Guthrie to move, turn building into condos

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In a stunning press conference this morning, the Guthrie Theater announced that it is returning to Minneapolis’s Lowry Hill neighborhood and converting part of its iconic building on the banks of the Mississippi River into condos. These twin measures, some of the most far-reaching in the company’s 52-year history, sent shockwaves through the Twin Cities theatre and Downtown East communities. Editor’s note: This feature is part of the Daily Planet’s April Fools’ Day Arts Coverage. The first part of the plan, constructing a new theatre complex near the Walker Art Museum, is a return to the Guthrie’s founding roots and location for decades. (The Walker’s parking garage sits on the site of the old theatre.) This new complex, tentatively named Guthrie 2.0, will sit above the I-94/Hennepin Ave/Lyndale Ave interchange, long an area eyesore and transit bottleneck. Continue Reading

Zombies and Disney spectacular “Frozen” coming to Ordway, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

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The greater Twin Cities theater scene is getting a whole lot more zombies and ice castles in the 2015-2016 season. The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres both announced major screen-to-stage adaptations in the coming year: a musical version of the hit cable television series The Walking Dead at the Ordway and a much-anticipated adaptation of the Disney megahit movie Frozen at CDT. Both new musicals will have their world premieres in Minnesota as part of pre-Broadway trials.Editor’s note: This feature is part of the Daily Planet’s April Fools’ Day Arts Coverage.Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, the world’s largest dinner theater organization under one roof, will present Frozen: The Musical as part of its 2015-2016 season. This coup follows up on two tremendously successful years of alternating Broadway classics in the fall and winter with stage versions of Disney musical films in the spring and summer. CDT’s Midwest premiere of The Little Mermaid attracted the attention of Disney executives, who after extensive negotiations selected the company to host the show’s pre-Broadway development. Continue Reading

THEATER REVIEW | “Annie” timeless at the Orpheum Theatre

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Stop what you’re doing right now and get all expectations of cliches out of your system. Sure, go ahead, say something along the lines of “I’ll see the production ‘Tomorrow.’” Make a few cracks regarding what a “Hard Knock Life” you’d experience if you missed this show. Go ahead and make reference to the barely related Jay-Z track. Just work it out of your system quick. We can wait.Good?You sure?It figures you had one more in you.Alright, with all that said and done, let’s get down to business: This production of Annie is wonderful. Vibrant and full of energy and optimism, this production feels surprisingly fresh for a play that is almost 40 years old that is based on material from almost 90 years ago. Continue Reading

THEATER REVIEW | Theatre Coup d’Etat’s ‘Art’: Basic in the best way

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Friendship is often as strange and random as family. Though you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends, the circumstances that bring us in contact with those that become our friends are frequently just as out of our control. The same school, the same place of work, the same passion for a particular subject—these serve as the catalyst for unlikely pairings that might not otherwise ever cross paths. But just like romantic relationships, friendships need attention, care and feeding, or they’re likely to wither. Even if you don’t see your family members for years at a time, you’re still family. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | International Novelty Gamelan record release at Icehouse

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Gamelan is a collection of traditional Javanese musical instruments. They are as beautiful to watch as they are to hear. There are gold colored gongs, metallophones, drums and hybrid drum-cymbals and bowed instruments. They are set up with ornate frames.The International Novelty Gamelan is a group of six musicians: Elaine Evans, Kevin Cosgrove, Chris Parker, David Morrison, Kathy Knight and Kristen Murray. Last night they celebrated their first vinyl release: MetallaphoniaI. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Stevie Wonder a marvel at the Target Center

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The very moment that Stevie Wonder was lead out to the stage by India Arie, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.The nearly sold-out crowd in the Target Center rose to their feet for an extended standing ovation before even a single song was sung, before even a single word was spoken, a grand tribute to a musical legend who decades-long legacy has left an incredible impact on the industry. This crowd knew who this man was, and from the start were aching to show him both respect and appreciation on a grand (and very audible) scale.For his part, Stevie Wonder did not disappoint. Accompanied by a massive supporting cast of musicians and singers, Wonder displayed an incredible vocal range for his age as he guided the audience through the ups and downs of his Songs in the Key of Life album. The setlist was wonderfully arranged, maneuvering deftly between the slower, more soulful tracks, tracks like “Village Ghetto Land” and “Love’s in Need of Love Today”, and those fast, upbeat, and infinitely danceable tracks that brought the crowd to their feet again and again to dance like no one was watching, tracks like “Sir Duke” and “I Wish.”Wonder was more than just on point with his music; his playful stage-banter was a sight to behold. In engaging with a bit of improvisation with his backup singers, Wonder simultaneously showed off a very warm personality while giving those folks in the background a chance to shine.If there was really any criticism to lob at this performance, it would have to be levied at a rather long and ponderous jam session that seemed to drag a touch. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Moon and Pollution rise over Icehouse

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I spent too much time on the way home from Icehouse explaining that Moon and Pollution was electronica, but nothing like EDM, not as pounding and impersonal. I’ll stand by electronica but electronic pop is probably a more apt description.For an electronic pop duo, Moon and Pollution has a lot of instruments on stage, which I think gives is a richer sound. Core members include Molly Dean and Graham O’Brien but there were others on stage last night, which again adds to the richness of the sound.The drums set a pace that drives the songs forward. It’s a smart use of beat; together with the synthesized beats there’s a layering that again is not like the pounding of EDM but a more mature and subtle sound. (Not that there isn’t a time and place for EDM.)The guitars are a nice addition too but it’s really Dean’s voice that captures the attention. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Gregg Allman timeless at the Pantages Theatre

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Gregg Allman and his eight piece traveling band, in the midst of a spring tour, played to a sold-out house at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Pantages Theatre on March 27. The storied bluesy-rock icon still wears his hair long and his tattoos proudly. He looks great and his signature voice still resonates with a tender clarity that welcomes you while his rasp makes you ache. As a founding member of the legendary “The Allman Brothers” band, he’s been writing and performing for 50 years—give or take a few-but his talent, and contribution to music history, is timeless.Allman, on vocals, guitar and Hammond B-3 organ, was playing his customarily stage right position for most of the show. He shared the spotlight (center stage) with guitarist and music director Scott Sharrard. Continue Reading

PREVIEW | Safe Hands Animal Rescue benefit concert: Music is stepping up for the dogs

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If you like music and dogs I might have a fun date for you. Musicians from both the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera are performing at a fundraiser for Safe Hands Animal Rescue on April 12 at 3:00 pm at Colonial Church in Edina.This event will include social hour and music by Rossini, Britten, Beethoven, Ravel, Mozart, and Elgar.At least a dozen musicians will perform, including many with a personal investment in Safe Hands Animal Rescue.The benefit concert is the brainchild of violist Jennifer Strom.  Jennifer adopted her dog Moxie from Safe Hands and began volunteering with the organization.  As word spread other orchestra members followed suit with eight members to date having adopted 10 dogs from Safe Hands.  Six musicians performing have adopted dogs and six members have fostered dogs or volunteered.The concert aims to raise awareness and money to support Safe Hands efforts to rescue homeless dogs from rural shelters with high intake and low adoption rates.Safe Hands Animal Rescue is a nonprofit organization led by Lynne Bengtson (pictured above) with the help of a small group of dedicated volunteers. Safe Hands has rescued and placed more than 3,200 dogs since its founding in October 2006. Most of the dogs the organization aids come from high-kill shelters in the southeastern Kentucky/Appalachia area. The dogs are transported from Kentucky to IL, WI and the Twin Cities. Continue Reading