"This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing" by Ten Thousand Things at Open Book

This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing, and this girl does all three and loves it! For their current production, Ten Thousand Things has found a fairy tale gem of a play that feels like it was written for their "All the Lights On" barebones straight-to-the-heart storytelling style. And it feels like it was written for this excellent five-person cast, so natural and rich and true are their performances. The story feels like a myth or a legend that could have been told around campfires for centuries, about three sisters - triplets - whose happy childhood is interrupted by tragedy, which sets them on three separate paths that eventually come back together again. This Girl is funny and sweet and heart-warming and joyful, in a way that only TTT shows can be. The show moves to Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church this weekend (an easy-to-get-to location near the Walker, with a free parking lot) and continues through March 16. Don't miss it!

"Rough Cuts" at Nautilus Music-Theater: "The Parts I Admire" and "Norman!"

Nautilus Music-Theater's primary focus is developing new works of music-theater. They'll have a full production of a new or reinvented piece every year or two, but their regular work is monthly showcases of new works of music-theater, some developed in their Composer-Librettist Studio. This is their 26th season of "Rough Cuts," during which they'll be presenting their 200th showcase of new work. That's a lot of new music-theater, and a lot of support provided to creators of new music-theater. Read on for what they're presenting this month, with one show last night at their Lowertown St. Paul studio space, and another show tonight at Augsburg University (730pm at Sateren Hall). There's a $5 suggested donation, that comes with free cookies and milk!

"Memphis" at the Ordway

I saw the first national tour of the musical Memphis last night, and I loved it more than I expected to.  It won the Tony Award for best musical in 2010, so I knew it would be good.  But I had several opportunities to see it on Broadway, and just never did.  Something else always ranked above it.  So it's not a show that I've been dying to see, but I'm grateful that this tour gave me the opportunity to catch this fantastic, new, original musical (something that's becoming quite rare on Broadway these days).  Memphis is still playing on Broadway, with Adam Pascal (who originated the role of Roger in RENT), taking over the lead.  If I didn't have a half dozen new shows I wanted to see, I might go see it again on Broadway!

Memphis is about the birth of Rock and Roll.  It's loosely based on the life of pioneering DJ Dewey Phillips, a precursor to the "father of Rock and Roll," Alan Freed.  Both men were instrumental in desegregating the airwaves, playing so-called "race music" by African American musicians on mainstream (aka white) radio stations.  In this fictionalized account, our DJ is Huey Calhoun - a poor "redneck" who lives with his mother and can't hold down a job.  Until he convinces a radio station to give him a temporary job spinning records.  People fall in love with the music he plays and he becomes the most popular DJ in Memphis, even hosting his own television show.  He becomes friendly with many of the African American musicians and helps to launch the career of the lovely and talented Felicia.  They fall in love, a dangerous prospect in Memphis in the 1950s.  Felicia eventually realizes that she has to get out of Memphis to have the life and career she wants; her color limits her chances and choices in the South.  But Huey can't leave Memphis, that's where his life and his soul will always be.  The world and Felicia move on without him, but they don't forget him.

This is a great ensemble show, but the stars of the show are its two leads, both of whom are spectacular. Felicia Boswell plays Felicia (appropriately enough), and was previously seen in the Twin Cities in the Guthrie's production of Caroline, or Change in 2009.  She's a true star, with an amazingly powerful voice over which she has incredible control.  She knows when to pull it back for a quiet moment, and when to let it go.  Bryan Fenkart as Huey is incredibly charismatic and energetic, and makes you feel every emotion along with Huey.  He's a loveable goofball whom the audience can't help rooting for.  The two of them have great chemistry and their voices blend beautifully.  Huey and Felicia are an unlikely couple, not just because of their race, but their love is real and obvious to everyone watching.  Other standouts in the cast include Will Mann as Bobby, who reluctantly moves out of his comfortable position as janitor at the radio station to shine in the spotlight on the TV show.  Last but not least, Julie Johnson is fabulous as Huey's mother, who transforms from a tired and worn out waitress to a fashionable lady, with a standout moment in the song "Change Don't Come Easy."

The choreography is fast and tight, reminiscent of the '50s but with a modern edge.  And the ensemble performs it with much energy and life.  The costumes are great, from Huey's slouchy mismatched outfits, to Felicia's gorgeous dresses (especially the strapless green number in the second act).  The set looks simple but has complicated pieces that move in and out, at times letting us catch a glimpse of the fabulous band at the back of the stage.

Memphis finishes out its two-week run in St. Paul this weekend and is definitely worth checking out.  I think it's one of the better touring shows to come to the Twin Cities this season, if not the best.  Next up at the Ordway is The Addams Family (I'm going to pass on that one), followed by the amazing musical FELA!, based on the life of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti.  I saw it on Broadway and can't wait to see it again; the choreography is like nothing I've ever seen on a Broadway stage.  Looking ahead, the show that I'm most excited about in the Ordway's recently announced upcoming season is the Broadway Songbook series.  Other than that there are a couple great shows that I've seen before (Chicago, Billy Elliot, Anything Goes - although this is the new Broadway revival production that I've been wanting to see).  And then there's Elf, which they call "an original musical."  Since it's based on a movie I don't consider it an original musical, unless they mean that it's an Ordway original production.  In which case I will see it; the Ordway always does a great job with their original productions and hires some amazing local talent.  But enough about next year, go see Memphis while you still can.  Hockadoo!

"Sample Night Live" at the History Theatre

“Art in a trial size.” That’s the motto for Sample Night Live, which is held the first Wednesday of every month at the History Theatre in downtown St. Paul. It allows audience members to sample the work of local artists in one evening for one low price. Visual artists display their work in the lobby, and about a dozen performing artists take part in the evening’s program. Last night was the “Audience Favorites Show” – the audience votes on their favorite performance every month and the winners are invited back for the December show.

Sample Night Live is hosted by Lounge-asaurus Rex (aka Tom Reed), a singer/comedian/emcee in a 70s lounge-singer suit, complete with mustache and big sunglasses.  He's a funny and entertaining host, informing the audience about the performers and providing "seamless transitions" between acts.  He made up several songs on the spot; I think my favorite was "Code Monkey."  Accompanying him and several of the musicians was the house band, The Smarts.  They played before the show and during intermission; last night they did a collection of jazzy Holiday standards and originals.  They play an impressive number of instruments for just four men!

The family friendly Act I began with a performance by American Idol contestant Anthony Fedorov, who is starring in the upcoming Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Ordway Center, along with a talented local cast.  Anthony sang "Close Every Door to Me" from the show and did a beautiful job.  I already have my ticket as part of my season package at the Ordway and I'm looking forward to the show! [Update: read my review of the show.]

The first act also included a trio of children's act, and the kids in the audience enjoyed them, as did I.  First was a band called Funkasaurus-Rex (no relation to Lounge-asaurus) consisting of a tuba, trumpet, bass guitar, and drums.  The band is part of the Perpich Center for Arts Education and played a medley of songs while entertaining the crowd.  The magicians from Dew Dah Magic also performed - a magician and his two adorable kids who performed Houdini's Metamorphosis trick.  The final kids' act was my favorite - two clowns from Theatre of Fools, aka "Vaudeville for the 21st Century."  They did a few tricks and managed to communicate and entertain without saying a word.

Three musical acts rounded out the first half of the show.  Greg Herriges plays guitar and other instruments in a style he calls "world/whirled music."  He won audience favorite of the night, and hence, the year.  I don't disagree with the choice; he's very talented.  The other two acts were Scandinavian music ensembles.  The five-person Saana Ensemble sings traditional Finnish music (the members are originally from Finland), and the duo Kaivama, Sara Pajunen on fiddle and Jonathan Rundman guitar/harmonium, performs traditional and original Nordic tunes.  Both groups made beautiful music.

After intermission, Act II began with a presentation from MNTV, which airs short films from Minnesota filmmakers on public television.  I recognized a few local actors in some of the clips.  Eighteen films will be shown, beginning on December 12 on TPT2 (check your local listings).  The rest of the performers were musicians with one exception - the poet Khary Jackson aka 6 is 9.  I don't know anything about poetry slams or the art of spoken word, but it was pretty cool.  The Artists' Quarter in St. Paul hosts a poetry slam every Monday night; I might have to check it out sometime.

The first musician of the second act was the jazzy cool Christine Rosholt.  Accompanied by The Smarts, she sang a few Holiday songs including one of my favorites, "Baby it's Cold Outside."  She has a strong and beautiful voice and a cool style.  Julie Johnson and the No-Accounts are a folk trio consisting of Julie Johnson on flute/bass flute, Doug Otto on vocals/guitar, and Drew Druckrey on guitar/resonator guitar/vocals/mandolin.  Their current focus is on roots music from right here in Minnesota.  As a lover of folk music and Minnesota, I think this is a pretty cool thing!  According to their website, the "first full recording of composition/songs based on Minnesota folk music" comes out next year, and I'll be watching for it.

How can I describe The Dregs?  I'll let them do it: "Ireland's shame and a menace to sobriety, The Dregs are a band of Scandinavian-Irish posers who bring their own merry flavor of folk music to the pubs and taverns of Minnesota. With staggering behavior, these six sorry sots perform intoxicating ballads, lush anthems, and sea shanties that'll have you three sheets to the wind! So pour yourself a cold one, and get ready for a stomping, clapping, spitting, swearing, mug-swinging, good time!"  They're a lot of fun, and would probably be even more fun after a pint or two of Guinness.  The final act of the evening was a folk singer/songwriter that seemed to step right out of the 60s, Heatherlyn.  She played a couple of originals inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., accompanied by The Smarts.

I really enjoyed my first experience at Sample Night Live and will definitely be going back.  I would like to see more theater samples, because that's my thing (obviously).  It's impossible to get to all of the many wonderful theaters in the Twin Cities (although I do my best), so it would be nice to get a taste and see which ones I want to see more of.  I'll be keeping an eye on their website (you can also follow them on facebook) to see what I can sample next.  Anything that supports the community of artists in this town is OK by me.