Max Raabe, Tim Harmston, and something about a bear in northern Minnesota

Posted at 7:45 AM on April 4, 2013 by Chris Roberts (0 Comments)
Filed under: Art Hounds, Comedy, Events, Music, Theater

This week, the golden age of American jazz as interpreted by a German orchestra, a gut busting Minneapolis comic, and a Russian fairy tale comes ferociously alive in a Minnesota forest.

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Twin Cities writer and bagpipe player Adam Kintopf appreciates how Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester have resurrected the timeless elegance of the 1920s and 30s with their re-interpretations of the dance hits from that bygone era. Raabe and his orchestra hail from Germany and are making their debut at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant on Sunday, April 7, at 6pm.

Twin Cities comedian Laura Thorne took it upon herself to end the severe comedy drought on Art Hounds and rave about the stylings of comedian Tim Harmston of Minneapolis. Laura says Tim is hysterically funny, a brilliant impressionist, and slaves like few others in the business to keep his material fresh and relevant. Tim will be at the Acme Comedy Club in Minneapolis April 9 - 13, as part of its "Slash and Burn" series. The series features four headlining comics who over the course of a week try to develop an entirely new set.

Carl Atiya Swanson says Theatre Novi Most will combine veteran acting chops with new talent in its premiere production of "Something About a Bear." Carl, who's a member of Savage Umbrella Theater himself and an arts administrator, describes the play as a Russian fairy tale set in the woods of northern Minnesota which features a bear who becomes a man, a wizard, and other strange magical characters. It's a co-production of Theatre Novi Most and the University of Minnesota department of theatre and dance. On stage and open to all ages at the Stoll Thrust Theatre in the U's Rarig Center from April 11 - 21.

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'Balance doesn't exist' and other lessons for parents

Posted at 8:45 AM on February 20, 2013 by Molly Bloom (0 Comments)
Filed under: Comedy

Parents have a lot to juggle regardless of whether or not they work outside the home. But parenting artists, most of whom have day jobs in addition to the hours they spend practicing, coordinating, making, producing and the like, have a few more balls to keep in the air.

Shanai Matteson and Colin Kloecker, co-directors of Works Progress, are just starting to figure it out. Before their son was born five months ago, they thought they'd have no problem watching him and continuing to work in the storefront office space that is part of their home. They quickly realized that wasn't going to work.

"We've had to just be really focused and guarded with our time in a way that we weren't before," said Shanai, and they've had to ask for help. They've also changed the way they look at their art. "When you have a kid it's this point in your life that you're asking yourself how do I want to relate to this human. What is this relationship and how does who I am matter as their parent? As this person they're looking to to tell them about the world?" said Shanai.

Shanai and Colin are new to the juggling act, but actor Levi Weinhagen has been at it for a while. When Levi's daughter was born seven years ago, he was an actor making comedy -- and it wasn't suitable for children. A few years later he realized his daughter had never seen him perform, which led him to found the family-friendly theater company Comedy Suitcase with fellow actor and dad Joshua English Scrimshaw.

"Having a kid changed my artistic career and I realized that was probably true for a lot of artistic parents," said Levi. "I started talking to people about it and they all had these interesting stories. I thought it would be worth sharing with other people."

Since May 2012, Levi has been sharing these conversations on his Pratfalls of Parenting podcast. After dozens of conversations with artist/parents, Levi shared the key lessons that have emerged:

1) You'll be more efficient than you thought possible
Pre-kids, you might work when the muse inspires. But when you're a parent, you might have twenty minutes -- RIGHT NOW -- to make art. So you do it. According to Levi, "you actually end up having less time to do your work but most people I talked to felt like they've been making more work and being more proud of the work they've been making since they've had kids."

2) Your cultural horizons will expand
You might have never have had reason to watch "Yo, Gabba Gabba!" or see a show at The Children's Theater, but now you will -- and it will open your eyes. Levi said, "You'll be exposed to different mediums you can use to communicate with an audience. For me, it opened up new avenues."

3) Balance doesn't exist
"It's not a real thing, the idea that you can balance things, but that doesn't have to be bad," Levi said. Some things in your life will be neglected at different times -- art, friends, spouse, but it's impossible to make it all happen at once. Many of the artists Levi spoke with have found ways to make it easier, but it doesn't all magically fall into place.

4) Failing is ok, and often funny
The name of the podcast comes from Levi's love of physical comedy and how this idea relates to parenting. "One of my favorite things to talk about with parents is how they've failed, which is what a pratfall essentially is: making something fun out of something not going right. You fall down but everyone knows you're ok, so it's hilarious." These conversations can be particularly therapeutic and helpful in realizing that no one knows exactly what to do -- and that's ok.

Never enough GIFs: Wits edition

Posted at 12:44 PM on February 19, 2013 by Molly Bloom (0 Comments)
Filed under: Comedy

The spring lineup for Wits has been announced -- and we like any excuse to post animated GIFs. So without further ado:

March 15th -- Paula Poundstone and Robyn Hitchcock

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March 29th -- W. Kamau Bell with Brendan Benson

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April 12th -- Kristen Schaal with Rufus Wainwright

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April 19th -- Tig Notaro with Kathleen Edwards

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April 25th -- Michael Ian Black with A.C. Newman

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May 3rd -- Patton Oswalt with Ben Lee

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May 10th -- Rob Delaney with Neko Case and Kelly Hogan

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May 31st -- Colin Hanks with Jason Isbell

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June 7th -- Hannibal Buress with Open Mike Eagle

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June 14th -- David Koechner with Metric

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More about Wits here.

Fred Armisen nails Ira Glass on 'This American Life'

Posted at 7:17 AM on January 14, 2013 by Marianne Combs (1 Comments)
Filed under: Comedy, Media, Television

Fred Armisen is known for his work on Saturday Night Live, and for his partnership with fellow rocker/writer Carrie Brownstein on the popular sketch comedy show Portlandia.

But after this past weekend, Fred Armisen will be known amongst public radio fans for his dead-on imitation of Ira Glass, host of "This American Life."

Fred Armisen and Ira Glass in the 'This American Life' studio. Photo: Adrianne Mathiowetz

The theme of Episode 484 of TAL was "Doppelgangers," and in honor of the occasion, Fred Armisen was invited to co-host the show. Armisen had once impersonated Ira Glass for an SNL skit, but the show never aired because Glass 'wasn't famous enough.'

But within the realm of public radio, Glass IS famous, and so Armisen's impersonation finally found a home.

For listeners the experience was both comic and confusing. Is that Ira talking? Or is it Fred? At one point they both laugh, and Fred's 'imitation' laughter inspires Glass to laugh even harder... an upward spiral of dizzying mimicry.

You can listen to the entire episode here.

A warning: Act 1 deals primarily with pork rectum, and the possibility of passing it off as calamari. Blech!

Art Hounds: Aida, Jesters Comedy Improv, and contemporary Native American art

Posted at 7:35 AM on January 3, 2013 by Chris Roberts (1 Comments)
Filed under: Art Hounds, Arts around the state, Comedy, Events, Museums, Theater

"Master's Study" by Dyani White Hawk (courtesy of the Tweed Museum of Art)

The hounds start the new year by spreading the word about a Minneapolis theater company interpreting a Disney musical, a Duluth exhibition that places traditional American Indian art and culture in a modern context, and a Mexican restaurant in Roseville that's become a weekend hangout for improv comedy.

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Laurie Pape Hadley is expecting a visionary interpretation of the Disney musical "Aida" from Theater Latte Da. "Aida" hits the Pantages Theater stage beginning Thursday, Jan. 3 in preview performances. Laurie works as an 'audio describer,' describing the visual elements of performances for visually impaired people.

For Huge Theater co-founder Jill Bernard, living the dream is spending a Saturday night at Ol' Mexico restaurant in Roseville drinking margaritas, eating quesadillas and watching Jesters Comedy Improv! The improv troupe takes over the back room of Ol' Mexico every Saturday night at 7:30.

The Tweed Museum has asked five contemporary American Indian artists to respond to pieces from the Tweed's extensive, highly respected Native American art collection. The exhibition is called "Encoded: Traditional Patterns/a Contemporary Response." The result, according to Duluth independent curator and arts educator Peter Spooner, is a provocative conversation about the links between past and present native culture. The show will be up through March 17.

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Four weeks of festive fun: comedy

Posted at 12:19 PM on December 6, 2012 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Comedy, Theater

The holiday season brings with it all sorts of things to do, and by that I don't mean shopping and decorating. Each December artists of all striped vie for your attention, offering a dizzying array of activities to choose from.

I was going to attempt to write a complete lists of EVERY HOLIDAY SHOW on offer this month. But then I realized it would be too overwhelming, for you and for me.

Joe Leary is Crumpet the Elf in The Santaland Diaries
Photo courtesy Frank Theater

So instead, I'm going to break down the holidays into some manageable bite-sized portions, giving you an opportunity to pick and choose your personal style of holiday merriment.

We begin with a look at all the belly laughs you can get this year by attending any of these holiday comedies:

The Santaland Diaries

Once edgy and new, this tale of Crumpet the Elf and his less than merry job dealing with Santa and the kids at the local department store has become its own sort of holiday classic. Frank Theater returns with its highly acclaimed staging, featuring Joe Leary, at the Southern Theater.

Fifty Shades of White

Brave New Workshop presents its annual holiday sketch comedy show. featuring some old chestnuts along with new gems made shiny by other people's absurd behavior. Fifty Shades of White runs through January 12 at BNW's Hennepin Ave location.

Christmas: Impossible

When a global conspiracy of sinister puppets threatens to steal all the world's toys, only one man can sneak into their deadly lair and return the toys before Christmas morning: Secret Agent Santa! The creators of The Harty Boys Save Christmas return with another action packed comedy for the whole family. Performances run through December 21 at Bryant Lake Bowl.

A Very Die Hard Christmas

Yippe Kai Yay Father Christmas! NYPD's John McClane is back, and he's out to prove that Die Hard is actually a Christmas movie. This new holiday treat promises to come with all the trimmings: singing, dancing, and bloodshed. Performances run through December 15 at the Bryant Lake Bowl.

Mary Mack's St. Paul "North Star Comedy Hr & Meat Raffle" Holiday Edition

It's a meat raffle. It's a comedy show. It's the holidays. Featured acts include Mary Mack as host & house band, with accordionist Karen Townsend, poets Paul Dickinson & Annette Schiebout, tongue-in-cheek Rap Group Valley Meadows, and comedian Tim Harmston as Tony Pastrami the Butcher. Holiday sing-along to be led by the Profanity Singers with closing rock and roll music performed by Frances Gumm. One night only: Thursday December 13 at the Turf Club.

Art Hounds: NW Minn. culture, video art, and Saturday morning theater

Posted at 7:45 AM on August 23, 2012 by Chris Roberts (1 Comments)
Filed under: Art Hounds, Arts around the state, Comedy, Culture, Events, Music, Video

Still from The Weight of Hands, 2010. Single-channel HD video with sound, 13' 51" (Courtesy: Minouk Lim and PKM Gallery | Bartleby Bickle & Meursault, Seoul)

This week's hounds recommend a festival dedicated to far northwest Minnesota's cultural heritage, a South Korean video artist exploring the recesses of inner city Seoul, and a theatrical alternative to kids' Saturday morning cartoon rituals.

Natives of far northwest Minnesota, such as arts and history blogger Trish Short Lewis, grow up with an understanding of the area's unique heritage, which blends Ojibwe and French fur trader cultural traditions. For nearly 30 years, residents have celebrated that history with the annual Chautauqua and French Festival (Aug. 24 - 26) at Old Crossing and Treaty Park near Huot, MN.

South Korean video artist Minouk Lim, a rising star in contemporary art, has her first North American exhibition at the Walker Art Center, and Paul Herwig doesn't want you to miss it. Paul is co-founder of the experimental movement theater troupe Off Leash Area. He says three documentaries in the show use actors to take the viewer on a magical, surreal tour of Seoul, South Korea, which is seeing a lot of its history erased by modernization. The show is called "Heat of Shadows," and it's at the Walker through Sept. 2.

Many parents of young children, Minneapolis actor and theater-maker Katie Kaufmann included, would like a choice other than cartoons when it comes to their kids' Saturday morning routines. Enter Comedy Suitcase,"which is producing the "Saturday Morning Submarine Adventure Show," which Katie loved. The audience decides the characters and the story, and then the cast spontaneously acts it out. The show even includes an open mic for kids to tell jokes. Every Saturday at 10:30am through Sept. 29 at Huge Theater in Minneapolis.

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Art Hounds: Fringe Spectacular!

Posted at 7:45 AM on August 2, 2012 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Art Hounds, Comedy, Dance, Events, Theater

Image from 11.6.2012, one of the pieces in Happy Hour (Photo: Stan Waldhauser)

There are 165 shows to see at the Minnesota Fringe Festival this year. Feeling overwhelmed? The Art Hounds are here to help.

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Courtney Algeo works with Loft Literary Center and the online literary magazine Paper Darts. One of the shows on her list is "Bodacious Beauties", produced by first-time Fringe producer Eileen Rosensteel. The show takes us into the lives of five sideshow "Fat Ladies" through history. Courtney is intrigued by the piece since it's looking at the issues of body image and obesity through a historical lens. The show is playing at HUGE Improv Theater in Minneapolis.

This year, Fringe is working to reach the deaf community and over a dozen shows are being interpreted. This is important to Jon Skaalen who is the access programs coordinator for VSA Minnesota, an organization that works with artists with disabilities. He's especially excited to see the deaf musical "Silence" by Jay'd Hagberg. The show explores the gap between deaf and hearing culture and features deaf and hearing performers as well as ASL interpreters. Deaf dancer Canae Weiss (whose work Skaalen calls "sublime") is taking on an acting role for the production. "Silence" is playing at the Rarig Center Proscenium at the University of Minnesota.

Betsy Maloney teaches dance at the Main Street School of Performing Arts in Hopkins and she wants us to remember that Fringe is a showcase for dance as well. This year, she's looking forward to seeing Sara Stevenson Scrimshaw's choreography in "Happy Hour". Betsy loves the comedic elements that Scrimshaw weaves into her dances. Scrimshaw has also invited four other choreographers to each create a unique piece based on their favorite drink. The show is playing at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.

And special this week -- bonus recommendations!

From Cynthia French, spoken word artist
I saw Ben San Del working on a portion of his upcoming Fringe show, "An Agony of Fools", at one of the Balls Cabaret Fringe previews. After seeing his preview on, I have put this one on the calendar for my Fringe experience this year. He spoke about dating and relationships, assumptions men and women make about one another, problems communicating, and how the movies always leave a little too much out of their love stories to truly be educational. His comedy is honest, timely and hilarious.

From Carin Bratlie, artistic director of Theatre Pro Rata:
All three of my recommendations focus on water and disaster. Clearly this mental triptych must have something to do with our current drought.

"Going Down on the Queen of Minneapolis," by Freshwater Theater. Freshwater is making a name for themselves in Twin Cities small theater, and they have a solid group of seasoned artists working on this project. Riffing on the idea of taking social dysfunction and cramming it onto a place that the characters cannot escape, the innuendo of the title... it sounds deliciously evil.

"Merblades: The Memoirs of James Cameron," by Black Market Doctor.Heather Meyer is an up-and-coming playwright, whose work is funny, clever, and looks at life through a joyfully skewed lens. I've enjoyed seeing both her and Maddie Gibba onstage doing long form improv, and imagining them together working on this project is simply delightful. And poking fun at James Cameron and his wack-job deep sea explorations? This is a recipe for the best kind of disaster story.

"Birds of Passage" by Winding Sheet Outfit is potentially a much more abstract, physical, and poetic show. The sort of thing that can nestle inside the Fringe and find some serious love. I know many of the artists involved in this one, and I'm intrigued because they are pushing themselves in different directions and outside of their comfort zones. There is something palpable and immediate about that sort of risk, and I'm betting that the payoff will be stunning.

From Jeff Spencer, actor
"Pretentious Conversations" by Laura Buchholz skewers the silly smugness of our yoga induced, granola infused, overly effusive lifestyles. The problem with pretentiousness, of course, is that no one can possibly know everything, or even very much for that matter. Audiences will delight in seeing the gaps of understanding through which any Mac truck could drive. The snobby host, Patricia Skylar Van Humphries, attempts to keep her polished veneer, under pristine control. But alas, it all comes apart at the seams as her guests are even more pretentious than her.

The show had a lot of potential in preview, and with the addition of Mahmoud Hakima to the cast and John Haynes as director, I can't wait to see how they've brought the show to life. I've always been a big fan of John Haynes as an improv performer and instructor. The show has a lot of "smart silly" going on, and he is a perfect fit to take this show to the next level.

From Julie Swenson, make-up artist
I am looking forward to seeing Jason Schommer do his stand up act at the U of M Rarig Center next week during the Fringe Festival. Schommer has the stage presence of Dave Chappelle and name drops like Kathy Griffin. And while he is climbing the D list faster than Griffin, he's still Schommer from the block, often making references to his high school experience at Little Falls Community High School in rural MN. I am prepared to laugh out loud, and perhaps cry, as Schommer sometimes takes cheap shots at the crowd and will likely make fun of my race and my lazy Asian eye.

From Clarence Wethern, actor
Mainly Me Productions' 2011 Fringe offering "Our Freaking Kids Show" was one of the funniest shows of the festival, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the time travel nostalgia comedy "Class of 98," where characters played by Josh Carson and Andy Kraft travel back in time to meet themselves in high school. It's an appealing enough premise to this Back to the Future fan and '98 grad, but it also helps that Carson and Kraft are hilarious, genial performers with a great track record. Carson has a talent for writing comedic material that is clever without being precious, with physical gags and pop culture references hung on the frame of a strong plot and likable characters. "Class of '98" also features the always-funny Dan Hetzel and Katherine Kupiecki, who I think is one of the most talented and versatile actors in town.

From Penelope Freeh, dancer and choreographer
I don't know much about Tamara Ober's Fringe show "Sin Eater,"but I do know that I'm going. Tamara is a captivating creator and performer. As a Zenon Dance Company veteran she brings an incredibly high level of professionalism and integrity to her work. She's passionate, personal, sensuous and strong. I imagine dark and evocative imagery, solidly grounded dancing and theatrical daring. Couched in dance terms, Tamara wears her heart on her sleeve. "Sin Eater" promises to be fresh and fringy.

For more Art Hounds' recommendations, check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Art Hounds is also available as a podcast on iTunes.

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Art Hounds: Matt Rasmussen, The Vow Factor, and beatmakers who get booties shakin'

Posted at 7:45 AM on June 28, 2012 by Chris Roberts (1 Comments)
Filed under: Art Hounds, Comedy, Events, Minnesota Poets, Music, Poetry, Theater

Hip hop producers Audio Perm (Image courtesy of Audio Perm)

The hounds highlight a Walt Whitman Award winning poet from Robbinsdale, satire of the most divisive institution on the ballot this year, and Twin Cities hip hop producers who know how to win over a crowd.

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As co-creator of the Minneapolis-based Theater of Public Policy, Brandon Boat embraces art that tackles hot button issues, like who can marry whom. But Brandon prefers that theater strive toward creating a mutual understanding rather than deepening divisions. He predicts everyone will find something to laugh at in "The Vow Factor," Table Salt Productions and The Recovery Party's send-up of the institution of marriage.

What's with all the talented Twin Cities poets named Matt? Earlier this year Robbinsdale poet Matt Rasmussen sang the praises of local poet Matt Ryan. Now, it's Rasmussen's turn to be celebrated by another poet named Matt, Matt Mauch. Mr. Mauch says Mr. Rasmussen will be reading from his forthcoming book "Black Aperture" at the Robbin Gallery within the Robbinsdale Library on Thursday, June 28 at 7pm. Rasmussen won the distinguished Walt Whitman Award for the book, which is an extended series of poems contending with the suicide of a close family member. June 28, 2012 has also been declared Matt Rassmussen Day by the City of Robbinsdale.

Getting Minnesotans to move to any rhythm is usually a tall order, but Minneapolis spoken word artist Magdalena Kaluza says not for Audio Perm. Audio Perm is a coalition of Twin Cities hip hop producers who supply the beats and soundscapes for a host of local rappers. The group will be holding "Permed Out Showcase #2" at the Cabooze on Friday, June 29. Magdalena says it's a chance for the beatmakers to show some love for the emcees they work with, including Art School Girls, Bobby Raps, and Fresh Squeeze.

For more Art Hounds' recommendations, check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Art Hounds is also available as a podcast on iTunes.

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Bobcat Goldthwait's public radio show

Posted at 7:18 AM on June 18, 2012 by Marianne Combs (1 Comments)
Filed under: Comedy

On the latest edition of Wits, actor and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait joined host John Moe. During the show they considered just what mornings on public radio would sound like if Goldthwait himself was a host. Among other things? Crank calls to philosopher Noam Chomsky, a.k.a. "Chompers."

Comedian Reggie Watts smartly mocks the intelligentsia

Posted at 9:26 AM on May 30, 2012 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Comedy, Music, Video

Reggie Watts works on the edge of improv performance, making light of society only to suddenly break into song, incorporating amazing beats and referencing a whole host of musical genres. He's called himself a "comsician" - part comedian, part musician.

At a recent TED Talk, Watts beat the speakers at their own game, managing to sound brilliant while making no sense whatsoever.

And if you - like I - missed the Wits show back in April, then you missed out on a comedic battle between Andy Richter and Reggie Watts. Here it is:

Five questions for David Hanbury, a.k.a. Mrs. Smith

Posted at 4:00 PM on May 17, 2012 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Comedy, Theater

Freshly traumatized from her appearance on "America's Got Talent!" Mrs. Smith is back with an evening of story and song about the heart-stopping highs and perilous lows of fame, fortune and superstardom.

Mrs. Smith is the alter-ego of David Hanbury. I asked Hanbury to answer a few questions about Mrs. Smith, and to give a window into the life of a theater queen.

David Hanbury as Mrs. Smith, along with Broadway boys Tony Milder and Rick Latterell
Photo: Dan Norman

1. Tell me about Mrs. Smith - who is she?

Mrs. Smith is a well-to-do lady of a certain age who's more than a little kooky. Audiences report an uncanny feeling of familiarity when they first see her; it's very likely you have an eccentric aunt that's a lot like her. Her cat Carlyle has been missing for three and a half years and her main quest is to be reunited with him. She is the kind of woman who is enamored with psychoanalysis, New Age therapies, psychics and the rest. Most surreal is her ability to "shred" on electric guitar. This is not a theatrical illusion, I really play guitar live so when you see Smithy two handed tapping like Edward Van Halen it's REAL!

2. What inspired you to create her?

I fell in with a crew of Charles Ludlam'esque theater queens in Provincetown, Massachusetts a few years ago lead by a brilliant artist named Ryan Landry. I was a young character actor at the time, waiting to mature into character acting but Ryan saw a crazy old lady deep inside me, somehow. He was the first to put me in a grey wig and I played all kinds of Schoolmarms, nosey neighbors and whatnot in comedies. Then one night at a variety show I did an improvised bit as this character named Mrs. Smith, a depressed woman searching for her missing cat. The audience loved her.

David Hanbury
Photo courtesy the artist

3. What's the appeal of being a female impersonator? Put differently, what do you get out of inhabiting the character of Mrs. Smith?

I don't consider what I do "female impersonation," that's actually a very specific genre of club performance that has to do with drag artists impersonating celebrities. At it's best, female impersonation creates incredibly convincing illusions wherein the artist transforms himself into Marilyn Monroe, Cher, or Madonna, etc. The most amazing part of female impersonating is the fact that one performer will usually switch into a dozen different celebrities within the course of a single performance, it's a quick change miracle what these guys do.

I see what I do as being more within the realm of theater, specifically what's come to be known these days as "club theater." It's part cabaret, part character acting, and part improv comedy. I sing live, play guitar live, and perform scripted sequences so it's sort of like a play where the main character is likely to burst out of the narrative to interact with the audience.

I keep returning to Mrs. Smith because she keeps demanding that I tell her stories. She can be placed in an endless array of contexts and always have a fresh take on them. As an actor I love performing all kinds of roles but with Smith I can perform, write, sing, play guitar and interact with an audience. Its a thrill. I'm so grateful she chose me as her vessel!!

4. Who are your inspirations/influences? What is it about them that you admire?

I would say Charles Ludlam, PeeWee Herman, Lily Tomlin, Tracey Ullman, Jennifer Saunders, Monty Python. These were all artists that captivated me all the way from when I was a kid to present day. I suppose what they all have in common is an element of comedic physicality and audacity, whether you're talking about Jennifer Saunders doing a prat fall into an open grave on Ab Fab or Lily Tomlin re-shaping her body and voice to become a different human being.

5. Why should someone who has never been to one of your shows give it a try?

I think it combines a lot of unexpected elements of live performance in a way that's surprising and lots of fun. There's comedy with a little dash of pathos and some heart thrown in as well. There's live music performed with a sense of abandon. There's an interactive element as well (but not the stupid, annoying, or boring kind of interactivity). There are hard-scripted sequences that have been rehearsed a great deal but she is constantly popping out of the story and commenting in ways that surprise even me. At the end of a Mrs. Smith show audiences consistently report feeling as if they have seen something that can never be repeated. It's a lot of fun!

Mrs. Smith Live at the Bryant Lake Bowl runs tonight through May 26.

Art Hounds: Ballet Preljocaj, Muslim women, and a sad vampire comedian

Posted at 7:45 AM on April 12, 2012 by Chris Roberts
Filed under: Art Hounds, Comedy, Dance, Events, Painting, Photography, Religion

Image of "Fatimah: The Queen of Heaven," an installation by Hend Al-Mansour. (Image courtesy of the artist)

The hounds have a dark, somber french ballet interpretation of "Snow White," an art show elevating overlooked matriarchal figures in Islamic religion and culture, and a sad vampire comedian's stand-up routine on their radar this week.

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Minneapolis mixed media artist Veronica G. Ochoa calls "Great Mothers of Islam" at Vine Art Center in Minneapolis a "can't miss" exhibition. It features the works of two women artists, Hend Al-Mansour and Leili Tajadod-Pritschet, in what the Vine Art Center describes as an exploration of "the inherent feminine power in the Islamic tradition." Tajadod-Pritschet, an Iranian Shiite, and Al-Mansour, a Saudi Arabian Sunni, each depict a great woman in Islamic history. The show is up through April 14.

If you'd like to dive into the darker, more eroticized side of "Snow White," Twin Cities theater and dance agent Christine Tschida would like to bring Ballet Preljocaj to your attention. The renowned French dance troupe, which rarely tours in the states, has gotten raves for its edgy interpretation of the fairy tale, complete with costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier and partial nudity. Presented by the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium at the Orpheum Theatre, April 13 & 14.

In terms of belly laughs and humorous food for thought, Minneapolis actor Clarence Wethern says Joseph Scrimshaw's company Joking Envelope has never disappointed. Joking Envelope's latest show is called "The Sad Vampire Comedy Hour" in which a morose melancholic vampire comedian shares his schtick. The show will be at the Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis Fridays and Saturdays through April 28.

For more Art Hounds' recommendations, check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Improv Everywhere: teaching adults to play

Posted at 8:00 AM on November 14, 2011 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Comedy, Events, Video

Charlie Todd gets people to ride the subway in their boxers, and dance in public with strangers, all in the name of good fun.

As kids we're taught to play and we're never given a reason why we should play - it's just acceptable that play is a good thing. I think that's the point of Improv Everywhere. It's that there is no point, there doesn't have to be a point. We don't need a reason as long as it's fun... and I think as adults we need to learn that there is no right or wrong way to play.

In this TED Talk, Todd reviews some of his more successful improv projects. My favorite? When he gets 80 people to put on blue polo shirts and khaki pants and walk into a Best Buy.

Art Hounds: Gabriel Figueroa, Learning Fairy, and improv for policy wonks

Posted at 7:00 AM on November 3, 2011 by Chris Roberts
Filed under: Art Hounds, Comedy, Events, Film, Photography, Theater

Max Specktor, Zoe Sommers Haas and Noah Sommers Haas in "The Learning Fairy" at Open Eye Figure Theatre. (Photo credit: Lary Lamb)

This week's hounds are into Mexico's master cinematographer, a strange fairy who knows how to push the laugh button and theater that turns public policy into improv comedy.

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As far as actor, teacher and improv artist Jen Scott is concerned, anything can be the source of improv comedy. Even, or maybe especially, public policy. Jen says "The Theater of Public Policy," on stage at Huge Theater in Minneapolis every Thursday through Nov. 17, serves up useful info along with its humor. It features a conversation with a policy expert, followed by an interpretation by a team of improv artists.

Twin Cities photographer Manuel Castillo calls Gabriel Figueroa the best cinematographer Mexico ever produced. Figueroa is well known for his 'film noir' aesthetic and his work on such notable movies as "Night of the Iguana" and "The Fugitive," directed by John Ford. Figueroa's son, Gabriel Figueroa Flores, will discuss 20 original still photographs from his father's classic films, Friday, Nov. 4, at the Minneapolis Photo Center.

Tim Carroll, Minneapolis performance and installation artist, was having a bad day when he went to see "The Learning Fairy" at Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis. Tim says once the show started, he was laughing so hysterically he forgot all about it. Who is the Learning Fairy? Tim's still not sure, but she's here from another world to help change ours. All ages welcome....through November 12.

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Roy Blount Jr. on words, their sounds and their meanings

Posted at 7:43 AM on August 15, 2011 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Comedy, Minnesota Poets, Poetry, Writing

"Eww" argues Roy Blount Jr., is the universal sound of disgust. So how does that affect our reaction to words that contain that sound, like "cutie" and "beautiful?"

Author Roy Blount Jr.
(Photo courtesy Joan Griswald)

Blount's recent talk at the Hennepin County library is filled with such questions and interesting tidbits, which break words down into their component parts.

The humorist and word lover talks about everything from Mark Twain's friendship with Helen Keller (brought about by the sound "MMM"), to stepping on a friend's hamster and how the experience revealed so much about the word "squelch."

Midday recently rebroadcast Blount's talk, which you can listen to by clicking on the audio link below.

Fringe trailers offer tastes and flavors

Posted at 5:02 PM on July 28, 2011 by Euan Kerr
Filed under: Comedy, Dance, Events, Theater

The Minnesota Fringe is a week away, and some folk are already planning their schedules. A handy-dandy tool to help the choice is the Fringe's trailer page where many shows have put together extracts, past shows, ands in some cases full-blown commercials for their pieces.

Here are three that caught our eye:

"Knit One/Purl One" by Unfold the Sky Productions

"Buckets and Tap Shoes" by 10 Foot 5 Productions

"Macbeth: The Video Game Remix" by Theatre Arlo

There are also selections of the Fringe-for-All previews posted here.

What's interesting you this year?

How to become funny

Posted at 3:45 PM on July 5, 2011 by Marianne Combs (1 Comments)
Filed under: Comedy, Writing

Author and stand-up comedienne Pat Dennis believes the ability to make someone laugh, whether on stage or in print, is not only a gift but quite possibly a genetic defect. She writes "It's as if we were shot into this world, straight from our mommas' wombs, wearing 3-D glasses perched atop rubber noses."

Dennis should know. She is the author of, among other things, Hotdish To Die For, a collection of six culinary mystery short stories in which hotdish is the weapon of choice.

But of course, there are some people out there who would LOVE to be funny, and so far haven't had much luck.

Not to worry: in a recent essay for The Loft, Dennis writes even the smallest sense of humor can be nourished over time.

I have read novice comedy scribblers who managed to write an entire 200-page manuscript without once bringing a smile to my face. Years later, I'd read their newly published and highly remunerated humor pieces and be green with envy, while doubling over in laughter. What happened?

Butt time, as in sitting on your butt, that's what happened.

In the stand-up world, we call it stage time. Give a struggling comic wannabe enough stage time, and she or he will eventually turn into a pro. The same thing is true with writing. If you want to be a writer, then you have to stay in that chair, putting words on the page, over and over again, until you get it right. Getting it right in humor writing, means tweaking and twisting your work until it makes you laugh, and then someone else.

If you're writing humor, you need an audience, the same as a stand-up comic. You can be the funniest comedian in the world, but if no one ever sees you, then you're just considered a crazy postmenopausal woman talking to herself in the Lane Bryant fitting-room mirror. For a writer, if no one reads your work, what's the point? That's why I strongly believe in both writing classes and writers' groups. Nothing will bring out your inner funny and motivate you more than making someone laugh.

There's something else about time you need to know. As in stand-up, timing is one of the most important elements in humor writing. You need to allow just enough words to get your funny across, but too many, and your punch line will be lost in the onslaught. As that laugh-a-day Polonius once quipped, "Brevity is the soul of wit." (Or am I the only one who finds Hamlet funny?)

What is the most important thing you need to know about writing humor? You need to write it well. Comedic writing needs the same editing, tightening, punctuation, and grammatical finesse as any piece of literature. Don't think you can get away with bad grammar because you're going for laughs. Trust me, there ain't no way that will work. See what I mean?

You can read Dennis' full essay here.

Art Hounds: Improv Fest, woodturning and Dali's cookbook inspires dance

Posted at 7:00 AM on June 23, 2011 by Chris Roberts
Filed under: Art Hounds, Comedy, Craft, Dance, Events, Theater

Chicagoans "TJ and Dave" are one of the many groups that will be here for this weekend's Twin Cities Improv Fest

A festival of improvisational comedy Twin Cities style, American woodturners uniting in St. Paul, and two dance companies preparing a feast of movement are on the hounds' agenda this week.

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Scotty Reynolds, an actor with Interact Theater and a food performance artist with "Mixed Precipitation," finds a lot of inspiration in the culinary arts. No wonder he's drawn to "Dali's Cookbook: A Gastronomical Inquisition," a joint production of Ballet of the Dolls and Zorongo Dance Theatre in Minneapolis. It's based on a cookbook surrealist Salvador Dali wrote and dedicated to his lover. It's on stage at the Ritz Theater through Sunday, June 26.

Love free form improv comedy? Want to see the Twin Cities' best improv artists matched up with stars from other parts of the country? Shad Petosky, owner of Pink Hobo Gallery and Puny Entertainment in Minneapolis suggests you go directly to Huge Theater for the fifth annual Twin Cities Improv Festival. Shows start tonight and go through Sunday.

Maybe your only exposure to woodturning was in woodshop in junior high. Or maybe woodturning is a completely foreign concept. Amanda Birnstengel says it doesn't matter. Amanda, director of the Hopkins Center for the Arts, predicts you'll be amazed by the progression of the art form and the prowess of the nation's finest woodturners as they converge for the 25th American Association of Woodturners Symposium at St. Paul's River Centre.

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Why comedy doesn't matter

Posted at 11:09 AM on May 31, 2011 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Comedy, Criticism, Theater

Joshua Scrimshaw, serious comedian

Being a "theater geek" comes with its own stereotypes and social pitfalls, but who knew that within the world of theater there exists a whole other pecking order.

On minnesotaplaylist.com, local comedian Joshua Scrimshaw writes of how he's handled the criticism of what he calls "Local Theatrical Luminaries" (LTL) who tell him a) it's time for him to do something "important" and b) he'll never be "taken seriously" if he keeps performing at the Bryant Lake Bowl.

What ensues is a serious, important and hilarious essay that rips apart the notion of labeling something as "smart comedy."

"Smart" is the adjective of choice whenever an LTL gifts a work of comedy with his or her praise (although so far it's always "his"). This is a backhanded compliment of epic proportions. The only reason to label comedy as "smart" is to delineate it from the rest of comedy, which, by implication, is not smart. When was the last time you heard someone talk about "smart" ballet or "smart" chamber music? Even mime (the most hated art form on the face of the planet, people!) is never subjected to this kind of caustic compliment. Why? Because we give other arts the benefit of the doubt-- they enjoy the presumption of intelligence while comedy gets stuck with the burden of proof. In short, comedians must accept the laws of a kangaroo court and defend their I.Q.s against a predetermined verdict of You're Stupid.

Scrimshaw goes on to argue that all comedy is important, whether high-brow or low-brow:

ALL comedy says something dark and true about the human condition. I don't care if it's Terry Gilliam's Brazil or a YouTube video of some fat kid farting the 1812 Overture. Actually, I think the farting kid says more. Every time we laugh at flatulence we're really laughing at the strange and disturbing machinery of our own bodies. We are wonderfully and fearfully made, yes, but one day we'll be unmade and that knowledge lurks at the heart of every joke, every laugh, every absurd bodily function. We don't whistle past the graveyard, we lift a cheek and let one rip.

Scrimshaw says ultimately, comedy is ordinary - just like life - and that's what makes it so great. What do you think? Is comedy important? Even fart jokes? Will Joshua Scrimshaw ever be taken seriously? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

You can read the rest of Scrimshaw's essay - and it's very much worth the read - here.

Mary Mack: Bad at polka, great at comedy

Posted at 10:33 AM on May 6, 2011 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Comedy, People

Comedian Mary Mack is bouncing back from a difficult year that almost knocked her off the circuit. In an article in the Star Tribune, Tom Horgen writes:

A year ago, Mack seemed destined for even bigger things, but then her momentum slammed to a stop. In June, her 70-year-old father died from heart disease. Mack was extremely close to her dad, a small-town mechanic. "I got my sense of humor from my dad," she said. "He was a great storyteller." Almost a year later, she has a tough time holding back tears when talking about him.

"It was really hard," she said last week. "I lost my motivation."

She quit booking shows for a time. When she would perform, her sets included less and less about her father, who was -- as with the rest of her family -- the bread and butter of her routine.

Fortunately, for us, Mack is back in action, having just finished up a string of performances at the Acme Comedy Club in Minneapolis.

For me, the big surprise was in how Mack got her start. It turns out she's a classically trained musician with degrees in both conducting and clarinet. She didn't explore comedy until audiences for her polka band made it clear they liked the parts where she stalled between numbers better than the numbers themselves.

Polka's loss is comedy's gain.