The651.com

Conveniently corresponding with all the Fringe Festival hoopla, The Minnesota Historical Society stirs things up with a series of short plays inspired by the current exhibit, Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: the Depression, the War, the Boom. Today through August 7th you’ll be transported back in time through stories based on real people and materials from within the Society’s collection.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE PLAYS

Swell by Craig Johnson takes a gander at pop culture in the 1930s Depression era through real diary excerpts, newspaper accounts and more.

Parachute Silk by Carson Kreitzer depicts a conversation of two women affected by the toils and turmoil of World War II; a moving account of love, marriage and the hardships of war.

The Amazing Adventures of Stuart Lindman by Joseph Scrimshaw recreates an old radio show serial focusing on the life and times of Stuart Lindman, a radio announcer, soldier, medic, engineer, television broadcaster and civilian aide to the Secretary of Defense.

The Secret Storm by Sheri Wilner delves into how television changed American society in the 1950s, begging the question, has watching a popular soap opera has become part of a suburban housewife’s daily routine, or has a suburban housewife’s daily routine become a part of a popular soap opera?

Dates: Aug. 5, 2009, Aug. 6, 2009, Aug. 7, 2009

Time: 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Fee: $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.