This Is Not For You, a theatrical presentation by Jeremey Catterton showcasing the live music of Peter Wolf Crier, is a unique and beautiful experience. But don’t take my word for it. Jeremey is a friend of mine, and honestly, if his show sucked, I probably wouldn’t say so. Instead, trust my girlfriend Anna, who was, if anything, even more enthusiastic about the performance than I was. As we sat in the mirrored Mancini’s lounge afterwards, with only the mulletted cover band to hear us, she said, “I want to see that again. It was one of the coolest shows I’ve ever been to.”
The show was originally billed as an album-release event, but though the duo’s debut album Inter-Be has been recorded (it’s streaming in its entirety on their Web site), it’s not yet available for purchase. Never mind that: the songs by Peter Pisano (The Wars of 1812) are strong and atmospheric, and Catterton’s presentation of the music is about as intimate as live performance gets. If you see the show, you’ll want to own the album—especially if you’re a fan of Bon Iver or M. Ward.
| this is not for you, presented through october 23 at an undisclosed location in st. paul. for tickets ($10-$35) and information, see peterwolfcrier.com. |
The mystery surrounding the show is part of its appeal, so I won’t reveal much about it. It takes place in a St. Paul house—the location is disclosed to attendees only after ticket purchase—that Catterton claims “is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.” The performance begins with a walk around the house’s exterior as Catterton tells the tragic story of the family who recently vacated the premises. The house itself is implicated in the tragedy, and loss and desperation are major themes in the performance.
After the exterior tour, the audience is seated in “the Wolf Room” and, with Catterton cautioning that “this is not for you,” the music begins. A cast of silent performers enact a series of tableaus as Catterton guides the audience from room to room. Pisano and percussionist Brian Moen (Laarks) appear and disappear, performing usually a song in each room. As Anna said, “It’s like being inside a music video.”
Not every audience member sees every room—there are three levels of admission, and the higher tiers see more, at closer range. We were in the most exclusive level (“private” admission), and it was worth it, believe me. Or don’t. After all, I’ve already admitted my conflict of interest. But if you do happen to miss this show, and you someday run into someone who saw it, you probably shouldn’t ask them about it. When you hear what they have to say, you’ll be kicking yourself.
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