where the scene takes place. I think it works well and allows for the scene to be reset quickly with a few design elements being brought on and off. The Music Director is Denise Prosek and she and her orchestra bring Sondheim’s score to life on stage, it’s a great sound and nice to be able to see them, but in a subtle way that never detracts from the action on stage. I’m less enamored of the Costume designs by Valerie Therese Bart, it’s a like a modern dress approximation of fairy tale times clothing most of the time, with some instances of full on period costume (The Princes), but then also some completely modern looking ensembles(Jack after he got rich robbing the giant). The Narrator is wearing a sport coat and looks like she’s heading to a club.

Into the Woods runs through August 13th at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2022-2023-season/into-the-woods/

Jersey Boys at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Feels Too Good to Be True, But Oh Man, What a Night!

Shad Hanley, Will Dusek, Sam Stoll, and David Darrow are The Four Seasons. Photo by Dan Norman

I finally saw Jersey Boys a little over a year ago when the national tour came back through town on probably it’s fourth visit. I really loved that production, but I’m thrilled to say that for the second show in a row, Chanhassen has surpassed the National Touring productions. I’ve always had an affinity for this music. Maybe it was listening to the oldies station on the car radio with my Dad growing up or maybe it’s just my kind of music. For a Jukebox Musical, which can be hit or miss, this show has become a favorite. I think it has to do with the fact that it’s their story and music plus most of the songs are performed as if the characters are performing as they did in real life. Jersey Boys is filled with classic songs, what a period in music to draw from and string of great songs The Four Seasons had. But all the great music in the world isn’t going to carry the show if you haven’t got the cast. Chanhassen has the cast.

The show was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice with music by Bob Gaudio and Lyrics by Bob Crewe, featuring the songs of The Four Seasons and others from the period. It tells the story of the formation of the band, their success, and breakup. The story is told from the points of view of the four men who made up the band. Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and of course Frankie Valli. What’s interesting, is the way in which they tell their story. The show is divided into four seasons, beginning with Spring and ending with Winter, each season told from the point of view of a different one of the guys. While the story always moves forward, they do reference back to bits that happened before and try to set the record straight from their perspective. It’s an interesting story containing a lot of details I didn’t know anything about the first time I saw it. The script does an excellent job of pushing the story along without feeling rushed, never getting bogged down in one section but you also never feel anything was skipped over. Punctuating the story with humor in just the right amount. It’s fun, informative, and overflowing with great songs.

I told you Chanhassen had the cast and they do, for now. The first character to narrate the story is Tommy Devito played by David Darrow, who has to leave the show at the end of August to return to his graduate studies. The moment he opens his mouth you hear ‘Jersey’, which makes sense as apparently, he’s from there. He’s so strong and the perfect performer to start the story off as he has the audiences confidence from word one. The second Season to take over the telling of the story is Bob Gaudio played by Sam Stoll followed by Nick Massi played by Shad Hanley. The final slot is held for the front man of the group, and the one who to this day is touring with The Four Seasons, Frankie Valli, played by Will Dusek. When casting Frankie Valli, the most important question of course is, does he sound like Valli? The national tour I saw at the Orpheum in February 2022, the answer to that question was not quite. The answer when evaluating Dusek’s performance is a resounding hell yes!!! The four leads do such a great job of recreating the sound of The Four Seasons, each has a strong voice and they are all great on their own, but when they harmonize it’s transportive. I felt if I closed my eyes I would be back in Junior high in my Dad’s car riding next to him listening as he sang along, always reaching for, but never quite making it to Valli’s high notes. The show is supported by great musicians led by Musical Director Andy Kust and a fantastic company of supporting performers.

The show is Directed by long time Chanhassen Artistic Director Michael Brindisi who has been in the role now for 35 years. You can tell he has an affinity for this material, it’s staged with confidence and affection. Brindisi recognizes the importance of the iconic image of young men singing under the streetlamp, he not only gives us that moment early on, but calls back to it throughout the show. He ends with each of the Seasons having gone their separate ways spotlighted under their own streetlamp. It’s one of the key design elements in Scenic Designer Nayna Ramey’s contribution to the show. The other striking element of design is the large full moon that hangs stage right, it’s a beautiful set piece. The Choreographer Tamara Kangas Erickson gets the synchronized moves of the singing quartet just right, they are just as they were back then, clean and sharp, but not too athletic, as they need to be able to sing. There are some nice period costumes by Rich Hamson, though I thought they could have gone a little farther in evoking the period. I also wanted to point out the work of Lighting Designer Sue Ellen Berger, there were several lighting queues that I found very effective.

If you have any appreciation for the music of The Four Seasons, do yourself a favor and get out to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and check out this production. I don’t know who will be replacing Darrow at the end of August, but I wouldn’t take the chance. I’d get out there and see it while he’s still with the company. If I can, I’ll try and revisit the production when his replacement takes over and let you know how it holds up. Really, any excuse to see it again, it’s that much fun. This is the jukebox musical that redeems and validates the concept. I also recommend getting seats as close as you can, on stage if possible, it’s one of those shows that you want to feel like you are right there in the front row of a concert. For more information and to purchase tickets for Jersey Boys which runs until February of 2024 go to https://chanhassendt.com/jerseyboys/. I highly recommend getting on Chanhassen Dinner Theatres email list, they frequently send out promos to save money on dinner and show tickets.

Tootsie is a Cut Above Most Film to Musical Adaptations at the Orpheum Theatre

Jared David Michael Grant, Drew Becker, and Payton Reilly. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Those of us who frequent the theatre and see most every touring show that comes through town will tell you the worst musicals are usually the ones that are adaptations of films that were not musicals in the first place. There are exceptions, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, A Little Night Music, to name an eclectic few. But most of them fall into the territory of The Bodyguard, Pretty Woman, An Officer and a Gentleman. Tootsie isn’t in the first category, the songs are too forgettable for that, but it certainly isn’t in the latter category either. It falls nicely in the middle, in fact the book by Robert Horn is so funny, it might almost work better as a comedic play. It’s no surprise that Horn won one of the shows two Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t hate the songs, they aren’t bad, but they just don’t elevate the show. What works in a surprising way are the changes made from the original 1982 film on which the musical is based. It’s updated to speak to the times of progressive worldview of today and that modern perspective adds another layer to what was addressed forty years ago in the film.

Tootsie, is the story of a forty year old New York Actor, Michael Dorsey, who is an absolute pain in the ass to work with. So much so that basically no one wants to hire him. Michael lives with his best friend Jeff, an aspiring playwright, who tries to be the voice of reason and keep Michaels ego in check. Michael agrees to help his ex-girlfriend and fellow actor Sandy rehearse for an audition for the role of the nurse in a new musical sequel to Romeo and Juliet called Juliet’s Curse. When it turns out Michael is more convincing as the nurse than Sandy, he has the idea to dress as a woman and call himself Dorothy Michaels, then auditions for the role himself and gets it. Now he has to keep up the charade and to top it off he is falling in love with Julie the actress playing Juliet. David Yazbek wrote the music and lyrics to go with Robert Horn’s book, the best of the songs are really just jokes that are sung, and in that way they are funny and amusing. The best non-jokey song is “Gone, Gone, Gone” sung by Julie about her feelings for Dorothy. There’s also one song, the first that Dorothy sings at her audition called “I Won’t Let you Down” that almost builds to something memorable and might fit the bill on repeated listens. The only reason not to convert this from a musical to a comedic play is that the heightened reality of a musical allows you to go with some of the more outlandish things that happen.

The weakness of the show is audio in almost every aspect. The songs, I’ve already touched on, but there were also multiple instances of mics either not turned on or turned way too low. The strengths of the cast matched the strengths of the show, the acting was great, the singing was very hit or miss. Drew Becker who plays Michael/Dorothy seemed ill equipped vocally for the demands of singing in Dorothy’s higher pitched range. But aside from the singing, he was great. The strongest voice was that of Ashley Alexandra who plays Julie and is one of the reasons the song “Gone, Gone, Gone” was so memorable. The audience favorites, and the reason this show is so successful, is Jared David Michael Grant as Jeff and Payton Reilly as Sandy. Grant kills as Jeff in the same way Bill Murray did in the original film but by playing it completely different from his film counterpart. There are moments between Grant and Becker that play out almost silently and get huge laughs. That isn’t the script, that’s the performers taking the beat they’re given, and turning it into a drum solo. Grant in particular is the master of the reaction, he’s almost as funny when he isn’t speaking as when he is. Reilly’s Sandy gets one of the best joke songs called “What’s Gonna Happen“, and you get the feeling they know it’s the best because she reprises it twice, and the audience loves it each time. Another standout comedic performance is Matthew Rella as Max Van Horn, the male lead in the musical within the musical, who falls in love with Dorothy.

You should definitely see Tootsie, particularly if you are a fan of the film. It makes enough changes that it feels fresh while retaining the essence of the plot and characters. I like that the updates make sense from a modern perspective and also in a way that plays better on a stage such as the change from soap opera in the film to a musical in this version. The changes aren’t just for the sake of making changes, they make sense. I know it sounds as if I’m down on the music, but it isn’t bad, it’s just not the reason to see this show. The script and the comedic performances are the reason to see it and believe me they are more than enough reason to see it. Tootsie is only running through June 25th at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Minneapolis so get your tickets soon. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://hennepintheatretrust.org/events/tootsie-broadway-tickets-minneapolis-mn-2023/

Red Speedo Makes a Splash for Walking Shadow Theatre Company

John Winston Stephens, Logan Lang, Paul LaNave Photo by John Heimbuch

I’ve seen a musical staged in a car dealership, several plays staged throughout an actual mansion, and just last week I saw a courtroom drama staged in a courtroom. There is something special about site specific theater when it works, especially when you see as many shows as I do. Getting out of the theater, but still experiencing theater, it feels almost naughty, like skipping school. Red Speedo, the new production by the always interesting Walking Shadow Theatre Company, is staged poolside at Hamline University. The photos included in this review may look like promotional, but they’re actually production, and this is what you’ll see. My daughter was on the swim team for a couple of years in school and based on that experience, I was a little worried about the venue. Here’s what a Junior High swim meet is like, loud, humid, seats with no back support, and it goes on for hours, perhaps days. The sensory bombardment makes you lose all sense of time. I was dubious of reliving those experiences without the thrill of watching our girl compete. I was actually relieved when it didn’t look like my schedule would allow me to make it to Red Speedo. By the time a spot on my schedule opened up, m’colleagues had seen the show and assured me that my fears were misplaced. Sound is not an issue, apparently the issue back then was dozens of teenagers all swimming at the same time while hundreds of their friends and family cheered them on. I think the physical activity and the crowds played a factor in the humidity as well, it’s warmish, but dress in light wear, shorts and a t-shirt and you’ll be fine. Honestly, I’ve been much more uncomfortably warm in many local theatres. If you’re older and have a bad back as I do, there are two levels of seats, ones with cushions and backs on the lower level, and ones in the upper bleachers, so you can book accordingly. So that’s the venue and it checks out okay, but is this a gimmick? Is the show itself actually any good? Yeah, it is. It’s actually quite good. It’s directed by Natalie Novacek who really uses the space well and blocks the action so that it feels natural while also playing well to the audience.

Red Speedo is written by Lucas Hnath whose plays A Doll’s House , Part 2 and The Thin Place, I’ve seen produced and very much enjoyed. This play opens in the midst of a heated discussion on the eve of the Olympic Swim Trials. Some performance enhancing drugs have been found in the locker room fridge. The star swimmer, Ray, has reported to the coach that he believes one of his teammates, Tad, is the one who was storing them there. The discussion occuring is mostly between Ray’s brother, who is also his representation, Peter, and the coach with occasional input from Ray. Peter wants the coach to hush up finding the drugs as he fears that Tad’s discredit will tarnish the reputation of the whole team, including his brother, which will jeopardize the iminent endorsement signing of Ray with Speedo. This is the first of many moral dilemmas that the play will pose to it’s characters and the audience. To say anymore about the plot would be to ruin some of the surprises. The play is divided into three acts, this first scene where all the stakes are laid out. Followed by a scene set later that night between Ray and his Ex-girlfriend Lydia whom Peter had a hand in breaking them up and ruining her career. Ending with a scene set after the Swim Trials that include the coach, Ray and Peter.

The four person cast is all wonderful. The trick sometimes with a real world site specific performance is that saying dialogue outside of a theatrical setting, can sound like, well like you are saying dialogue out in the real world. The artificiality of a stage and a set, no matter how elaborate, allows for the suspension of disbelief. Heightened emotions, pointed dialogue, verbal projection can all seem fairly natural in a theatrical setting, but take it out in the real world and it can feel more like a performance, it can be harder to make the necessary allowances in your mind. That isn’t the case here, it plays naturalistic and authentic. Yes, there’s humor in the piece, more than you’d suspect from the synopsis, but by opening the show with a serious discussion particularly with Paul LaNave as Peter, and John Winston Stephens as the coach, you get sucked into their conversation that by the time Logan Lang’s Ray offers some humorous reactions, we’ve already bought them as the characters and the setting as authentic. LaNave who is really strong here, is a fast talking lawyer with a deliverance that reminded my of Jason Lee in a Kevin Smith film. He’s saying some messed up stuff, but in a way that you almost get convinced his way is the best way. Pivoting constantly based on the next piece of information, it always seems like he’s thinking on his feet and never like he’s reciting lines. Stephens is the rock steady moral compass in contrast. His manner and firmness make us feel like there is one person here who cares about doing the right thing. He’s no nonsense in the first scene and it’s just perfect, he gets a chance to take the spotlight in the final scene and shows us a whole new side to the character. Logan Lang’s Ray is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, or is that partly an act? Whatever the reality turns out to be, Lang nails something that isn’t easy to do, playing the dumb guy, who isn’t as dumb as we all think. He does a little manipulating of his own in the second scene, after more or less convincing us he’s clueless. He gets some great laughs through his timing and reactions, particularly in that first scene. The poor guy also has to perform the entire show in a speedo, including spending a fair amount of one act laying on or rolling around on the poolside floor. Amanda Forstrom rounds out the cast playing Lydia, she’s quite good as well. She just gets the one scene but in it she plays several different sides of the character, very controlled, no over-acting. You get a sense that you’re watching this ex-couple have a real conversation and see her as a real person with flaws but not a villain, and certainly not the word Peter uses for her at the end.

Red Speedo runs through July 1st at Hamline University for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.walkingshadow.org/red-speedo/.