Friday news and reviews
It's Friday!! And arts stories abound...
Theater
Going all ha-ha on Hitchcock - GRAYDON ROYCE, Star Tribune
Versatility and dexterity are the keys as four actors take on the stage version of Alfred Hitchcock's frantic spy thriller "The 39 Steps."
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Finding Keepers - Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
There are 40 people in "Fully Committed," the comedy that opens Friday at the Jungle Theater, and all of 'em are played by Nathan Keepers.
''Tis a Pity She's a Whore' offers taboo twists - Ed Huyck, City Pages
John Ford's 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore offers a slight twist on Romeo and Juliet. Okay, the Jacobean playwright offered a really big doozy of a twist. In his play, the star-crossed lovers are brother and sister.
Walking Shadow examines the specter of parenthood - Ed Huyck, City Pages
Among the bevy of shows opening this weekend is Walking Shadow Theatre Company's latest production, The Crowd You're In With, where the question of whether to--or not to--conceive a child is front and center.
'American Idol' contestant to star in Ordway's 'Joseph' - Joe Kimball, minnpost.com
Starring as Joseph will be Anthony Fedorov, who was in the top four in Idol's fourth season. He later toured with the 2005 "American Idol Summer Tour."
Offstage in Burnsville: A lot of drama - Rohan Preston, Star Tribune
The new Burnsville Performing Arts Center has an agreement for three musicals with a man whose past includes jail time for fraud.
Music
Tribute will benefit Eyedea's family - Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press
Late St. Paul rapper Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen would have celebrated his 29th birthday Tuesday.
Dawes: This year's little band that could - CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Star Tribune
In town for its fourth local show of the year, the L.A. quintet is feeling the love.
Vänskä leads riveting 'Fantastique' - LARRY FUCHSBERG, Special to the Star Tribune
Orchestra's performance of big Berlioz work swings between passion and pathos, menace and melancholy.
- Britt Robson, minnpost.com
If you played the "Symphonie Fantastique" for neophyte listeners and told them it was a shining example of the Romantic period in classical music, they'd immediately understand.
You don't always need words to tell a story - Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press
This weekend's Minnesota Orchestra concerts feature three narratives told entirely through music, with nary a word spoken or sung in any of them.
Vanska receives conductor award - Erica Taston, Pioneer Press
Minnesota Orchestra music director Osmo Vanska received a conductor's award from Columbia University last week.
Knights vs. Monks: Heck yeah! - CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Star Tribune
The trio with the dashing name went into the North Woods to record with a '60s underground rock legend.
Art
Pretty (tough) in pink - MARY ABBE, Star Tribune
Four Minnesota artists give a surrealistic spin to girlish things at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
'Reverberations' closes this weekend at MCAD - Coco Mault, City Pages
At first glance it looks like winter has already consumed artist Ayomi Yoshida's trees; black, gnarly branches pop off of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design's white walls. But upon closer inspection it is suddenly spring.
Santa, Coke, and Swedes: Exhibit at the American Swedish Institute opens November 6
- Barb Teed, TC Daily Planet
A Coca-Cola serving tray valued at $37,000, Santa's face on original oil paintings, and Swedish delights will entertain visitors at this year's holiday exhibit at the American Swedish Institute, opening November 6.
Kara Hendershot: 100 Creatives - Jessica Armbruster
Kara Hendershot isn't just an artist in the city. She is also an important figure working behind the scenes.
Dance
Dance captain of 'Spring Awakening' reveals what keeps dancers on their toes
- Camille LeFevre, minnpost.com
For dance aficionados, a primary reason to see the musical "Spring Awakening" at the Orpheum Theatre this weekend is the choreography by Bill T. Jones.
Aniccha Arts to premiere new work merging Indian dance and multimedia
- Camille LeFevre, minnpost.com
Aniccha Arts, a performance company originated by Pramila Vasudevan in 2004, pops up in some unusual spaces, performing works that integrate contemporary Indian dance with high-tech media. In fact, a single show might combine live dance with virtual movement captured on a video screen.
Books
2010 Twin Cities Jewish Book Fair, a month-long event featuring seasoned writers- Coco Mault, City Pages
The 2010 Twin Cities Jewish Book Fair isn't just a day or weekend-long affair. There are so many authors highlighted in this event, presented by the St. Paul JCC, that the book fair actually began in October and runs through mid-November.
Movies
Asian film fest features docu on Wisconsin hunter killings - Chris Hewitt
Films from a dozen countries will be screened as part of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Asian Film Festival, but one from closer to home is likely to make the biggest splash.
2010 Asian Film Festival - Max Sparber, mnartists.org
Max Sparber previews some of the offerings at this year's Minneapolis/St. Paul Asian Film Festival, presented by the Mpls/St. Paul Film Society at St. Anthony Main Theatre from November 3 - 13.
The girl who got the part - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Swedish actress Noomi Rapace was drawn to butt-kicker Lisbeth Salander. But she never thought she'd be cast in three hit movies.
Clever 'Megamind' needs just a little more thought - Chris Hewitt
"Megamind" is a clever movie made by people who should have pushed themselves beyond cleverness.
The spy and the diplomat - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson reveal how their lives went from clandestine to front-page, and now into movie theaters.
Set your sights on 'Vision' - Chris Hewitt
The nearly all-white poster for "Vision," where the only hint of color is Barbara Sukowa's striking eyes, knows what it's doing.
Superhero sendup - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Unlike many DreamWorks movies, the animated "Megamind" winningly pays attention to story.
'Game' changes the rules for marriage under pressure - Chris Hewitt
When CIA agent Valerie Plame was outed, it seemed as if she and her husband, Joseph Wilson, were a united team, but "Fair Game" says they disagreed about almost everything.
Comic torment - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
The scenery on this road trip is entirely too familiar.