All Blog Posts (322)

When I first heard that they were making a stage production of a story about animals I got ready to give the show the thumbs down. How could any producer expect a puppet horse to be anything but convince an audience they haven't paid money for a puppet show since they were five. Surprisingly War Horse is one of the most technically impressive shows I've seen in my life. The critical element, the horse itself, proved to be much more than a giant iron gimmick and held its own better than some…

All I knew about the show War Horse upon arrival at the Orphem Theatre Wednesday night, was that it was a show about horses, and a war; neither of which topics I was much interested in. I sat down in very back of the main floor and squinted towards the stage as the show began.

The show…

    “I heard that the puppets are better in this show than in Lion King,” one elderly patroness said to her friend. I felt my blood run cold, then quietly started compiling evidence against her statement. The lights went up, and the first thing I saw was a man’s hand on the giant, mechanical foal tail. It twitched, and I literally jumped in my seat, utterly creeped out. Then, out of nowhere, a chorus of puppeteers gave out a shrill, all-too-human whinny. “Is that supposed to…

July 12, 1912

Dear Joey,                                                                    

The day my father sold you to the army was the day my world turned upside down. He promised me you were mine. Then just when I thought we would never be apart, you were gone. I heard about the tales of battle from a letter that uncle brought on Christmas morning. That day I left the farm to join the army myself. Since then I have been on an endless search to find my best friend.…

Maybe it’s true that you should go into new experiences with a completely unbiased mind, but I went into the Orpheum Theater’s highly revered production of The Book of Mormon with my head full of very high expectations. This show had been labeled as ‘the greatest show of the century’, ‘controversial and offensive’, ‘hilariously inappropriate’, along with many other varied opinions from Broadway reviewers. Some seemed to find the gross and often R-rated humor refreshing on the Broadway stage…

Though the story of the magical nanny has been adapted from the classic 1964 movie starring Julie Andrews into many stage productions, the Orpheum Theater’s new musical adaptation of Mary Poppins proves that the tale is far from losing its special magic touch: the story is kept fresh, bright, loud, colorful, enigmatic, and fun for the entire family. The main characters, especially Mary herself, are standout performers, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained and excited. Huge and…

Re-opening the dollhouse of my imagination led me to appreciate the wonderful world of Disney once again. The national touring production of Mary Poppins started its week long bonanza with new songs along with adapted and old. The story still follows the Banks family that is run by the overpowering, strict father who has little compassion for his children Jane and Michael. Out of the blue, Mary Poppins drops in to teach the children manners and the father how to love again.…

Grace Peterson

Flashdance

Flashdance... What Feeling?…

    If you happen to be bored and in downtown Minneapolis from May 17th to 19th, I implore you to stop by the Orpheum theater. You will see a beautiful sight. Throngs of people clad in leather, tie-dye, mullets, and other various 80's garb will be marching in the doors of the theater. Better yet, buy a ticket, and you'll get to see the fantastic event all these fantastic people have congregated for. Rock of Ages, a snappy, mature, and hilarious musical about finding your true passion in the…

An equally fitting title for Rock of Ages would’ve been That’s-What-She-Said: The Musical. Indeed, the humor and the nature of the show, with it’s G-strings and liberal use of the word “balls”, is anything but high-brow.  You’ve got to suspend disbelief (and to some degree, your moral compass and intelligence) in order to enjoy it. The Les Miserables sect of the Broadway empire need not inquire further, unless if they’re ready to…

Grace Peterson

Mary Poppins

            Mary Poppins, performing at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, April 23-28, is a night of fun combining many of the well-known songs from the movie (plus a few new ones) with the…

Once in a while, you may come across a show that understands that it is a mockery. You may see this show blow the mockery to the sky. And you may be lucky enough to have it work perfectly. Rock of Ages (playing May 17th through the 19th at the Orpheum) is this show. It is a show that understands its complete crassness and attempts to go beyond that, what with the sexual movements peppering every line and the occasional middle finger. It is the story of a young man caught up…

Last night, Lydia and I were in the city to see Tracy Morgan's "Pardon My French". What we saw was Tracy far gone. We were lucky to be there, because another friend of mine couldn't make it. She had planned to sit through the standup sitting beside her father, however, I assured her that would've been death by mortification. Here's why: Mr. Morgan loudly impersonated a female masturbating to Billy Joel.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen of the 30 Rock persuasion, Tracy Morgan was…

     Disney's Mary Poppins, at the Orpheum from April 23 to 28th, tells the heartwarming tale of Mary Poppins (Madeline Trumble), a slightly stuck-up, very magical nanny. She arrives at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Banks (Chris Hoch and Kerry Conte), a financially challenged couple with two unruly children, Jane (Alexa Shae Niziak) and Michael (Eli Tokash) just in time to get them all whipped into spit-spot shape. Often remembered as a whimsical, delighting musical, this sugary show did have…

    On Sunday, April 28, I went to see the Minnesota Varsity Concert at the Fitzgerald Theatre. The concert consisted of teenage acts playing or singing classical music. My friend, Alexandra, was part of the Luna Quartet, so I was mostly there to see her, but I was very interested in the show itself. One very interesting thing about the show was that they showed a short video clip before each act explaining them. I really liked that. I got there a little late and got in just in time to see…

I think they forgot the suger, because all I got from the Mary Poppins musical was brimstone and treacle. I feel everyone up to buying tickets to this beloved classic has heard the story before but for ild times sake I'll jog you memory. The story follows Jane and Michael Banks, two spoiled but lovable little kids on the path to perfect character. The magical nanny Mary Poppins plays their guide, mentor, and protector as they learn one life lesson after another and save their family. All…

                Mary Poppins opened with Bert (who quickly became a favorite) singing a version of my favorite Mary Poppins song, Chim Chim Cher-ee. It then proceeded to tell the story of everyone’s favorite nanny and her adventures with Jane and Michael through wonderlands, with talking statues, and with, of course, tons of magic! It’s a fun show, especially for children and Mary Poppins fans, though I did find a few things I didn’t quite like.

                First off, Mary Poppins…

I very much enjoyed Mary Poppins, I mean it definitely had some flaws but overall I had a very good time. Of course that doesn’t mean I thought it was the best show ever but if its goal was to entertain it defiantly did that.  Mary Poppins was originally a successful series of books written in the 1930s, in the 60's Disney made a movie version and now the Broadway play. Although the basic story is always the same many of the smaller elements changed version to version. Most of the…

On April 23rd, I saw Richard Eyre’s Mary Poppins at the Orpheum Theatre. I found the set impressive, the acting adequate, and the length unfortunate.  

The play opens with a title screen that drops down in front of the stage. It was simple and effective, showing a night sky, skyline, and the title in red. The windows in the houses were translucent, so the blue backlight shone through. A similar charming technique was continued throughout the play using…

I went to go sit through Mary Poppins at the Orpheum, on its opening night. It was a decently sunny Minnesota spring day that night, and I spent most of the show wishing that I could go outside to enjoy it.

The Mary Poppins story (that makes it sound like it’s based on a true story--which it’s not), is about a rich family who cannot get along to save their lives. They have enough money to afford a nanny, a cook, and a…