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
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.
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
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.
The Moon’s Desire:
The passionate and imagistic poetry of Federico García Lorca
Presented by Deborah Elias Danza Española with actor Raúl Ramos, dancer Deborah Elias, singer La Conja, guitarist Michael Hauser and discussion with Plainview resident and artist Daniel Miller
The Jon Hassler Theater’s third Wednesday of the month writers round table will begin this Wednesday with a special exploration of the poet Federico Garcia Lorca through dramatic readings and flamenco dance, song, and guitar. The Moon’s Desire is a passionate and imagistic performance of Lorca’s poetry. The evening will be interspersed with discussion and delicious Spanish food.
Wednesday April 21, 2010 , 7:00 pm
Free to the Public
Visit the Jon Hassler Theater online for schedules and tickets: www.jonhasslertheater.org
Phone the Jon Hassler Theater at 507-534-2900.
Siobhan Bremer and Adrienne Sweeney in The Commonweal's production of John Gabriel Borkman. Photo and set design by Nayna Ramey
The Commonweal and Lanesboro begin their 13th annual celebration of Henrik Ibsen and all things Scandinavian tonight. The celebration includes food, art, music, and and the world premiere production of Jeffery Hatcher’s adaptation of John Gabriel Borkman.
Borkman finishes its week of preview performances tonight, and it opens Saturday night. Its title character has sequestered himself in the upstairs of his house after serving jail time for a money scam that he engineered while president of a bank. While the banking scandal is in the backdrop, the play is a love story of sorts that centers on the psychological tug of war between three emotionally damaged people: Borkman, his wife, and her twin sister.
The cast features Hal Cropp as Borkman and Adrienne Sweeney and Siobhan Bremer as the twin sisters. Stella Burdt, Sarah Hawkins, Tim Sailer, Laura Depta and David Henssey round out the cast.
Weekend Highlights:
Friday
7:30 pm Diane Jarvi. Scandinavian, folk, and world music
Presented by the Lanesboro Arts Center, Diane Jarvi is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and kantele player (Finnish folk harp.) Known in Finland as Minnesotan Satakieli—The Minnesota Nightingale—Jarvi is a versatile performer of Scandinavian, folk and world music. $12 – St. Mane Theatre
7:30 p.m. John Gabriel Borkman
Final preview performance
$15 – The Commonweal
Saturday
10:00 a.m. Professor Simon Williams.Coming to Terms With The Industrial Revolution.
Williams is Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His talk will illuminate the themes of Ibsen’s John Gabriel Borkman in the aftermath of America’s own recent banking scandals.
1:00 p.m. Henry (Hank) Shea.Confronting the Temptations of Greed, Power and Money in Our Society.
Shea is a Fellow at the University of St. Thomas Law School’s Halloran Center for Ethical Leadership.
3:00 p.m. Panel discussion:Ibsen For a Contemporary Audience
former Guthrie Resident Director Risa Brainin (Director of this production of John Gabriel Borkman)
playwright Jeffrey Hatcher (author of this new adaptation of John Gabriel Borkman.)
Commonweal Theatre’s design team.
7:30 p.m. John Gabriel Borkman
Opening performance
$25 – The Commonweal
The Commonweal has prepared this video to offer some perspective on John Gabriel Borkman. It offers thoughts on the play from playwritht Jeffery Hatcher, Director Risa Brainin, and Commonweal Artistic Director Hal Cropp:
Carew Halleck rehearses his role as Elwood P. Dowd in the in Fountain City River Players' Harvey.
Photo Rory O'Driscoll/Winona Daily News. Read the WDN story.
Harvey by Mary Chase
Directed by Judee Brone, Jasson Passow, and Jeff Hosch.
April 7 - 11
7:30 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. on Sunday
Fountain City Auditorium
42 North Main Street
Fountain City, Wisconsin
Tickets can be purchased at Waumandee State Bank or Kwik Trip in Fountain City, at Midtown Food or Hardt's Music in Winona, or a half hour before each performance at the door.
Call (608) 685-7481 to reserve tickets.
Winona State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents the 43rd annual children’s theater performance of Alice in Wonderland, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 9 and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, on the Performing Arts Center Main Stage.
Directed by Vivian Fusillo, Alice in Wonderland is a classic tale of a teenage girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world full of unique creatures. This performance is perfect for young audiences. Matinee performances of the show are April 8, 9, 12 and 13 for local elementary schools.
For tickets, visit WSU at www.wsuartstickets.com or call the WSU box office at 507-457-5235 Monday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. On performance dates, the box office opens one hour before each show.
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