"The Room with Closets" by Sparkle Theatrical at the Southern Theater

Immediately after seeing Sparkle Theatricals' original new work The Room with Closets, I posted on my Insta story: "I'm not sure what just happened, but it was exquisite. I feel like I was in a dream." This is one of those theater experiences that is so mesmerizing, that so fully and specifically creates a world through words, movement, music, and visuals, that it absolutely casts a spell over the audience. A spell that's hard to shake when you step out of the theater and back into harsh reality, like waking up from a dream that you don't fully understand but that created such lovely feelings you want to go back to it. It's also the kind of show that's really hard to describe; words fail. I'll do my best, but I encourage you to go see it for yourself. It's a beautifully unique piece, and the creators (theatrical director Jon Ferguson, choreographer Alejandra Iannone, technical director Rick Ausland, and this beautiful six-person ensemble) obviously put a lot of thought and care into every detail. See it at the gorgeous Southern Theater (a space that enhances every performance there) through this week only!

"Baltimore is Burning" by Underdog Theatre at SPACE

There's another new theater company in town, and they're coming out of the gate with a strong message and a powerful new play. Underdog Theatre hopes to be a voice "for the underserved, the underrepresented, and unheard." Founder Kory LaQuess Pullam, a talented young actor who's made quite an impression on several stages around town in the last few years, has written a great new play about the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody in Baltimore last year. While Baltimore is Burning is about this one specific incident, on a larger scale it's about the many such deaths that have occurred around the country, even right here in Minnesota, and the need to have a conversation about why it's happening and what can be done to change it. At its best, theater brings attention to issues and starts a conversation about them, which is exactly what this play does.

Fringe Festival 2016: "A Pie. A Duck. And a Shoe."

Day: 4

Show: 21

Title: A Pie. A Duck. And a Shoe.

Category: Something Different

By: Sparkle Theatricals

Created by: Alejandra Iannone and Rick Ausland

Location: Southern Theater

Summary: An old-fashioned variety show featuring comedy, magic, music, dance, and puppetry.

Highlights: I didn't see a pie, but there is a duck and a shoe. This is a refreshingly old-fashioned variety show, just a bunch of diverse acts meant to entertain. The evening is hosted by the very funny comedian/magician David Harris, who does short pieces between introducing the acts. Featured acts include passionate R&B singer Nick Jordan accompanied by Luke Darger on keyboard; a charming shadow-puppet show of "The Ugly Duckling" performed by Neal Beckman, Alejandra Iannone, and Joann Oudekerk; everyone's favorite tap-dancer Rick Ausland of Buckets and Tap Shoes; and rapper Carnage the Executioner who, despite the frightening name, is actually quite friendly as he teaches the audience how to beat box. A simple concept, nothing flashy, but a variety of entertaining acts.

"Everyman" at Open Window Theatre

The last time I was at Open Window Theatre, tucked into a warehouse behind the Basilica in Minneapolis, was in their inaugural season. They are now in their fifth season and appear to be going strong. I was glad to finally return to their cool and cozy black box space for Everyman, a 15th century morality play. While the five hundred year old play is a little heavy handed in its moral message, this 90-minute production directed by Jeremy Stanbary utilizes music, movement, and a beautifully diverse cast to make that message feel relevant and almost modern.

Fringe Festival 2015: "Parent Observation Day"

Day: 6

Show: 26

Title: Parent Observation Day

Category: Dance

By: Sparkle Productions

Created by: Alejandra Ianonne and Rick Ausland

Location: Ritz Theater Proscenium

Summary: A children's ballet class prepares to dance for their parents.

Highlights: This show is super delightful as eight adult dancers (Albert Conteh, Ashley Akpaka, Brittany Marie Wilson, Daniel Bergmann, Heather Pallas, Joann Oudekerk, Neal Beckman, and Nick J. Meyerson) play the child dancers who are just as scattered, exuberant, awkward, and joyous as any child in a dance class. Teacher Miss Tiffany (an appealing Emily Bridges) attempts to keep the kids on track as she leads them through various exercises and rehearses the big dance itself, ending in a performance for parents. I've neither been nor had a child in dance class, but I've seen enough Facebook videos to know that this show is pretty on the mark. It's a pretty simple concept for a show, but it's so much fun to watch these big kids play and dance around stage with a childlike enthusiasm as their adoring yet exasperated teacher looks on.

"4000 Miles" at Park Square Theatre

Is there a sweeter word in the English language than "Grandma?" Maybe it's because I don't have one anymore, but there's something about the grandchild/grandparent relationship that strikes me as so unique and special. Your grandparents are sort of like your parents, only much cooler and wiser. Park Square Theatre's production of playwright Amy Herzog's 2011 play 4000 Miles explores this relationship in a really beautiful way. With a small cast and a simple and profound story, it's perfectly suited to their new thrust stage* in the basement of the historic Hamm Building.

The title refers to Leo's cross country journey by bicycle, starting from his current home in Seattle, through his childhood home in St. Paul, and ending at his grandmother's Greenwich Village apartment. The journey took some unexpected turns, and Leo is suffering from more than just the usual angst of youth. He and his grandma Vera don't know each other well, but he has nowhere else to go. He needs to heal and figure out where to go from here, and Vera helps him do that, just by being there, listening (when she has her hearing aid in), and providing that no-nonsense sage advice of those older and wiser than us. Vera comes to rely on Leo as well and enjoy having him around. They develop a comfortable rapport, but alas, by definition of the relationship the situation can't continue as it is, and once Leo has healed, he's ready to leave the nest again.

Leo and Vera (Gabriel Murphy and Linda Kelsey,
photo by Petronella Ytsma)

Under director Gary Gisselman, this four-person cast really shines. Brief appearances by Becca Hart as the estranged girlfriend and Joann Oudekerk as his date shed more light on Leo's character, but the show belongs to Linda Kelsey and Gabriel Murphy. Linda's performance as Vera is so lived in and real, it's easy to imagine sitting down at her table for coffee and frozen pastry. She gives Vera a vital spirit that's struggling to get through her aging body and mind. Gabriel hits all right the notes as this cocky youngster who thinks he has it all together, slowly peeling back the layers as Leo lets his grandmother (and the audience) see the trauma he's experienced and the pain that he's feeling. The two of them together are just so charming as they portray a really beautiful multi-generational relationship.

This is only the second play in the new Andy Boss Stage, so it's fun to continue to explore what it can look like and be. In this case, scenic designer Rick Polenek has transformed it into a very detailed and realistic NYC apartment. The back of the stage is lined with shelves filled with books and tchotchkes, while dated grandmotherly furniture extends into the thrust part of the stage.

4000 Miles is one of those wonderful plays that's not big on action, but that really digs into relationships and characters, through sharp, funny, poignant dialogue, as well as through things left unsaid. Unfortunately I'm catching this one towards the end of its short run; it closes this weekend. But if you have some free time in your holiday schedule this weekend, it's definitely worth a visit.


*I was not able to see 2 Pianos, 4 Hands, now playing on Park Square's main stage, due to scheduling issues, but I saw it two years ago and found it to be quite delightful! Read more of my thoughts here, and buy your tickets for this year's show here.