Transatlantic Love Affair does it again with “These Old Shoes” at the Minnesota Fringe Festival

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Transatlantic Love Affar has another Fringe hit this year with These Old Shoes. I didn’t get a chance to see Ash Land last year (which is actually coming back in February), but I was so impressed with TLA’s production this year that I can easily believe every accolade it recived with Ash Land. The show flashes from present day and yesteryear with Jim at the center, the widowed veteran who’s moving out of his house into a “retirement community.” He reminisces about an old love who, because of the war, he couldn’t be with. Continue Reading

“It’s Raining Inside Again” at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, à la Mr. Rogers

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It’s Raining Inside Again: The Arts Administrators Show has some great elements to it: Mr. Rogers, tap dancing, a scene where a cowboy humps a copy machine to get it to work again. The play takes place in a non-profits art office in which its overworked and hangry employees realize they have just 18 hours to publicize the opening of their exhibition (called Cate Blanchett).  Continue Reading

“Random Acts of BODYTALK” at the Minnesota Fringe Festival: Silence is golden

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In my third year reviewing the Fringe, I had yet to see a dance show. So when I walked into the Rarig worried I was going to miss my first Fringe show out of lateness, I walked up to the first available table and got my ticket to Random Acts of BODYTALK. It was a perfect title for a random pick as well as an ideal introduction into dance. While not a word was spoken, I found myself very much in the mood for sitting back and just watching. Continue Reading

THEATER REVIEW | “Les Misérables” gets a new look at the Orpheum Theatre

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To a long-time Les Misérables fan, the thought of a “newly re-imagined” production is unnerving. Why fix what isn’t broken? On Tuesday, July 30  Les Misérables showed off its new look to the Orpheum Theatre, who booked the traveling production for just a week in its off-season. The music remains intact (with some added non-essential singing dialogue thrown in the mix), but there’s a modernized look to the show that’s been on stage since 1985. The story centers on the life of Jean Valjean (Peter Lockyer) who’s been granted parole after years of enslavement (“Look Down”). Valjean seeks to leave his prisoner identity behind (“What Have I Done?”), but Javert (Andrew Varela), the prison guard, sees him for just a criminal and maintains a relentless personal vendetta against him throughout (“Stars”). Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Beyoncé gives her all at the Xcel Energy Center

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Beyonce brought her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Thursday, July 18th. She put on a non-stop, two-hour set, which left her fans dripping in sweat, hoarse, and loving every minute of it.A black curtain, with an ornate wreath surrounding a backwards capital B, fell from the rafters after opening act, Luke James, left the stage. The crowd shrieked as the lights dimmed and a video screen the length of the stage, slowly crept into view. A steady drumbeat became familiar to fans and then, darkness.Beyonce appeared in a single spotlight, donned in all white. Continue Reading

THEATER REVIEW | “Pride and Prejudice” (mostly) captures Jane Austen’s heart and head at the Guthrie Theater

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Jane Austen is revered as being an author and woman ahead of her time; her biting social commentary and gumption made her romantic novels something we still value today. Pride and Prejudice opened at the Guthrie on Friday, July 12 and the Wurtele Thrust Stage was filled with fans of her most famous work. Pride and Prejudice is one of those books that people seem very protective of; if it’s changed too much or something is left out, then it’s just not the same and can’t truly be enjoyed. Like seeing the movie before reading the book, I had no preconceived idea and enjoyed the wit of Pride and Prejudice very much.Pride and Prejudice is centered on Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest of the Bennet women. Mrs. Bennet is all-consumed with marrying her daughters off to wealthy, agreeable men. The plot is a familiar one, so I’ll spare the details. Continue Reading

THEATER REVIEW | “War Horse” comes to life at the Orpheum Theatre

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The Orpheum Theatre, and downtown for that matter, were buzzing with anticipation for the opening night of War Horse on Wednesday, June 12. I had a hunch that Steven Spielberg’s 2011 movie adaptation played a part in the giddy turnout. While that may have been the case for some, myself included, it was clear from overheard conversations that the play is a big deal in and of itself. Whatever the case, War Horse is worthy of the hype.Easily the most impressive aspect of War Horse is the puppetry by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company (Adrian Kohler with Basil Jones). Each horse (made of steel, leather and aircraft cables) is manned by three actors (sometimes two) who make up the head, the torso, and the rear. Continue Reading

THEATER REVIEW | “Rock of Ages” is so 80s at the Orpheum Theatre

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My understanding of the 80s is mostly constructed by the stereotype of the era—growing up Carebear-obsessed didn’t gain me much perspective outside of what was happening in Care-A-Lot. Yeah, I know all the songs I’m supposed to and the style just like everyone else. And while Friday, May 17th’s performance of Rock of Ages didn’t show or tell me to anything non-cliched about what it was like to live in the 80s, I concluded that—between the crass tongue lappings, booby jokes, and repulsive hair styles—it was just simply a gross time. That probably wasn’t the consensus in the midst (is it ever?), but it certainly seems to be now.The premise of Rock of Ages is incredibly cheesey, but that’s the point. The 80s is easy to parody—that much was clear based on the hordes of audience members dressed in their neon leopard-print leggings and leather cuts. Rock of Ages is a love story about a small-town girl and a city boy, and culminates in, you guessed it, “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey. Continue Reading