The Jungle's Miss Bennet is Holiday Perfection

It is a truth universally acknowledged... 

Photo by Dan Norman

That holiday season stagings need a refresh.

Don't get me wrong; I will always harbor love for How the Grinch Stole Christmas or A Christmas Carol. That said, do we need to see them *every* year? Done exactly the same way? What about trying some new stories?

Photo by Dan Norman

That's why I'm so thrilled with the new tradition gracing the Jungle Theater's stage: a rotation of holiday themed, fan-fiction sequels to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Last year I had the great pleasure of attending The Wickhams, a rip-roaringly funny play about the servants at Pemberley while the lords and ladies of the house celebrate upstairs. It was one of my favorite plays of the entire year, in fact, and I can't wait for them to bring it back.

Photo by Dan Norman

This year I got to check out the original adaption that I missed two years ago. Miss Bennet takes place a couple of years before The Wickhams, except it is upstairs in the main house and stars all the main characters of the beloved novel. Fan fiction can get dicey; it's hard to recreate the author's signature style without veering into wildly fantastic side stories or awkwardly stilted dialogues. Thankfully playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon do a masterful job of channeling Austen's voice into a believable, relevant new script that I think is destined to stick around for quite some time.

Photo by Dan Norman

Miss Bennet takes place over Christmas two years after the end of Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are happily married and hosting the rest of the Bennet family over the holidays. First to arrive are Elizabeth's elder sister Jane, who is heavily pregnant; her husband Mr. Bingley; and their sister Mary Bennet (the titular 'Miss Bennet'). Mary is a relative afterthought in the original book, but this play gives her her full due. An overlooked middle child with a bookish, severe personality, Mary always struggled to stand out. Fate is on her side this time, however, with the arrival of Mr. Darcy's cousin Arthur de Bourgh, who is set to inherit the now-deceased Lady Catherine de Bourgh's massive estate. Arthur is similarly awkward in company and ecstatic to find a kindred spirit in Mary. Things seem to be going swimmingly until the arrival of Lydia Wickham, the younger and most troublesome of the Bennet sisters, and the surprise arrival of Lady Catherine's daughter Anne de Bourgh. There are several delightful twists in the romantic plot between Mary and Arthur so I will stop here, but suffice it to say it lives up to the original wit and romance of Pride and Prejudice.

Photo by Dan Norman

Miss Bennet has a very talented young cast, starting with Christian Bardin as a stunningly good Mary. Bardon lives and breathes this role right down to her squinty eyes and peculiar mouth tics, and she is a master class performer. She is well partnered with Reese Britts as Arthur de Borugh; his performance is so charming I would scarcely know he is a recent UMD grad. Veteran favorite Sun Mee Chomet sparkles as Elizabeth and has heartwarming chemistry with James Rodriguez as Mr. Darcy. I was very happy to see Roshni Desai again, this time as Jane Bingley; I wish the part allowed her witty comedic side to shine a little more, but I still enjoyed her performance immensely. Jesse Lavercombe has vivacious energy as Mr. Bingley and Anna Hickey is deliciously snobby as Anne de Bourgh. Andrea San Miguel is thoroughly irritating as Lydia Wickham, and the audience clearly loved her antics. And I have to call out Jennifer Ledoux and Abilene Olson as the singing servants, who provided gorgeous music for everyone to enjoy as scenes transitioned.

Photo by Dan Norman

Sarah Bahr designed both the costumes and sets, and the cohesive, period-specific presentation is lovely. Clever details like refreshing the set by continuously decorating for the holidays throughout the show, or adjusting a costume with a smart jacket or well placed scarf, keep everyone looking consistent but fresh. Marcus Dilliard's expert lighting washes the stage with warm wintry light, and Sean Healey's sound design subtly lets us hear every line. Robert Grier shares inspired wig design, particularly with Anne de Bourgh's magnificently curled piece. And John Novak chooses careful props that add just enough detail to each scene to reveal another layer to each character.

Photo by Dan Norman

While I didn't find Miss Bennet quite as uproariously funny as The Wickhams, I still enjoyed it very much. Because it stars Mary this is a quieter sister to Pride and Prejudice, and I found that it had some real gems of wisdom to offer. Many of the much-maligned characters of the original story (especially Mary and Mrs. Bennet) struggle to get their just due, and it's wonderful to see at least one of them treated well. Miss Bennet is a charming comedy and love story brimming with wisdom and a huge heart. If I had to choose only one holiday story this season, this is the one I would go with. I highly recommend you check Miss Bennet out before it closes on December 29; click here for more information or to buy tickets. And if you don't already know the plot of Pride and Prejudice and want to check it out before seeing Miss Bennet, you're in luck! Park Square Theatre is currently showing a production of the original story. Click here to read my review and learn more.

Phantom of the Opera Remains a Hit

Which of the old grand dame musicals is your favorite? 

Photo by Matthew Murphy

I'm thinking the tours that never seem to die - Lion King, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, basically anything Andrew Lloyd Webber has ever made - and return time and again to our historic stages. Is there one you just can't seem to help returning to?

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Mine has to be the Phantom of the Opera. The transcendent original Broadway recording starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman was one of the first three CDs I ever owned on my own, and I wore that thing out playing it on repeat and pretending to be Christine Daae.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

That's probably the reason I've now seen the touring production so many times. It also doesn't hurt that despite my nostalgia, the 25th anniversary production as redesigned by Cameron Mackintosh is a gorgeous representation of the best Broadway has to offer with powerful musicians and stunning, exquisitely detailed sets and costumes.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

I won't waste anyone's time re-hashing the plot or production design - see my post about this current tour from two years ago (click here) which still stands, or the original (click here) for that detail. What I will do is update a few of the newer castings and let you decide how many times you should see this theatrical classic.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Derrick Davis returns in the role of the Phantom, and he remains the undeniable star of this show. His supple, passionate voice is my second favorite Phantom only to Michael Crawford (extremely high praise), and he is honestly the main reason I decided to see this show again. He's a 100% performer, oozing the Phantom from his scaly facial prosthetics to his tippity toes, and he leaves everything on that stage by the end of the performance. Emma Grimsley is a new add as Christine Daae. She can certainly sing circles into the role, but I didn't sense quite the level of passion from her as I wanted. The same goes for Jordan Craig as Raoul; he can sing, but the chemistry between he and Grimsley fell a little flat (which for me is a driving point of the show's believability, especially with a Phantom as magnetic as Davis). Trista Moldovan returns as Carlotta and presents all the ego the role deserves; and Susan Moniz is a new add as Madame Giry, one I greatly enjoyed following throughout the show.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

I stand by my earlier exhortations that you splurge on closer seats to the stage for this production; I don't normally say so, but the extra money here really will be well spent. The design is truly out of this world, and you will get infinitely more pleasure out of plunging into that luxurious world if you can really see all its fine points. Phantom of the Opera remains a wonderful option for an early Christmas gift or escape from your family over the Thanksgiving holiday. Don't miss it before it's gone on December 1; click here for more information or to buy tickets.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Thrillist: 7 Cold-Weather Destinations You Need to Visit This Winter

Feeling a little shut in this winter? 

Photo courtesy of Thrillist

Consider a change of scenery and check out some of the best U.S.-based winter destinations you can enjoy to get away from home but still have that snowy winter experience. I rounded up 7 awesome options across America for intrepid travelers. Check out my recommendations and let me know - where else would you add to this list? Click here for the article, or see my copy below.

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In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to forget that winter has a lot more to offer than candy canes and Christmas trees. But our country is full of cold-weather places with unique ways to embrace the winter season that go beyond your local ski slope or ice skating rink. Yes, this could be the year you hit wooded trails via snowmobile, relax in hot springs in the shadow of a mountain range, or take an actual horse-drawn sleigh ride -- all you need is a free weekend, some willing family members or friends, and a warm wardrobe. So if you’re ready to book a trip, add one of these destinations to your winter itinerary.

Experience The Great Northern festival 

Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
Chalk it up to hearty residents used to living through heavy snow and extreme cold, but no state does winter like Minnesota. If you want to hit all the best parts of the season in one go, there’s no better time to visit than during The Great Northern festival. This 11-day winter extravaganza (January 23-February 2) includes a long list of seasonal fun on both sides of the Twin Cities. In Minneapolis, make sure to attend the Loppet Winter Festival, where you can walk on Lake of the Isles at night to see candlelit ice sculptures in the Luminary Loppet or play kubb, a Swedish outdoor lawn game, in the world’s largest winter kubb tournament. If you prefer a higher octane event, head to the US Pond Hockey Championships, where you’ll witness the best of the best from this proudly Minnesotan sport compete to win the Golden Shovel. 
 
On the other side of the river, at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, families should plan to attend one of the scripted parades, such as the King Boreas Grand Day Parade, which celebrates the coming of winter. Sledding lovers shouldn’t miss the Vulcan Snow Park, and all attendees should make sure to see the ice palace -- one of the most unique and artistic elements of the annual festival -- as well as the ice sculpture garden and ice bars lit up at night in Rice Park. And don’t forget that winter is also a great time to enjoy other parts of the Twin Cities, like the frozen waterfall at Minnehaha Regional Park. 

Ring in the new year with a polar plunge 

Portland, Maine
Many wintery-weather states hold polar plunges every year, but Maine might win the prize for the most committed to this chilly ritual. Several of its cities celebrate the new year in freezing fashion; the most famous being Portland’s January 1 Lobster Dip, a 30-plus-year tradition and day-long extravaganza that includes a free buffet and live music. In order to run straight into the cold Atlantic ocean, dippers must raise a minimum of $100; raise more and you can bring home sweet lobster-themed swag. Even better, all the proceeds go to support the Maine chapter of the Special Olympics, meaning you can start the year with your karma on point.

After your plunge, swing by The Holy Donut for their delicious treat that is, uniquely, made with potatoes, or Tandem Coffee for a strong cup of coffee and a slice of delicious kabocha squash custard pie. Stay at the surprisingly affordable Press Hotel or the charming Portland Harbor Hotel in the Old Port, where you can walk the district's beautiful cobblestone streets and soak in the history of the city’s oldest neighborhood. Tour the Victoria Mansion to see one of the most beautifully preserved examples of Italian Villa-style architecture in the US. If you’re more ambitious, check out the Portland Trails website to find a diverse network of urban and rural paths where you can take in the wintry wonderland surroundings. And since a trip to Maine isn’t complete until you’ve eaten lobster, head to Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room for the baked stuffed lobster that has been blowing minds since 1898.

Let an animal drive you around 

Whitefish, Montana
Plenty of winter songs reference sleigh rides, but we’re going to guess you’ve never actually been on one. Change that this year with a trip to Whitefish, Montana, where you can go on a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride -- or even go dog sledding. Winter Woods Dog Sled Tours runs sleds pulled by beautiful Alaskan huskies for $90 per person, in small groups limited to four people or less, while Dog Sled Adventures Montana offers three tours a day (call for a price quote). Or stay at the Bar W Guest Ranch to partake in the on-site sleigh rides ($55, which includes a hot beverage) and dog sled rides. 

Named one of America’s top 25 small towns by Architectural Digest, Whitefish has a lot to offer beyond the outdoors. If you’d rather stay in town, check out The Firebrand Hotel, where you can snuggle up at the cozy Firebrand Lounge for elevated comfort-food snacks like wild mushroom poutine, campfire bison sliders, or huckleberry mud pie. Treat yourself to a mind-blowing tasting menu at Cafe Kandahar or French-style pastries and breads from Fleur Bake Shop. Enjoy the extraordinarily detailed bronze sculptures created by -- and eclectic artistic pieces curated by -- Sunti Pichetchaiyakul, an acclaimed portraiture sculptor, at Sunti World Art Gallery. Whitefish is also only a 35-minute drive from Glacier National Park, so seize the excuse for a day trip to see stunning winter mountain vistas at one of the country's top national parks. 

Get cozy at a hot springs spa 

Nathrop, Colorado
Winter in Colorado might be most famous for its ski slopes, but there’s another great reason to visit in the colder months: the state’s preponderance of mineral water hot springs, making for a naturally luxurious spa experience. Located a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Denver, the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop allows year-round access to revitalizing, natural pools of odorless, 140-degree water. Basic one-day access starts at $20-$25 to use the multiple hot-springs-fed soaking pools and the Chalk Creek springs. You can scale up from there to attend the day spa where you can access treatments, a juice bar, fitness center, and the Japanese-style cascading pools. You can also, of course, stay overnight at the resort in rooms that range from standalone cabins to cliffside guest rooms with views of the Rocky Mountains.
 
Make sure to reserve time while in Nathrop to saddle up with Colorado Trail Rides in nearby Buena Vista to experience Colorado’s winter landscape by horseback. Ogle glittering gems and gold prospecting equipment at The Rock Doc, which claims to be the largest mineral shop in the Rockies. Before you leave, snack on delicious handcrafted goat cheese from Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy -- and buy some extra to pack for your return home.

Celebrate the season at Winter Blast Weekends 

Detroit, Michigan
Experience the renaissance of one of America’s great Midwestern cities up close and take an affordable weekend trip with Detroit’s Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends. Every year, over four weekends in January and February, this free event series takes over downtown’s Campus Martius Park with activities for every family member and interest level. Experiences include ice skating, zip lining, live concerts, marshmallow roasting, eats from local food trucks, even a giant slide made of snow. (The 2020 weekend dates will be announced on November 19.)

Beyond the festival (or if you can’t attend during one of the four weekends), there’s plenty to do in Detroit indoors during wintertime. Soak in the 65,000-work collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts or pay homage to the city’s roots as the birthplace of automotive manufacturing at The Henry Ford museum. Shop for timeless, Detroit-made goods at Shinola; get hearty Carhartt workwear in the city in which it was founded; or press your own vinyl at Jack White’s legendary Third Man Records store. And make sure to groove over to Hitsville USA, the home of the Motown Museum, which looks back at the record label that gave us legends like the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross.

Go on a romantic getaway

Lake Placid, New York
You might know the region surrounding Lake Placid as the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics (it even brands itself as the winter sports capital of the world), but it also contains excellent resorts. About a five-hour drive north of New York City, you can escape to a romantic wintery wonderland at places like High Peaks Resort, which features amenities like indoor pools, Norwegian kicksled rentals, spa treatments, and the historic Dancing Bears restaurant. If you want to really splurge, check out the gorgeous Whiteface Lodge, where active couples can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and free ice skating. If you’re more of a lodge-bound traveler they’ve got activities for you as well, like cozy bonfires, hot tubs, and a luxurious on-site spa to truly treat yourself. 
 
If you aren’t feeling sporty and want to leave your hotel, the Lake Placid Olympic Museum is an excellent (and warm!) way to spend a few hours. Don’t miss the chance to ride the unique and recently renovated toboggan chute, which starts at a height of 30 feet and lands you right on frozen Lake Mirror. For hyper-local food and drinks, head to Taste NY Cafe at Whiteface Mountain, which only serves products from New York State. Order everyone’s favorite meal of the day (breakfast, of course) all day long at The Breakfast Club, Etc. And if you need more ideas of what to do while you’re there, check out Thrillist’s roundup of the best winter activities in Lake Placid.  

Hit the trails to enjoy unspoiled winter views 

Hayward, Wisconsin
The town of Hayward in Northern Wisconsin might not be at the top of most vacation bucket lists, but you might want to bump it up there during the quieter winter months. Nestled near an 850,000-acre national forest, the Hayward Lakes area offers access to hundreds of miles of hiking trails year round. There are trails for every level of ability and activity interest, including hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and even snowmobiling -- which lets you quickly traverse wide swaths of pristine forest. Rent a snowmobile from Hayward Power Sports ($269 gets your your own vehicle for seven hours), or if you feel more comfortable riding with an experienced guide, book a two-person, four-hour guided snowmobile tour for $349 through Runamuk Rides. 

After you’ve worked up an appetite on the trails, savor hearty steaks and walleye filets at The Ranch Supper Club. Find time to drive by the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame to take an Instagram-worthy selfie with the Shrine to Anglers, a four-and-a-half-story tall fish sculpture that you can climb to enjoy panoramic views of Hayward Lake. Make or paint an ornament at one of the classes at Out of the Woods Winery or Farmstead Creamery and Cafe. Or if you’d rather shop for crafts than create them, stop into Morrow’s Native Art to buy delicately handcrafted items made by local Native American artists. As for where you'll sleep, stay at the Spider Lake Lodge for a homey log cabin feel with a Twin Peaks aesthetic, or nestle in at the historic McCormick House, both of which include breakfast with the price of the room.

KHEPHRA is the Hip Hop Holiday Story You Didn't Know You Needed

Representation has been an increasingly important theme in arts around the world lately. 

Uche Iroegbu

Whether it's melanizing the lily white world of superhero universes (here's looking at you Black Panther) or shaking up the stale genre of rom coms (Crazy Rich Asians ruled the game this summer), groups that were previously left out of the cultural conversation have started to plow ahead with work by, of and for their own with nary a glimpse in the rearview mirror.

And what a great time that makes it to be a lover of the arts! Diversification only generates richer, deeper, more meaningful and interesting stories. I've been thrilled to discover so many new worlds and ideas that I never knew before over the last few years. The quality across the board has been increased such that it can be hard now to find something that *isn't* interesting or fresh, and that's a good problem for all of us to have.

The latest local piece in this fearless tradition is KHEPHRA: A Hip Hop Holiday Story, now showing at the CONN Theater. Created and anchored by local luminary Shá Cage, KHEPHRA tells the story of a young girl as she encounters celebrations from the many countries she lives in in West Africa and transitions to life in America in her teenage years. It's a side door entry into the world of a holiday show - you won't get your typical Christmas Carol or Grinch or Santa or manger moments here (although there are some remixed carols) - which I found totally refreshing and unique. Through puppetry, dance and music, Cage takes us on a tour through KHEPHRA's world and educates all of us on a vibrant blend of cultural traditions and experiences. A helpful insert in the program describes some of the West African terms, people, and songs sung throughout the show for those who are unfamiliar with the cultures presents.

A standout element is that this is clearly a family affair. We learn at the very beginning of the show that the concept for KHEPHRA came after Cage realized her kids were too young to see Christmas Carol and that they wouldn't relate to it anyway. Cage decided to create a show where they could feel seen and represented and hopefully have them perform with her once they were older. Her sons do indeed perform in this show, which is directed by Cage's husband. Cage displays an intimate, joyful familiarity with the two incredible dancers (Destiny Anderson and Johannah Easley) and musicians (Jamela Pettiford, William "Truthmaze" Harris, and Rico Mendez) also performing, and together they create a vivacious and joyful energy. The familial vibe on stage also creates a warm engagement with the audience, who is encouraged to sing along with the performers during the musical numbers and touch some of the West African artifacts Cage introduces throughout the show. I also thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous abstract paintings in the scenic design by Ta-coumba Aiken that lend a simple but colorful and playful backdrop for the dynamic choreography.

I can't overstate how nice it is to see a plethora of innovative, unique, diverse, talented performers carving their own paths through the arts world these days. It's not easy to create something out of thin air, and much less make it something of quality. The vision Shá Cage demonstrates in KHEPHRA, the joyful atmosphere of the entire experience, and the example she sets for her children (and for all of us, honestly) is one I won't soon forget. If you're feeling down in the holiday dumps or just plain bored with the same ol', same ol' rotations of shows around this time of year, branch out and explore the lovely, cross-cultural world Cage has to offer here. I hope this becomes a holiday tradition of its own - a festivus for the rest of us if there ever was one. KHEPHRA only runs through December 23 (with shows twice a day), so make sure to click here to get your tickets ASAP.

Les Miserables is Timelier Than Ever

What can I say about a show that's been touring the country steadily for over 25 years? 

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Probably simply that things haven't changed all that much in the 150+ years since Les Miserables was first published.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Anyone who isn't familiar with Les Miserables can find a detailed overview of the plot in my first review several years ago (click here to read), but for the one paragraph breakdown: Jean Valjean became a convict after stealing a loaf of bread to save his dying nephew; after 19 years in French prison, he is released and breaks parole to start a new life. He is hunted ever after by the police captain Javert, a stickler for law and order who refuses to believe in life circumstances or that people can change. Valjean takes in a girl named Cosette after her mother falls from grace after working for him, raising Cosette as his own. Cosette falls in love with Marius, a member of a revolutionary group who tries to overthrow France's wealthy ruling class to help the people (and fails). Marius is the lone survivor of the fight after Valjean saves him; Javert commits suicide after Valjean grants him his life during the revolution; and Valjean joins Cosette's mother Fantine and Marius's lover-that-never-was Éponine in heaven after a life filled with service.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

It's a doozy of a plot (and an incredible book - which more people should read. Yes, I know that it clocks in at over 1,400 pages, but if you do the math even the slowest reader can finish it in a year by reading just a measly 4 pages a day. It's worth it, I promise), and despite sounding overwrought it somehow shines on-stage as a complex, tautly riveting story that lays bare some incredibly difficult subjects via high entertainment. I've always felt Les Miserables to be a timely and relevant piece, but it struck me last night just HOW timely it is. Just look at a few of the major themes and plot points:

• A man is jailed for stealing a loaf of bread because he is poor (see real modern life here)
• This man is released but not allowed to work as a citizen because of his past (see real modern life here)
• A woman is slut shamed (see real modern life here)
• A woman is separated from her child and deemed an unfit parent while she tries to earn money to support them (see real modern life here)
• Said child is abused and the wider culture finds it perfectly acceptable (see real modern life here)
• The police force imprisons people falsely (see real modern life here)
• A few very rich people have most of the money; most people are suffering in poverty (see real modern life here)

Photo by Matthew Murphy

And on and on and on... the parallels are never ending! It's interesting for me to see the relationship audiences have with a show such as this; to me there are such clear ties to problems plaguing our society, and despite the intentional comedic moments I still struggle to be fully entertained and remove myself from those implications. This world is REAL to me in a visceral, heartbreaking way, but it seems most of the general public doesn't feel as connected with the story. There were several moments throughout the night - such as strong laughter after childish Cosette's solo "Castle on a Cloud," which describes her dream of escaping her nightmare of child labor and abuse at the hands of the Thénardiers - where I felt almost in an alternate universe. Was the scene teed up for comedic timing? Yes of course. But was it really funny and worth an audience-wide guffaw? I'm hard pressed to say so.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

That said - this production is wholly magnificent and worth a visit for long-term fans and newbies alike. This is a cast of ringers (they need to be in order to perform the gloriously complex score, conducted to perfection by Brian Eads), and no one will be disappointed with their strong work. At the core is, of course, Jean Valjean, played with gravitas here by Nick Cartell. He is partnered with the Ebeneezer Scrooge-ian Josh Davis as *the best* Javert I've ever seen, and together they tussle through an equally matched battle of fates that drives the show with strength. Mary Kate Moore rips through your heart during her solos as Fantine with a truly angelic voice. Paige Smallwood was a crowd-pleaser belting out "On My Own" as Éponine, and Jillian Butler's sprightly coloratura has a future career as Christine Daae as evidenced through her performance as Cosette. The (surprising) star of the whole thing for me, though, was Joshua Grosso in a gorgeously nuanced performance as Marius. Grosso acts through his teeth while blessing us all with a Josh Groban-esque voice on tear-worthy solos like "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables;" he's fresh, young and bombastic, and I cannot wait to see where he goes after this performance.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

This tour is part of the 25th anniversary revival, which includes some different staging from the famous original. Gone are the turntable stages; instead, we have lavish projections and sky-high sets that provide us with three stories worth of narrative power. The facility of these sets allows for the intensely detailed plot to fly by with ease, and it's impressive how fast-paced this staging of Les Miserables feels despite clocking in at a three hour run time. Paired with the nuanced projections and absolutely stunning lighting design, the sets place us in a living, breathing, three-dimensional slice of Parisian history over 150 years old; it's a high achievement and sure to keep you riveted throughout the show.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Victor Hugo was the Charles Dickens of France, meaning his work is just as evergreen as the Oliver Twists and Christmas Carols of the world. There's a reason Les Miserables has hung around for so long, and I'm tempted to say it's more relevant now than perhaps it ever has been since publication. Once again we live in a world where a few wealthy autocrats control our health and livelihoods; once again many people are thrown into prisons for minor offenses and struggle to re-enter society; once again the sexual assault of women is at the forefront of political consciousness; once again people are trying to rise up for their rights and are squashed by an indomitable political machine. Does that mean we give up? Of course not - as the revolutionary Enjolras sings, "this is the music of a people who will not be slaves again," and it's always worth fighting for "One Day More" - even if today turns out to be a loss. Don't miss the epic saga of Les Miserables, especially with this taut, terrific cast. Click here to learn more or buy tickets before the show closes on December 30 (and word to the wise - it's selling out quickly, so you'll want to nab those seats ASAP).

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Thrillist: The Best Things to Do This Winter (in the Twin Cities)

Whenever someone not from Minnesota comes to visit, I hear the pity in their voice when they talk about living here through the winter. 

Photo courtesy of Thrillist

Inevitably something along the lines of "bUt HOW dO yoU sUrvIvE iT?!?" comes out of their mouths, and all I can do is smile. 

The things is that (believe it or not) the extreme winters here are actually a gift, allowing Minnesotans to get extra creative with how we spend our time. It enables a period of slowing down, cozying up, and generally just enjoying your life a little differently. Can't go swimming at the beach? Go skiing or skijoring. Can't go for a long stroll outside? Hit up the skyway system and explore some of the crazy things available there, including museums, nail shops and excellent sushi and ramen. Patios are closed? Use it as an excuse to plan a themed date night to learn more about other cultures and try food you've never eaten before. 

I had a lot of fun putting together this list of the best things to do in the winter for Thrillist (click here to read the full piece). It actually became hard to narrow this down! If I have a holiday wish for any readers, it's this: get out of the house and try something new this winter. Do a little more reading, home cooking, and pick one new thing every week - or at least every month - that you've never tried before. There are so many fun activities to explore in the winter here and many of them are very affordable - don't let yourself become isolated and grumpy thanks to the weather and darkness. You can do better. 

If there's something I missed on the list (click here), please let me know! I'm always thrilled to be trying new things. Send any suggestions to me at compendiummpls@gmail.com.

The Wickhams Brings a New Festivity to Pride and Prejudice

How can you find a new way to indulge your love for Jane Austen? 

Photo by Rich Ryan

You took all the Buzzfeed quizzes about "Which Bennet are you?" and watched every Austen remake to be found thousands of times (here's looking at you, Clueless). What's left at this point to fuel your Austen fire?

Thanks to the ever-visionary Sarah Rasmussen, the Jungle Theater in Uptown has you covered. On the heels of last year's unbelievably successful Miss Bennet, the Jungle is providing #tctheater with another witty world premiere play to keep the story of the Bennets living on after Lizzie's marriage to Mr. Darcy at the end of the beloved book Pride and Prejudice.

Photo by Rich Ryan

While Miss Bennet, which premiered last year (and which I didn't see - but my friends over at Talkin' Broadway have the full scoop, just click here to catch up) focused on the story of the oft-forgotten Mary Bennet, The Wickhams gives us all the juicy details of what Lydia has been up to since her secretly forced marriage to George Wickham. It's an unlikely but visionary entree back into this world, providing a surprisingly fruitful plot line for a lively cast and a delicious piece of fan fiction that left me wanting even more.

Photo by Rich Ryan

Think of The Wickhams as "The Untold Story of Lydia" meets Downton Abbey. Fans of the original book know that George Wickham's famously unscrupulous behavior was the bane of many people's existence. After Mr. Darcy forces Wickham to marry Lydia, Wickham is forever banished from Pemberley Hall. This creates a conflict, of course, when the rest of the Bennet family is in town for the holidays. They can neither leave the Wickhams out altogether nor invite George Wickham, so Lydia travels to Pemberley alone to join her sisters. Lydia is a fascinating character who becomes richer as I get older, and The Wickhams plumbs her potential to the core. We learn that Lydia is much smarter than she receives credit for and presents a silly facade to veneer over her unhappy marriage. Throughout The Wickhams, her true relationship to George is unveiled and great plot twists change their lives forever.

Photo by Rich Ryan

The entire play takes place in the kitchen at Pemberley, where the main characters intermittently seek relief from the holiday festivities and stifling family judgement upstairs, and we get to meet a whole new cast of characters via Pemberley's servants. This approach has the advantage of fleshing out a fuller picture of the true life (and class system) at Pemberley, and gives us a window into how George Wickham became the disastrously immoral character he is in the book. It's not a sympathetic portrait but it's a clear-eyed one, and it lends a surprising level of nuance to the original text. Several juicy side plots, including a blooming romance between Cassie, a new servant at Pemberley, and Brian, a long-time servant who knew Wickham intimately as a child; and general existence of housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds, who brings a sharp wit and a spot-on Mrs. Hughes vibe to the house; kept the audience enthralled as we whirled through this new story.

Photo by Rich Ryan

The standout elements of this show were the impeccable comedic timing, directed to perfection by Christina Baldwin. This ship is run as tightly as a British naval frigate and the cast whips through jokes with casual ease. That cast is small but smart, by the way, and everyone serves their roles perfectly. Standouts include Nate Cheeseman, who miraculously manages to make George Wickham not only totally compelling but downright sympathetic at times; and Roshni Desai as Cassie, with a pitch perfect accent and plenty of sharp insight into the new household thanks to her friendship with Brian (setting a new rom-com standard in Jesse Lavercombe's performance). Sun Mee Chomet is an excellent choice for Elizabeth Darcy and keeps the audience giggling and the charmingly flustered James Rodriguez in line as Mr. Darcy. Anglea Timberman anchors the action as Mrs. Reynolds, and I can't imagine her in another role after the steadfast part she plays here. And Kelsey Didion brings surprising complexity to her role as Lydia, leading us to a sympathy we would never have expected from her character. In all it's a very special cast who are clearly having the best time with this new work, and I would happily revisit Pemberley with them again and again.

Photo by Rich Ryan

The devil is in the details and this production team is stellar. I kept finding new minutiae to delight me with every scene. As previously mentioned the lovely set, designed by Chelsea Warren, stays entirely in Pemberley's kitchen. Glowy burnished copper tools grace the walls, a sturdy table centers the room, and a plethora of doorways and secret hallways allow us to watch the characters spy on frank conversations, hide from each other, and otherwise enjoy far more action than a static set has any right to generate. Sarah Bahr's costume design draws clear contrast between the landed class and the servants, and a smart selection of props from John Novak (such as endless biscuits or steaming cups of tea) make this feel like a cozy working home. The real standouts are the lighting design by Marcus Dilliard and dialect coaching from Keely Wolter. I noticed out the gate that these are some of the best (and most consistently delivered) British accents I've heard on stage in recent years, and the lighting is an absolute marvel. Transitioning from shadowy firelight to candle-lit moments to the garish light of day, Dilliard brings a rare nuance to the lighting that really pushes this show to the next level.

Photo by Rich Ryan

Jane Austen was one of the first authors I was truly obsessed with. Like many of us I devoured Pride and Prejudice (and subsequently the rest of Austen's catalog) with a fervor that has not waned over the years. It's one of the few books I've re-read multiple times, and I adore many of the clever re-imaginings that have graced popular culture over the years (such as the Bridget Jones series or Clueless). The Wickhams leads us into a new level of Austen fan fiction that has infinite depths to plumb, and I am so grateful to the Jungle for not only having the vision to commission a brand new work for the holidays (rather than re-hash the same tired stories we see everywhere else) but to use the opportunity to add new richness and understanding to a familiar story. I can see this series becoming a new cycle of holiday plays traveling the country every Christmas season, and it's a world I won't mind revisiting again and again. For more information about The Wickhams or to buy tickets before the show closes on December 30, click on this link.