Just a quick post about one last opportunity to get out and enjoy some live theater in 2023. The last week of December and the first week of January are always slow periods in theater. Giving actors and bloggers time to speand with family and loved one and recharge the ol’ battery a bit. As much as I love covering the theater beat so to speak, I do value this time and especially look forward every year to finding something to see in the interim that I can just go and enjoy. This year several of my fellow bloggers and I are planning to see one of our favorite local groups The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society (the MORLS) perform classic and original radio script live on stage at Crooners Supper Club on Thursday December 28th. I’ll be joined by Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and the Jackson Sisters Carol and Julie who you may know from their blog Minnesota Theater Love or their Barbershop duet singing act. These shows are so much fun and a nostalgic glimpse into the past and a performance style that is becoming a lost art. Aside from performing all of the roles, the cast of four Shanan Custer, Joshua English Scrimshaw, Tim Uren, and Eric Webster also create all of the musical accompaniment and sound effects live on stage. I highly recommend these shows and below is the lineup for Thursday’s performance along with a link to purchase tickets. If you make it out to Crooners on Thursday be sure and stop by the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB) table and say hi, get selfies with your favorite blogger, and we are always happy to autograph any TCTB merch for our readers. You can also listen to our interview with the MORLS on out podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat the link to that episode is here: https://bit.ly/TCTCMORLS
The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society presents “A Christmas Post-Mortem” at Crooners Supper Club!
“The Case of the Slaughtered Santas” from The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe. The cantankerous Nero Wolfe matches wits with a killer who targets Salvation Army Santas. A classic Christmas episode from a 1950s radio series based on the detective novels of Rex Stout.
“Partners in Christmas” from The Minnesota Goodbye. After moving to the Twin Cities, private detective Raymond Lake discovers his former partner has been murdered in time for Christmas. Now Lake must consider his past, present, and future to crack the case.
Performing at the Crooners Supper Club Main Stage 6161 Highway 65 NE Minneapolis, MN
Thursday, December 28 Showtime: 7:30 PM Doors open at 6:30 PM Tickets: $25-$35
Don’t want to miss a single review from The Stages of MN? You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to your email. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/
I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.
Robert O. Berdahl, Max Wojtanowicz, and Patrick Sabongui Photo by Dan Norman
In a brilliant crack at counter programing the Guthrie Theater opened its production of Yasmina Reza’s ‘Art’ the Friday before Christmas opposite the ongoing run of their annual heart warmer A Christmas Carol. Not everyone celebrates Christmas and even those who do sometimes take a year off as the Ceasefire Carolers outside the theater reminded us tonight. So if you are not in the holiday spirit or want to relive some of the holiday trauma, come January but in a safe non-personal way, the darkly comical ‘Art’ is going to be the ticket for you. For a story about three friends who are incredibly hostile to each other, you wouldn’t think you’d leave the theater feeling so alive and invigorated. But that’s what great art does. When you see three roles so perfectly played, a script so layered, rich in humor and insight into the human condition, you can’t help but feel uplifted. Or maybe your just grateful that your friends don’t talk to you this way.
Reza’s play has been translated from the original french to english by Christopher Hampton, you may be familiar with Reza’s play God of Carnage which was adapted into the film Carnage starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly. ‘Art’ has a similarly critical view of people and their more childish and selfish sides. The play follows three Parisian friends and the fallout that results when one of them, Serge, buys a all white painting for 200,000 francs. It begins when Serge shows the painting to Marc, who calls it a piece of shit. He then ropes their mutual friend Yvan into the painting critique. Yvan, always the peacemaker tries to essential play the midfield, telling Yvan he likes the painting, while telling Marc that agrees that’s too much money for a painting that is basically white. This middle ground noncommittal response angers both Marc and Serge who see Yvan as a coward. And this is where we get to the heart of what is really going on in the play. It’s not about their own opinions as much as it is about how each others opinions reflect on them. Marc sees Serge’s stance on the painting as a reflection on himself because how can he be best friends with someone who would buy a white painting for 200,000 francs? When Yvan tries to make peace between the two friends, they both unite against him, because his wishy washiness in their minds reflects upon them for being his friend. It’s easier for them to attack and hurt him than each other, as he doesn’t put up much of a fight. They are really all three reflections of the different and conflicting aspects of all of our psyches. We all have it within us to behave one way with one friend and another with the other, just going along to get along, we also can get defensive when something we are proud of is proclaimed to be ridiculous, or can come of as judgemental or pretentious from time to time. Reza’s script is so articulate and sharp witted, we laugh and agree with what the characters are saying while also laughing at the fact that they are saying these things to each other, things we would never say to a friend. The fact that a disagreement over a painting one of them bought almost ends three longtime friendships is a comment on how egotistical and immature people can be, how little distance there is sometimes between the playground and adulthood.
The three person cast is perfection, each one of the actors is exactly right for their role. Max Wojtanowicz as Yvan edged out the other two by the smallest of margins on the car ride home. Wojtanowicz not only delivers every line in what feels like the only possible way they could be done, but his reactions to the other actors are as good as his own line readings. He so good at listening and reacting to the other actors that I frequently found myself watching him rather than the actor that was speaking. He also has a monologue about his wedding invitations to explain why he arrives late for an evening out with Marc and Serge that is the best 5 minutes in the entire play. Robert O. Berdahl plays Serge, he has the look and speech patterns of the Modern Art lover, I can’t really explain that, but you’ll see what I mean. Berdahl is adept at feigning aloofness one moment and then launching a counter attack with laser precision. He does a great job as well of making us believe that he doesn’t care what Marc thinks of the painting while also showing us that what he thinks really does hurt him. Patrick Sabongui plays Marc I’ve never seen him on stage before but am familiar with some of his TV and film work. This is one of the few times the Guthrie brings someone in from out of town that you wont hear me whining that they should always use local actors. Sabongui is just so good in the role I wouldn’t want to change anything about the production. He, maybe more than the other two, really succeeds in getting the audience to completely agree with him in one scene and then be very critical of his attitudes the next and then swing us back to his side. We are right there with him when he laughs at Serge for buying the painting, and then before long even though we agreed with him, we find ourselves wondering why he can’t just let it go. One of the biggest thrills of the evening is seeing the three actors play off each other, great acting can be entrancing as evidenced by those on display in ‘Art’.
Kimberly Senior directs the play and keeps it moving along at a brisk pace keeping the show at under 90 minutes, it flies by but feels like the perfect length. There are some nice beats where the characters step out of the scene and share their thoughts directly with the audience. Senior and Lighting Designer Xavier Pierce use the lighting to direct our focus in these moments and create a nice visual addition to what are usually humorous comments. The Scenic Designer Brian Sidney Bembridge has gone for a very sparse design. The action takes place in each of the three mens apartments the only change being that when we are in Marc or Yvan’s apartments a painting comes down from the ceiling. Otherwise the entire set is either white or in the case of the two chairs transparent. The design echoing the white painting underlining the absurdity of what has threatened the friendships of the three men.
This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.
Don’t want to miss a single review from The Stages of MN? You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to your email. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/
I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.
Giselle Gutierrez, Cody Braverman, Emerson Mae Chan, Maggie Lakis, and Rob McClure Photo by Joan Marcus
Look, I like the film Mrs. Doubtfire just fine, it’s not a favorite but it’s good, mostly due to the performance of the late Robin Williams. So I wasn’t exactly going in with high expectations, I mean the whole movie to stage musical can be really hit or miss, for every Little Shop Of Horrors there are two Pretty Woman‘s. This is also the second touring production this year at the Orpheum that’s an adaptation of a movie that centers around a man masquerading as a woman in order to get a job. Tootsie, the stage musical of which played the Orpheum last June, was the better movie but Mrs. Doubtfire is the better stage musical by a rather wide margin. My thoughts on Tootsie were that it would have made a better non-musical stage adaptation. With Mrs. Doubtfire the music works much better, and while I recall Tootsie‘s script being fairly funny, it’s completely left my memory whereas I’m sure I’ll be thinking about Mrs. Doubtfire for awhile. The strength of the film was Williams performance in the titular role and the same must be said of Rob McClure in the role on stage. McClure was nominated for a Tony Award for the role in the Broadway production in 2022. It’s rare to see the Broadway star on the touring production, but when you see McClure’s performance in the show it becomes clear why he is. There might not be anyone else who could actually do the role.
McClure as Daniel Hillard opens the show doing voice over work as an actor, where he runs through several spot on celebrity impersonations trying to improve on the lines he’s being asked to read. He’s quickly fired for being too difficult to work with. This is of course very similar to the beginning of Tootsie. Now that I think about it, I suspect the original film script for Mrs. Doubtfire was written by a Dustin Hoffman fan who took two of his big back to back hits, Tootsie and Kramer vs. Kramer, and combined them into one story. Which brings up another element that worked surprisingly well for this child of divorce and divorced parent, the parent child relationships in the midst of divorce. The divorce aspects of the story are not super weighty but it also doesn’t make light of it either. It’s utilizing a conflict that is familiar to many people as the catalyst for why our hero does what he does. He wants to spend time with his children, so when he discovers his ex-wife Miranda is hiring a Nanny, he enlists the help of his brother Frank and his husband Andre, who work in hair and makeup at a film and TV studio, to transform him into Scottish Nanny Extraordinaire Euphegenia Doubtfire. While playing the situation for laughs it addresses some of the less funny aspects of divorce, successfully maintaining a nice balance of emotional undercurrent without overdoing it or becoming cheesy. While the book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell draws heavily on the film for both plot and jokes, there is enough fresh material to keep the show engaging and to offer some surprises. Two of the best additions are the scene where Daniel is caught riffing with the equipment on the set of a failing Children’s TV show. The other is when he reluctantly steps in as Mrs. Doubtfire to model Miranda’s new clothing line. The only scene that felt a little forced is the first attempt at cooking dinner as Mrs. Doubtfire. There was clearly a requirement that there be a reenactment of the scene where the front of her blouse ends up scorched and she uses the lids of pots to put it out. It feels a little rushed and perfunctory rather than organic. But aside from that 30 second bit, the humor is consistently strong and the audience is laughing throughout the entire show. In fact, that moment is surrounded by a hilarious song “Easy Peasy” that centers around Daniel using his smart phone to watch cooking videos.
As mentioned above, McClure is irreplaceable as Daniel Hillard and his alter ego Mrs. Doubtfire, not only does he have the amazingly accurate comedic vocal impressions, patter, and timing down, but he can also sing the songs and get the perfect amount of pathos and frustrated bitterness across when the story goes to those places. McClure shares the stage with his real life wife Maggie Lakis who here is playing his ex-wife Miranda. She’s great as the rock of stability that McClure’s Daniel bounces off of and all around. She has the button down role and it could be easy to see her as the stick in the mud, but Lakis makes sure that a softer side shows through. She has a wonderful song “Let Go” that allows her to open up and reveal the struggle it’s been trying to stay with the ever upbeat and over the top Daniel. Lakis injects the song with bittersweet emotions that show that she too mourns the loss of what they once had. I think every person who’s ended a long term relationship can relate to those conflicting feelings of hope and loss. Giselle Gutierrez plays the oldest child Lydia who’s 15 when her parents split. She does a really nice job with the song “What the Hell“, it’s a nicely emotional song punctuated strategically with humorous lyrics. It’s a nice representation of the tone of the show as a whole. Aaron Kaburick and Nik Alexander are a lot of fun as Daniel’s brother Frank and Frank’s husband Andre Mayem in roles that seem to me enlarged from the film to the shows benefit. Leo Roberts plays Stuart Dunmire, Miranda’s love interest the role Pierce Brosnan played in the film, he has a rich Baritone voice that only get spotlighted in one song, but it conjures visions of him stomping around wearing boots in a way no one else can.
I’m not sure who to credit for the transformation from Daniel to Mrs. Doubtfire but the overall effect and the speed in which they are done is really impressive. There was one moment when Frank and Andre are figuring out how to accomplish it when there is a distinct resemblance to Michael Myers from the Halloween films. I was rather impressed at my composure through that scene as I resisted screaming hysterically and running out of the building directly into oncoming traffic. There really should have been a Michael Myers trigger warning. Aside from that brief moment, it’s a fairly accurate duplicate of the look from the film. Hats off to those who had a hand in it Costume Designer Catherine Zuber and Hair & Wig Designer Philip S. Rosenberg. The production actually gives us some peaks behind the scene as there are several moments where we get to she Daniel change as quickly as he can on stage, and the prosthetic used for the face is really quite a marvel, it’s basically one piece that gets strapped in place but in such a way that McClure and move the mouth and we can see his eyes.
I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a night full of laughs and I think it’s appropriate, engaging, and enjoyable for anyone 12 and over. Given the choice of watching the film or seeing this again, I’d not only see this again but be excited about it. Mrs. Doubtfire runs through December 24th at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://hennepintheatretrust.org/events/mrs-doubtfire-orphem-theatre-minneapolis-mn-2023/
This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.
Don’t want to miss a single review from The Stages of MN? You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to your email. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/
I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.
A Very Good Christmas Carol is the brainchild of Jeffrey Nolan and Hawken Paul with some input from Charles Dickens of course and if I’m being completely truthful, the audience itself. The genius of the show is that they have told Dickens classic story hilariously but without losing the spirit of the immortal work. Nolan and Paul play Edmund and Martin two orphans who decide to pass the time putting on their adaptation of A Christmas Carol. They realize that two actors with a trunk full of props and costumes isn’t quite enough, but with the help of the audience… they can pull it off. I didn’t have time for this show, it’s the 17th day of December and this was my 13th show, and my second of the day. I should have been relaxing with my feet up watching It’s a Wonderful Life or Remember the Night, so why wasn’t I? Well you see, there’s this thing that happens when you review over 150 shows a year, in that sea of theater every now and then a performer stands out and shines if not brighter, than in a unique way. We are so fortunate in the Twin Cities to have a wealth of very talented actors, it’s not unusual to see great performances on our stages. What is unique and only happens a couple of times a year, if that, is to see someone who captures your attention, not just by giving a great performance but by showing something new and unique. In 2023 the actor that stood out to me and was added to my list of ”try and see everything they do”, was Jeffrey Nolan. So when I heard about this show, I had to find a way and I’m so glad I did. It did not disappoint, Nolan and Paul were both brilliant in their performances but also in their creation of such an enjoyable show. This was the fifth entertainment I’ve seen this season that was based on a Christmas Carol, I can now quote long passages from the book by heart, and yet this was among my favorites and I was completely engaged and entertained throughout.
Both actors play multiple roles but with Hawken Paul playing Scrooge for the majority of the play, Nolan gets to do what he does so well, create a multitude of unique and hilarious characterizations. Both Paul and Nolan display wonderful gifts for improvisation, their reactions to some of the responses given from audience members are as funny as anything scripted. They are also able to keep the fast paced script moving along but recall details added by the audience throughout. One can see from there effortless breakneck paced interactions and similar boundless energy why they have chosen to work and create together. Could anyone else keep up with either of them? It’s truly breathtaking. Now I know some of you are squirming at the mention of audience participation but fear not. If you don’t relish playing the Ghost of Jacob Marley or Sidney one of the men trying to raise funds to provide some food and drink for the less fortunate this time of year, no fear, it’s all volunteer based. I was sitting in the front row and nobody forced me to play a Cratchit child or Scrooge’s love interest. I do want to also acknowledge the cleverness of the costumes and props, the fluid way in which everything needed was right at hand and the transitions flowed seamlessly from one scene to the next. So a big kudos to Anneliese Garner for the costumes, Mady Smith and Greg Paul for the props and set construction. The show is near the end of it’s run, with just three more performances this year December 19th in Granite Falls, MN, December 20th in Madison, MN, and December 22nd in Stillwater, MN. But, if this sounds like something you’d love to see, and if you enjoy laughing, than it should, it will hopefully be back again next year. I for one would relish the chance to bring more and more people to this show and experience it again. You can follow the show and find tickets on instagram at @verygoodchristmascarol.
This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.
Don’t want to miss a single review from The Stages of MN? You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to your email. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/
I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.
I love a mystery, I mean it, I’m not just listing the name of an old radio program, I really do love a mystery. What I discovered today, but have suspected for a long time, is that I’m no good at solving them. But hey, maybe that’s why I like them so much, the solutions always strike me as ingenious. I’m content to be Dr. Watson along for the ride, baffled and then embarrassed at how elementary it all sounds when it’s explained to me like a fourth grader trying to grasp the difference between a semicolon and a colon. And like the mystery of the colons each time a new whodunnit arises I’m baffled all over again. All I know for certain is that a couple of years ago I had part of my : removed, so now I just have a ;. The Mystery Cafe has been baffling and making audiences laugh since 1989; but this was my first meal and a murder with them: and I found it delightful! The current show, I’ll be Homicidal for Christmas runs into January, but if you can’t make that they also have two other shows on their schedules and one of them runs into February.
I attended a brunch performance and aside from the very entertaining show there was a tasty buffet meal, I believe the evening performances come with a 3 course meal. The plot of I’ll be Homicidal for Christmas per the Mystery Cafe website is:
Albee Humphrey used to be a household name, but these days his star is fading. He’s got one last shot at a comeback – with a network televised Christmas special. There’s celebrity guests, variety acts, and…murder. This is his last chance to be a star again. He’ll either make it back on top… or die trying!
Albee Humphrey is played by Eric Webster of the MORLS or The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society for long, which faithful readers will recognize as a favorite of mine. I’d seen and heard Webster Perform with the MORLS and in other shows for years, I’ve even interviewed him for the Twin Cities Theater Chat podcast (click on link to hear that episode https://bit.ly/TCTCMORLS ), so I knew he could act and that he’s very funny, but what I wasn’t aware of is that he’s a very good singer as well. Webster is perfectly cast, his love of classic radio and films informs his performance as Humphrey, he nails the look and style of the character. When I booked the show I was also excited to see his wife Shanan Custer was also in the cast. I was a little disappointed when I found out she wouldn’t be at the performance but her replacement Kathy Kupiecki was wonderful playing three different characters. My favorite of which was Sheila, one half of a knife throwing act, whose name I can remember because she kept introducing herself. Also doing triple duty in the show is Paul Somers who plays the other half of the knife throwing duo as well as Pickles the Ventriloquist and Bernie Bridges. Bridges is the other half of a comedy team with Humphrey in the mold of Martin and Lewis who hate each other and haven’t worked together in 20 years. Somers is hysterical in all three roles getting the most fabulous costume and wigs to round out his eccentric characters. The other main performers are the wonderful Randy Schmeling as the Director of the TV special and Rita Boersma as Frankie his assistant. Both are decked out in 1970’s attire really looking the part, hats off to whomever is in charge of costumes and wigs they add so much fun to the experience. And lastly, as the almost overlooked Production Manager Simon is Michael Franssen, he doesn’t get a lot to say but you can tell he’s the guy behind the scenes keeping everything on track.
The wonderful cast does a great job of performing in and amongst the audience. I’m always surprised at the ability of certain performers to stay in character while stand right next to the audience and even interacting with them. I know some of these performers from seeing them in improv shows and I suspect those skills serve them well here. I got the sense that a couple of the lines spoken to each other were unscripted and it was fun to see them trying not to laugh at the lines they were being fed. For more information and to purchase tickets to I’ll be Homicidal for Christmas or any of the Mystery Cafe shows go to https://www.themysterycafe.com/
This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.
Don’t want to miss a single review from The Stages of MN? You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to your email. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/
I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.
Holiday Office Party is a long form improvisational comedy which means everything you see at your show is being made up on the spot and that all of it fits together as one cohesive story. So that means two things, First and most importantly, if you love it, you can go again and see a completely new show! Secondly, anything I tell you specifically wouldn’t matter because those jokes wouldn’t appear at another performance. So what can I tell you besides that the performance I saw was really funny? Well, there is the set up which you should be able to inuit from the title. Essentially we are watching a group of coworkers at their company holiday party. Each of the performers becomes a character which they develop over the course of the show. Much of the humor comes from clever call backs to things that happened earlier. For instance, at our performance one of the characters, played by Anna Tobin, states she has a shellfish allergy. That allergy will be a running gag throughout the show referenced not only by that character but others not even in scenes with her. That’s what the best Improv performers bring to a show, not just a quick wit but the ability to create an arc for the character within the improvisational framework of a piece.
So I’ve seen some great improv at theaters like Strike, where Holiday Office Party is running, and Huge Improv Theater in Uptown. I’ve also seen some not so great improv, so how do you know what improv to spend your hard earned money and precious time on? Well the best way to hedge your bets is become familiar with the performers and producers of improv and watch for their shows. Holiday Office Party is produced and directed by Mike Fotis who is one of the co-founders of Strike Theater. I’ve seen Mike perform and the shows he’s created before so I know from those that he’s a good bet. Fotis doesn’t appear in this show but he’s up in the tech booth directing the show by the use of lights. So basically the performers know during specific video text prompts what the next scene will be, for example it might say small talk and mingling. The performers know to form small groups in designated areas of the stage and when Mike turns the light on their area that is their cue to speak. Fotis then determines when a scene has run its course and will turn the lights off and redirect us to another group. So that’s a name for the improv novices to remember Mike Fotis and when you see he’s either performing or behind the scenes you’ll know you are in good hands.
Aside from Mike there was another name that made me jump at this as one to see, Sam Landman. Since the first time I saw him at the Twin Cities Horror Fest in 2019 I knew he was someone to follow. I’ve seen him do improv at both Strike and Huge and he’s one of the best in town. He’s a performer who understands that whether you are acting in a play, a scripted comedy sketch, or doing improv, the best humor comes from characters, not jokes. One liners can be really funny on their own to be sure, but they are better when they build off of a characters personality. But here’s the thing, Fotis is a guy who works with and casts the best, there isn’t anyone in the cast who didn’t have a great show. There was one recurring scene clearly based on the Pam and Jim trope of the office co-workers who should be together but never quite get up the courage to move beyond flirting. The performers Gubby Kubik Nielsen and Lacey Mamak never quite found that perfect little thing to hook their scene on but were such engaging performers that it still worked. Nielsen in particular has a quality that made them the perfect performer for that role. Something in the eyes, so alive and sparkling with fun and mischief. Part of being an effective performer, especially in a show like this where you are one of nearly a dozen actors and the show is only an hour long, is knowing what your strengths are and playing to those. Nielsen knows how to use her eyes the looks she sends Mamak shout “you’re not imagining this, I’m feeling it too”. Ryan Robert Nelson went another route. His character slowly got a little drunk over the course of the show, but that wasn’t really his characters arc, he didn’t seem to really have one. Then, he sat to record a video message for Jerry who is retiring and he launched into a hot air balloon story that ends up being a confession that brought down the house. So all the little comments and bits he did earlier laid the groundwork that he’d had enough to drink to lose his inhibitions and decision making skills enough to unburden himself of his deep dark secret on his coworkers retirement video.
I can’t describe everyone’s shining moments but there were all fantastic and hilarious so I do want to mention everyone in the cast. Along with those already mentioned the cast included Erik Hoversten, Kerri Ann OHalloran, Christian Unser, Jerry Heather Meyer, Nels Lennes and Bailey Murphy. The cast changes from night to night, you will see some or all of the above when you go as well as Matt Prindle and Amee Nefzger Banks. The show runs for three more performances Thursday December 21st thru Saturday December 23rd at 7:30 PM. For more information about this and other shows at Strike Theater and to purchase tickets go to https://www.strike.theater/shows.html
This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.
Don’t want to miss a single review from The Stages of MN? You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to your email. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/
I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.
Nolan Almeida and Hawa Kamara Photo by Matthew Murphy
The Ordway is the first stop on a 40 city tour of this new production of Peter Pan that updates and modernizes the classic in a way that deals appropriately with some elements that haven’t aged well. It’s still the adaptation of J.M. Barrie play your familiar with by Jerome Robbins, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, and music by Morris (Moose) Charlap. The additional work on the book was performed by acclaimed playwright Larissa FastHorse as well as some additional lyrics work by Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Amanda Green, and music by Jule Styne. Some traditionalists might balk at the changes but it’s important to remember this is a show for children. The few modernizations that are done make it relatable for children in 2023. The changes made to reflect equality and diversity better reflect our society and the world view we want our children to have. What remains the same is the sense of wonder and adventure. We still marvel at the flying boy who won’t grow up, we still clap and little children shout out that they believe in fairies in order to save Tinker Bell’s life, and we still boo Captain Hook and cheer whenever the tick tock of the crocodile who swallowed a clock is heard.
Peter Pan is played by 17 year old Nolan Almeida who’s well cast in the role and a lively and physical actor. The role calls for him to be naive but with an undercurrent of understanding, he refuses to grow up but he has his reasons beyond simply wanting to play. Almeida subtly conveys that Peter understands more about the world away from Neverland than he acknowledges. Wendy is played by Hawa Kamara who in this version is less interested in being a Mother than in being a caregiver, she plans to be a Doctor. This version of Wendy is much less damsel in distress and mother figure and Kamara projects a strong female protagonist. Another positive and strong female character is Tiger Lily played by Raye Zaragoza. This Tiger Lily is a leader and equal of Peter Pan and Zaragoza owns the role with a take no prisoners stage presence. One of the more amazing cast members is Reed Epley as Michael, Wendy’s youngest brother. Epley can’t be more than 8 or 9 years old but he’s flying and singing and holding his own with the big kids. Cody Garcia does the traditional duel turn as Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. His Hook is a lot of fun and he his interactions with his pirate crew and are some great moments of comic relief.
The show is a wonderful visual treat with clever sets designed by Anna Louizos and the show as directed by Lonny Price who knows how to transition between scenes so that we are never sitting in the dark waiting for Peter’s hideout set to transition into Hook’s Pirate ship. There is always something happening in front of curtains or on screens that we are focused on while sets are shifted, this is a key element of directing that so often is missed to the detriment of shows. It keeps the show from losing its rhythm and adds to the sense of wonder when a curtain raises and we are looking at a whole new scene. The production utilizes projections designed by David Bengali strategically, it isn’t over used and when it is used it’s very effective. When the Darling children first take flight and the nursery set whisks away, the projection kicks into high gear and I was reminded of the my first time as a child seeing Christopher Reeve take flight as Superman. Price also does an excellent job of hiding when and how the flying harnesses are attached and removed from the characters. There is a lot of stage magic that works really well, and one of the best is the way in which they present Tinker Bell which was designed by Paul Kieve. It’s a minor element but it’s simple nature starts to evaporate when you actually try and imagine how they accomplish some of it. The only point where the show missteps slightly is in the final battle between Peter Pan and his Lost boys, and Captain Hook and the Pirates. Something about this scene felt too haphazard, whereas earlier all of the flight effects were well executed, this battle felt like Peter was just floating around and that Captain Hook could have easily lobbed off his head about three times. For a show where everything else feels so precise and effortless, it’s an oddly loose final showdown.
Peter Pan will delight young and old alike and in the great tradition of the Christmas Pantomime, it’s the perfect family outing this Holiday season. Peter Pan runs through December 31st at The Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Downtown St. Paul. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://ordway.org/news/ordway-presents-peter-pan/
This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.
Don’t want to miss a single review from The Stages of MN? You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to your email. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/
I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.
The Stages of MN
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