"The Abortion Chronicles" by Mermaid Productions at Haus of Loring

The Scarlet Letter A does not always mean Adultery, it can also stand for Abortion. Something to be ashamed of and never spoken about. Or at least that's how it used to be, but lately it's become more common for women, and men, to share their abortion stories. That was the impetus behind the 2016 Minnesota Fringe Festival show The Abortion Chronicles, created by Ariel Pinkerton, Ruth Virkus, and Ben Layne. At the time I wrote "40+ years after Roe v. Wade it's important to be reminded why legal abortion is a necessity, especially in such a human and relatable way as this." It never occurred to me that six years later, legal abortion would no longer be available in many parts of the country after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Which makes The Abortion Chronicles even more necessary now, as it simply, honestly, and with humanity shares real stories of women making the choice to have an abortion. You can hear these stories Fridays and Saturdays at 7 at Haus of Loring, on Lake Street just off Bde Maka Ska (click here for details).

"To Breed, Or Not To Breed" by Fortune's Fool Theatre at the Crane Theater and Now Streaming

Back in early November when theaters were open at limited capacity, just before the November surge tightened things up again, Fortune's Fool Theatre presented a new piece called To Breed, Or Not To Breed at the Crane Theater* in Northeast Minneapolis. I chose not to attend, because I've been very cautious since the start of the pandemic and don't anticipate returning to the theater until the vaccine is more widely distributed and/or local case numbers decrease significantly (maybe this spring if things go well?). But fortunately for us, Fortune's Fool recorded these performances and have made them available to view on YouTube for free, with a suggested donation if you're able. I watched all three 50-ish-minute installments this weekend and found this series of storytelling pieces about the choice to have or not have children very engaging, moving, relatable, and honest.

"Dog Act" by Fortune's Fool Theatre at Gremlin Theatre

Dog Act is a little like The Walking Dead, but with entertainers. Because even in an apocalypse (zombie or otherwise), we still need to tell our stories, and be entertained by storytelling. In Dog Act, produced by Fortune's Fool Theatre at Gremlin, a traveling performer and her dog/person try to survive in a post-apocolyptic world that, much like the TWD universe, consists of scavengers and worse, people who will stop at nothing to survive. Those are the ideas explored in this weird but oddly sweet play, well executed by the Fortune's Fool team.

"The Drowning Girls" by Freshwater Theatre at the Crane Theater

Three victims of an early 20th Century English serial killer have their say in the haunting play The Drowning Girls, receiving its regional premiere with Freshwater Theatre. Based on a book about this true story, The Drowning Girls examines the life of these three women, their hopes in marrying a seemingly charming man, and the dire consequences when it's revealed he's a con man and serial marryer/murderer, after their money only. The play is ingeniously staged with three onstage bathtubs, shower-heads periodically pouring water into them, the three hardy actors working in water and wet clothes for the entire 75-minute show (which probably explains why the theater was toasty warm, a nice treat on a cold late winter day). The short run closes this weekend - just two remaining performances; click here for more info on how to see this fascinating, gripping, and well executed story.

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2018: "Gunfighting: An American Story"

Day: 1

Show: 3

Title: Gunfighting: An American Story

Category: Storytelling

By: Hero Props

Created by: Seán McArdle

Location: Mixed Blood Theatre

Summary: A well-researched presentation on the history of gun rights and regulations in America from a props designer and stage gun safety instructor.

Highlights: This is a conversation we need to have, that we've needed to have for years, decades even, that we need to have even more every day. Seán approaches the problem of gun violence from the perspective of someone who grew up with guns and has made a career working with prop guns and teaching proper safety. His belief that people handling real guns should have as much safety training as those handling prop guns, the suicide of an uncle, and the courage of the Parkland students inspired him to do this show, even though he's usually backstage. With the help of a slide show (historic photographs, film clips, quotes, and pop culture references) he leads us through his personal history with guns both real and fake, the proper procedure for handling guns onstage, and a very brief history of gun legislation, and provides some very reasonable suggestions for how all sides of this debate can come together, find common ground, and enact sensible legislation that will save lives while not infringing on anyone's constitutional rights (step one: don't buy what the NRA is selling). If you're looking for fun escapist Fringe, this is not it, but if you're looking for an interesting perspective on one of the biggest public safety issues of our time, you've found it. Recommended reading: Gunfight by Adam Winkler. Recommended organization: Everytown.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.

"The Skriker" by Fortune's Fool Theatre at the Crane Theater

A dark fairy pursues two teenage mothers in Caryl Churchill's The Skriker, receiving a rare production thanks to Fortune's Fool Theatre. It's an ambitious undertaking, with a huge cast of 17, fantastical elements, and complicated often nonsensical dialogue. While I have to admit that the play is a little too weird for my taste, I can recognize the talent, artistry, and hard work that has gone into making this unique and striking piece of art.

Fringe Festival 2017: "A Mermaid Abroad & A Fish Out of Water"

Day: 10

Show: 42

Title: A Mermaid Abroad & A Fish Out of Water

Category: Something Different

By: Mermaid Productions

Created by: Ariel Leaf, Scot Moore, and Ben Layne

Location: U of M Rarig Center Xperimental

Summary: A series of travel stories, from funny to profound and everything in between.

Highlights: This show is like listening to your friends tell travel stories, if your friends were good storytellers with great life experiences to pull from. The storytellers are Ariel Leaf, best known for her Mermaid show (which I sadly have never seen), and Scot Moore, who shared his beautifully tragic (or tragically beautiful) travel story in last year's Break Your Heart (one of my faves of the 2016 Fringe). They take turns telling stories and interacting in a conversational, natural way. We hear about Ariel's travel fling gone wrong, Scot's one perfect night of connection, Ariel's struggle with finding a place to pee (my greatest travel fear), Scot getting high in a shopping mall in Canada, and that glorious feeling of returning home. I could have listened to Ariel and Scot tell their travel stories for another hour or two. And now I want to plan my next trip and have a few adventures of my own.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.

Fringe Festival 2016: "Break Your Heart"

Day: 3

Show: 13

Title: Break Your Heart

Category: Something Different

By: One T Productions

Written by: Scot Moore

Location: Intermedia Arts

Summary: A show about love, the endings and the beginnings and the part in between.

Highlights: This one-man show (written and performed by Scot Moore, with direction by Ben Layne) is quintessentially what the Fringe is about, quintessentially what theater is about. An artist takes a life experience, the good and the bad of it, and turns it into art that's both a personal catharsis and something that entertains and touches the audience. On what was supposed to be an 8-week trip around the world with his girlfriend, Scot instead encounters heartbreak and a solo journey to amazing and unexpected places, both geographical and emotional. In addition to being beautiful personal expression, the piece is also really well constructed (including actual scientific citations!). The technical elements are spot-on: well-chosen music (from guitar pieces by Scot's friend Geordie Little to Bonnie Raitt's classic "I Can't Make You Love Me"); projected images, maps, text, and videos; and a trippy video animation that's mesmerizing (by Tim D. Tapp). Video interviews with friends on the topic of love and heartbreak make this bigger than just one person's experience. I exited the theater feeling like I'm seeing the world differently now, and I don't think that feeling will go away for a while. That's the best possible result of theater.

Fringe Festival 2016: "The Abortion Chronicles"

Day: 2

Show: 6

Title: The Abortion Chronicles

Category: Something Different

By: The Red Letter Society

Created by: Ariel Leaf, Ruth Virkus, Ben Layne

Location: Theatre in the Round

Summary: A collection of real-life stories about women's (and a few men's) experiences with abortion.

Highlights: This is a powerful, moving, important piece giving voice to women's stories that aren't often told. At least not in public, with honesty and no shame. About a dozen stories from health care workers, friends, and the women themselves give a varied picture of the reasons for and effects of abortion. There's the American traveler in 1968 Germany who witnesses her friend's illegal abortion, the couple who made the difficult choice about a baby with severe heath issues, and women who just were not in a place to support a child and made the tough but right choice for themselves. Everyone in the cast beautifully delivers these stories (particularly Dana Lee Thompson as the Planned Parenthood employee who ties the stories together), some of which they wrote themselves and some of which are others' stories, but all emotionally felt. 40+ years after Roe v. Wade it's important to be reminded why legal abortion is a necessity, especially in such a human and relatable way as this. Kudos to Ariel Leaf, Ruth Virkus, Ben Layne for collecting and sharing these stories. I don't know what else to say but go see it, bear witness to these women's stories, and maybe be inspired to share your own story.

"Pioneer Suite" by Freshwater Theatre at nimbus theatre

A new original musical, Minnesota history, a gorgeous score written in an early Americana style, a wonderful cast, beautifully rustic period costumes and set, and the real stories of three women who are given a voice. What's not to love about Freshwater Theatre's aptly titled Pioneer Suite? This piece, that is in effect three one-act musicals woven together with a similar theme, time period, and musical style, was written by Keith Hovis, who also music directs and plays keyboard in the three-piece band. I loved Keith's Minnesota Fringe musicals Teenage Misery and Shakespeare Apocalypse, which were both fringey delights, but Pioneer Suite is on a whole different level and proves that he can do more than write catchy songs and a silly and entertaining story. Pioneer Suite is a beautiful and fully formed musical, with moments of humor, darkness, depth, desperation, and heart.

The first act, or movement, is about "Mrs. Housel* of Suicidal Fame," and was presented as part of Freshwater's Archival Revival. Kelly Matthews performed this song at the Ivey's last year, and I'm so glad those of us who missed the original production have a chance to see it again, and more! Based on a newspaper clipping about a woman who attempted suicide nine times, Mrs. Housel is finally able to tell her own story, in her own words. It's obvious that Kelly has spent time with this character, as she makes the audience feel every note and emotion in Mrs. Housel's tragic story.

In the second act we meet Martha Angle Dorsett, the first woman lawyer in Minnesota. Actually we meet two Marthas, one at the ripe old age of 36 (Kendall Anne Thompson), and one a youthful 26 (Gracie Anderson). The younger Martha is facing a decision by the judge whether or not to admit her to the bar, which seems like the most important thing in life. The older Martha has decided to quite practicing law, and tries to convince her younger self that there's more to life than "success." They have some interesting song-conversations, and combining the powerhouse voices of Kendall and Gracie leads to some gorgeous sound. Philip Matthews as her husband Charlie completes the charming trio.

The final act is about Mary (Gail Ottmar), a farmer's wife, who has suffered great loss in her life and would most likely be diagnosed with clinical depression today. But in the late 19th century, all her husband (Jim Ahrens) and son (Zach Garcia) know is that mother spends a lot of time in bed. The visit of a beloved daughter (Libby Anderson) and her fiance (Lars Lee) serves to cheer her up for a time, until she learns that they're leaving the city to start their own farm, the same difficult life that has nearly destroyed Mary. This family drama provides some nice moments for everyone in the cast, from the sweet young couple in love, to the family eagerly preparing for the visit, to Mary singing about her "Melancholia."

Each one of these three mini-musicals could stand on its own (and I'd have a hard time picking a favorite), but putting them together creates an even more powerful and fulfilling experience. The music really evokes that pioneer feeling of the late 19th Century Midwestern frontier, and it's a beautiful thing to hear the stories of three everyday women, who didn't necessary do anything newsworthy in their lives, except that they lived. The closing song allows Mrs. Housel, the Marthas, and Mary to sing together about the power of telling one's story and being heard. I definitely won't forget these three remarkable women soon. Head to nimbus between now and October 18, and you won't either.




*Listen to Keith Hovis talk about the process of writing Mrs. Housel on the Twin Cities Song Story podcast, hosted by Mark Sweeney.