Saturday news and reviews
Books
Minneapolis based novel turned movie 'PREY' to star Mark Harmon
USA Network is developing a two-hour movie starring Mark Harmon based on the best-selling series of PREY novels by Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Sandford.
- Jessica Hollenbach, Examiner.com
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Music
Music review: VocalEssence, Andre Thomas let the spirit flow
group's velvet harmonies on the slow and soothing "Deep River" may have been the concert's high point, followed closely by an exhilarating "Go Where I Send Thee," on which Thomas laid down some boogie-woogie piano beneath the harmonies.
- Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press
Murphys, Against Me, OWTH rile up First Ave
The sold-out, all-ages audience clearly had a ball singing along to such staples as "Worker's Song" and "The Dirty Glass" early in the show and "Captain Kelly's Kitchen" and "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" near the stormy end.
- Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune
First Avenue abandons Ticketmaster in favor of eTix
After nearly two decades of using Ticketmaster for their phone and online ticket sales, First Avenue will end its contract with the gigantic corporate conglomerate (which merged with Live Nation last year) and switch to the web-based eTix starting April 1.
- Andrea Swensson, City Pages
Murs plays Minneapolis, "the new hip-hop Mecca"
For a guy from L.A., Murs sure loves him some Minneapolis. Like, rap-about-Pizza-Luce-for-a-minute loves it, and I'll be the first to say the feeling is mutual.
- Emily Weiss, TC Daily Planet
Telekinesis, The Love Language, and Red Pens throw a birthday party at the 7th Street Entry
The 100 or so people who braved the cold and made it to the 7th Street Entry for two of Merge Records' better up-and-coming acts, The Love Language and Telekinesis (add in the great locals Red Pens as well), got to witness what is sure to be one of the better, top to bottom, shows I'll see this year.
- Kyle Matteson, TC Daily Planet
Stage
Now living in St. Paul, actress Melissa Hart revisits the musical she starred in when it opened on Broadway.
- Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press
Melissa Hart readies her return to 'Cabaret'
To learn the ins of outs of Sally Bowles in Frank Theatre's new production of Cabaret, Sara Richardson had an expert in the cast she could turn to for advice. Melissa Hart, who plays Frau Schneider here, performed on Broadway and on tour as Bowles in Hal Prince's original 1960s production.
- Ed Huyck, City Pages
It's not every playwright that can think like a goat
Like many 20-somethings, Alan Berks took time off after college to backpack around Europe. But that's where the similarity ended.
- Amy Carlson Gustafson, Pioneer Press
Brian Posehn: Farty hesher comedy galoot
There are gifted physical comics, and then there are the dudes who make a good set great just by virtue of looking ungainly and weird.
- Nate Patrin, City Pages