It’s the middle of the night. She can’t sleep. She lies awake and her demons haunt her. She tells herself over and over to let them go. She prays. She dozes off then jolts awake. The recurring dream. Panic. Sweat. Heart racing fear. She takes in deep breaths trying to slow her heart, she wonders if it might actually beat out of her chest. She tries to swallow, her throat sore from trying to scream. She remembers. She was in the air, flying across the room and then….the explosion, her body breaking, emotions scattered into tiny pieces. She remembers his hands imprinted on her chest. She wraps her hands around her chest giving herself a hug.
She takes a deep breath and realizes she is still on this journey.
She remembers.
She was.
She is.
She is tenderly picking up each shattered piece, giving it love and putting it back in place. She knows that part of her is stuck in this moment. She is going to heal. She is going to finally release it.
She is finding herself. She is learning to listen to her soul. She is finding HER path.
She is learning to trust herself.
She is in a room with beautiful, inspiring women. She is going to write her story.
Hot Funky Butt Jazzcast: Zena Moses – Marie Laveau star of the show, Messiah MosesAlbert – young Louis Armstrong, Jeremy Phipps – Stringbean Russell, Michael Wolfe – Professor James London, Naa Mensah — Essie.
created by the INTERACT ENSEMBLE
directed by JEANNE CALVIT
music and lyrics by AARON GABRIEL
in collaboration with New Orleans’ musicians ZENA MOSES, JEREMY PHIPPS, and EUGENE HARDING
Former Guthrie Artistic Director Liviu Ciulei once said that “a community can be measured by the questions its theater asks.”
That is what I love about the Dowling Studio – Level 9 at Guthrie Theater! Affordable tickets to original shows, many created by our local theater companies. They create art to help us understand and address important questions in our society.
That is exactly what Hot Funky Butt Jazz did. Beautiful, entertaining art while opening our eyes to the challenging beginning of jazz simultaneously reminding us that people with disabilities still face the same struggles today.
Photo Credit: Bob Stacke
Hot Funky Butt Jazz takes place in the early 1900s in Storyville, New Orleans’ infamous red-light vice district where many musicians like Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, and Louis Armstrong grew up. The show is fun, full of life and tells the story of how it took strong, tenacious people to stand together against all odds to bring us “hot music” now known as jazz.
The full cast is made up of 50 actors with and without disabilities. As the show ended, I looked at the stage and thought…this is what “normal” really looks like not what society has taught me to believe. How it is up to me, us, the people to work to change the perceptions. I struggle with my own disability and have felt less. I was reminded that I’m not. That it is through our own hard times that we can create change. That diversity is everything. When we watch, listen, and hear the same things over and over, we become robots not people.
The Ordway kicks off their 2018-19 Broadway Series perfectly with the Tony Award-winning musical, Mamma Mia!. Incredible show, cast, and music!
I know most of the world knows the story but here’s a quick overview. 😉
A cherished story of friendship, love, and family set on a beautiful Greek island where a mother, her daughter, and three probable dads find their way back to each other and just in time for a wedding. The story is told through many of ABBA’s greatest hits like “Dancing Queen”, “Take a Chance on Me”, “Thank You for the Music” and “SOS”.
The all-new Ordway Original production is directed by Martha Banta, the associate director for Mamma Mia! on Broadway; and features choreography by award-winning London-based artist Mitch Sebastian, and a cast composed of a variety of Minnesota talent and national artists.
The mix of the cast was impeccable and it’s always so fun to see local favorites. Ann Michels was meant for the role of Tanya, she inspires me every time I see her on stage. Erin K. Schwab (Rosie) always has such a strong presence bringing life and laughter. Christine Sherrill (Donna) is making her Ordway debut and was part of the national touring production.
I love these ladies! I saw the show last Thursday and I’m still smiling and singing! 🎶
Erin K. Schwab, Producing Artistic Director Rod Kaats, Christine Sherrill, and Ann Michels for Mamma Mia!. Photo by Rich Ryan.
Quote from the new Producing Artistic Director, Rod Kaats:
They literally dance their way through life with an irresistible mix of self-deprecating humor and fortitude that makes them nothing less than heroic.
That quotes nails it. That is LIFE.
We are all going to go through hard times, we are going to be afraid, we will have our hearts broken but with friends and family, we can dance, sing and keep our sense of humor.
Now more than ever, it touched my soul seeing three strong women on stage telling this story. A story where woman are fierce and don’t need to “depend” on men. I never thought that would be so relevant in 2018.
Like the Ordway says:
You ABBA-solutely can’t miss this ultimate feel-good summer musical at the Ordway!
You can get your tickets HERE and make sure to check out the Ordway Extras – unique events on different nights!
Dieter Bierbrauer, Christine Sherrill, and the cast of Mamma Mia!. Photo by Rich Ryan.Patrick Connaghan and Caroline Innerbichler in Mamma Mia!. Photo by Rich Ryan.
Audrey Babcock as Carmen, Stage direction by Fenlon Lamb, Set design by Narelle Sissons, Costume design by Sarah Bahr, Lighting design by Nate Wheatley, Wig and Makeup design by Jason Allen, PHOTO CREDIT: Dan Norman
Music by Georges Bizet | Libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halévy
Experience Carmen under the stars at Mill City Museum! The Mill City Summer Opera is a show that I look forward to every year. It’s such a unique experience. There’s something about being out in the fresh air, in the historic ruins of Mill City watching an opera from the 1830s!
From Mill City Summer Opera:
Among the most famous and performed of all operas, Carmen is a riveting story of love, lust, betrayal, jealousy and murder. Set in 1830s Seville, the gypsy girl Carmen seduces soldier Don José away from his post and his beloved Micaëla. After luring him to join her and a clan of smugglers, Carmen turns her attention toward the swaggering bullfighter Escamillo. Carmen’s fate is met in the final act when she meets the madly jealous Don José outside of the arena.
I love the intensity of this opera. I was completely mesmerized by their voices and the acoustics at the ruins are perfect. Hearing their operatic voices swirl around you and float into the night sky is bewitching.
At first, I found myself reading the words but the passion of the actors quickly pulled me in and I didn’t need them. It’s beautiful when actions, facial expressions, mannerisms can tell you everything.
The show was called due to rain but that made for a memorable evening!
There are only 7 opportunities to see this show! July 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22 and 24. Last night was opening night and tickets sell out fast. There is a rush line beginning each night at 6pm and rush tickets are $35.
Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Time: Performance begins at 7:30 p.m.
Price: Tickets range from $50 to $125 for all nights
Even with the rain, it was so fun to see the final dress rehearsal of Carmen with some of the other Twin Cities Theater Bloggers! You can check out our Facebook page and read other reviews HERE.
The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s production of West Side Story, based on a conception of Jerome Robbins with a book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Joseph Haj. Scenic design by Christopher Acebo, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Elisheba Ittoop. Photo by T Charles Erickson.
Leonard Bernstein would have been 100 this year. His daughter shared a beautiful memory about her father. He believed that if he “just wrote a good enough melody that maybe he could heal the world”. Maybe the world isn’t completely healed but the moment that I sat in the Wurtele Thrust Theater, the music filling the air, the audience mesmerized by song and dance, that energy filled my heart and that is healing. That moment we collectively all stood for a standing ovation at the end of an incredible show….that’s healing. A twinkle of what it’s like when we all stand together.
West Side Story is a modern day Romeo and Juliet. It’s interesting how we can come so far and yet at the same time not much changes. Set in 1957, I feel like I could be watching this story unfold in the streets today. A story of rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks in an ongoing feud over what it means to be American, their differences in belief breeding hatred. Tony a former member of the Jets falls in love with Maria, the sister of a member of the rival gang. Professing their love for each other causes a rumble to be planned and even though Tony has good intentions, chaos ensues.
Many productions of West Side Story model the film. I love that Guthrie Theater took it a step further, bringing it to 2018 and showing us the truth of now. The set is so powerful with the Statue of Liberty, our symbol of freedom and democracy, toppled over on the stage. Tony (Marc Koeck) and Maria (Mia Pinero) both making their Guthrie debuts couldn’t be more perfect. Their voices melt through you sending chills to your toes. ❤️
As I always mention, don’t forget to make a night of it at Guthrie Theater. This time I decided to eat at the Level Five Café. The onion rings were delicious and it’s always such a treat to take in all the views and reflections that the windows provide. Don’t miss the speciality drinks that they offer for each show!
Another wonderful thing to note! The Guthrie Theater, in partnership with Medtronic and Americares, used the Friday, June 15 invited dress rehearsal as a fundraiser for Puerto Rico hurricane relief. They raised $57,300!
Jennifer Chavez Rubio, Senior Director, Global Engagement, Medtronic Philanthropy (left) receives a check for Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico from the Guthrie Theater’s Artistic Director, Joseph Haj (right). Tickets were sold for the invited dress rehearsal of the Guthrie’s summer musical West Side Story on Friday, June 15, and those funds in the amount of $57,300 will be dispersed through Americares.
My pets have always brought me so much joy, laughter and love. I remember watching the Best Friends Animal Society special on National Geographic and thinking I have go there someday. That day finally happened and it’s where we met and rescued our beautiful, strong, sensitive baby girl, Utah. In turn, she rescued us. Our lives forever changed for the better.
Best Friends Animal Society is the largest no-kill sanctuary in the Nation. Their mission is to SAVE THEM ALL and someday live in a world where there are no homeless pets. All of the programs that they run are incredible (for example their spay and neuter program) and the sanctuary is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever been. Since our first visit, we’ve made it a tradition and plan to go back ever year to volunteer.
Best FriendsAnimal Society in Southern Utah
The sanctuary is located in Kanab, Utah . It is home to nearly 1,600 homeless pets. Including horses, pigs and birds. They also have other locations throughout the country and their goal is to create a no-kill Nation, city by city.
The sanctuary also offers a peaceful resting place for our best friends. It is the most serene place that I’ve ever been, you can feel love as you walk through and listen to the countless beautiful chimes. This year we honored our pets that passed, Huckleberry and Kaytee.
