As he’s proven time and again by his marathons, Mark Mallman is not one to let up. And in that regard, his latest New Years Eve show at The Varsity Theater was every bit as chaotic and wild as previous ones. Again this year, openers were Koo Koo Kanga Roo. The duo of Bryan...
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The Hennepin Theatre Trust has brought a powerhouse hit in for the holidays with the Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot. Based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film, but reworked for the stage production by bookwriter and lyricist Lee Hall, and with music by Elton John, it’s an especially interesting piece, conceptually, for a Broadway production,...
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Martin Devaney‘s career started off with an album coming out about every two years. Since Letters Never Sent in 2006, he’s concentrated on helping the artists signed to his label Eclectone Records. But recently he stepped back in the studio with friend Jake Hyer and recorded The West End. The Turf Club was the...
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For every Vladimir Horowitz, for every Herbie Hancock – indeed, for every musical master you can name – there are thousand upon thousands of players who dedicate their lives to their instruments, who spend many many lonely hours practicing, only to discover, at the end of this long road, that they don’t quite have...
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Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (at the Ordway, through Jan 2) tries so hard to make you love it. First, there are the colorfully dressed children (30 at least), bouncing balls and grinning with relentless cheerfulness. Then, naturally, there’s well-miked tuneful/soulful singing. Then the 11 (!) brothers do a thigh-slapping, southern drawl inflected...
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Ballet of the Dolls has just opened its holiday offering at the Ritz Theater and it’s an absolute charmer. Conceived, choreographed and directed by Myron Johnson, who also designed the set, Cinderfella is a fresh take on the Cinderella story, as you might guess, with a self-absorbed stepmother (Michael deLeon) and her two spoiled...
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The (thin and svelte) Red Avenger is flying his snow vehicle over the wintry City, along with his (rather less than svelte) sidekick Caribou Man (aka Rudy). Suddenly, the air is filled with flying droids from the dreaded H(erod) Corporation, shooting their Despair Ray indiscriminately! The City is doomed! But wait. There. Behind the...
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Miss Richfield 1981 has ridden her rusty and trusty Buick sleigh into downtown Minneapolis and double parked it outside the Hennepin Center for the Arts (no cop with any instinct for self-preservation would dare ticket her). She is now ensconced at the Illusion Theater, performing her louche and rowdy Bingo Bonanza For The Holidays...
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