THE AMERICAN DREAM -- Rushford-Peterson Theater

Rushford-Peterson's 5th Grade Patriotic Production

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A delightful production by a large 5th grade class. Every student had the opportunity to stand out as a historical character.

The singing was well done and the rap song was remarkably good (and obviously enjoyed by the students).

A fun hour.

FIVE FLOWERS -- Lanesboro Community Theatre

St. Mane Theatre, Lanesboro, MN
script: Forrest Musselman
director: Jill Underwood
cast: Maureen Anderson, Nancy Carruthers Huisenga, Peter Torkelson, Karrie Ellingson, Jody Rinn, Ceil Allen, Terry Neneman, Cal Zutz, Tony Streng, Tom Schramm
producer: Rocky Haddorff
scenic design: Eric Knutson
lights: Eric Decker
costumes: Heidi Dybing
sound: Phil Dybing
stage manager/props: Jenna Bolland

WORLD PREMIERE

An older woman moves in to senior housing but discovers, and shows her family, that being elderly doesn't necessarily mean slowing down.

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There's a lot going for this play ... the use of older actors in major roles is excellent. Certainly something that many community theatres could use.

Unfortunately, the script lacks focus. Or is trying to tell too many stories.

Sub-plots are okay, but not when they over-shadow the main plot.

It seems that the main story revolves around Rose and her relatively new life in senior housing. However, this is greatly over-shadowed by the fact that the title, "Five Flowers," refers to the women in the family, each of them named for a flower. Suspiciously, one of them never appears on stage and if she's mentioned, everyone quickly quiets and there is an air of mystery ... a mystery that is NEVER EXPLAINED. Why title it "Five Flowers" if the fifth flower isn't ever going to appear and we're never to learn why?!

And the vagabond son who hasn't been heard from in years. His appearance is as non-chalant as the nurse's. What's up? Why is he back? Why did he leave? What's going to happen now that he's here? Some of this is answered, but ever so casually.

The performance was definitely carried by Nancy Carruthers Huisenga as "Rose." She was energetic and lively and offered the full range of emotions appropriate for the part.

The part of Gladys was wonderful comic relief.

A fun show, but needs some re-writes still.

A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION -- Winona State University

The 1, 170th Live Broadcast
McCown Gymnasium at Winona State University
with: Garrison Keillor, The Guy's All-Star Shoe band, Pat Donohue, Gary Raynor, Peter Johnson, Andy Stein, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Tom Keith, Marcia Ball, Don Bennett, Corey Keller, Andrew Nafziger, Thad Scott, Michael Doucet, Beausoleil, David Doucet, Billy Ware, Tommy Alesi, Jimmy Breaux, Mitch Reed, Simone Perrin.

The famous radio show's live broadcast.

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This is probably the fourth time I've been to a live broadcast of A Priaire Home Companion.  It's always an enjoyable time.  Watching a radio show in production is the treat on one level, but seeing the artists performing live is worth the price of admission in itself.

Usually.

This particular broadcast was a bit less than exciting.  Keillor mentioned, at the top of the show, that he was suffering symptoms of the flu, and I did feel that he was not in top form.  I also didn't feel that the guests were generally top-notch.  Simone Perrin, who was billed as a local (probably was, but I was not familiar with her), tried too hard and generally seemed like college talent.

A bit of a disappointment, but still better than much of the amateur productions I've seen in the area.

GROUCHO -- Viterbo University

Groucho Marx: Frank Ferrante

A one man show featuring Frank Ferrante as Groucho Marx.

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Truly a fantastic show. Frank is so incredibly much like how we remember Groucho from the movies and television appearances that it seems as if Groucho himself is back and live on stage.

As one might expect, the best parts of a performance like this is the off-the-cuff remarks; the responses to things happening around him on the stage and in the theatre.

For me, one of the incredible parts of the evening was when Frank chose my own son to go on to the stage and he put the Groucho make-up on him and taught him the Groucho walk saying to the audience,"Hey I can't do this forever!"

An absolutely wonderful show. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard!

MSHSL 2A STATE ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL -- O-Shaunessy Auditorium

The Minnesota State festival for High School One Acts.

Schools must win two different competitions to perform at this level. Competition is broken down to two different categories - 1A and 2A, depending on the size of the school. This year I attended the 2A (larger schools) State One Acts.

Performing were:

"PK Xmas" by David Hawley (North, North St. Paul)
"Wit" by Margaret Edson (Anoka)
"The Romancers" by Edmond Rostrand (Dassel-Cokato)
"The Boys Next Door" by Tom Griffin (Forest Lake)
"Marvin's Room" by Scott McPherson (Minnetonka)
"Doubt: A Parable" by John Patrick Shanley (Eagan)
"Ordinary People" by Nancy Gilsenan (Albert Lea)
"Bits and Pieces" by Corinne Jacker (Moorhead)

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Competing in the 1A competition, it was nice to see some schools unique to me, for a change. However, I didn't see much difference in quality, as I expected. I thought that with the larger schools we'd see more impressive sets or higher quality of acting. It wasn't so.

Most of these plays were heavy dramas, dealing with death and trying to make some sort of sense of this ("Bits and Pieces" "Ordinary People" "Marvin's Room" "Wit").

"The Romancers" stood out as being most unique, and mostly well done, but it did drag somewhat.

"The Boys Next Door" was well done, but lacked a through-line. Was it the cutting?

"Bits and Pieces" was well performed and I enjoyed the presentation. Similarly, "Doubt" was well performed and strong. Many around me seemed to really find the performances of the leads in "Wit" and "Marvin's Room" exceptionally strong. I was not overly impressed.

Still, a great way to spend the day, watching theatre.

MSHSL SECTION ONE ACT PLAY COMPETITION -- Stewartville High School

Performing Arts Center, Stewartville, MN

The top two high school one act plays from the 1-A Region in Minnesota, compete for honors to perform at State. The performing schools were:

Byron
Fillmore Central
Kingsland
Pine Island
Rushford-Peterson
St. Charles
Triton
Wabasha-Kellogg

Plays being performed were:

"The Serpent" by Jean-Claude Van Itallie
"The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" by Don Zolidis
"LAUGH-IN at History" by Sandra Henning Miller and Cast
"Crisis, Inc" by Daniel Munson
"Employees Must Wash Hands ... Before Murder" by Don Zolidis
"Wiler and the Hairy Man" by Jack Stokes
"Competition Piece" by John S. Wells
"15 Minute Hamlet" by Tom Stoppard

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I'd seen most of these plays either at the Sub-Section competition or at the Conference Competition, but was still impressed with the improvements made by all the directors and casts.

I happen to like off-beat theatre, and Jean Claude van Itallie is definitely off-beat. The kids did an admirable job with this. They were well directed and very precise, which was nice. Unfortunately, the piece itself was probably beyond the ken of the kids, so they really were only aping the movements that the director was giving them, rather than acting feeling any of it themselves.

"The Brothers Grimm..." is one I'd seen twice before, and unfortunately it was probably their weakest performance. I think they actually peaked at their first competition (where they took first place). The play, as directed, relies a lot on one particular performer to make it really sing, and he seemed to be not as involved as they needed him.

"Laugh In..." was one that I did not get to see.

"Crisis, Inc." is another play that I was familiar with. This performance was rushed and lacked passion.

"Employees Must Wash Hands..." is one of those plays that amazes me that it made it this far. The performance was goofy without purpose, and not particularly tight.

I could easily go the rest of my life and not have to watch another performance of "Wiley and the Hairy Man" and be very happy. I'd seen this cast earlier in the season and was very unimpressed, but this performance was spot on! Fantastic. I actually enjoyed the play for the first time! What a delight to see these kids make this leap. This was my pick for first place.

"Competition Piece" was a cheesy bit of a play, but well directed and performed. These kids are a tight unit. My pick for second place.

"15 Minute Hamlet" was just about the most embarassing piece of theatre I've ever seen. Slow-moving, plodding, dull, lifeless, limp. What other adjectives can I think of to describe this?

Surprisingly, to me, "Competition Piece" was the play to come out on top, making this at least the third time in four years for this school (St. Charles). My congratulations to them (though I still think "Wiley..." should have won).

POETRY OUT LOUD -- Rushford-Peterson High School

The Minnesota Arts Board sponsors a Poetry Out Loud competition in Minnesota High Schools. Participants must choose two poems from a given selection, to memorize and recite for competition. Students are judged on a variety of items, from meorization, to difficulty level of the poem, to understanding what the poem means, to appropriate gestures.

This was the first competition of this sort in the R-P School.

Students did an impressive job.

SPELLING BEE -- R-P Elementary/Middle School Students

Rushford-Peterson High School Theatre

A spelling Bee Competition.

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I'd never been to a Spelling Bee before. I decided that I really should check one out, and it was quite exciting. Each class in grades 5-8 had at least two representatives, possibly three.

After a few quick 'outs,' it came down to two students ... a 5th grade boy and an 8th grade girl. It looked like the 8th grade girl had it sewn up, but her spelling of "candidate" sounded as though she said "a" rather than "e" for the final letter (no one doubted she knew the spelling, but she wasn't clear enough), and the battle between the two went a couple more rounds.

The words for this contest were:

clumsiness
xylophone
gazelle
hustle
alamo
denim
contraband
bagel
denture
elite
troika
collage
cobalt
sitzmark
bequeath
cantata
angst
quell
derth
fiery
candidate
vendetta

Only two words made me pause (and I did get them correct on my writing of them): 'troika' and 'sitzmark.' Both caused the elimination of a student. 'Troika' and 'sitzmark'?! What kinds of words are those for a spelling bee?

A fun experience.

MSHSL SUB-SECTION 1A ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL -- Rushford-Peterson High School

Five one-act plays, produced and performed by area high schools as part of the Minnesota State High School League One Act Play Festival. The schools are: Chatfield; Fillmore Central; Houston; Rushford-Peterson; Spring Grove.

The plays are:

Happily Never After by T. Kelly
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis
Mother Goosed by Jason Pizzarello
Crisis, Inc. by Daniel Munson
Four Little Words by Edward Finnegan

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Over-all, this was a pretty decent selection of plays.

Happily Never After was a cute fairy tale, suggesting that things DIDN'T end happily after after and perhaps the wrong pairings were made, but when they tried to match up different princes and princesses, it got even worse. The actors did a decent job but the direction lacked timing and build and energy.

I'd seen The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon the previous weekend, when it was outstanding. This production also lacked energy momentum, but held together cohesively.

Mother Goosed was the third fairy-tale type play of the day. The blocking was a bit tired and boring, but the actors hit all the right marks and did a wonderful job. As I described it to my students, "They didn't do anything wrong."

My own show, Crisis, Inc., was probably the best it had ever been. The kids peaked at the right time and hit all the right marks, though there was still room for improvement in places.

Another show that I saw the previous weekend, Four Little Words, did little to improve itself over the week. It did manage to get rid of some of the random up-staging, but vocal screeching and boring line delivery remained constant.

My top three were Crisis, Inc., Mother Goosed, and Brothers Grimm, in that order. Actual results ... 2nd place: Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon; 1st place (Sub-Section Champions): Crisis, Inc.

THREE RIVERS ONE ACT CONFERENCE - Wabasha-Kellogg High School

Wabasha-Kellogg Performing Arts Center

Nine high schools, belonging to the Three Rivers Conference league, perform their one act plays for competition and to receive advice on how to improve to be ready for sub-section competition.

Performing were:
St. Charles High School - Competition Piece by John S. Wells
Kingsland High School - Wiley and the Hairy Man by Jack Stokes
Wabasha-Kellogg High School - Employees Must Wash Hands ... Before Murder by Don Zolidis
Southland High School - No Time by Laurence Klavan
Rushford-Peterson High School - Crisis, Inc. by Daniel Munson
Dover-Eyota High School - Class Action by Brad Straight
Chatfield High School - Four Little Words by Edward Finnegan
Fillmore-Central High School - The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis
Lewiston-Altura High School - Oh What a Tangled Web by John R. Carroll

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A long and interesting day of plays.

Competition Piece was moderately well done. The cast did a wonderful job of projecting and staying in character, but the direction was flat, static.

I've seen Wiley and the Hairy Man before and I just can't find the attraction to this piece. Perhaps it's because I've never seen it done well, though this was closer than the last time I saw it. Sadly, the young boy who played "Wiley" came across as VERY gay, and that's about all anyone got out of it.

I missed both Employees Must Wash Hands and No Time, as my cast was preparing for their performance.

My students performed Crisis, Inc. and did a remarkably good job. Probably the best tyhey'd done to that point. It wasn't strong, but there were glimpses of what it could be.

Class Action also showed glimpses of possibility, but as it was, it was disorganized and confused. If the director could get a clearer picture of the whole, and the actors actually talk to each other rather than out to the stage, they will do well.

Four Little Words was just dreadful. Random actions by cast members with nothing to do on stage were a constant distraction. Screaming made dialog unintelligible. Fast, slurry lines from a major character with all the 'one-liners' was embarassing. Probably the worst performance of the day.

The best performance of the day was probably The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. They were energetic and had the audience absolutely adoring them.

Oh What A Tangled Web was another show that had promise but was in too much of a rehearsal stage still to be strong enough to compete. Dropped lines, missing cues, and confusion with the blocking had them suffering some.

Overall, an interesting collection of shows for the day. This was the first time I've attended this event, and it was certainly well worth our time. it was good to be in front of an audience and to hear where the laughs were going to come from.

Awards went to: Fillmore Central, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon - 1st place. Saint Charles, Competition Piece - 2nd place. Rushford-Peterson, Crisis, Inc. - 3rd place. Wabasha-Kellog, Employees Must Wash Hands Before Murder - 4th place.

A WINTER CONCERT - Rushford-Peterson Bands 6th-12th

Rushford-Peterson Public Schools Winter Band Concert
Directors: Burton Svendsen and Jacob Olson

6th Grade Band
"Jingle Bells"
"The Dragons of Komodo"
"Away in the Manger"
"Frosty the Snow Man"
"Edmondson"

7th and 8th Grade Band
"Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest"
"Acapulco Holiday"
"Queenwood Overture"
"Jingo Jango"

Senior High Band
"Good King Wenceslas"
"Greensleeves"
"A Christmas Festival"

Combined Band 7th-12th
"A Marshmallow World"
"Christmas Sing-a-Long"

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Once again I've come away from a school concert more impressed than I anticipated. The quality was quite good and the directors seemed to have a very good control of the students.

I noticed that there definitely is a marked difference between the grades which suggests that there is strong instruction during the course of the school year (as there should be).

I believe that one of my first experiences at a local band concert was less than impressive, so my hopes and anticipations are low, but that is changing and I'm soon going to expect much higher quality from this school.

FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL -- Rushford-Peterson Middle School

script: Jack Frakes
director: Forrest Musselman
cast: Freddy Scaife, Alex Kopperud, Amy Bessler, Alex Courrier, Rebecca Munson, Alisa Warnes, Audra Lea, Katie Wolter, Bridgette Volkman, Kyli Torkelson, Annie Scaife, Katie Prinsen
stage manager: Heather Brevig

Possibly the world's worst production of Cinderella is beginning the final dress rehearsal.

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This one act comedy is full of laughs. These young students, mostly seventh and eighth graders, keep the show moving quickly, never dropping the pace.

Director Musselman manages to keep the show interesting to the audience without losing sight of what this is about ... a bad show.

All the actor cameos are well performed.

A fun, one-shot production.

RUSHFORD-PETERSON VOCAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Rushford-Peterson High School and Elementary School Christmas Concert


High School Choir
"A Garland of Carols"
"Christmas Time is Here"
"Girls Rock the Fifties"
"Santa Baby"

(Choir personnel: Bekka Bunke, Laura Elit, Emily Frick, Katie James, Alicia Klungtvedt, Kat Lozano, Hannah Nitecki, Kristen Ostrem, Nikki Otterness, Kaitlyn Peterson, Carina Schiltz, Sawyer Stennes, Hannah Thompson, Tracey Todd, Elsa Van Gorp)


Grades 4 and 5
"Festive Processional" -- Audrey Snyder
"Goin' to Grandma's" -- Catherine Bennett
"The Reindeer Rap" -- Sally Albrecht
"First Footprints" -- Phyllis Wolfe-White & Karen Bodoin
"Merry Christmas to All" -- Arr. Jay Althouse


Grades 1, 2, and 3
"Six Little Snowflakes"
"The Day Before, The Day Before Christmas"
"Bonding"
"Mi Casa, Su Casa"
"Christmas is Music"

cast of characters:
Snowflake 1 - McCoy Hanson
Snowflake 2 - Alexandra Meldahl
Snowflake 3 - Lukas Rasmussen
Snowflake 4 - Adelia Buege
Snowflake 5 - Taige Kruger
Snowflake 6 - Megan Holien
Man - Landon Goree
Lady - Abigail Wieser
Soup - Julianna Malone
Tree - Allison Oian
Blanket - Sydney Boyum
Ham - Hayden Stensgard
Gravy - Ashley Keenan
Homeless People - Melody Paulson, Amanda Doerr, Nathan Wick
Xylophones - Ashley Agrimson, Aaron Munson, Savannah Skalet
Storyteller 1 - Samantha Kryzer
Storyteller 2 - Jordi Markegard
Storyteller 3 - Dalton Johnson
Storyteller 4 - Abigail Sand
Storyteller 5 - Joy Hundorf
Storyteller 6 - Taylor Warnken

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The standard, school Christmas concert with all the typical 'hard-to-understand' acting from the young kids.

What was different and very nice this year was having the high school choir perform (in their new robes!). Also slightly different was having the oldest go first. This prevented the parents and kids getting up and leaving during the concert (which has generally been the case).

Always nice to have the young students perform. A great opportunity, but certainly not recommendation-worthy.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE -- Martin County West High School

Three Dollar Bill Productions
book: Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan
lyrics: Dick Scanlan
new music: Jeanine Tesori
original story and screenplay: Richard Morris
director: Daryl Lanz
vocal and musical director: Sarah Carlstrom
cast: Krista Weiss, Scott Hemann, Liz Rabbe, Naomi Posivio, Alexis Janssen, Alaina Helmstetter, Sabrina Steen, Elizabeth Anderson, Mattie Steen, Kelly Claussen, Sarah Manzey, Matt Stoffel, Juston Holm, Liz Alsworth, Mattie Olson, Karen Suter, Blake Potthoff, Sean Crayne, Reilley Olson, Jordan Schwager, Nancy Bebernes, Caleb Krusemark, Alysia Smith, Aziley Smith, Megan Suter, Elisha Gowen, Ciara Pearson, Megan Schultz
costuming: Biny Claussen
sound: Kevin Diekmann & Daryl Lanz
stage crew: Dakota Fuller & Justin Carlstrom
pit band: Sue Krueer (flute), Marji Carlson (calrinet), Olivia Latimer (trombone), Nils Carlson (bass), Biny Claussen (percussion), Sarah Carlstom (piano)

A 1920's "modern" girl from Nebraska toughs it out in the Big Apple

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I'd never seen this play before, though I was moderately familiar with the score. However, as someone who really enjoys musical theatre, and having not seen this particular show, I was eager to finally get a chance to take it in. And I wasn't disappointed!

This young cast (and director) kept the show moving quickly and never got too bogged down in the plot or among the scene changes.

"Millie" was exceptionally good, as were the two young men who spoke Chinese quite fluently.

There were a couple of vocal issues (as in 'I couldn't hear them') among some of the cast, but not in any of the leading roles.

A good use of the sets.

A remarkable and enjoyable production.

FLOODAPALOOZA - Rushford Area Society of the Arts

Rushford-Peterson High School

A marathon day of performances in celebration of the good citizen's of Rushford and the flood recovery. A free event, donations accepted ($10,000 raised for flood relief).

Volunteer acts were:

RASA's cast of How To Talk Minnesotan
"Two Rivers" Blue Grass Band
"Winona Hims" Male Chorus
Jackie Bird - Native American Hoop Dancer (photo at right) with Maza Kute - nationally known drummers
"Irish Minstrels" Celtic music
"Trouble Shooter" band
"Take Note" SE Minnesota Show Tune Choir
"Runners-Up" Winona Comedy Improv Theatre
"The Lovers Show" -duo of Rock singers with a twist
"Bluesberries" blues/rock band
John Bernadot, Cody & King music and anecdotes

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As a member of the organization that produced this event, I will admit that I wasn't sure how well this was going to come off. There was very little preparation and lots of questions as to the quality of the acts that volunteered, but I am happy to admit that this was a fantastic show.

The Improv Group didn't work too well, but not necessarily because they weren't good, but because it was the wrong kind of crowd and the auditorium was too large to pick up the subtleties of what they were doing. Beyond that, every group was incredibly good. In fact, some were actually professional performers, which I did not realize.

Of particular note (and it's actually hard to single out a performance, they really were that good) was "The Lovers Show" featuring Jared and Noni. This duo (who apparently met while they were both performing in Stomp) were incredibly professional, great entertainers, and a whole lot of fun. I would pay to see these two perform again.

"Bluesberries" was tremendous. Not just 'blues', but kick-back rock.

The Irish Minstrels were also fantastic. Very good performers and engaged the audience well.

A top notch day of entertainment!

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - Prairie Fire Children's Theatre

The Prairie Fire Children's Theatre
presented by Rushford Area Society of the Arts
adapataion: Ben Ratkowski, Deborah Nelson Pick, & Daniel Stock
cast: Rachel Gabel (PFCT actor/director), Jordan McNamer, Leah Leisen, Wesley Trejo, Kallie Carlson, Josh Doerr, Brittany Kuss, Maverick Hanson, Emma Malone, Gabe Mierau, Clara Wieser, Shayna Hanson, Jena Gutnecht, Olivia Hoff, Maria Doerr, Morgan Kingsley, Carissa Bieberdorf, Kila Feller, Blaire Pronschinske, Ashley Brown, Kate MacKenzie, Mariah Olson, Nicole Howe, Brooke Johnson, Kelsey Toomey, Anna Malone, Zoe Feller, Irelynn Pronschinske, Indy Hermanson, Nicole Eidenschink, Autumn Laumb, Megan Brown, Savannah Neitzke, Ben Ratkowski (PFCT actor/director), Jordan Honken, Hannah Kopperud, Ellen Nelson, Emily Rasmussen, Shayna Bellock, Kate Klungtvedt, Abby Wieser, Andrea Larson, Tatyanna Bronk, Savannah Skalet, Abby Eidenschink, Mason McManimon-Myers, Morgan McManimon-Myers, Landon Goree, Sierra McNamer, Nick Hoff, Cadence McManimon-Myers, Samara McManimon-Myers, Elizabeth Wick, Bailey O'Hare, Rebekah Rislov, Joel Trejo, Logan Gappa, Bryce Kingsley.

Shakespeare's classic play, with a few twists.

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I'm not a huge fan of the PFCT performances, mostly because the quality of a show is pretty bad. Not surprising since they tend to have around 60 kids and only five days to rehearse. However, of all the PFCT performances I have seen (and I've seen too many), this is easily one fo the best.

The script managed to be quite faithful to Shakespeare's, and the costume's were gorgeous! The McManimon-Myers girls were tremendous actors, and the humor was well played.

This still had the usual problems of too many kids who can't speak loudly enough, and almost no actual acting, but it moved along and was enjoyed.

My favorite Prairie Fire Children's Theatre production so far.

TALES TOLD 'ROUND THE WORLD -- Winona State University

playwright: Forrest Musselman
director: Vivan Fusillo

A young boy, Jack, chooses to read his story homework on the internet, rather than from a book. A nasty virus keeps shutting him down.

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There was some nice material here, but as with other productions I've seen, directed by my mentor, Vivian Fusillo, this just never reaches the level of intensity that it needs to reach.

There really isn't much to comment on about the script. It seemed pretty simple. The sense of the virus and it's interaction with jack never really materialized. Is this the fault of the playwright, or the director. Hard to say.

The energy was low and dragging and the wonderful set was never fully utilized. What has happened? Where is the wild creativity? The lack of performers may be one issue, but my recollection of 20 years ago (okay, 25 years ago), was that Vivian worked magic with kids who weren't "theatre" students. And people WANTED to be in a Vivian show. That doesn't seem to hold true today.

I hate to admit it, but it is a struggle for me to go to one of these shows now. I do do out of respect, but it takes an effort.

MOMIX remix -- Page Series

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
School of the Arts -- Page Series

artistic director: Moses Pendleton
associate director: Cynthia Quinn
performers: Danielle Arico, Todd Burnsed, Sara Kappraff, Suzanne Lampl, Nicole Loizides, Steven Marshall, Timothy Melady, Brian Simerson
technical director: Jim Berman
stage manager: Rebecca Ball

A collection of performance pieces, mostly dance but unusually so.

"Sonoran: But Not Asleep"
"Tuu"
"Orbit"
"Pole Dance"
"Spawning"
"Gila Dance"
"Zaar"
"Millenium Skiva"
"Dream Catcher"
"The Wind Up"
"Sputnik" ("Fellow Traveler")
"E.C."

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This was a fantastic show.


None of the sketches were too long -- each left you wanting just a little more. Each was incredibly unique and most definitely pushed the boundaries of what we consider dance ("Tuu" amd "Zaar" were the most dance traditional).

It would be difficult for me to pick a favorite. I really enjoyed the energy and masculinity of "Pole Dance" but "Millenium Skiva" was just really fantastic! (The photo above of a dancer on skis is the "Millenium Skiva" dance.) "Gila Dance" was unique, "Tuu" was fantastic, "dream Catcher" was so totally different from anything else, etc etc etc!

I realize that this particular touring company is probably not the "A" squad of Momix, but I never felt that we were seeing second rate performers. Everyone was on their mark.

I highly recommend a visit to see any Momix performance, even if you aren't normally inclined to see a dance concert!

CELEBRATING PEACE & CULTURE SHOW: 100 YEARS OF MARIA MONTESSORI -- University of Houston

The Ibn Sina Foundation Montessori School for Underserved Children
director: Tony Smith

A variety of acts in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Maria Montessori.

Ariel Silks with Dreya Weber
Kuumba House Dance Theatre and School of the Woods African Drummers
Houston World Dance Ensemble
Anjali Center for Performing Arts
Ann Candler Harlan with School of the Woods Singers
Ariel Swing with Dreya Weber
Rebekah Loweke and kit Reid's Jackson Square Band
Cass Academy of Irish Dance
Round Rock Entertainment Brazilian Dance Ensemble
Lee's Golden Dragons

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This extravaganza lacked focus. It was a light show with some variety acts or greatly varying talents. The interludes between acts was interesting with its history of Maria Montessori. What the acts had to do with anything was not at all clear -- except that they all were geared toward a specific culture.

Most of the talent was amateurish -- it had the feel of a showcase. Dreya Weber was good and very interesting as the ariel artist. The dancers which appeared a number of sections were talented and I'd liked to have seen more of them. Outstanding was the Lee's Dragons. Their big number with a dragon (manned by two people) jumping along pylons was absolutely incredible and well worth the admission price by itself.

The Irish dancers were very good and it was a joy to watch them. Sadly, there was one very obvious error made by one dancer, which took away from the overall feel for the group.

I was invited to come to this, and I'm glad I did. However, I would not have paid money for it myself. First, it was definitley aimed at a target audience, which I am not part of. Secondly, I am very critical of this type of performance. I don't want to see amateurs. If it bills itself as amateurs than I have no problem and accept it for what it is. This was billed as high quality entertainment.

The biggest problem here was the lighting. It seemed obvious that the lighting designer was given free reign to do as he pleased and he made it a light show, an industrial. I understand that he probably felt that the talent needed to be backed by something spectacular, but often the lights were distracting and in some cases even prevented us from seeing the talent.

ART -- Saint Mary's University

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - School of the Arts

playwright: Yasmina Reza
translator: Christopher Hampton
director: Dr. Steven Bouler
cast: Andrew Winecke, Peter Snell, Curtis Kempton
scenic designer: Kit Mayer
lighting designer: Kirstin "Fluffy" Blake
costume designer: Alice Flo, Dr. Steven Bouler
stage manager: Katie Simon

A man buys a piece or art that becomes so controversial it begins to unravel his friendships.

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When Serge buys a white canvas with white stripes painted on it, his best friend, Marc, calls it "shit" and the friendship breakdown begins.

Although the question "What is 'art'" is certainly prevalent, the question "What is a 'friend'" is the dominant question. Too bad director Bouler doesn't make this connection.

Director Bouler's sole point here, seems to be to play up the comedy. This just doesn't work. The play is funny by itself and doesn't need cheap laughs (which come from only a handful of the patrons that saw it the Saturday night that I was in attendance).

When a script calls for actors to have soliloquies, in which they step out of the action to directly address the audience, there should never be any addressing the audience except for those moments. In this production, the cast was CONSTANTLY addressing the audience, either with looks for a laugh, or simply by talking to us as if we were actually there for the conversation. Keeping it "internal" -- on the stage -- would be much funnier. Instead there was a muddiness as to where we were and when.

With only a cast of three, it is important to have strong performances. All three young men did a fine job, though Curtis Kempton stood out as the slightly off-beat friend (but why the hell did he deliver the long, funny speech at his entrance straight out to the audience!!!!!).

Andrew Winecke was good as the curmudgeonly friend who hated the art. However, he sounded like the guy on the tv commercial who is always shouting. Andrew could use some advice on the difference between projection and shouting.

Peter Snell did a fine job as the art connoisseur, though frankly he didn't have much to do other than defend his choice in art (and friends). I have a personal frustration with Snell's work on stage -- he doesn't know how to walk or stand! He has a very affected stage walk that never looks relaxed or natural, and he always stands with his feet close together (often slightly pigeon-toed). He gets roles which require some authority, but his body language always betrays what he's trying to accomplish (also tends to act from the waist up, making his stance even more obvious).

I went, expecting ... HOPING ... to like this play. Instead I was greatly disappointed with the directorial structure. A beautiful, elegant, avant-garde set; nice lighting; appropriate costumes gave this a nice look, but....