Twelve teenagers, under the leadership of Andrew Carlson and Nick Minas, perform scenes from William Shakespeare's work.
Great River Shakes sponsors as part of an educational setting.
Scenes and monologues from:
As you Like It
Cymbeline
Henry IV, Part I
Julius Caesar
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Richard III
Romeo and Juliet
Twelfth Night
The Winter's Tale
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These extremely talented youth put on a great show. Some of the kids were a little bit stronger than others, but over-all, it was very impressive! A delight to see!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
DROPS & DRAMA V: Tales of Shaharazad -- Theatre du Mississippi
Masonic Lodge, Winona, MN
In five scenes, twenty-two historic, hand-painted drops are displayed. Readings from Shaharazad, and belly dancing, tie the story together.
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The drops are fascinating and absolutely fabulous. The detail is incredible, and seems almost a shame that they were 'hidden' -- used for Masonic rituals, rather than for public theatre performances.
The story put together to display the drops is generally pointless, though I do understand that most people won't just sit to look at the art. Still, a little more time to see the drops withOUT overweight belly dancers blocking the view might be nice, too.
In five scenes, twenty-two historic, hand-painted drops are displayed. Readings from Shaharazad, and belly dancing, tie the story together.
#####
The drops are fascinating and absolutely fabulous. The detail is incredible, and seems almost a shame that they were 'hidden' -- used for Masonic rituals, rather than for public theatre performances.
The story put together to display the drops is generally pointless, though I do understand that most people won't just sit to look at the art. Still, a little more time to see the drops withOUT overweight belly dancers blocking the view might be nice, too.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
CANADIAN BRASS -- Minnesota Beethoven Festival
Somsen Auditorium, Winona State University
Charles Daellenbach, tuba
Eugene Watts, trombone
Jeff Nelsen, horn
Manon Lafrance, trumpet
Joe Burgstaller, trumpet
The talented brass quintet performing from their excellent repertoire.
Claudio Monteverdi: Orfeo Suite
Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzona per Sonare
Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Bramwell Tovey: Santa Barbara Sonata (Cakewalk on a Tightrope; Preacher on the Pier; Magic Horn Tango; State Street Stomp)
Luther Henderson and Christopher Dedrick: Tribute to Louis Armstrong
Beatles: Penny Lane; Yesterday; Come Together
Ludwig van Beethoven: Pathetique Sonata, Op. 13, 2nd movement
Peter Schickele: Hornsmoke, A Horse Opera in One Act
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The French woman, Manon, was not with the group this evening, instead, a young man who looked barely out of college was the second trumpet player. He was quite good and seemed to be getting a workout, playing many of the more difficult trumpet pieces, with Joe Burgstaller taking a lesser role.
While the young man was very good and definitely held his own among this group, I missed Burgstaller's amazing speed and finesse.
The evening was delightful, as expected, though there were fewer 'comic' moments. We had taken the kids this time, as we regretted NOT taking them two years ago. I think that everyone appreciated the evening, even though the boys generally won't admit to enjoying anything.
Charles Daellenbach, tuba
Eugene Watts, trombone
Jeff Nelsen, horn
Manon Lafrance, trumpet
Joe Burgstaller, trumpet
The talented brass quintet performing from their excellent repertoire.
Claudio Monteverdi: Orfeo Suite
Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzona per Sonare
Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Bramwell Tovey: Santa Barbara Sonata (Cakewalk on a Tightrope; Preacher on the Pier; Magic Horn Tango; State Street Stomp)
Luther Henderson and Christopher Dedrick: Tribute to Louis Armstrong
Beatles: Penny Lane; Yesterday; Come Together
Ludwig van Beethoven: Pathetique Sonata, Op. 13, 2nd movement
Peter Schickele: Hornsmoke, A Horse Opera in One Act
#####
The French woman, Manon, was not with the group this evening, instead, a young man who looked barely out of college was the second trumpet player. He was quite good and seemed to be getting a workout, playing many of the more difficult trumpet pieces, with Joe Burgstaller taking a lesser role.
While the young man was very good and definitely held his own among this group, I missed Burgstaller's amazing speed and finesse.
The evening was delightful, as expected, though there were fewer 'comic' moments. We had taken the kids this time, as we regretted NOT taking them two years ago. I think that everyone appreciated the evening, even though the boys generally won't admit to enjoying anything.
Monday, July 13, 2009
THE DALY NEWS -- Great River Shakespeare Festival
script: Jonathan Gillard Dalymusic: Gregg Coffin, Larry Delinger & Jonathan Gillard Daly
director: C. Michael Wright
costumes: Ellen Kozak
lights: Timothy Otte
cast: Jonathan Gillard Daly, Jack Forbes Wilson, Jeff Schaetzke
During World War II, Martin Daly (Jonathan's grandfather) sent out a regular newsletter to all of his children to keep them all aprised of what each was doing as all of them were in the Service and scattered about the globe. Those newsletetrs become the script for this intimate musical about family and duty.
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A fantastic, funny, and moving show in which three multi-talented performers easily take on a number of different roles.
Listening to the actual words, written by Martin Daly is a moving experience, and hearing of the death of a family friend is a moving experience, made even more touching by Martin's recognizing how fortunate he was to have all his family members survive the war.
All three performers are remarkably moving and talented.
A wonderful performance, and one well worth experiencing.
Friday, July 10, 2009
DEAR JAMES -- Jon Hassler Theater
playwright: Sally Childs
based on the novel by Jon Hassler
director: Sally Childs
cast: Cheryl Frarck, Robert Gardner, Eric Knutson, Coralee Grebe, Joe Ulwelling
set design: Erica Zaffarano, Paul Skattum
lighting: Benjamin Hain
costume: Barb Portinga
Upright, stallwart citizen of Staggerford, Agatha McGee, carries on a platonic relationship with an Irish priest ... which has the tongues of the town wagging.
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I have to admit that I am not familiar with the novel on which this play is based, despite a strong appreciation for Hassler's books, so I can't write at all to the faithfulness of this adaptation.
The story as presented on stage, was well-planned and well-delivered.
Once again I am impressed with the quality of the talent that I see on stage at the Hassler Theatre. Each actor was strong and believable. Eric Knutson, whom I have enjoyed seeing at the Commonweal, was particularly delightful in his role as McGee's handyman. I have to say, though, that I saw the story surprise coming very early in the play.
Sally Childs did an excellent job making use of a nice-looking, functional set which spanned Italy, Ireland, and Staggerford, Minnesota between its proscenium. Father O'Hannnon's office space seemed a bit prominent for how little it was actually used, but there wasn't much more that could really be done about it.
My only 'complaint' was the character of Agatha McGee. Having read two or three Staggerford novels myself, I'd come to a pretty clear picture of the lady in my mind, and Cheryl Frarck wasn't at all what I'd imagined. She did a marvelous job, but she wasn't the 'type' that I had expected.
Still, all in all, it was a wonderful evening of theatre.
based on the novel by Jon Hassler
director: Sally Childs
cast: Cheryl Frarck, Robert Gardner, Eric Knutson, Coralee Grebe, Joe Ulwelling
set design: Erica Zaffarano, Paul Skattum
lighting: Benjamin Hain
costume: Barb Portinga
Upright, stallwart citizen of Staggerford, Agatha McGee, carries on a platonic relationship with an Irish priest ... which has the tongues of the town wagging.
#####
I have to admit that I am not familiar with the novel on which this play is based, despite a strong appreciation for Hassler's books, so I can't write at all to the faithfulness of this adaptation.
The story as presented on stage, was well-planned and well-delivered.
Once again I am impressed with the quality of the talent that I see on stage at the Hassler Theatre. Each actor was strong and believable. Eric Knutson, whom I have enjoyed seeing at the Commonweal, was particularly delightful in his role as McGee's handyman. I have to say, though, that I saw the story surprise coming very early in the play.
Sally Childs did an excellent job making use of a nice-looking, functional set which spanned Italy, Ireland, and Staggerford, Minnesota between its proscenium. Father O'Hannnon's office space seemed a bit prominent for how little it was actually used, but there wasn't much more that could really be done about it.
My only 'complaint' was the character of Agatha McGee. Having read two or three Staggerford novels myself, I'd come to a pretty clear picture of the lady in my mind, and Cheryl Frarck wasn't at all what I'd imagined. She did a marvelous job, but she wasn't the 'type' that I had expected.
Still, all in all, it was a wonderful evening of theatre.
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