Portrait of Myself as My Father

Staging portrait of myself as my father at the Uppercut Boxing Gym is the first indication that the performance will be unconventional. The gym lives in a renovated warehouse in the Northeast area of Minneapolis and carries the faint smells of oil, sawdust and sweat. The boxing ring was blocked from view on entry, the audience…

Le Petit Moulin

When offered the chance to see Collide Theatrical‘s latest production, Le Petit Moulin, I didn’t even check my calendar before saying yes (side note: always check your calendar first; I had to reschedule a family dinner. Worth it.). I love all things French and particularly early 20th century history, but more to the point, Collide has always impressed me…

Dracula

I don’t know much about dance, and so sometimes I shy away from reviewing dance shows, because I feel that I don’t have the expertise to critique it. When I heard about COLLIDE’s new production of Dracula, my instinct was not to go, because how could I talk about jazz dance when I couldn’t remember which…

Wreck

By LIZ BYRON. Even as you walk into the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie Theater, you feel yourself sinking into the eerie atmosphere of Wreck. Five musicians sit facing the empty stage, playing quiet but haunting music. You are directed to carefully make your way around the very edge of the stage (presumably to keep dirt off the…

Stripe and Spot (learn to) Get Along

by SOPHIE KERMAN Summer sees a nice trend in the Twin Cities: just like local produce, theater starts to appear that is local, affordable, and fresher than your average mass-market products. Mixed Precipitation does it with their annual Picnic Operettas, the Classical Actors Ensemble takes Shakespeare to the parks, and Off-Leash Area has their garage tour. I was lucky enough to preview their new…

Preview: AXIS Dance Company on March 21

by  MICHAEL J. OPPERMAN On Friday, March 21, one of the world’s most innovate dance ensembles will be performing at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.  Under the artistic direction of Judith Smith, AXIS Dance Company “challenges the possibilities of movement.” Founded in 1987, they have paved the way for a powerful contemporary dance…

Maggie’s Brain

by SOPHIE KERMAN Modern dance and schizophrenia are two subjects that many people initially shy away from. Weirdly, both topics provoke similar gut reactions from those unfamiliar with them: Isn’t it hard to understand? It’s so weird and unpredictable! What if I don’t get what’s going on? Maggie’s Brain, presented at the Cowles Center this weekend only,…

September 20 is a big day!

It seems that everyone has decided to open their shows around the weekend of September 20 this year, and we just can’t cover it all! You can stay tuned for reviews of Moon Show 143 at the Guthrie (Sept 14-18), Good People at the Park Square (previews Sept 13, opens Sept 20) and Uncle Vanya at the Guthrie (again, previews…

Fringe Day 6: Consciousness, Clowns, and Classrooms

Like Liz, I felt the need to try something a bit different today. There were some highs and some lows of tonight’s selections, but it was an interesting smorgasbord! I first went to the Southern Theater to see Gray Matter, a dance performance choreographed by Zoé Emilie Henrot. I usually shy away from dance – not because I…