"Power Balladz" at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

As I've said before, I'm not a fan of 80s music. But what I am a fan of is Dieter Bierbrauer and Randy Schmeling singing anything together, especially in a show with Peter Rothstein's* name attached. I've had a few samples of this show that they first did at the Lab Theater in 2009, but I've never quite been able to catch it (I even had tickets to the Off-Broadway version in 2010 before they cancelled certain performances, which worked out because I ended up seeing this instead). Dieter and Randy are currently reprising their roles in Power Balladz on tour, along with the third original cast member, Katy Hays (whom I've never seen before but who is equally fabulous). The show will play at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre's Fireside Theatre the first weekend of every month through May, along with several other stops around Minnesota and the country. I was definitely in the minority in the audience; most of the audience was made up of fans of the 80s (some of whom appeared to still be living in the 80s) and were there to hear their favorite songs, not to listen to their favorite musical theater actors. But we all seemed to enjoy it just the same, although for different reasons. All three performers are incredibly talented vocalists as well as actors, creating distinct (if not very deep) characters - Dieter, the rock scholar with a PhD; Randy, the high school dropout who never quite grew up; and Katy, the rock fan and groupie. The show is interactive, with people being invited onstage to participate in games (Lyric Challenge, Meatloaf or Meat Loaf) and to vote on a medley of songs whether or not they qualify as a "power ballad." It's not high art, but it's a really entertaining evening, whether you're going to see great performers or relive your youth.

A few highlights of the show:

• The songs I enjoyed the most were the ones I like to call Glee songs: "Faithfully" (Journey is a favorite of Mr. Schue's), "Total Eclipse of the Heart," "Alone" (Katy's rendition is awesome and she really rocks out with a voice much better suited to this song than Kristin Chenowith), and "Dream On" (the only thing better than Matthew Morrison and Neil Patrick Harris singing "Dream On" is Dieter, Katy, and Randy singing "Dream On!").
• The five piece band is fantastic and keeps things moving along.
• Video screens on either side of the stage illustrate the stories and songs, and even include some of my favorite 1980s memories (The Facts of Life!).
• We get to see Dieter's PhD thesis project (with help from Randy, GeD), "Und die Mauer Fällt," about how one particular rock ballad was responsible for the end of communism.
• The show is wonderfully cheesy, intentionally so (which is so much better than unintentionally cheesy).
• The show ends strong with the classic and oft-requested "Freebird," with an encore of "We Are the Champions," which I know because of its association with the best thing to happen in the 80s - the Twins first World Series win in 1987!

Whether you long for the days of big hair and melodramatic rock ballads, or you're a theater geek who loves to see talented singer/actors throw themselves into a performance, check out Power Balladz at the Chanhassen March 1-2, April 5-6, and May 3-4, or visit out the tour page to see if the show is coming to a town near you. Here's a video montage of scenes from the 2009 version of the show, which is pretty similar to the version currently on tour (except for the crazy costumes):

*I spotted Peter Rothstein, one of the creators of Power Balladz and Artistic Director of Theater Latte Da, in the audience the night I attended. It gave me a chance to tell him how much I enjoyed Latte Da's most recent show Aida, and all of his work. Next up: I'm looking forward to seeing what Peter and the fabulous local cast has done with the hot new play Other Desert Cities opening this week at the Guthrie.

Minnesotans on Broadway

When I was in New York City last weekend I was thrilled to see Minnesota so well represented on (and off) Broadway.  Unfortunately I didn't get to see any of them (too many shows, too little time), but I did walk by the theaters and smile at seeing their names "in lights."

Guthrie favorite Sally Wingert is making her Broadway debut in the comedy La Bete, which also stars David Hyde Pierce and Mark Rylance (who recently played the title role in Peer Gynt at the Guthrie).  Whether she's playing a leading role in such shows as Third or Faith Healer, or stealing scenes in a small role in Private Lives,  she's always amazing.  She's appearing in Ten Thousand Things Doubt next February, so if you (or I) want to see her on Broadway, you better act fast!

I was tickled to see that directly across 45th street from Sally's show at the Music Box Theater was another Guthrie alum, TR Knight.  He's performing with Patrick Stewart in the David Mamet play A Life in the Theatre at the Schoenfeld Theatre.  You may know TR from his role as George in Grey's Anatomy, but before that he was an actor at the Guthrie and other local theaters, beginning with his first role as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at the age of five.  Unfortunately I began my Guthrie subscription a year or two after TR left to find his fortune in NYC and LA, but I did get to see him in a reading of The Laramie Project a few years ago.  Since leaving Grey's he's returned to his theater roots, so I know it's only a matter of time before he returns home to do a show.

Last but not least, my favorite local actor Dieter Bierbrauer (Violet, Parade, and Floyd Collins with Theater Latte Da; Oklahoma and West Side Story at the Chan) is performing in the off-Broadway musical Power Balladz.  The show was created by local artists Mike Todaro, Dan Nycklemoe, and Peter Rothstein (Artistic Director of Theater Latte Da) and was performed at the Lab Theater in Minneapolis last summer.  Dieter is the only member of the three-person cast that made the move to NYC.  Unfortunately I missed it while it was here so I was hoping to see it in NYC, and actually had tickets for the Sunday night show.  But they cancelled Sunday night performances so I wasn't able to see it.  Maybe next time!

I wish all three of these Minnesota actors much luck and success in the Big Apple, but I hope that they continue to return home to the "Minnie Apple" and grace us with their talent!