Juggling Identities in a Repertory Company

The New York Times recently ran an article about New York's Shakespeare in the Park and the difficulties actors can have balancing two shows at the same time: "Shakespearean Juggling in the Park" In southeastern Minnesota, we tend to take these efforts for granted with repertory companies like the Great River Shakespeare Festival and Commonweal Theatre.

Scenes from Shakespeare in the Park (New York) productions of “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Merchant of Venice.” (Photographs by Sara Krulwich/The New York Times)

The Great River Shakespeare Festival gets under full sail tonight with a free concert by Nova Scotia Traditions at 6:30 and Comedy of Errors at 8:00.

Visit the Great River Shakespeare Festival for schedules and tickets: grsf.org

Commonweal’s Summer Season is in Full Swing

The Commonweal has established its summer tradition of two plays in repertory through the summer and into the early Fall. The Steve Martin play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, is already in full swing, and Enchanted April is already in previews.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein chance to meet in a French bar (Lapin Agile—Nimble Rabbit) in 1904. The meeting pre-dates much of their fame, and allows them, and us, to ponder what the new century will hold.

The play is directed by Zach Curtis and features Hal Cropp and Eric Bunge as Einstein and Picasso, respectively.

Einstein meets Picasso (Hal Cropp and Eric Bunge) in the Commonweal’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile. (Photo: Commonweal)

Picasso at the Lapin Agile plays in repertory with Enchanted April through September 25.

Watch the Commonweal’s “Context Video” for Picasso at the Lapin Agile on YouTube.

Enchanted April

Adapted by Matthew Barber from the 1922 novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, Enchanted April brings together 4 women who answer an ad to rent an Italian Castle. Director Hal Cropp explains that Enchanted April “is a story that’s captured my heart ever since I first read it. I think it offers a wonderful journey of renewal, not just for the characters but the audience as well.”

The play was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in 2003. The four women are played by Commonweal veterans Stef Dickens, Adrienne Sweeney, Irene ErkenBrack, and Susan d’Autremont.

Enchanted April plays in repertory with Picasso at the Lapin Agile through October 23.
Visit the Commonweal for schedules and tickets: Commonweal Theatre

Jon Hassler’s 11th Season

The Jon Hassler Theater is already well into its 11th season of bringing professional theater to the small town of Plainview, Minnesota. This week is the final week for Old Man Brunner Country.

Old Man Brunner Country

Old Man Brunner Country is an adaptation of Minnesota Poet Leo Dangel’s poems that sketched the rural world surrounding "Old Man Brunner." The poems are narrated by a younger man who relates the tales of the curmudgingly daring Brunner. The poems are matter of fact, letting the exploits and unconventional bravado of the Old Man speak for itself.

I first came across Dangel’s poems in the mid 1980s as a young volunteer working for the regional magazine The North Country Anvil. Dangel’s book Old Man Brunner Country (Spoon River Poetry Press, 1987) had just come out, and the Anvil reprinted several of the poems. Dangel’s humorous, story-telling style was my first indication that poetry might have some allure for me.

This will be the third production of Old Man Brunner in Plainview, the first performance predates the Jon Hassler. Sally Childs adapted the work for the stage.

Old Man Brunner plays at the Jon Hassler through June 27.
Visit the Jon Hassler Theater online for schedules and tickets: www.jonhasslertheater.org
Phone the Jon Hassler Theater at 507-534-2900.