SpotLight Program and School of Rock students turn it up!

Posted on August 24, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Some people grab a hairbrush and an air guitar to rock out—but for 15 students this summer, the hairbrush was traded in for a microphone and the volume was turned up to the max.  From August 6-18, students from our SpotLight Musical Theatre Program and the School of Rock combined forces to create their own show culminating in a one-night performance on Monday, August 20 at the New Century Theatre.

The Cabaret Camp students walked away with real life skills in directing, writing, arranging, movement/choreography, technical skills and more knowledge about the business of the arts. The goal of this program is simple:

Empower the students.

We believe that in giving the students 100% creative control they will grow as artists and people.  Following the performance on Monday night, I am proud to say: mission accomplished.

The cabaret, Eras of Love, was born out of several brainstorms of songs and bands and heavy discussion between the students about how ideas connect. What I continue to find most interesting about the young artists I work with, is that when given the choice, they don’t shy away. Death, abuse, addiction, divorce, war, homosexuality—all of the “heavy topics” were exactly what this group wanted to tackle. (One of the many ways I am reminded that the next generation is going to be just fine.)

School of Rock Music Director-St. Paul, Adam Durand, said his favorite part of the experience was watching all of the students elevate their musicianship to a new level.

“This performance was really one of a kind and broke new ground for the education community,” said Durand.

If you weren’t in attendance, here’s what you missed:

The Show: Eras of Love—a series of vignettes exploring relationships, conflict and of course love.

Elizabethan Era: A re-telling of Romeo and Juliet had us see the couple battle
their family feud (quite literally with a nod to the game show featuring the Capulets vs. Montagues)

1940’s: Robby and Janet believe in love and their country—until war takes Robby away and they battle distance and eventually post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return.

Late 80’s/early 90’s:  The ladies took to the stage as we watched a daughter search to find her place after her mother’s death and a young woman in an abusive relationship reflects on making the choice to leave her boyfriend.

Present Day: Two brothers share their story of living life with their parents on the road to divorce. One discovers he is gay and through the challenge finds a new, stronger, relationship with his brother.

The Singers:

Claire Clauson (South St. Paul High School), Corrine Nugent (Shakopee High School), Kayla Peters (Chaska High School), Will Tipping (DeLaSalle High School), John Jamison (Southwest High School), Emily Nies (White Bear Area Lake High School), Caleb Richards (Shakopee High School), Tate Shepard (Eastview High School), Lexi Johnson (Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School), Chaos Bebault (St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists) and Maggie Cramer (Washburn High School).

The Band:

Mat Lentz (Guitar), Ben Pauls (Bass), Sedona LaMarre (Piano) and Zack Adelman (Drums).

The Playlist:

Seasons of Love (Rent), Just Another Day (Next to Normal), Dying Ain’t So Bad (Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical), Love Song (Marilyn Manson), My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion), Gunslinger (Avenged Sevenfold), Letterbomb (American Idiot), Mama Who Bore Me (Spring Awakening), Holding Out for a Hero (Footloose), Family Portrait (P!nk), I Kissed a Girl (Katy Perry), Left Behind (Spring Awakening), Times Like These (Foo Fighters) and A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke).

We’d like to offer special thanks to our partner, the School of Rock, and Adam Durand, Music Director from the School of Rock in St. Paul.

Check out photos from the final performance here.

Looking for more? View the Cabaret performances from last summer: “7 Deadly Sins” and “Croon & Swoon.”

→ Leave a comment

Posted in SpotLight

Tagged , , ,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Celebrating New Century’s 1st year with a look back!

Posted on August 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

As the Minnesota summer winds down and the crispness in the air draws us back into indoor spaces and to the theatre, let’s take a moment to celebrate the first anniversary of the New Century Theatre!  As the Theatre’s Ticketing and Group Sales Manager, I’m happy to share some reflections on this first year which also coincides with my first anniversary as a Trust staff member!

New Century stage dressed for Don’t Hug Me.

Simply put, it’s been a great first year at the New Century Theatre.  One highlight was having four drag queens on stage! And hilarious productions such as: A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol, Girls Only: The Secret Comedy of Women and Mary à la Carte had patrons laughing uproariously, something I always enjoy seeing .  We were proud to also be the Minneapolis host for Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays, a one-night event that came back for a touching, longer run.

At the New Century Theatre, we are more than just plays!  Our education program regularly uses the space for the Broadway Confidential series, bringing in artists or speakers to give that additional level of insight into the show. This summer, there are dozens of students taking workshops as part of our summer SpotLight Cabaret Camp series.  Local artists like Charles Fraiser have used our equipment to teach classes in acting and improvisation to students all over the country using modern video technology. The FAIR school in downtown also rehearses and performs its annual production at New Century.

My personal favorite was watching Kathleen Turner teaching a Master Class to some of our Triple Threat students! I fondly remember watching her in Romancing The Stone and Jewel of the Nile when I was much younger and loving her performance.  I’ve met my share of stars working in theatre: Jon Schneider, Justin Kirk, Linda Kelsey, just to name a few, but there is just something about Kathleen Turner.  For me, she has this raw energy.  You could feel it in the room whenever she spoke.  She is truly a master of her craft and her work with the students was transformative.  She’d work them and re-work them and get them to “see” what they were saying, “feel” what the character was experiencing, and “breathe” life into what was just words on a page.

A few days ago, on August 2,we embarked on another new adventure!  We launched our new music series called Acoustic Century and the first concert featuring 4onthefloor’s Gabriel Douglas and Danny O’Brien of The Farewell Circuit.  It was a fabulous, intimate evening of music.  The best part for me was when they told stories and talked about their song-writing.  We’re planning to offer more of these super fun opportunities to really get “inside” the music.

Acoustic Century

Looking ahead to the fall, we are getting ready for deer hunting season!  Throw together four hunters who’d rather sit in the warmth of the lodge, an ultimatum from their wives to actually shoot a deer and beer and enjoy…can I say kick-line!

Of course as it gets colder still, who doesn’t want a hot cup of coffee.  I’m really looking forward to seeing my friends Carolyn Pool and Shanan Custer in 2 Sugars, Room for Cream.  I couldn’t get enough of this show during the 2009 Fringe Festival, I think I saw it three times.  Insider Secret (don’t tell):   They performed at the Xperimental Stage at Rarig Center.  Essentially the X is a pit.  There is NO off-stage and NO back-stage…just, well, stage!  So, they were forced to think on their feet and re-block the entire show, keeping all costume and prop changes on stage in full view of the audience.  This creative last minute change really worked like a charm.  Now we all can’t imagine doing it any other way.

So, join me this fall at New Century Theatre.  We need YOU to make theatre happen.  When I worked at the Park Square Theatre, a former co-worker would talk to students before the show. This portion of the speech always gave me goose bumps. She’d ask them, “If the actors showed up and performed the play in full make-up and costumes with sound and lights and NO ONE was in the audience, did theatre just happen, or was that just rehearsal? “

Answer:  Rehearsal.  To be “theatre” we need you.  You are the last piece of this magical art form.  Theatre does not happen on the stage.  It happens somewhere between the actors and you, taking on life and energy from the laughs and sobs and gasps as you and the cast together create “THEATRE.”  This is why I love being a part of it. I would also love to see you soon at the New Century Theatre. Just look for me in the box office!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Theatre

Tagged , ,

BREAKING NEWS: Monty Python’s Spamalot & Shear Madness added to 12/13 Broadway Season, Broadway Flex Packs Now Available

Posted on August 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Just when you thought our 12/13 Broadway Season couldn’t get any better, we’ve gone ahead and added two season specials to our already packed lineup of award-winning musicals and plays: Monty Python’s Spamalot returns to the Orpheum for three shows only and Shear Madness takes over the Pantages for a four-week run. Tickets are on sale now to both of these shows as part of our Broadway Flex Packs, which allow you to secure your seats from among nine shows before single tickets go on sale to the general public!

Monty Python’s Spamalot, winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, returns to Minneapolis March 15-16, 2013. This comedy sensation is lovingly “ripped off” from the film classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Shear Madness, the longest running play in American theatre history, will run February 27-March 17, 2013. Filled with comedy and improvisation, this uproarious mystery invites audiences to spot the clues, question the suspects and solve the crime was voted “Best Comedy of the Year” seven times by the Boston Globe.

Customize your own Flex Pack and join us for these shows! Details, details, details…

Broadway Flex Packs allow you to customize you own season by choosing three or more shows from among nine productions on the upcoming season, including: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Catch Me If You Can, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Flashdance, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Shear Madness, Monty Python’s Spamalot and War Horse.  Our upcoming co-presentation of Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida at the Pantages with Theater Latte Da will also be available as a Flex Pack option. Flexible ticket packages allow you to secure your seats to these nine shows before single tickets go on sale to the general public. You’re welcome to choose any performance and purchase up to eight tickets to each show at any desired price level.  Packages are available in person at the State Theatre Box Office, by phone through the Broadway Across American Season Ticket Holder Hotline (1.800.859.7469, Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm) or by ordering online.

Due to the extremely high demand, tickets for The Book of Mormon will not be available through the flexible ticket package option but a limited number of seats are still available with the purchase of a full season package.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Broadway

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acoustic Century: Local songwriters and their stories – debuts next week!

Posted on July 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

“There’s a lion that sits on my bed / Lord knows he’s never been fed”

Gabriel Douglas, the once heavily-bearded front man of local supergroup The 4onthefloor, bellows this lyric in the band’s recent single “Lionhearted.” Before Douglas had his beard publicly removed this summer, you might have mistaken him for a lion. But if you want to know the true meaning behind his lyrics (and why he shaved his epic beard), you’ll have to come hear it for yourself at Acoustic Century!

We invite you to join us on Thursday, August 2 at 8:00pm, when we debut Acoustic Century, a new series of local acoustic music mixed with artist conversations. Acoustic Century will give local performers a platform to share their music and the stories behind it and give audiences a chance to get a deeper look into the local music scene.

The inaugural event on Thursday will feature Gabriel Douglas of the roots rock quartet The 4onthefloor and Danny O’Brien from the indie band The Farewell Circuit. The duo will share the stories behind their tracks, answer audience questions and perform separately on stage. Topics covered will focus on the aspects of the songwriting process, what it’s like to be a part of the local music scene in the Twin Cities, life on the road and the dichotomy between playing in a group versus having a solo career.

Since opening its doors in September 2011, the New Century Theatre has hosted a variety of plays and theatrical events, but this is the first venture into live music at the new downtown venue. The small, intimate space will provide the perfect setting for acoustic concerts like this and will allow every member of the audience to feel connected with the performers on stage.

So join us on August 2 as we take you behind the music and into the minds of some of Minnesota’s top musicians! Tickets here.

Watch Gabriel Douglas and Danny O’ Brien perform an acoustic version of “Lionhearted” live at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

About Gabriel and Danny:

Gabriel Douglas has performed both as a solo performer and as lead singer and drummer for The 4onthefloor. He has shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson and his group released their debut album, “4×4,” in April 2011. “[Douglas] effortlessly toggles between a whiskey-fueled, gravelly drawl and a stimulating, larynx shredding bellow,” wrote Mark Suppanz from the music magazine The Big Takeover.

Danny O’Brien crafts indie pop tunes both as a solo artist and lead singer, guitarist and pianist for The Farewell Circuit. The group released their debut album, “In Our Bones,” in November 2011. “In an era where pervasive poverty, war, revolution and uncertainty exist, The Farewell Circuit offers optimism and belief in humanity,” says the Dadada Music Blog.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Concerts

Tagged , ,

Exclusive Q&A with Nick Bowman, Rhythmic Circus Executive Director and Award-Winning Performer

Posted on July 17, 2012 by | 1 Comment

What do you get when you mix percussive tap with live funk, rock, blues and soul music? Rhythmic Circus, the explosive Twin Cities dance ensemble, brings their critically acclaimed production “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!” back to the Pantages Theatre for two performances only, this Friday (July 20) and Saturday (July 21). These shows are the only chance to see the troupe locally as they gather support to return to Scotland’s prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August and launch an upcoming Off-Broadway run. We had a chance to ask Nick Bowman, Rhythmic Circus Executive Director and award-winning performer, what gives his show its non-stop energy.

Q. What led you to create Rhythmic Circus?

Before we started this project, Ricci Milan and I were busy teaching locally at dance studios as well as traveling the country teaching for various dance organizations including competitions, conventions, dance studios and university dance programs. We enjoyed the work but often discussed putting together a music and dance show that featured our style of tap dance as well as the musical style of our friends who were playing in a multitude of local bands.

We wanted to create a dance show for “the people.” In other words, we wanted to create a show that all types of audiences would respond to enthusiastically. Our other major goal was to create a show that we would be proud to stand behind artistically. In our combined performance history we felt we had only had the opportunity to perform in shows that served one of these two goals – it was always fun and cheesy, or artistic and boring.

In 2008, we decided that our window of opportunity to create a project that would serve those two goals was quickly closing. The time had come to enlist our friends to start working on our “passion project.” We quickly put a deposit down on a week long rental at the Ritz Theatre in Minneapolis and started creating musical numbers and brainstorming ideas as to how we could link them all together. What resulted was the beginning of “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!”

Q. What can patrons expect to see during your shows this Friday and Saturday?

Our show is a cross between a dance concert, a rock concert and a comedy hour. It features four dancers and seven musicians who combine efforts to encourage audiences to “believe in the power of their dreams.” It’s the kind of show that makes you want to get up and move. It is genre bending, mixing our style of hard-hitting, rapid-fire, extremely athletic tap dancing with rock, blues, soul and funk music.

Rhythmic Circus is a group of friends who came together to create a show that celebrates our community, our friendships and life in general. On the surface we are group of entertainers, but as the show progresses, you get the feeling that we are more like a secret club, or fraternal organization, a group of people that have a much deeper bond than originally anticipated. But we don’t want our group to be a secret. By the end of the show our goal is to make you feel invited to join the Circus and awaken to the Circus that’s alive inside of you.

The name of our show, “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!,” is an old New Orleans chant dating back to the early 1900’s. It comes from a time when people were rich, not necessarily financially, but rich with culture and spirit. Back then they had parades in the street every Sunday just to celebrate their lives and their community. We have adopted the chant as more of a rallying cry or group motto. In these economic times, we want to get people back in touch with that spirit of celebration and provide a show that helps remind our audience that there is always a reason to get up, let go and dance.

Q. You performed at the Pantages last summer and your upcoming shows are the only chance for people to watch the group locally this summer. What do you like best about performing at the Pantages?

The Pantages is a beautiful theatre. We have traveled back and forth across the country for the past 18 months performing in over 90 cities and I can honestly say that the Pantages is our favorite venue we have had the opportunity to perform in. The combination between history and aesthetic beauty is unmatched. It also doesn’t hurt that it is the theatre where we had our favorite performances. There is something incredibly special about performing for your hometown. The love and support is almost overwhelming. It helps bring out the best in our ensemble and encourages us to raise the bar in our individual performances. We are all looking forward to the same kind of excitement this weekend.

Q. Have you had any memorable mishaps as you’ve performed your high-energy shows around the world?

Mishaps are the true gem of live entertainment! They are what make you realize that you are seeing something that is being created right now, right in front of you. They are something we try to prevent, but are truly unavoidable and seem to find their way into every show.

This past weekend in Fort Worth, TX, Ricci managed to miss his chair completely during the “chair dance.” There comes a point in the show where he and Cory are switching chairs at an incredibly quick pace, and for the first time in our show’s history, Ricci completely missed and found himself on his rear-end. From the wings the rest of the company was on the floor rolling around laughing while he popped up, made a joke and kept going without missing a beat. In the lobby after the show, most people couldn’t believe it wasn’t planned!

It’s these kind of “mistakes” that make live entertainment so drastically different from other forms of entertainment. Though they sometimes throw us off our usual rhythm, we cherish every single one of them!

Thanks to Nick Bowman for participating in our Q&A. For more information on Rhythmic Circus or to purchase tickets to their shows on Friday and Saturday, please visit our website.

Read a feature on the group that appeared in Sunday’s Star Tribune!

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Theatre

Tagged , ,

Summer in the City 2012 – A Huge Success!

Posted on July 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Last night, Thursday, July 12, more than 300 Donors joined us for the eighth annual Summer in the City, an invitation-only event to thank our supporters held this year at the Orpheum Theatre. During the fun-filled evening, Trust patrons sampled tasty appetizers and complimentary beverages from our restaurant partners including Rosa Mexicano, Crave, Rock Bottom Brewery, Thom Pham’s Wondrous Azian Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Solera, Cosmos, Bradstreet Craftshouse, D’Amico Kitchen, Seven Sushi Ultralounge and Mission American Kitchen. Summit Beer was also on hand with refreshing beer samples and interesting tidbits from their Cicerone (a certified beer sever who works to ensure customers enjoy the flavors of the amber colored liquid to the greatest extent possible).

Guests also enjoyed behind-the-scenes tours of the historic Orpheum Theatre as well as exclusive demonstrations by top chefs and bartenders including how to make Fruit Explosions from Cosmos, Sake Floats from Thom Pham’s, Sushi from Seven, Caprese Salad Glasses from Crave and Fresh Guacamole from  Rosa. Bradstreet Craftshouse and The Capital Grille added to the party with their own delicious beverage demonstrations.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and supports our work throughout the year. It was a wonderful evening with food, fun and excitement. To learn how you can become a Hennepin Theatre Trust donor and receive invitations to exclusive events like this as well as many other benefits, please visit our website.

View photos from the event.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Community

Tagged , ,

From the Minne-apple to the Big Apple: Triple Threat Best Actor and Best Actress take on the Jimmys!

Posted on June 24, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Following in the footsteps of last year’s Triple Threat Best Actress Sarah Cartwright and Triple Threat Best Actor and Jimmy Award-winning Ryan McCartan, SpotLight Musical Theatre Program standouts Emily Nies and Dan Piering began their adventure to New York and the 2012 National High School Musical Theatre Awards on June 20.

Dan Piering and Emily Nies at Sardi’s in New York City prior to attending Nice Work if You Can Get It.

For the next week, Nies and Piering will join the ranks of 60 students from 30 programs across the country being coached by Broadway actors and a professional artistic staff, visiting with industry professionals and even seeing a couple of Broadway shows!  The culminating performance of their week with the Jimmys (named for theatre maven James Nederlander) will take them to the Minskoff Theatre where they will make their Broadway debut and compete for the Jimmy Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress.

Whitney Rhodes, their chaperone for the week, took a moment to chat with them about their first couple of days at the Jimmys and their feelings about SpotLight.

Dan Piering

Grade: Senior (Attending the Guthrie B.F.A. program this fall)

High School: Wayzata High School

Winning Role: Tommy Albright in Brigadoon

Q. What are you most excited about being here at the Jimmys?

A. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the week and especially Monday. All of the students involved are so nice and talented. It’s a great group of kids to be around and I’m so excited to get to work with them for the next few days.

Q. As a graduating senior, what will you miss most about the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program?

A. It’s really the same as my last answer…the process of rehearsing with people, growing with people and making those connections. Throughout Showcase week, SpotLight brings together hundreds of kids who don’t know each other and then we grow together. The strength of the community that is created is the best part and I’ll miss that—but it’s OK because I’ll go to all of the Alumni parties!

Fun Facts:

  • Favorite color: Blue
  • Favorite food: Chipotle
  • Favorite Song to Sing: Happy Birthday because that means it’s someone’s birthday!
  • Dream role: Bobby in Company—it was the first show I saw on Broadway

Emily Nies

Grade: Junior

High School: White Bear Lake Area School

Winning Role: Rosemary Pilkington in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Q. I hear it’s your first time in New York. What are you most excited about?

A. The feeling of walking in Times Square and seeing EVERYTHING at ONCE. And definitely seeing my first Broadway show (Ghost)!

Q. How did you prepare yourself for this week at Nationals?

A. Physically I rested, tried to get sleep, made sure I had all of my stuff together, knew what I was doing and really thought everything out.

Fun facts:

  • Favorite color: Blue (and purple)
  • Favorite food: Chicken
  • Favorite Song to Sing: “ONE song?”
  • Dream role: Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes

Be sure to keep up with Dan and Emily’s adventures by following their daily video blogs on the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program Facebook page!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in SpotLight

Tagged ,

Free Movies! Free Tickets! Join Us All Summer at Solera

Posted on June 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Three drag queens in the Australian outback. The famous and magical British nanny. A boyish con man. Leggings and headbands. See the “reel” version before you see the “real” version!

Join us this summer on Solera Restaurant’s serene rooftop patio for our Broadway series of films playing this summer as part of their popular Rooftop Movie Night. Running through the end of September, the film versions of musicals coming to the Orpheum Theatre as part of Hennepin Theatre Trust’s 2012/13 Broadway Season will start at dusk. You will also have the chance to enter to win a pair of tickets to see the live stage version at each event!

Mark your calendar now and join us throughout the summer:

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: Sunday, June 24
Find yourself whisked away to the desert of the Australian Outback and entertained by three drag queens. Save the dates of January 8-13, 2013 to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Orpheum Theatre.

Mary Poppins: Sunday, August 12
Join friends and family to bring back childhood memories of everyone’s favorite musical nanny. Prepare yourself to make this magical journey come alive on the Broadway stage April 23-28, 2013.

Catch Me If You Can: Sunday, August 19
Bring out the adventurous person that’s been hiding inside you with this true story of a young identity thief. Brush up on this twisted tale and prepare yourself to “catch” this one December 11-16, 2012.

Flashdance: Tuesday, September 4
Practice your dance moves and don the ‘80s attire for this high energy flick before you join us for the Minnesota debut of this new musical, April 2-7, 2013.

Come find out why Solera’s Rooftop Movie Night was voted a “Best of the Twin Cities” experience by City Pages! For a full list of upcoming movies, please visit Solera’s website.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Broadway, Community

Tagged , , , , ,

SpotLight Students Share Their Message: Don’t Stop Believing!

Posted on June 14, 2012 by | 1 Comment

This year’s SpotLight Showcase was truly exceptional and the energy in the Orpheum was electrifying. More than eight hundred SpotLight students from across Minnesota came together to create an evening of musical theatre for the sold-out audience. And above all, it packed a powerful message: Whether or not these young people go on to a career in the business, the lessons they have learned as a participating SpotLight student are invaluable and lifelong.

The passion that the students poured out on stage was undeniable. So much, in fact, that the SpotLight Showcase master of ceremonies, Greta Grosch, opened the show by rallying the audience and calling for “fierce advocates for high school musical theatre.”

Why are we doing this? So that all of you sitting here tonight with a mix of pride and anxiety- pride for what these young people have accomplished as a part of high school musical theatre, and simultaneously scared to death that this crazy passion of theirs might not go away- can be assured that being involved in theatre is a good thing. We are going to share with you our experiences so you know that it’s going to be alright.

And there it was. The elephant in the room was ushered out and the audience roared in resounding commitment to lifting up the students, their respective high school musical theatre programs and the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program.

Throughout the evening, presenters talked of the SpotLight Parent Network, Alumni Network, ways to financially support SpotLight, and of course, they shared personal experiences that attested to the importance of musical theatre. Sheila Smith, a former high school stage manager, transformed her organizational skills into a career at Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Stacey Marmalejo, President of the School of Rock, spoke to the value of collaboration by mentioning the upcoming partnership with the SpotLight Cabaret Camp this summer. The Showcase was also laced with medleys from our upcoming Broadway season, including Book of Mormon, Flashdance, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Also, a noted highlight of the Showcase was Broadway actress, MN native, and SpotLight Spokesperson Linda Eder’s performance of “Something to Believe In” with the Top 24 Triple Threat finalists.

Toward the end of the evening, the success of the Showcase was unstoppable. Our Showcase hashtag on Twitter [#SpotLight] was trending locally and we were on the cusp of announcing the Triple Threat Award winners. Tom Hoch, President and CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust, and Melissa Koch, Director of Education and Community Engagement, took the podium to announce the winners: one boy and one girl to represent Minnesota at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City. SpotLight spokesperson Linda Eder shared the podium to give Emily Nies (White Bear Lake Area High School) and Dan Piering (Wayzata High School) the Triple Threat Actress and Actor Awards. We are so thrilled to have these talented young adults represent our state in New York City. Keep an eye out for our next blog, dedicated to the stories of Emily and Dan!

But, to everyone’s surprise, there would be a third award given out: the SpotLight Triple Threat Breakout Performance Award. We were all so moved by John Jamison, a young artist new to high school musical theatre as a senior, that we felt we simply had to recognize him in a significant way. Thanks to a generous donor, we were able to create an experience that we feel will be of great benefit to John. Along with a parent, John will be flown out to New York for a three-day intensive trip that will include Broadway shows, professional coaching, a visit to Telsey and Company, and meetings with other theatre industry professionals. Truly, John is a stand-out participant, both on and off the stage. If you saw him perform as Seaweed during the Hairspray medley on Monday night, you know exactly how excited we are to sweep him off to New York and nurture his future as a performer.

Triple Threat Best Actress Emily Nies, Triple Threat Best Actor Dan Piering and Triple Threat Breakout Performer John Jamison with Trust CEO Tom Hoch.

In true SpotLight Showcase fashion, songs had been sung, stories had been shared, and the stage and house had connected in mutual delight over the talent and spirit of the evening. The Showcase closed with every single student belting out the finale number, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” while the audience joined in for a spectacular sing-a-long. The show ended and the Orpheum grew emptier, spilling over 2,000 smiling faces onto Hennepin Avenue. The Showcase is over, but the message remains: Fierce Advocates of High School Musical Theatre, DON’T STOP BELIEVING.

Feeling in the giving mood? Donate to SpotLight here.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in SpotLight

Tagged , ,

Exclusive Q&A with Standing on Ceremony director Wendy Knox

Posted on May 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Hennepin Theatre Trust is presenting a three week engagement of Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays that opens tonight at our New Century Theatre and runs through June 16. After its one-night-only Minnesota debut in November, Guest director Wendy Knox of Frank Theatre returns to helm an amazing cast of six Twin Cities actors in this collection of “mini works” about relationships. The pieces also help raise awareness about the on-going battle for marriage equality and Minnesota’s upcoming vote on a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage. We sat down with Wendy to pick her brain about why Standing On Ceremony is such an important work and how she approached the show artistically.

Mark Rhein, left, and Jim Lichtscheidl are among six actors playing various roles in “Standing On Ceremony.”

Q. How does your work at Frank Theatre lend itself to a Hennepin Theatre Trust presentation like Standing on Ceremony? Why did you want to be a guest director for this work for the second time in Minneapolis?

All of Frank’s work is targeted at asking questions of the world we live in, so while I’m a guest director on this production this is right in line with what we do. I believe theatre helps us understand the world and how we humans interact. Frank Theatre tackles a wide variety of subject matter—in the last year we looked at the rise of Nazism and discrimination against Jews in Cabaret, we examined the devastating impact of war on our soldiers in Ajax In Iraq and most recently, we explored the impact of the BP oil spill on the small fishing communities in the Gulf in The Way Of Water. Standing On Ceremony affords us yet another opportunity to delve into another critical social issue.

When Hennepin Theatre Trust did the one night only reading here last November that I directed, it was extremely well received. Unfortunately, it was one night only, so only about 200 people saw the show. The response to that performance definitely led us to conclude that a longer run would be a great idea. We’re hoping more people can see the show, and keep the conversation going until November.

Q. As a director, are there specific things you need to do to adapt all the different playwrights’ works to the cast you have? How much of a challenge is it to make it a cohesive performance?

The real challenge is in casting actors that can tackle the different roles provided by 11 different scripts but thankfully, we have a fabulous pool of acting talent here in the Twin Cities, and we have a great cast for this show whose range of talent, individually and collectively, is broad. Laura Adams, Aimee Bryant, Shanan Custer, Jim Lichtscheidl, Shawn Hamilton and Mark Rhein are a great group of actors who have appeared on nearly every stage in our community, from the Guthrie to a rundown warehouse where Frank has staged some of its works, and they bring the piece to light in a beautiful way.

The piece was constructed around the theme of marriage so even though there are significant stylistic differences in the writers and their points of attack, the main theme is what makes the piece hang together. Some of the pieces are hysterical, some are very touching, but they all explore some aspect of what marriage means and that provides the hook for all 11 works to hang together.

Q. Do have a favorite playwright or work among the group – why?

Well, I love our local boy Jeff Hatcher, but I have to say that I love the variety in Standing On Ceremony. I love that one piece is screamingly funny, and the next one is so tender that it moves you to tears. Most of the pieces are short, well-written works that hang together well as a whole.

Q. How do you direct works like this where most of the staging and props are in the imagination of the audience? 

As I was considering directing this production for the Trust, one of the first questions was how to stage it, and early on I realized that attempting to put a fully produced set/costumes/props on stage for each play would be a disaster. The plays are really the centerpiece of the work, and they need to move quickly and fluidly from one to the other. Lighting and sound can create enough of an atmosphere to help set the plays in a location, and then, well it’s a good thing to have a great group of actors!

Q. What role do the arts have to play in politics – in particular how does this work advance the discussion regarding the constitutional amendment to limit marriage equality?

I confess that I was slow to get on the bandwagon about the marriage issue, but when they actually voted to put an amendment to the state constitution on the ballot, in effect codifying bias and legalizing discrimination against gay couples, well, that got me fired up. And I do think it’s shaping up as one of the most important civil rights battles of our time. Standing On Ceremony explored the issue of marriage from different perspectives. Although we may be preaching to the choir with this production, it’s critical to be asking people to move outside their comfort zone and have conversations with people who may not share their viewpoints on the issue. And most importantly, people need to get out and vote. We’re hoping that this production helps keep the issue front and center for discussion and we’re grateful for Hennepin Theatre Trust’s willingness to present this work.

REVIEW: “This is one of the smartest, most satisfying evenings of theater I’ve experienced in quite some time.” – Star Tribune

Wanna go? Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriages Plays runs through Saturday June 16 at our New Century Theatre in City Center. All tickets are $25 general admission seating. Click here for a complete list of performance dates and times or to purchase tickets online.

Student/educator rush tickets will be available for all performances one hour before the show at the New Century Box Office. Rush tickets are $15 each, cash only, limit 2 per valid school ID.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Theatre

Tagged , ,