Taking Heart Ramadan Dinners

I volunteer with a local organization that provides tutoring and literacy training for Somali adults (SALT).  Through that group I heard of the Minnesota Council of Churches' Taking Heart initiative, where non-Muslims can break bread with their Muslim neighbors during the holy month of Ramadan. Some friends and I signed up for tonight's meal at Masjid Al-Iman Islamic Community Center of Minnesota and it was a wonderful way to learn about a local Muslim community, how they worship, how they engage with the Cities, how they've invested in their neighborhood, and how earnestly they wish to stimulate dialogue and brotherhood with their Christian neighbors. 


Regardless of your religious affiliation (or lack thereof), this is a great opportunity to be a guest at a local mosque and learn a thing or two.  The Masjid Al-Iman complex itself has been a church, a nightclub, a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple, and now a mosque.  That alone is a fascinating statement about the many men and women who make up these Cities and it's high time we got to know each other a little better, preferably over a shared meal. You can still sign up for evenings through the Minnesota Council of Churches' website. 


Follow all my adventures on Twitter https://twitter.com/TheMinneapolite

Music in the Zoo

This was my second time venturing across the river for the Music in the Zoo and this time around I did said venturing having never heard of the bands playing.  But as is often the case where Minnesota music opportunities are concerned, I was super grateful that the chance arose despite my ignorance. Robert Randolph and the Family Band and their opener, JJ Grey and Mofro, were absolutely fan-friggin-tastic!

Having moved here from New Orleans, I am of the opinion that there's a certain need for humidity and a touch of heat for certain types of music.  If there's a pedal steel guitar involved, there really needs to be a cold beer somewhere nearby and a thin sheen of sweat on most foreheads. Minnesota can leave a bit to be desired on the humidity front most years (which native Minnesotans would disagree with but the bulk of Minnesotans have not spent ample years in Arkansas, Missouri, Virginia, and Louisiana).  But the last few weeks have been pleasantly sticky and last night as just humid enough to really feel like summer but not so humid that you just wanted to lay on the concrete and play dead.  And that was a very good thing, because the music last night was definitely fit for dancing.

The venue is wonderful, big enough to draw a crowd that can get raucous but small enough to feel intimate.  We had seats at the very top, which I definitely recommend.  As a person of painfully short stature, I am frequently plagued with the Tall-Guy-Right-In-Front-of-Me issue. But if you're up top, you can stand on the benches to your heart's content without worrying too much about blocking any views behind you.  It's the perfect spot for people who are 1) short or 2) itching to dance or 3) a bit of both.

Perfect summertime music in a perfect summertime venue.

Follow all my music ramblings on Twitter https://twitter.com/TheMinneapolite

Krungthep Thai

I love finding new restaurants to love blocks from my apartment.  The Whittier neighborhood is no stranger to good food, but I'm always grateful for more edible opportunities. Krungthep Thai (no website of their own so yelp is helping me out on this one) is a restaurant I've walked or driven by without a second glance more times than I can count.  It's on the same block as Bad Waitress and Pancho Villa, which have more eye-popping signage, and that block is not the easiest for parking (although, note to future diners, a sign inside Krungthep welcomes patrons to use the lot across the street reserved for the Vietnamese restaurant.

My Thai experience in the Cities has been hit-or-miss.  I've loved some (Sen Yai Sen Lek) and been underwhelmed by others (Amazing Thailand). But Krungthep was just wonderful.  The spring rolls, with strips of poached pork and a less-syrupy-sweet peanut sauce were a wonderful way to start. The Spicy Noodles w/ mock duck (pictured) and Stir-Fried Flat Noodles with chicken we tried were also fantastic, and about as spicy as we could handle.

I tend to think of myself as a brave soul when it comes to heat.  I've been disappointed by MANY Minnesotan restaurants that deem dishes "spicy" and then serve them with all the kick of a bottle of ketchup. So when the waitress warned me that Krungthep's "medium" was pretty spicy, I still went for it.  I loved the level of heat, enough to clear the sinuses and demand glass three of water, but not so hot as to cloud the flavor of the dish. That being said, there'd have to be a substantial amount of money involved for me to be able to muscle through a level "hot" serving. Yikes!

Not only was the food great, the restaurant wasn't crowded or overly expensive. The service was great and the proximity to a host of late night watering holes would make this the perfect pre-out-for-the-evening spot. I also plan on coming here the next time I have a cold.  Spicy food is better than Sudafed.

You can follow all my edible (and non-edible) ramblings on Twitter https://twitter.com/TheMinneapolite

HUGE Wednesdays (and any other day)

I've been to HUGE Improv Theater in Uptown several times over the last few months.  I've been on blind dates that went horribly wrong.  I've taken family members.  I've shown up in support of a friend on stage.  And I've ventured over on a lark (it's wonderfully near my apartment), as I did last night, just because it exists, the Wednesday shows are $5, and there's no better way to insure a healthy dose of laughter mid-week.

I've been to their Wednesday shows a few times and each time I've seen somewhat varied acts, 3-4 shows that range between mild chucklers to true guffaw inducers.  My favorites last night were m4w, a troupe that culls its inspiration from a randomly selected Missed Connection entry on Craigslist, and Her Name is Armando, an all-female combination of stand-up and improv that I've seen a few times and always enjoyed.  Both troupes were fantastic and the actress who appeared in both sets, whoever she was, was pure genius.

I think one of the things I love most about HUGE, and about Minneapolis theater in most forms, is how palpably excited the performers are to be planted squarely in their specific venue.  HUGE is a non-profit, all the performers are unpaid, the bartender is unpaid, the people selling tickets are unpaid.  Every cent they collect on tickets (a paltry $5 many nights and $10 on weekends) is pumped right back into the stage they call home.  And that's just a really powerful, inspiring process to be playing out daily in Uptown.  To see a bunch of people, young and old, clapping for their friends, kids, boyfriends, girlfriends, neighbors, and perfect strangers, was a great community event to behold.  It's easy to take the vibrancy of the local theater scene for granted, and even more so the luck we have at being nestled in a locale brimming with improv talent.  But a trip or two or ten to HUGE will remind you of just how lucky we are to have such belly laugh-inspiring options in our own backyard.

1029 Bar

The 1029 bar is divey in the best sense.  Honestly, if it was dark and I was alone, and I didn't know a stitch about it, I would consider it a place  a sweet lady like myself should avoid. But maybe that's a good thing, a way to keep the uber-uncool (like my walking-alone self) out on the street while those in the know feast on lobster rolls and ogle the millions (probably) of police and firefighter badges and patches from all over the country that decorate the walls.

The 1029 recently partnered with the Smack Shack, the adored home of lobster rolls and other delicacies (lobster mac and cheese, anyone?).  I opted for the lobster salad as I'd spent the afternoon sipping too much beer and felt mildly guilty about it from a caloric standpoint.  But there is nothing chintzy about this lobster salad.  Served with grilled toast, arugula, corn and a perfectly light dressing, it's an easy way to pat yourself on the back for eating a salad (so, so healthy) without giving up sweet, buttery lobster mixed with mayonnaisey goodness. You're eating a salad, good job! Buy yourself a beer!

Hola Food Truck

I'm a big supporter of the food truck movement. It's genius, really, to nestle a handful of well-made dishes in a mobile restaurant, ready to serve and inspire on the fly.

I first gave the Hola food truck a whirl last summer when they parked at the Uptown Farmer's Market on weekends.  Their blood orange iced tea was something I looked forward to on a hot afternoon.  This past weekend I revisited the wandering goldmine as it was stationed at the Beer Dabbler in St. Paul.

Hola serves arepas, what they describe on their site as a "cornmeal patty cooked on a griddle, split, and filled with deliciousness."  That pretty well sums it up.  For the vegan and gluten-free peeps out there, this is your new favorite food discovery.

I had the Ham and Pulled Pork Cuban Arepa with pickles, whole mustard, swiss cheese, and a jalapeno oil.  And, of course, I went all out and ordered the chips and guacamole on the side to share.  The guacamole was fantastic, as was the tangy, green salsa I poured on the side.  But the arepa was the true star: messy, a little spicy, with a hint of coolness offered by the pickles.  It says a lot about a food that in 95 degree weather I still wanted to finish off every lick of that hot mess. Dripping sweat in the sunshine be damned, it was worth it.

Hola has an active Twitter feed updating fans of their location, so keep your eyes peeled for it to park near you (or do the smart thing and show up wherever it cools its brakes, they're worth a drive).

The Beer Dabbler at Highland Fest

If you're going to be sweating buckets in the sunshine, at least have the decency to be sipping something delicious while doing so.

The Beer Dabbler at Highland Fest introduced 49 breweries (most with multiple beer selections) to a crowd of sweaty, happy beer-lovers yesterday.  Advance tickets were available at a few area liquor stores and we managed to acquire ours at the Ale Jail and Wine Thief in St. Paul.  I'm sure they have their reasons, but why the insistence on paying in cash? Very 1987, I think. Time to get crackin' with the charge card. That minor annoyance aside, I'd never been to the Ale Jail and it definitely looks like a locale worth revisiting.  I poked at the wines (at the connected Wine Thief) longer than the beers and was impressed by their selection.  My being impressed probably doesn't mean a whole lot as I tend to go for wine with pretty labels, but I admire shops that ooze happiness with their product and a desire to teach.  I saw signs up for tastings, classes, etc., and that is what will bring me back.

Back to the Dabbler...

For $30 (in advance, $40 at the door), you received a handy dandy quarter pint glass (right? bigger than a shot glass?  less than half a pint?) and a map that listed all the breweries.  The booths themselves were shaded so it was a crowded mess at points as people took a break from the 95 degree heat to refill their glasses. One lesson we failed to pick up prior to attending: pretzel necklaces.  Genius.  Evidently everyone ELSE knew that the proper way to enjoy the dabbler was to make a necklace out of pretzels (and fruit loops and beef jerky, according to some pretty emotionally invested attenders).  Next time, we will be prepared.

There were some brewery inclusions that seemed a bit out of place.  Sam Admas? Such a small, up-and-comer, to be sure.  And I was surprised not to see any Surly representation given the plethora of local brews, but Surly has a well-established local following and may be focusing their attention elsewhere for good reason.  I was thrilled to see my dear Abita, my favorite beer while living in New Orleans, but sad to note they didn't bring any of their seasonal strawberry Harvest with them.  A girl gets lonely for certain things while living Up North, the least they could have done was visit with my favorite beer in hand.

That disappointment notwithstanding, the day was great.  I tossed out a couple tastings, which my companion noted probably gave someone license to attack me but luckily I avoided the Thou-Shalt-Not-Dump-Beer police.  We were given beads to hand to our favorite brewery for the coveted Lord Dabbler's Cup.  My friend's beads were given to the good people at Harriet Island Brewing, and I don't think he was very conflicted about it.  We tasted Harriet Island early on and it inspired enough affection to stay at #1 after several rounds of other yummy things, which says a lot of this local brewer. After tasting several I enjoyed, notably Cold Spring Brewery's John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale and Boom Island's Hoodoo, I handed over my beads to Third Street Brewhouse for their Lost Trout Brown Ale.  Having done a bit of reading about Third Street, I found out that they're actually a new craft beer brand owned by Cold Spring Brewery, home of the John Henry that so impressed me. So I suppose my tastebuds enjoy whatever is coming out of Cold Spring.

The winner this year of the Lord Dabbler's cup, however, was not either of our picks.  Stone Brewing Co., out of California, took home the cup and I don't even think I tried anything from their booth. *smacks forehead* Add one brewery to the shopping list, I suppose...

Tin Fish

Given my allergy to cold weather and Minnesota's tendency to have a lot of it, I tend to embrace the warmer months by spending as little time as possible indoors.  This means I eat as many meals as possible outside, and the Tin Fish has been a favorite outdoor eatery for as long as I've lived here.

This restaurant is nobody's well-kept secret.  The smell of fried walleye and french fries permeates its corner of Lake Calhoun and there are too many kids wandering around with dripping ice cream cones to allow for anyone in the vicinity to wonder whether there's a good lunch/dinner/snack place nearby.  But as I visited this well-loved establishment after my trip to the Bakken, I thought I'd write a few lines on what I like about the place.

One taco (pictured above) is enough for dinner and at $7 a pop (give or take a dollar), it's a steal.  The salsa and cheese mixture is simple and tasty with your pick of grilled or fried fish (I tend to lean towards the grilled mahi mahi, as pictured) and if you add a few dashes of Tabasco and a squirt of lemon, you're set.  I recommend skipping the table seating and instead nabbing a stool overlooking the water. Grab a beer, steal a few of your neighbor's waffle fries, and watch the ducks pass beneath your feet as you look out over a Lake Calhoun sunset.  The fish would be good anywhere.  But the fish are perfect when your view looks something like this:

The Bakken Museum

I work in the energy field, so let me provide that disclaimer up front.  Electricity, to me, is not just sparkly and helpful, it pays my salary and energizes (ha!) my brain. I've spent the last four+ years building a stockpile of worthwhile and worthless anecdotes about electrons and their sometimes problematic transport across transmission lines, their sometimes worrisome generation, and their always interesting journey from point A to point B (source and sink, for those of a mind to care).

I provide this background because I entered the Bakken with a well-established nerdhood on the subject of electricity and I realize that this may not be common. Might be weird.  So my joy at poking around their exhibits may be unique but given the squeals of joy coming from a range of teenagers to 6 year-old to adults (maybe myself), I don't think I was the only one who enjoyed the 2 hours tucked beside Lake Calhoun.

The museum is normally $7 for adults, which I think is reasonable and fair given the range of exhibits and uniqueness of the museum and the building it inhabits.  I lucked out on this first trip because the museum is free during the 10 days of Aquatennial.  But I would have happily spent the $7.

The museum is small but there are a number of highly interactive exhibits which I found fascinating. Brain wave battles and shock generators are always a good time.  The exhibit on powering Minnesota was also fascinating as it details how utilities marketed their newfangled technology.

The museum is open until 8 on Thursdays and while a number of people were wandering around with us, it wasn't crowded.  This also afforded a father-and-son duo to have free reign over a couple of experiments, which I imagine would be The Coolest Thing Ever for a little kid.

Highly recommended (especially if you follow your visit with a trip aroud Calhoun and supper at the Tin Fish)!

Victor's 1959

I am somewhat obsessed with trying new things.  Life is long, too long to spend going to the same haunts, the same coffee shops, the same gas stations, the same, the same, the same...

However, despite my love of All Things New (to me), there are a handful of places in the Cities that get my repeat business again and again. Victor's 1959 Cafe is one of those places.  Victor's is tucked away at Grand and 38th in South Minneapolis, just across the street from Grand Cafe (a locale I need to try).  It's easy to miss due to its petite, tucked-away-ness, but once you catch it you'll find yourself wondering, "how on earth have I missed it all these years?"  It's intimate, delicious, and affordable, and deserves a trek to South Minnie sometime. Due to its tiny size, however, I definitely recommend reservations. Brunch, lunch, and dinner are always packed as the locals know it as the go-to for hit-the-spot Cuban/Caribbean cuisine.

I go back and forth between the Picadillo a la Cubana and the Camarones al Ajillo.  The Picadillo is a mixture of ground beef, olives, raisins, and a sweet and tangy red sauce that is just aching for a few shakes of Tabasco (readily available, don't worry).  I always debate plantains vs. yuca frita and usually the plantains win, but tonight I went the yuca frita route and was not disappointed.  The Camarones consists of five shrimp  lightly dressed and sauteed in a lime and garlic sauce and words cannot describe how awesome the tostones (mashed plantains fried into patties) are dipped in that lime and garlic wonder.  Tonight I went for the Picadillo but given my continual mental struggle over these two dishes, I know I'll have to return soon to give the Camarones their due.

And while I'm dedicated to these two choices, I've also had some fantastic alternatives.  Victor's is famous for their Ropa Vieja, profiled as it was on the Food Network, and I have nothing but good things to say about their Cuban sandwich.  And with so many dishes to test drive, it's lucky that the place is so affordable.Two people can happily enjoy a couple drinks and a couple entrees for less than $50.  Make it in time for happy hour (ends at 6:30) and those drinks will be a slim $4.   

I avoided dessert tonight (too many restaurant trips of late, needed to show a modicum of restraint this time) but I really love their guava shells with cream cheese and sweet crackers.  This is a traditional Cuban dessert and, while simple, it's a fantastic way to leave something light and sweet on the palate as you walk out the door. And speaking of leaving, don't forget to leave your mark on a wall nearby.  I etched my initials along with that of a dear comrade (always game for new restaurant jaunts) on the wall near the bar, and you should do the same.

Tres Jolie

I'm still debating what will and will not go on this blog.  But for now it makes sense to me to include run-ins (happy and not-so-happy) with providers of goods and services in the Twin Cities.  And today, I had a happy revisiting of Tres Jolie salon, and the picture to the left is proof of said happiness (I hope).

I recently had a not-so-happy haircut at another establishment in Uptown that managed to make my hair feel and look heavier despite taking off an inch.  Not sure how they managed that, but I wasn't adept enough at hairstyle-speak to remedy the situation.  So when I could not handle the bangs situation any longer, I returned to Tres Jolie, a salon that has made me happy in the past and that I clearly need to stick to henceforth to avoid other Uptownian nightmares.

It's hard for me to plunk down $60 on a haircut.  But the skill at Tres Jolie (I highly recommend Liz, who was excellent tonight) is worth the price tag.  I'm not always great at articulating what I want out of a haircut, especially if I'm already quasi-annoyed with my style.  But Liz cleaned me right up and gave me (finally!) a bangs-to-hair-length ratio I can get behind. I realize maybe I'm overanalyzing, but I think most women can relate to the I-don't-like-my-hair-but-I-don't-know-what-to-do-about-it-please-help-me vibe.  Tres Jolie is adept at coming to the rescue and I've already scheduled my next appointment with Liz (and you should, too).

Cafeteria

 I've been to Cafeteria in Uptown a few times, once for dinner, once for brunch, and once just for drinks on the roof. The restaurant's full name is the Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group, which I find completely bizarre.  Support Group for...?

Name weirdness aside, I haven't been disappointed.  Their drinks and rooftop really are quite fun.  And yesterday for lunch I enjoyed a tuna melt and shared the Twinkie Cake with a good friend.  The tuna melt I wouldn't get again.  The tuna salad aspect was just a bit too high on the goop and low on the flavor.  I rather wish it had just been great ahi tuna with some cheddar on top, but perhaps I just like my tuna melts to get most of their mush factor from melty sharp cheese.  I was definitely impressed by the homemade english muffin and their hemp seed vinaigrette is delicious.

The twinkie cake was a happy experience but I didn't love it enough to commit to it again.  It was a nice portion for sharing, definitely, and as a coconut fan, I support all dessert that come with fresh shaved coconut.  But next time I'm in the mood for dessert I'll try something else.

I do recommend the shrimp and grits (had those last time) and any of the salads with their multiple vinaigrette varieties.

Shakespeare in St. Louis Park

Outdoor theater can be dicey.  It can be hot (as it was on Saturday). The mosquitoes can be brutal (as they were on Saturday).  And sometimes an open air venue is simply not the best environment for soft stage whispers and Shakespearean dialogue (not the case at all this Saturday).

I don't remember how I found out about this performance.  An invite on Facebook? A conversation overheard at the Guthrie? I don't know who to thank but I'm happy to have somewhat-stumbled on the opportunity to experience an excellent production of Romeo and Juliet at Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park, performed by The Public Company of Minnesota.

Minnesota has no shortage of fine actors/actresses.  With the U's fantastic fine arts program, the Guthrie's prowess, and the family of smaller, independently fantastic theaters smattered across the Twin Cities, I've been awestruck by how much talent is pooled in this not-huge city. But that being said, I still had low expectations for the production on Saturday.  It was free, it was in a small outdoor ampitheater in the suburbs, and I'd never heard of the Public Company.  But low expectations sometimes yield happy surprises, and the Public Company is a perfect example of that serendipity.

The young cast was articulate and thorough in their understanding of the dialogue.  There were no awkward stumblings over clumsy iambs, leaving the audience to assume that the actor had no clue what he was talking about.  The actors made the dialogue lively and understandable, and Mercutio and Romeo in particular were exceptional in their roles. Mercutio's Queen Mab speech has to be one of the most difficult monologues to perform, but even with a somewhat sparky microphone, Mercutio was able to deliver the speech as I believe it was intended: sarcastic, patronizing, and at its heart, foreshadowing.

The chemistry between Romeo and Juliet was believable, if not palpable. Romeo's love was easier to believe than the young Juliet's, but that's partly Shakespeare's fault. While I wish Juliet had been a smidge more engaging, I do think her portrayal was pitch perfect in terms of Juliet's wide-eyed innocence and final desperation.

A fantastic way to spend an evening, especially with a grassy lawn perfect for a couple of lawn chairs, bottles of wine, and a hearty picnic.  The show continues until July 22nd, so make sure to head over to St. Louis Park this weekend!

Bastille Day Festivities

Bastille Day at Barbette seems to be cursed by a string of 95+ days. Last year I attended with the hopes of seeing Solid Gold but due to some rain/humidity issues their equipment quasi-imploded. It wasn't a totaly loss as we had the great fortune to experience Har Mar Superstar, quite possibly the most surprisingly awesome performer to ever wear a wifebeater.

This year was equally hot but I wasn't able to stay long enough for any surprises.  One of the things I love most about summer in the Twine Cities is the plethora of free, wander-around-and-drink-stuff opportunities nestled into various neighborhoods.  Bastille Day fete next to Barbette is nestled in the heart of Uptown and was the perfect mid-afternoon location for a Big Ginger (Jameson is well and good but I'm pretty fond of 2Gingers whiskey, courtesy of this drink) and some people-watching.

The people being watched were excellent swing dancers, cuttin' a rug to Patty and the Buttons (Patty was sick but the fella who filled in was lovely) as we sat on a hot curb and sipped our drink. I love a good multi-generational band, and I don't think you can ever have too many accordions.  There's something lovely about watching a bunch of people dance around to the pulse and swing of a steady bass.  And the whiskey makes it that much sweeter.

Sea Salt

Prior to my trip with Sandy and Sharon, I'd never eaten at Sea Salt. This is disturbing on many levels as I 1) love sea food and 2) love reasonably-priced seafood even more and 3) really, really love reasonably-priced seafood tacos.

Pictured are the fried bay scallop tacos, which were full of a pretty intense number of scallops, lots of corn and fresh salsa, and perfect for a heavy dousing of Tabasco.  Also perfect with a pint of Summit.

Sea Salt is open April-October and serves wine, beer, and the yumminess pictured (among other things).

Summertime Free Stuff: Minnehaha Falls

A dear friend, Sandy, came to visit me this weekend.  Sandy and I met here in Minneapolis shortly after I moved to the Cities from New Orleans.  Sandy was a fellow Southerner and we bonded instantly.  She moved back home to Virginia a few years ago but we stay in touch via email and with excellent long weekend trips like this one.

Sandy requested a trip to Minnehaha Falls as it was a destination she failed to experience while living here.  I was 100% game in large part because I'd only been once before, which seemed rather embarassing for someone who'd lived here for five years.  We met up with another friend, Sharon, and ate some fish tacos (soon to be reviewed, promise), sweated a good deal, drank some beer, and wandered down the steps to the bridge below the waterfall for some pictures.

I had NO idea there was such a lovely walking path down there! I didn't even realize (before sitting down for lunch) that there were stairs.  Sandy and I wandered down the path (mostly dirt) with the creek running to our left and marveled at how fantastic a place this would be if you had kids (or, in the alternative, if you were just a person-who-likes-sitting-in-small-rivers-when-it's-hot-outside).  Scores of munchkins were splashing around at various points in the creek and making the most of a 95+ degree days in Minnesota.

Next time, I'll wear clothes I can wade around in, it seemed sad to just putz around on dry land.

The Sunshine Boys

The Guthrie never fails to inspire me. I'd seen Neil Simon's play before, over a decade ago as a high schooler while on a trip to New York with my family. I remembered laughing, remembered my father laughing, but beyond that I didn't remember much.

Shortly after the New York trip I was cast as Grandma Kurnitz in Simon's Lost in Yonkers, and in college I played Rowena (yes, the prostitute) in his Biloxi Blues. So, needless to say, Simon and I have a long, storied history of which I am very fond.  That should serve as a healthy caveat to my review, I suppose, as Simon can do little wrong in my eyes.  But it should also prove that I set fairly high expectations for the performance of his plays.  The dialogue is sharp, the jokes smart, and nothing kills those qualities faster than actors who lack chemistry.  Luckily, Peter Michael Goetz and Raye Birk, along with the rest of the fine cast, delivered perfect timing and the sweet-and-sour camaraderie one expects from Simon's ornery duo.

Goetz filled Willie Clark with a feisty, almost-angry demeanor but tempered him with the slowness of age and the sadness of self-awareness as Clark slowly grasps that his acting days are finished. Birk countered this persona with his Al Lewis, a man more comfortable with retirement but also burdened by the guilt of having departed his friend and his stage.  The magic of the back-and-forth of their aged vaudeville performance is provided in snippets of their famous Doctor act but also in the one-upmanship of their arguments in Willie's apartment.  It's easy to imagine how great they once were, and easy to nod sadly at the inevitable snatching away of greatness by Time.

As fantastic as Goetz and Birk were, Greta Oglesby's sharp-tongued Registered Nurse was one of the highlights.  Having been awed by her performances in The Amen Corner and The Burial at Thebes, Oglesby is fast becoming one of my favorite Minneapolis actresses. She has an ease of movement that feels natural and nearly relaxed, but her words are sharp and her characters respond with a quickness that one would expect from reality.  There's no forcing of words or "over acting" (I kinda hate that term) in Oglesby's work, but there's a volume that fits her stature and the demeanor of her characters.  Other women might craft a Nurse that is a mere caricature of the sharp-witted caretaker, but Oglesby's Nurse exists, she walks down the street, she eats too much candy, she is exhausted by her patient, and she wants to see him get well. She feels real in a way Simon, I think, would have intended.

The Sunshine Boys is playing at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis July 7- September 2.  Don't forget to take advantage of Rush tickets, available for half price after 7pm most evenings.