The Last Five Years Best Not Dwelt Upon at Lyric Arts

Set Design by Greg Vanselow, Projection & Lighting Design by Jim Eischen Photo by Molly Weibel

First off let me state that I appear to be in the minority on this one, so if you are familiar with the musical and enjoy it I encourage you to check out the reviews of my fellow Twin Cities Theater Bloggers. I was underwhelmed by The Last Five Years, and while there are some issues with this production I believe the main reason is not the artistic team but the musical itself by Jason Robert Brown. I loved the concept but not the actual work. The clever premise is that of a relationship that lasts five years told from the separate perspectives of the couple with Cathy’s version told in reverse chronological order and Jamie’s told from beginning to the end. The characters stories, told through song are performed individually but the characters do not interact with each other until they pass in the middle of the five years at their wedding/engagement. It’s hard to get too involved in the relationship of two characters that we never really see interact until briefly at the halfway point. From my perspective the character of Jamie is better served by the songs, he gets a few fun one’s like “The Schmuel Song” and “A Miracle Would Happen“. Also his more impactful songs benefit from coming at the end of the play when we are the most invested emotionally in the characters. Cathy’s songs in comparison are less fun, and her more heartfelt songs come at the start, when they simply do not resonate. It all feels very disconnected in general, the shifting time periods while clever on paper actually keep us from connecting to the characters. In a story where we see a relationship blossom and then die, the end is poignant because of the journey we took to the end. The loss we feel is based on knowing what was lost.

For those who do find connection where I could not let me make some comments on this production at Lyric Arts. First, the negative to get it out of the way, there was definitely an imbalance in the cast. Tommy McCarthy as Jamie was very good, performance wise as well as vocally. Lydia Rose Prior as Cathy, performance wise was strong but vocally there was something off. Not knowing the songs perhaps Jason Robert Brown wrote Cathy’s songs to be discordant since the role is based on his ex-wife. The songs just may not have been in Prior’s ideal range or her voice was showing strain. I tend to think it is one of these issues given the roles Prior has played previously. I liked the stripped down nature of the set design by Greg Vanselow. Lyric Arts has done the flat panels with projection on them several times in recent years and I felt this was the most appropriate use. The inclusion of a dateline on the front of the stage as a visual reminder of where each character is on the story was I think a clever visual choice. I really enjoyed the six Piece orchestra under the music direction of Ben Emory Larson being onstage and visible throughout the performance.

The Last Five Years is playing at Lyric Arts in Anoka through February 11th for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.lyricarts.org/last-five-years

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IRONBOUND a Engrossing new Production From Frank Theatre at Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul

Carl Schoenborn, Benjamin Dutcher, Jack Bonko, and Brittany D. Parker Photo by Tony Nelson

I believe this was my second experience with Frank Theatre, the first was in the nascent day of The Stages of MN with a powerful drama called Convert about British colonialism in South Africa. Here IRONBOUND is another excellent example of thought provoking theater that asks us to witness and gain understanding of the “other”. In this case, a Polish immigrant named Darja whose story we witness over the course of about 20 years. Told as a non-chronological narrative we open and end with her in 2014 in between we make stops at in the mid 1990’s and 2000’s. Through these time jumps we witness what life has dealt Darja and it informs her actions and decisions in the 2014 segments. Darja’s life has taught her to be practical about things because at first we get the impression that life is a transaction to her. As the story plays out, we see the dreams she has slip away and the reality of living in a country with all of the advantages when you are not the one who can take advantage of them. Survival depends on being practical, is something she learned at 20 when a reality came and she made the decision to stop dreaming for what she wanted but instead for what she needed. Now in her early 40’s a relationship has devolved into a transaction rather than love. Something I think that happens to some extent to all of us, the idealism of our youth does give way to an understanding as we get older that we adjust our thinking and our planning to not only include our feelings but also our needs. Needs for comfort, security, companionship, hopefully most of us have the means at that point in our lives so that Darja’s approach seems a little heartbreaking. If it sounds like a downer it isn’t, it’s certainly a little bittersweet, but the script by Martyna Majok is also darkly funny.

Brittany D. Parker plays Darja, I hadn’t expected to see someone “new” to me so early in 2024 that blew my socks off through my shoes and up over the audience so that I had to spend 10 minutes after the performance looking around the auditorium for them. If I’ve seen her before and have just forgotten, I apologize. If she just hasn’t been performing much I’d like to know why the hell not? Accent, perfect. Timing, perfect. Emotional openness, I’ll say. There isn’t a moment in the play that Parker doesn’t make what feels like the only possible performance choice and it’s mesmerizing. Never have I seen a performer bring to life a character so strong and in control that you know she can take care of herself, and it makes you want to take care of her. Before I move onto the rest of the cast I just want to welcome Brittany D. Parker onto the list of performers that I will try and see everything they do going forward. I know we just announced the winners of the TCTB Awards last week, but the competition just kicked into high gear for 2024’s best performance and Parker’s is going to be a tough one to top. I don’t mean to short change the rest of the cast who is also very good. Carl Schoenborn, who according to the program spends most of his time backstage instead of in front of the audience, is Darja’s current boyfriend Tommy, who has a problem with fidelity. Schoenborn is wonderfully weak and weasley and brings a rough sloppy charm to a character that could be one note, is anything but. He comes off as utterly flawed, unsure, and completely real. In a black and white world he sucks, but Schoenborn brings all the crayon colors so he’s not the worst thing that could happen to Darja in the real world where we are all doing the best we can. I hope to see Schoenborn getting out from behind the curtains more often, he’s very welcome. Benjamin Dutcher, whom is what my wife refers to as one of her All is Calm boys, takes on his first play. We’ve known him from operas and musicals for years, and I was surprised to learn this is his first straight play, which I assume is a comment on it being non music based not a comment on it’s sexual orientation. He’s wonderful as Darja’s first husband Maks, the give and take between Dutcher and Parker sells the loving relationship and adds to the bittersweet nature of the its fate. Finally, Jack Bonko plays a highschool kid that Darja encounters on a dark night in 2006. The encounter hints at the fact that whomever we are, we have problems, but also highlights the disparity between the 34 year old immigrant who was preparing to sleep on the street and a high school junior who has the means to offer her food and money for a hotel room. Bonko plays the teen with a streetsmart style, he’s funny and tragic, but also offers a glimpse of human kindness that Darja is sorely in need of being reminded exists.

The play is directed by Frank Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Wendy Knox who has made IRONBOUND the first must see production of 2024. I often find myself at a loss after a production to recall much of the lighting and sound design of a production, that is not the case here. Tony Stoeri’s lighting is creative and adds both realism and a dreamlike quality depending on the scene. There are several scenes where headlights come into play and Stoeri’s solution sells the effect completely. Likewise while most of the time jumps happen as a blackout and fade up after some costume changes, there is a moment towards the end when we get a flashback that is actually more like a memory which the lighting is our signal that this one is different, and it’s perfectly clear to us in that moment what is happening thanks to Stoeri’s work. The soundscape created by Dan Dukich envelopes us into the city streets of New Jersey throughout, but there is also fine detail audio work such as car locks and bus sounds. Along with Set Designer Joes Stanley the technical crew has created a world we recognize as our own and which feels authentic and the perfect atmosphere for the story being told.

IRONBOUND runs through February 11th at the Gremlin theatre in St. Paul. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://franktheatre.org/events/ironbound/

The Seagull a New Adaptation of the Chekov Classic at Theatre in the Round Players

Welcome faithful readers to the first proper play review of 2024. As part of my 2024 New Year’s resolutions I am going to try and streamline my reviews. Hopefully allowing me a better blog/life balance and a more digestible read for yourselves. This will be an ongoing process and I welcome your reactions either in comments or feel free to email me at robdunkelberger@thestagesofmn.com.

Theatre in the Round Players has begun the new year tackling a classic with a new adaptation of Anton Chekov’s The Seagull. Having come to seriously intense theatergoing rather late in life, I always appreciate when a theatre produces classic plays, the ones everyone has heard of but that they maybe haven’t seen. Since Chekov wrote in Russian, every production I’ll ever see will be a translation or adaptation. Craig Johnson who has written and directed this adaptation for Theatre in the Round states that his watchwords during the process were “Faithful and Fresh”. Johnson is enormously successful in accomplishing this goal creating a production that remains true to Chekov’s 138 year old play while still making it relevant to today’s audiences. This does not feel like a dusty old classic but a reflection on the questions we still grapple with today. The desire to create, the talent to create, the need to be loved, and the power love holds over us. Johnson’s direction adheres to chekov’s original intentions in having some of the more sensational moments happen off stage or indeed in one case between acts. The set design by Michael Hoover is another example of the way in which Theatre in the Round has really stepped up their game in recent years. Embracing the arena and allowing design aspects to bleed off the stage and into the seats with Birch tree trunks and a neighboring estate in the distance.

The plot is like a modern soap opera not in quality but in the complexity of the melodrama. Set in the country estate of the sisters Irina Arkadina a successful actress and her ailing sister Petra. The first portion of the play taking place over a short visit by Irina and her lover Trigorin and the second part about two years later. There are ten main characters in the ensemble and nearly everyone of them is in love with someone who is in love with someone else. The unrequited love does not restrict itself to that of the romantic bend but also the familial. Ultimately, it’s a tragic tale, but one told with a surprising amount of humor. Chekov’s gift is his understanding of humanity and insights into the patterns and neurosis that we are subject to. One of the great scenes is the discussion between the successful writer Trigorin and Nina who wants to be an actress in which Trigorian talks about being an artist in a way that modern young artists will find familiar. It speaks to how not so very different we are today than we were over 100 years ago.

Performances are excellant making every character feel as if they have their own lives beyond the part they play in the plot. Colleen Hennen as Irina is a standout, playing the narcissistic actress perfectly and providing a heartbreaking final beat to the play. Berto Borroto as Konstantin shows the greatest change over the arc of the play. Allowing us to see, through his body language, the maturity that has come over the passage of time. Amy Eckberg as Nina gets a wonderful scene in Act IV where she conveys the emotional toll that last two years have had upon her. Kaleb Baker is wonderfully cast as Trigorin, he does a wonderful job describing the conflicts, frustrations, and inspirations of being an artist. I also want to highlight a couple of supporting parts, firstly Matt Wall is Medvedenko is the just happy to be noticed school teacher in love with Masha the daughter of the estate manager. He’s wonderfully comic in the way he seems to apologize for existing. The Assistant Director Rebecca Wickert who due to an illness in the cast had to perform the role of Masha, does an excellent job stepping in and plays Masha in a way that makes her relatable to generations who have grown up with the goth girl template. Finally, in a fairly small role David Coral plays Dr. Dorn who brings a kindness and humanity and understanding amongst a sea of characters that seem at the mercy of their own neurosis. The script calls for him to be encouraging of Konstantin, and sensitive to Irina, but Coral’s performance makes those moments ring of true compassion.

The Seagull runs through February 4th at Theatre in the Round for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.theatreintheround.org/home/season-placeholder/72nd-season/seagull/

‘Til Death Do Us Die the Most Hilarious and Homicidal Wedding You’ll Hopefully Ever Attend

This follows hard upon my previous and first attendance of a The Mystery Cafe production. In fact, I’ve only reviewed three other productions in between I’ll Be Homicidal For Christmas and the new mystery ‘Til Death Do Us Die. What’s the rush you might ask? Well you know how when you first discovered Schitt’s Creek or Joe Pera Talks With You and you stayed up late bingeing every available episode because you enjoyed it so much? Well it’s kind of like that, I had such a blast with the first one that I wanted to keep going. And like finishing the last season and learning you have you have to wait a year for the next one or discovering that the bastards at Warner Brothers Discovery have cancelled a masterpiece after three short seasons. I’m now a bit bummed that there isn’t a new one on the schedule yet. I also took my own holiday gift giving advice and gave the gift of theater and in this case, The Mystery Cafe was given to some family members. I tell ya what, that’s the way to take in these productions! Get together your favorite mystery comedy loving fans and book a night out for some matrimony and murder. Once again, I stepped into the role of Dr. Watson to observe and be quite clueless as to the solution to the mystery. While the chief aim of the productions is the comedy on which it delivers, I’ve found in both cases that the mystery holds up as well. You could actually solve, but don’t feel bad if like me, you cannot see the solution until it is revealed to you and at which point, it will seem elementary my dear reader. Always the sign of a good mystery is when you can’t figure it out, but once it’s revealed you feel stupid for not solving it yourself. That means they didn’t cheat, but they kept it tricky enough that the answer took some critical thinking to solve which apparently, I don’t possess.

This latest Mystery takes place at the Wedding of Tara Ball played by Nissa Nordland and Duncan Schoen played by Brian Hodge-Rice. The Wedding party is made up of familiar faces Casey Martin, Brittany Oberstadt, Josh Carson, and Jonah Smith. Wini Froelich is the mother of the bride and Brad Erickson is the groom’s grandfather. Tim Dybevik is the Bride’s Uncle who is also officiating the ceremony and the DJ is played by Sam Landman. So glancing over the cast list, that should reveal another reason I wanted to see this production, it’s filled with local favorites. Now the fun of this show is the details, the jokes, the mystery, even the character names but I don’t want to spoil any of that for you. So trying not to reveal anything but still give you a feel for what to expect is the goal here. The audience plays the role of the guests at Tara and Duncan’s wedding, you’ll be seated at tables and if your table is far enough away from where the seating is set up for the ceremony, you’ll get the honor of sitting in the seats reserved for family of the bride and groom. After the ceremony and throughout the reception, you’ll be served your a three course meal, by the actors in character. The mystery will unfold throughout the evening so pay attention to the actors, though they will make sure your attention is on them for the critical moments there are a lot of jokes and comic bits happening at all times. At the end of the evening after you’ve enjoyed your slice of wedding cake, you will be given the opportunity to bribe members of the cast to answer questions using your allotted $20 of Mystery Cafe cash. Once you’ve learned all you can, you submit your guess as to who committed the murder and why. In terms of audience participation it ranges from being cast as the father of the bride or in my case as a line dancing guest our you can just sit back and observe, you really can participate as much or as little as you’d like.

The show is written by Brian Kelly and George Keller, comedy wise there are the odd clunkers here and there but overall its comedic writing and performances are very strong. I think sometimes people dismiss the mystery comedy genre, especially of the “dinner theater” variety as something less than other types of theater. I don’t know why that is, I imagine the script for something like this is just as challenging as any other. The performers need to be well rehearsed and able to stay in character and improvise as they interact with the audience. There are the usual design requirements and perhaps more given the non-theatrical venues. Most importantly, it’s as entertaining as any other type of theater. There’s nothing wrong with theater that is fun, escapism is one of the many reasons we go to the theater. And while it might seem like all this does is entertain, I’ll remind you that it also asks you to engage your problem solving skills and try and help bring the culprits to justice. I am having a great time with these shows they are a lot of fun, both clever and witty, and as an added bonus they are family friendly, so this is a great experience for a family theatrical outing, which is the best kind of family outing.

For more information and to purchase tickets to ‘Til Death Do Us Die go to https://www.themysterycafe.com/

‘Art’ is the Title and the Result in Exhibition at the Guthrie Theater. Three Actors, One Word, Brilliant!

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.

‘Art‘ runs through January 28th at the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2023-2024-season/art/

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.

I’ll be Homicidal for Christmas, A Laugh Filled Murder Mystery That You Get to Help Solve!

Eric Webster, Kathy Kupiecki and Paul Somers

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/