Anne of Green Gables

There are few books as dear to me as Anne of Green Gables. As a redhead, the Lucy Maud Montgomery series was very much a rite of passage. That level of affection always makes me a bit cautious in experiencing an adaptation, as no staging can improve upon what lives in one's head.

Happily, the Anne currently inhabiting Theatre in the Round is a warm, welcome rendition of the classic. The Sylvia Ashby adaptation captures Anne's specific capacity for joy and moves her story along at a well-paced clip. Although the show runs a long-ish 2 and a half hours (with intermission), it still manages to feel light, Anne's precocious childhood errors ("it's harder to be good when you have red hair") carrying the audience from childhood to adulthood. The first act enjoys the majority of the laughs, but Anne's quips provide ample humor throughout the show.

Anne is played by Mabel Thomas, a sophomore at Edina High School, and Thomas embodies the timeless heroine very well. There's a cadence to her delivery that reminds me of Megan Follows's miniseries version, and that's a pretty noble comparison. Thomas is quick and bubbly as childhood Anne, and grows more serene and thoughtful as Anne the Adult. It's a credit to Thomas that the evolution of Anne feels natural, childhood melodrama lending itself sweetly to adult enthusiasm.

Jane Hammill's Marilla is a stern, but eventually soft-hearted, foil to Anne's "featherbrained" imagination.  And Hammill, Thomas, and Rod Kleiss, playing the soft-spoken Matthew, have a loving chemistry that honors the Montgomery classic. Rounding out the supporting cast are Dani Pazurek, as Anne's "bosom friend," Diana, and Holly Windle, as the busybody Rachel Lynde. Together they provide just enough support and drama to carry our heroine through those difficult hair-dying years and into adult success at Queens College. Gilbert Blythe, who all Anne-lovers know is destined to whisk "Carrots" off her feet, plays a small but sweet role throughout, and Sean Gilbertson does a fine job playing the playful and persistent suitor.

This is a loving, often humorous staging of a beloved story, and Anne-girls (and their Gilbert Blythes) of all ages will enjoy it.  The show runs through April 12th so make sure you reserve seats for an upcoming weekend.

Follow me on twitter @TheMinneapolite

The Drawer Boy

I get to Theatre in the Round infrequently, but that isn't for lack of interest in their book of shows. I was happy to have a free Sunday afternoon for a matinee showing of their current show, The Drawer Boy, despite knowing absolutely nothing about the production.

The Canadian play is one of the most frequently produced plays of the last decade, having garnered critical acclaim not only for its native production but for multiple translations abroad. It's easy to see the allure as the story is heartfelt, the characters interesting.

Set in Ontario in the early 70s, the relationship between farmers, Morgan and Angus, unfolds gently at the coaxing of their guest, Miles, a traveling actor working on a new play. Morgan's protective, gruff demeanor is balanced with easy teasing of the young actor, who seems a bit too naive when talked into silly farmhand chores like polishing gravel. And Angus's befuddled earnestness bounces from Morgan to Miles, carrying with it questions of how Angus came to be Angus, and why Morgan cares so much.

The real star of the play is that story, told by Morgan of his life with Angus, a dear, damaged friend. While the story itself is intriguing, at times the friendship between these men feels forced, even weak. Perhaps that's a natural weakness, borne of years of caretaking, and more a tale of exhaustion than failed feeling.  But sometimes the chemistry between the friends falters, and that slows the pace of a pretty quick-moving script.

Hiccups aside, the play is worth a peek for the story alone. Clocking in at under two hours, with intermission, it's a warm dose of friendship on a chilly evening. Only one weekend remains, so check out next weekend's final shows and don't forget the discounts available for seniors and students on Fridays and Sundays.

Follow me on Twitter @TheMinneapolite or email me at TheMinneapolite@gmail.com.

Pippin

My impression of Pippin before last night was largely formed by having viewed several high school variations.  High school theater teachers can't get enough of Bob Fosse, and that's perfectly okay. While I knew the musical had been revived to wide acclaim, I hadn't done much research on the reborn version, so I was surprised (stunned?) by the athletic, exuberant show currently enjoying a short run at the Orpheum. 

The choreography is still Bob Fosse-inspired, hallelujah, and even the aerial acrobatics have that languid-but-somehow-sharp pop of movement with each beat. The audience oohed and aahed at multiple feats of athleticism throughout the night and I will admit that I may have lifted more weights at the gym today as a result of seeing that many handstands and back flips.

A powerful Sasha Allen (of The Voice fame) takes the stage first as the Leading Player and her remarkable vocals carry the audience from scene to scene. I never watched The Voice, but holy crap can Sasha sing. She adds a certain Beyonce swagger to the role, not in imitation of that other singer, the Leading Player is solidly Allen's own, but that's the best comparison I can think of for a similar impression of both skill and confidence. She's Pippin's greatest champion and, in the end, a temptress, and Allen nails every aspect of that balancing act.

Pippin himself, played by Sam Lips, who played the title role on Broadway, is equal parts handsome, troubled, and awkward, often playing up his confusion and maladroit approach to every obstacle to the audience's delight. There were times I wished for a deeper, more powerful sound from him.  But overall he captured Pippin's plight with ease.

An absolutely stunning supporting cast make Pippin and the Leading Player's storytelling all the more fun to watch. Not only does the choreography move the audience along at a pace that feels far faster than it is, the actors carry that pace with enthusiasm. To almost standing-ovation-in-the-middle-of-the-show applause, Priscilla Lopez wows with a sassy, funny, touching, and ridiculously athletic performance of "No Time at All."  Similarly impressive is John Rubinstein, as Charles, who originated the Pippin role in 1972. Rubinstein is quick on his feet and quicker with his tongue, inspiring some of the biggest laughs of the night.

Rounding out the cast are stellar performances by Kristine Reese as Catherine and Sabrina Harper as Fastrada, each with soaring vocals and perfectly honed comedic and dramatic timing. Both get their share of laughs and Reese pulls at the heartstrings well as the love interest that throws Pippin's grand plans into turmoil.

A fantastic company of singers and circus professionals rounds out the stage and every tumble, leap, and hula hoop is perfectly placed. A joy to watch, Pippin is powerfully sung and beautifully choreographed, with a coming-of-age story that doesn't seem to age.

Playing through Sunday, Feb 22nd, you can buy your tickets at the Hennepin Theatre Trust website here.  Don't forget to take advantage of the ticket discounts for teachers, students, and military.

Follow me on Twitter @TheMinneapolite

Sassy Spoon

I've been looking forward to the Sassy Spoon opening for months!  I frequented the food truck at various festivals over the past year and had a mild addiction to their wild rice salad. Add to my enthusiasm that their new spot in East Nokomis is walking distance from my house!

The restaurant took over the former 3 Tiers space, and the bright, colorful interior is a perfect match for flavorful entrees and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. A selection of ciders, mead, and wine are available for purchase and a range of small plate appetizers start off the menu.  The entree list is short but provides a great range of proteins and flavors. The spiced beef and collards pictured below was delicious and the meat was perfectly cooked, juicy with small pieces of charred crispiness. My friends tucked into plates of pulled pork and chicken curry and every mouth was happy.

We sat and chatted in the cozy space for awhile, and it was easy to picture many future lunches and suppers at my new neighborhood spot. Welcome to the 'hood, Sassy!

Follow me on Twitter @TheMinneapolite!

I Love Lucy

I did not grow up watching the famous redheaded comedienne. She was even before my parents' prime TV-watching time given the original series aired in the 50s. I caught reruns on Nick at Night but I don't know that I every watched a full episode, the comedy was always a bit by-gone for me, of a different era.

All that being said, the Lucy and Dezi shtick is as familiar to me as a bologna sandwich.  Maybe all Americans born after it aired are genetically altered, implanted with some Lucy-appreciating gene that immediately recognizes and embraces the slapstick mischief.  The era may be well passed, but there's still a bit of magic and hilarity in Ricky's "you've got some 'splainin' to do!"

"I Love Lucy" Live on Stage doesn't just recreate a couple beloved episodes (episodes I never saw but the audience made it clear these were fondly remembered), it attempts to recreate the novelty of being a live studio audience for the comedy.  The two Lucy episodes are interspersed with of-the-moment re-enacted commercials (Brylcream, anyone?) complete with jingles some members of the audience clearly recognized. While these asides were enjoyable, they were clearly most appreciated by those who remember watching the show in its heyday. There were laughs of recognition throughout the show.

The strongest member of the ensemble was a spot-on Ricky Ricardo.  From his first greeting of the audience, to his hip-swiveling crooning, he was a fun, energetic, honey-voiced interpretation of Lucy's other half.  Lucy herself was also strong, nailing many of Lucy's trademark pouts and grimaces, as well as her penchant for physical comedy and off-key singing. As must be the case in a show based on the episodes, the duo had sweet chemistry, even in the midst of a somewhat limited script. 

The strength of the show is in the retelling of the episodes, momentum gets a bit muddled in the snippets between the shows and in a frequent song-and-dance aside by a talented, but somewhat misplaced, chorus.  If you're looking for a quick show (only 90 minutes, no intermission) that will have you back at home before 10, this could be the one for you.  I'd recommend it even more fervently for anyone who dearly loved the show in its heyday. Bring your mom or grandma, and buy her an I Love Lucy coffee mug for the road (the swag is cute). 

I Love Lucy is playing at the State Theater through January 25th. Don't forget to take advantage of Hennepin Theater Trust's rush tickets available for students, military, and teachers! 

Good Turn Coffee

I'm one of those people who can't fully function in the morning without a solid cup of coffee. And I come from a long line of those people.  I don't believe my Grandmother's house has ever been without a hot pot of coffee.  And when I walk into my folks' house on a weekend, I never have to ask if my dad will join me in a cup. The answer is always yes.

I've been following Good Turn Coffee on Twitter for awhile and as I recently invested in a coffee grinder, it seemed like time to try a pound.  It was just in time for a visit from my family over New Year's so I knew I'd have a tribe of coffee lovers to try the Full City Roast.  We finished off two 12 cup pots between the five of us over the course of brunch, so really, is there higher praise for a coffee?

I'm polishing off the pound this weekend and, cup in hand, decided it was time to tell the rest of Minneapolis/St. Paul to buy themselves a pound (or four).  The owner, Chris, wrote this blog post when he began the business and despite his obvious nerves in kicking things off, he has a great product! And to add to the good vibes inherent in a great cup of coffee, Good Turn passes on the warm fuzzies by donating a portion of profits to local youth leadership initiatives.  So far, the Boy Scouts have been a recipient of those feel good funds, and Chris hopes to expand donations to other local groups such as Teen Challenge as his business grows. Help him spread the love and get yourself a great cup of coffee by sending Chris an order at paypal@goodturncoffee.com. Also give Good Turn a follow on Twitter (@GoodTurnCoffee) for updates on when and what Chris is roasting.

Follow me in all my well-caffeinated glory @TheMinneapolite.

Bleu Velvet Vintage

Adding to the list of things I love about my new neighborhood, I discovered this great little occasional shop on 50th. Heidi acquires well-preserved, unique treasures like the adorable Salty and Peppy shakers now at home in my kitchen. Only open on weekends, Bleu Velvet Vintage is one of several occasional shops in the Nokomis neck of the woods so I'm envisioning a happy trek with my Mama to check them all out. 

I also picked up a pretty pair of floral prints from the 60s, perfect for my bedroom wall. At $32 for the pair, they're likely cheaper than whatever I could have bought at Target, and they've got character to spare. Win! You can keep in the loop on hours and events by liking Bleu Velvet's facebook page.  They'd be a great place to pick up unique Christmas gifts.