"Buyer and Cellar" presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust at New Century Theatre

Imagine being so wealthy and successful that you need to build a mall in your basement just to hold all of your excess stuff. Such is the situation that living legend of stage and screen Barbra Streisand has found herself in, as described in her 2010 book My Passion for Design. Playwright Jonathan Tolins has taken his fascination with this idea, and Barbra herself, and turned it into a successful Off-Broadway play Buyer and Cellar. Hennepin Theatre Trust has brought this delightfully amusing one-man show to Minneapolis, starring the uber-talented local theater artist Sasha Andreev and directed by acclaimed director Wendy Knox of Frank Theatre. The one-person cast and many-person creative team have come together to create a wonderfully entertaining evening of theater that is funny, fantastical, chock full of pop culture references, and surprisingly touching. Playing through April 24, you would be wise to pencil this one into your theater schedule.

"The Realish Housewives of Edina" at New Century Theatre

I have not watched a single minute of a single episode of any of Bravo's popular Real Housewives TV series (Wikipedia tells me there are seven series, five of which still in production). Don't get me wrong, I love my reality TV, but more of the competition variety (Survivor, The Amazing Race, Top Chef, American Idol). I don't quite understand the fascination of watching "celebrities" in their daily lives, but there's no doubt it's a hugely popular phenomenon, and one that's ripe for parody. So it's a perfect time for this outrageous comedy by playwrights Kate James and Tim Sniffen of The Second City comedy machine. Their intention is for The Realish Housewives of X to play at regional theaters around the country, with slight tweaking for each location. Their first location - Edina. With a fabulous local cast, this show is a hilarious parody of the reality TV phenomenon.

New Century's wide and shallow stage (which can sometimes feel awkward) is a perfect fit for the preview show of the newest series of the Real Housewives-esque show, with cabaret tables in the audience adding to the fun and informal atmosphere. Host and creator Randy (Adan Varela, who also plays multiple other characters) introduces us to each of the housewives (curiously, only two of them have husbands). Ravonka (Kim Kivens) is the vaguely European royalty who carries her tiny dog around in her purse, demands that everyone "pay attention to me right now," and never sees her Baron husband. Claudia-Louise, aka CL (Quinn Shadko), has the perfect family and isn't afraid to tell everyone so. Gwen (Katherine Kupiecki) is an incarcerated politician trying to redeem her image with the public. Ditzy Desiree (Karissa Lade) is a fro yo addict and neck model. Brooke (Anna Hickey) is the newest member of the group, a self-made business woman who has made a fortune selling clothing with writing on the butt. Some of the other members of the group don't accept her "new money" so easily, causing the necessary tension for a show like this.

Anna Hickey, Karissa Lade, Kim Kivens, Quinn Shadko,
and Katherine Kupiecki (photo by Bridget Bennett)

Randy prompts the women to talk about their feelings as he shows them clips from the season, which are acted out in front of us. We see the women visit each others' work places, attend various charity events, and gossip with and about each other. There's a bit of audience participation as CL's husband and Ravonka's daughter are picked out of the crowd and played off of. Everyone in this cast is so loose and playful, yet precise in the characterization of their stereotypical housewife type, I imagine it will only become more fun to watch them play with the audience as the 8-week run continues. Each of these women (and Adan) is a hoot, but Kim Kivens as Ravonka is hysterical. Anyone who's seen her Michelle Bachmann impersonation knows how great she is at these over-the-top caricatures, completely committed with every look and gesture, but here she is absolutely Ravonkulous (meaning ridiculous and fabulous and any other -ulous word that might apply).

the housewives and Randy (photo by Bridget Bennett)

The creators have worked with locals to throw in plenty of Minnesota references, and we love that! From Zumbrota to Spalon Montage to the Galleria, these housewives hit all the local hot spots. Not to judge a book by its fashionable cover, but the opening night crowd seemed to include many "real housewives" types, leaving their husbands and kids at home for a night on the town. In fact, the show could be a brisk 90 minutes if they cut out the intermission, but then they wouldn't sell as many drinks to this crowd that seems intent on having a good time.

The Real Housewives franchise is an easy one to parody. OK I've never seen it, but it seems like there is plenty of fodder for comedy. It's pretty much a slam dunk, especially when played to a crowd that is obviously hungry for it, and this play delivers on that expectation. Funny, ridiculous, over-the-top, and with a cast that gleefully milks every moment. Playing through November 15 at the New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, grab your best girl and guy friends, a few drinks, and settle in for some easy laughs.

Spotlight Showcase at the Orpheum Theatre

The most fun I ever had in high school was when I played the clarinet in the pit orchestra for a couple of musicals. Even then I loved musicals, and to sit in the pit for every dress rehearsal and performance, and to be a part of it, was something kind of magical for me. And even though I didn't end up making a career of it, I consider my involvement in the arts (which also included concert band, marching band, and various other band-related activities) to be an invaluable part of my education that helped to make me a well-rounded person. Hennepin Theatre Trust's Spotlight Musical Theatre Program sponsors such involvement in the arts, specifically musical theater, through various programs throughout the year culminating in the Spotlight Showcase. I attended the 8th such Showcase last night and was quite impressed by the talent of the young people of Minnesota. It was a little like attending a show choir competition on Glee, but this wasn't so much as a competition as a celebration of achievement. Over a dozen high schools performed selections from a show that they did this year, as well as group numbers by individuals deemed "outstanding." With very funny emcee Greta Grosch, music director extraordinaire Denise Prosek, and choreographer Julianne Mundale (a fantastic Chanhassen dancer), the kids got to work with some top professional talent. In a town with such a strong professional theater community, it's great to see them giving back and fostering Minnesota's own young talent.

Apparently the high school musical theater canon hasn't changed too much in twenty years; both of the shows that I participated in were represented at the Showcase - The Sound of Music (by Wayzata High School, with a stirring rendition of "Climb Every Moment," a song that never fails to give me chills) and Anything Goes (by White Bear Lake High School, with a fantastic tap number). Along with other classics such as Guys and Dolls and Hello, Dolly!, it was nice to see some of the newer musicals represented too, like 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Moorhead High School's performance was my favorite of the night, perhaps because a middle school spelling bee is an appropriate subject for kids, and also because these kids seemed to be having a great time playing the quirky kids of the Bee), Urinetown (performed by Maple Grove High School and Washburn High School, a fun preview of the show opening at the Jungle this weekend), and Aida (Minnetonka High School's performance of "The Gods Love Nubia" to end Act I was the showstopping moment of the night).

The "outstanding" orchestra members also got to perform, although both selections were non-musical theater songs (a medley from the Queen jukebox musical We Will Rock You, coming to the Orpheum this fall, and "Thank You for the Music" from the Abba jukebox musical Mama Mia). If only Spotlight had existed when I was in high school, how I would have loved to perform on the Orpheum stage!

Finally, the twelve "Triple Threat Award" finalists performed a medley of musical theater songs, and somehow the evaluators chose two of these talented kids to win a theater trip to NYC.

This was my first time attending the Showcase, and I really enjoyed seeing the amazing talent that exists in Minnesota's young people. I hope to see some of them on professional stages in the future! Although the show was too long and a bit draggy in parts (as high school awards events usually are), I recognize that it's important to give as many kids as possible the chance to shine on the big stage. And boy did they! For more information on the Spotlight Musical Theatre Program and how to get your school involved, check out their website.

"Catch Me If You Can" at the Orpheum Theatre

If you've read this blog before, you know that I'm not a huge fan of movies made into musicals, preferring instead to see original and creative work written for the stage. But I was curious about Catch Me If You Can*, based on the 2002 Spielberg movie, which was in turned based on Frank Abagnale Jr.'s 1980 auto-biography about his life as a highly successful teenage con artist in the 1960s. It's a fascinating story in any format - how this young and incredibly intelligent man was able to impersonate a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer, and presumably anyone he wanted to be. Lucky for us he now uses his powers for good, not evil; after spending time in US and European prisons, he's worked for the FBI for 36 years, helping to prevent the crimes he perfected. It's no wonder someone wanted to turn this story into a musical. I found it to be, while not the perfect musical, genuinely enjoyable and entertaining. With few exceptions the songs are fast and catchy and fun, the choreography and dancing is of the high standards of Broadway, and the set and costumes transport the audience back to the 60s, as seen through the bright and happy TV shows of the era (more Laugh-In than Mad Men, and especially bringing to mind the underrated and over-before-its-time Pan Am). All in all a successful adaptation of a movie that did not seem to be crying out to be made into a musical. But with successful musical theater creators Terrence McNally (book), Marc Shaiman (Music and Lyrics), and Scott Wittman (Lyrics), it works. Act fast if you're interested - it's playing at the Orpheum Theatre through this weekend only.

A few other thoughts on the show:

• A trio of great voices belonging to charismatic actors lead the show. Dominic Fortuna (who seems to have wandered over from Jersey Boys) is sympathetic as Frank's down on his luck dad, whose schemes are never quite as successful as his son's. Merrit David Janes is FBI Agent Hanratty, who's trying to catch Frank, and eventually does. It's a role that won Norbert Leo Butz a Tony last year, and Merrit gives it the energy and humor required. Last but not least, Stephen Anthony is the star of the show as our charming hero/antihero. He's got a great voice and inhabits all of Frank's various guises with ease, while still letting us see the lost and searching boy underneath.
• The obligatory romance is one of the least successful subplots; the real relationship driving the show is between Frank and Hanratty. Though they only share a few scenes together, theirs is the most interesting relationship and most compelling chemistry.
• The ensemble is fantastic in their 60s wardrobe; they look, move, and sound great.
• The show is set up as Frank telling his story on a 60s variety show, complete with colorful graphics displayed on the backdrop of the stage, and an awesome band onstage, dressed in white tuxes.
• The score is energetic and fun; highlights include "Don't Break the Rules" (Hanratty's shining moment), Frank's emotional "Good-Bye," and the final duet between Frank and Hanratty - "Strange But True," which pretty much sums up the plot. 

On the night I attended, "the real Frank Abagnale Jr." was there for a Q&A after the show. He just happened to be in town speaking to US Bank about fraud prevention, and popped into the theater to talk to the audience. It was obvious from his answers that he's been talking about this for a long time and has been asked everything multiple times. But it was fascinating to hear more details about his story from the man who lived it, and find out what is real and what is Hollywoodized or Broadwayized. As for the musical version of his story, he said, "I kind of even like it more than the movie." I think I kind of agree.

Stephen Anthony as Frank leads the cast of Catch Me If You Can

*I received one complementary ticket to Opening Night of Catch Me If You Can.

Ticket Giveaway for "Catch Me If You Can" at the Orpheum Theatre

Friends, I have a very exciting opportunity for you! Hennepin Theatre Trust has very generously offered to give away a pair of tickets to the new musical Catch Me If You Can to one lucky Cherry and Spoon reader. The musical is based in on the 2002 movie (starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio), and ran for about six months on Broadway in 2011.

The tickets are for opening night, Tuesday December 11, 7:30 showtime, at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. The subject of the musical, Frank Abagnale, Jr., will be in attendance that night for a Question & Answer session after the show. Here's how to enter the drawing:

If you're a Facebook user -

• CLICK HERE to go to the Cherry and Spoon Facebook page
• LIKE the page, if you haven't already, and make sure "show in news feed" is checked if you want to get updates from Cherry and Spoon in your news feed
• LIKE the post that says "friends, i have an exciting opportunity for YOU! Hennepin Theatre Trust has offered to give away a pair of tickets to the opening night of "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN" to one lucky Cherry and Spoon reader. LIKE this post to enter a drawing to win two tickets to the show on this TUESDAY, dec. 11 at the orpheum theatre in minneapolis. the winner will be announced on SUNDAY evening. good luck!"

If you're not a Facebook user -

• CLICK HERE to send me an email and I will make sure you get entered into the drawing

It's as simple as that! And the even better news is that only 14 people have entered so far, which is much better odds than any lottery you can enter. The winner will be announced on Sunday evening. Good luck!

For information on the show or to purchase tickets (if you don't win), which runs for eight performances from December 11 through the 16, see the Hennepin Theatre website.