"Once" Worth Revisiting

One of Broadway's most compelling love stories returns to the State Theater

Photo courtesy of Hennepin Theater Trust

It's always nice to have too much of a good thing.

A perfect example of this is Once, which is in the middle of a return tour to Minneapolis. It's a beautiful show, and it retains all (if not more) of its charm the second time around.

Once is based on the movie of the same name, an Oscar winning story of almost-requited love. A Guy and a Girl, both facing hardships in their own lives, come together to record an album and help each other heal from their past wounds. While they don't quite move forward in a future together, they do make progress with their emotional lives, and each leaves the relationship with something beautiful to learn from and treasure in the future.

Most of the cast from previous tours is returning here, and they haven't lost anything over time. Musical standouts include the ethereal "If You Want Me," raucously fun "Ej, Pada, Pada, Rosicka," and a gorgeous a capella rendition of "Gold" from the ensemble. The entire ensemble is strong, playing instruments themselves (there is no pit orchestra for Once) as they sing and dance. It's a lot harder than it looks, and they do an amazing job.

Photo courtesy of Hennepin Theater Trust

It is worth mentioning that leads Stuart Ward (Guy) and Dani de Waal (Girl) seem to find this material as fresh as their first performance. Both have kick ass voices that never waver, and their unrequited yearning for each other is evident in every breath they display on stage. It's a rare chemistry, and carries the show to believability.

The innovative choreography and set use remains here as well, incorporating a vertically split stage and the heavy use of mirrors. It's a subtle element, but a special one; the mirrors lend a multi-camera perspective to the audience, allowing new views of the performers faces and instrument-playing, giving a feel of being "inside" the action. It's easy to overlook, but pay attention: the mixed perspective is really worth it.

Photo courtesy of Hennepin Theater Trust

Once is such a refreshing love story, avoiding the stereotypical happy ending for a more realistic, if brokenhearted, view of relationships. The gorgeous soundtrack and this solidly awesome cast are always worth revisiting. If you go, make sure you get in line to stand on stage before the show and grab a beer. It's an unusual chance to see a set up close firsthand, and the instruments each character plays.

For more information and for tickets, please click this link.

Lots of Laughs at Damn Yankees!

A pleasantly modernized Damn Yankees! hits the stage at the Ordway 

Photo courtesy of the Ordway.

It's always nice to see stories evolve.

In the musical world, it can be easy to get stuck in the 'golden age' of Hollywood, where everything was squeaky clean and hunky dory, and the messier sides of life in America were swept neatly behind the figurative overstuffed davenport.

Thankfully, the new production of rarely performed  Damn Yankees! at the Ordway does not fall prey to such a trap. While the story retains its wholesome plotline, innovative casting and a cast clearly enjoying themselves sweep the dust off.

For those uninitiated, Damn Yankees! follows a middle aged man named Joe who is the biggest fan of the Washington Senators. Disappointed with their poor performance and consistent losses to the Yankees, he makes a deal with Mr. Applegate, the devil's right hand man, to be transformed into a the world's best baseball player in order to lead his team to victory.

Photo courtesy of the Ordway.

The only problem is that he misses his wife and home - a lot. Too much. Joe succeeds in helping the Senators win the pennant, but resists all temptation (including a tailor made temptress named Lola) of fame and the trappings that go with it to return to his wife and cozy home.

Lawrence Clayton and Thay Floyd are excellent as the old and young Joe, respectively. They are eerily well paired physically and sonically, and both feature gorgeous voices with a great range of expression. They're Broadway transplants, and it shows; I wish they were sticking around for more local productions.

The rest of the cast is less excellent but holds their own. Ann Morrison is sweet as Joe's lonely wife Meg; Kersten Rodau brings her signature spunk to reporter Gloria Thorpe; Allen Fitzpatrick is loveably gruff as the Senator's coach Van Buren; and Monte Riegel Wheeler is delightfully flamboyant as the devious Mr. Applegate.

Photo courtesy of the Ordway.

It's worth noting here that subtle casting choices can make a break or show; they certainly elevated this one. It was refreshing to see Meg and Joe's relationship be interracial (more of that please!), and Mr. Applegate portrayed with a more complex sexuality than a 1950's audience would have preferred. Small details like this made the show feel modern, and certainly strayed from St. Paul's stiff-upper-lip, white class reputation. I'd love to see this continue in future productions.

Photo courtesy of the Ordway.

Damn Yankees! is no Bernstein masterpiece, but it's a fun show all the same. It's nice to see it getting some attention, and to see the casting choices reflect modern life. More productions could stand to cast the best people for their roles, instead of the most "historical" choice. Damn Yankees! runs through June 28, 2015; make sure you check it out if you get a chance!

Reviewed in Brief: Jersey Boys

The crowd went wild for Franki Valli and his crew

For those who love popular music, there are few bigger hits than Franki Valli. Although many today would have trouble recalling a photo of one of pop's most consistent heavy hitters, it's likely that almost everyone in America knows at least some of the words to one of his tunes, or at the very least his unbelievably high voice. Among the hits are:

• Big Girls Don't Cry
• Walk Like a Man
• Sherry
• Rag Doll
• I've Got You Under My Skin
• C'mon Marianne
• December 1963 (Oh What a Night)
• Who Loves You

So it's natural that a Broadway show about Valli and the band that made him famous, The Four Seasons, is a hit parade. Audiences have loved it for years, including a film version released by Clint Eastwood last summer.

Unfortunately, this Jersey Boys read more like a Wikipedia entry than the groovy concert I was hoping for. Much of this is likely due to the insanely difficult nature of Valli's role (played with mixed success by Hayden Milanes); his vocals are so deceptively hard, often beginning out of pure silence, that I imagine it would be nearly impossible to find someone to play the role consistently if it played more like a cover concert, especially in the grueling environment of a touring show.

Still, there was a lot of fun to be found in this show, and the audience adored it. The fellow Four Seasons (Drew Seeley, Matthew Dailey and Keith Hines)  were a pleasure to listen to and had great chemistry, and the action moved smoothly throughout the spare set. If you can manage it, make sure to get a ticket; you won't regret it.

A Precocious Peter Pan

Tyler Michaels is perfectly cast as the infamous imp Peter Pan

Photo courtesy of Dan Norman

It's no secret that I'm a Tyler Michaels fan, but I promise, there's a reason: he's just so darn good.

Especially when it comes to musical theater. It's very difficult to find people who are equally great actors, singers, and dancers; Tyler is not only all of those things, but an accomplished acrobat as well.

Which is why, when I heard he had been cast in the new Peter Rothstein production of Peter Pan at the Children's Theater, I rushed to attend. I wasn't disappointed.

Photo courtesy of Dan Norman

This was my first time at the Children's Theater, and I can now confirm: the hype is true. This was a beautifully produced show with astonishing attention to detail. The sets were gorgeous and perfect for kids, a winsome mix of Dr. Seuss and Eric Carl come to life. Costumes were equally appropriate, hitting the fine line between silly cartoonish and way-too-much.

Peter Pan is not stingy with effects. There is a little of everything to be found here: sword fighting, dancing, STOMP, fairy dust, acrobatic tricks, and most spectacularly, flying. Michaels literally glides through the air, pirouetting with a grace that is rarely seen in a harness. His astonishing acrobatic talents totally sell the Peter Pan effect, despite the fact that you can see ropes and other props helping him out.

Photo courtesy of Dan Norman

The ensemble cast was also terrific, Michaels aside. In particular, Reed Sigmund (as a blustery Mister Darling and a simpering, devious Captain Hook) and Alanna Saunders (as silver voiced Wendy - honestly, she's a gorgeous singer) were standouts. The lost boys and other child performers were great too, and clearly well rehearsed; they flipped around on-stage with the precision only a Rothstein rehearsal can imbue. Performances are always more fun when the actors themselves are having a good time, and it's clear that this cast is having a blast.

Photo courtesy of Dan Norman

It's a testament to the quality of the show that of the innumerable children in the audience, not one made a peep throughout the performance. There was no crying, no talking - not even fidgeting. Each kid was completely entranced with the vision of Peter Pan, and it was super fun to witness.

This terrific show is running through the end of June. Make sure you get your tickets! For more information about the show and attending, click this link.

Feeling Good at "Happy Days"

The classic TV show comes to the New Century Theater

2015 seems to be the year of television-as-stage-art. First there was I Love Lucy; one could argue that variety shows such as Motown are riffs on the ever popular singing reality shows such as The Voice or American Idol; and now we have Happy Days.

This production is a mash-up of multiple episodes of the popular show; fans will recognize several main themes. The combination translates surprisingly well, with very little feel of skipping over important points or missed plot elements.

Photo courtesy of Hennepin Theater Trust

This is a very young cast, many of whom have performed in this year's past productions at the New Century Theater. Comebacks include Kameron Nelson, Gregory Adam, Jill Iverson, and Andrew Newman. Newcomers play the leads, including Eric Heimsoth as Richie and Kory Pullam as Chachi; both are musical standouts and absolutely carry the show.

Photo courtesy of Hennepin Theater Trust.

Audience favorites, of course, included Quin Shadko as a feisty Pinky and John Zeiler as the infamous Fonzie. Both are a little pitchy in their parts, but they portray them with gusto and an enthusiasm that totally sells it. Their energy is infectious, and it drew the audience in.

Sets and costuming leave a little to be desired, although some of that is the double edged sword of the space; audiences are so close to the stage at New Century that it's easy to notice minute flaws that would be impossible to detect in a larger theater. Be aware of this if you attend.

Photo Courtesy of Hennepin Theater Trust

Happy Days runs through May 17; for more information or to buy tickets, click on this link.

A Classical "Carmen"

Bizet's masterpiece gets a modernized setting at the Minnesota Opera

Many may disagree with this, but I think opera is the most international of all art forms. Nowhere else will you find a story about Spain, told in French, that is then subtitled in English for a live audience. There are all sorts of artistic and athletic cross pollination that can be found in our post-internet 'flattened' world, but opera remains one of the few art forms that people flock to view in its original language and context, and that was intended to be multilingual and cultural from the outset.

Carmen being arrested; Photo courtesy of the MN Opera

The Minnesota opera has modernized the setting for this Carmen, from its original fin de siecle oeuvre to a bullfight in the age immediately after fearsome dictator Francisco Franco's death. The setting works, in particular the gorgeous light work with ominous and sinuous shadowing; it takes a while to notice, but once you do it's mesmerizing.

Carmen smoking in her mountain hideout; Photo courtesy of the MN Opera

As one of the most famous operas, I won't bother retelling the doomed love story; you can find all you need to know in the photo montage throughout this article. It was interesting, however, to think about how much the way we define things changes our perception of it. For example, operas like Carmen are most often viewed as tragedies, in which a woman 'loses her morality' and pays the price for it. I believe we can just as easily name Carmen a feminist triumph, in which a woman defies authority and social mores to live the life best for her, and eventually becomes the victim of unflinching societal standards. It's an interesting thought, and a question that I foresee growing as audiences and casts become more diverse and settings become increasingly modernized.

Carmen and her toreador; Photo courtesy of the MN Opera

Nora Sourouzian is lovely as Carmen, with a deceptively sinuous voice that pulls you through the show, particularly through the infamous Habanera that has been covered by everyone from ad execs to Stromae. Her cast mates keep up, especially her lovers Morales (Gerard Michael D’Emilio) and toreador Escamillo (Kyle Ketelsen). Standout voice of the production goes to the gorgeous tones of Marita K. Sølberg, who plays jilted lover Micaela.

Morales pleads for Carmen to return to him; Photo courtesy of the MN Opera

The ensemble cast is a little looser, particularly the children. I found myself wishing for a little more of the precision of an Osmo Vanska or Peter Rothstein here; the production is good, but could reach great with just a little more crispness in execution. It's also extremely long; there are three intermissions, so be prepared for an all-night experience. Still, this is Bizet, and it's impossible not to like this most gorgeous, gorgeous of operas. Habanera is just as well known as the Torreador bit, or any of the orchestration throughout the piece (if you'd like a closer explanation of why Carmen is such a masterpiece, check out this excellent video from the Minnestoa Opera).

Morales kills Carmen; Photo courtesy of the MN Opera

Carmen runs through May 10, and ticket sales have already broken every presale record of the Minnesota Opera. If you want to go, get your tickets NOW; you can find more information by clicking on this link.

An Amazing Annie

'Little Girls' shine in this wonderful production of Annie

It's always great to see old musical favorites get a spit-shine. The lovely new production of Annie at the Orpheum does just that.

This is a magical cast, beginning with the headliner. Issie Swickle is capital A Awesome as Annie, with a crystal clear voice and near perfect pitch that will break your heart. She's exceptional on every song; it's hard to pick a favorite, but if you twisted my arm I'd give it to "Maybe" and "I Don't Need Anything But You."

Her castmates are equally fabulous; this is a super, super strong group of little girls. Each of them has fully individualized her character, and their youthful but strong voices put a spring in the show's step.

The grownups are great too. Gilgamesh Taggett is gruffly winning as Oliver Warbucks, and Lynn Andrews puts all thoughts of Carol Burnett out of your mind as she swills her way through Miss Hannigan. Even supporting members such as Garret Deagon (Rooster Hannigan) and Ashley Edler (Grace Farrell) are terrific.

The pit is very tight as it carries each performer through the show, and the sets and pacing are well edited to keep the plot moving. It's worth noting that this production is slightly different from both the original movie and the new one; expect to see some small differences in the plot and songs.

It's always nice when a show surprises you, and this Annie did. I've seen several versions of the show and it had become somewhat careworn for me, but this beautifully executed production and spunky cast lent a whole new shimmer - in fact, it may be my favorite show so far this season. If you have a chance, make sure you see it. For more information about Annie and other coming shows, click on this link.