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The Autumn theater and performance season kicks into high gear in St. Paul! With last week’s opening of the Ordway’s theater season it wasn’t long before other local dramatic hot spots followed suit. You can expect Autumn in St. Paul to be quite an exciting season for performance, dance, theater, music and everything else in between.

OTHELLO

@ Park Square Theater
Runs Oct 16th through Nov 8th

Ah, Shakespeare. How can you go wrong? The Park Square crew brings to life the classic tragedy, which brims with themes of love, treachery, jealousy and prejudice. Othello, a general in the Venetian army, is drawn into a complicated series of lies woven by one of his trusted comrades, who covets Othello’s new wife, Desdamona. Betrayal on multiple levels ensues and, as is typical for a Shakespearian tragedy, leaves a good number of the characters dead and/or ruined. Pretty heavy material, but since when has The Bard ever disappointed? The show runs through November 8th, so there’s plenty of time to plan your night. Park Square’s website also offers a number of nearby dining recommendations HERE.

For tickets and info visit www.parksquaretheatre.org

Bonus: This Sunday at 7pm hit up Park Square Theatre for Russian Seasons in Minnesota: an Homage to the 100th Anniversary of Russian Seasons in Paris, a special event filled with music, opera, ballet and art. For more info visit www.russianseasons-mn.com

HUNUMAN & THE GIRL PRINCE

@ SteppingStone Theatre
Runs October 23rd through November 8th

SteppingStone Theatre always amazes us with their sense of sheer originality, whimsy, and on-the-mark casting of some of the most charismatic kids in town. Their brand new musical production, Hanuman & The Girl Prince, is a sassy, colorful Bollywood-style comedy that focuses on a young Indian princess disguised as a prince who finds love with the helpful antics of the frolicsome Monkey King, Hanuman. The second play in SteppingStone’s bright, adorable Hunuman Trilogy, this production is a can’t-miss for families with boundless imagination. Online tickets will go off sale Thursday evenings prior to weekend performances. Tickets are generally available at the door.

For tickets and more info visit www.steppingstonetheatre.org

MOVING WORKS BY JAMES SEWELL BALLET

@ O’Shaughnessy Hall
Runs through October 25th

The always-innovative troupe at the internationally renowned James Sewell Ballet Company bring us Moving Works, a stunning, contemporary collection of four fantastical dance pieces that celebrate both music and motion. See work by choreographers James Sewell, Sally Rousse, and Penelope Freeh accompanied by the music of Steve Heitzeg, Ludvig von Beethoven, and local progressive jazz trio, The Bad Plus. There’s nothing like pairing the grace and strength of the ballet with wonderful, varied musical themes — and the eclectic and talented peeps at the James Sewell Ballet are definitely masters of that formula. This series of performances only runs through this Sunday, so step to it (no pun intended)!

For tickets and more info visit www.jsballet.org

OTHER COOL PERFORMANCES HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND:

Saturday, October 24th: Prairie Home Companion @ The Fitzgerald

Through Nov 1st: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story @ History Theater

Through November 8th: Little House/The Full Monty @ The Ordway

This weekend saw the official return of Ordway theater productions and Saint Paul is all a-buzz. Kicking things off for the 2009-2010 season is the big-deal production of Little House on the Prairie the Musical in the Ordway’s main hall and Theater Latte Da’s theatrical version of The Full Monty in the McKnight Theater. Snap up your tickets now, as we’re sure they’re going fast!

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE THE MUSICAL

Runs through October 25th

Oh, Half Pint, how Minnesota loves thee. One of our claims to fame as Minnesotans is that the Little House books, written by and based on Laura Ingalls Wilder took place right here in our fair state. Forget Prince and Josh Hartnett, we’ve got Half-Pint, right? This musical adaptation of the wildly popular books (and of course, television series) Little House on the Prairie the Musical is a tale of the ups, downs and heartland values of the Ingalls family. Laced with well-placed comedy, drama and plenty of catchy tunes, this production is one that every Minnesotan who grew up on these tales should see. Not to mention, Melissa Gilbert (who played Laura herself in the TV series) is back to play “Ma” in this adaptation.

Tickets and more info HERE.

THE FULL MONTY

Runs through November 8th

Excerpted from my daily column at www.secretsofthecity.com

The clever crew of Theater Latte Da always impresses with their festive forays into musical theater, and their most recent production, now playing at the Ordway, is no exception. Based on the hit film, The Full Monty, this production is filled with hilarity, original music, and a lot of skin! A comedic romp portraying a group of unemployed steelworkers who use their personal, um, resources to make ends meet, The Full Monty is a feisty tale of friendship and unconventional methods in tough times.

Tickets and more info HERE.

OTHER EVENTS AT THE ORDWAY THIS MONTH:

October 26th: The Schubert Club feat. Leonidas Kavakos

October 30th: Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance

October 31st: SPCO feat Haka Hardenberger and Frankenstein!

For the October calendar click HERE.

Attention opera fans! The Minnesota Opera kicks off its 2009-2010 performance season at the Ordway this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited. On Saturday, the much buzzed-about production of The Pearl Fishers will open to a packed house. Will you be there?

This past weekend I attended the annual “Opera Tasting” event at the MN Opera Center in Minneapolis, a stylish soiree put on by the Minnesota Opera’s Tempo group — a club for young opera enthusiasts ages 21-39. The evening began with a pre-show party in the candle-lit reception area of the center, where snazzily dressed attendees mingled and sipped champagne. Once inside the decadently decorated underground event center, we were seated at a table with Ben Crickenberger, one of the Opera’s handsome young baritones, who acted as our personal host for the evening.

Laden with bottle after bottle of fine wines courtesy of Meilleurs Vins de Provence Wines and fed heartily from a Thai food buffet from Sen Yai Sen Lek, we were serenaded by various members of the Opera’s upcoming productions — a fabulous “taste” of what lies ahead this season.

Among the delicious helpings of fabulous musical fare, one of my favorite arias of all time, “O fond du temple saint” from The Pearl Fishers was gorgeously duetted by Brad Benoit and Michael Nyby. Personally, I cannot wait to hear/see this performed at the Ordway this month with the singers in full costume, the lights shining, the orchestra swelling, and the audience communally enchanted by the whole thing. There’s nothing quite like soaking up the beauty of the opera in the Ordway’s main hall — something about the large scale of it all makes the performances seem so grand and dazzling.

Whether you’re a life-long opera appreciator, or a newbie, the MNOp does a wonderful job at making this classic art form accessible to everyone. The opera is definitely not just for old people anymore, so consider checking out a Minnesota Opera production this season — after all, how fun will it be to tell your friends, “No, heathens, I cannot make it to poker night, I am going to ze OPERA!”

Visit the Minnesota Opera’s website to find out all about this season’s upcoming productions, including The Pearl Fishers, and also check out their events page to discover hip opera-related events put on by Tempo and much more!

The Ordway is poppin’ this weekend. Poppin’ with classical music that is! After taking a bit of a break for a renovational sprucing up, the big O is back and better than ever — and ready to take on its upcoming performance season with gusto!

This Friday and Saturday treat yourself to the mesmerizing sounds of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Opus 67 — an oldie but goodie to be sure. Also included in the program is Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute and Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, and Vivaldi’s Concerto in G. I suppose you could say that Ludwig van Beethoven is the headliner, and subsequent rock star of the evening — he certainly had the hairstyle for it. His 5th Symphony is widely heralded as one of the most famous pieces of classical music of all time, with its first four bars most likely being the most recognizable four bars of any score to date.

Hear the SPCO spectacularly recreate this epic piece of classical music this weekend at the Ordway. Two performances await on both Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m in the Main Hall. Visit www.ordway.org for more info or click HERE to purchase tickets.

Also at the Ordway this weekend, enjoy a special performance in the McKnight Theater by the Chestnut Brass Company as they present “American Voices.” This Grammy Award-Winning quintet will take you on a sonic journey from the early times of the Civil War on up through the 21st century with a smattering of American folk songs, Broadway ditties and popular tunes, along with some of their own original material. The Chestnut Brass Company’s creative use of their instruments will ensure you’ll leave with a new found awe of what musicians can do when they think outside the brass…er, box.

This one night only engagement kicks off at 8 p.m. in the Ordway’s McKnight Theater. For more information visit www.ordway.org or click HERE to purchase tickets.

Upcoming events at The Ordway:

Sept 17-19: Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ

Sept 26-Oct 4: The MN Opera Presents The Pearl Fishers

Oct 13-25: Little House on the Prairie the Musical

For more info on these performances and more click HERE

Some of my most memorable dining experiences this year have been in none other than downtown Saint Paul, and a recent trip to French bistro, Meritage, bumped the area to the top of my list of favored culinary destinations. I’ve always been quite charmed with the area near the Ordway; the narrow, cobblestone streets that twine around Rice Park and intersect the Landmark Center and the St. Paul Hotel remind me of a little slice of Europe. Meritage lies just beyond Landmark Plaza on St. Peter Street; its attractive, Parisian cafe-style patio and beautifully designed storefront make the restaurant an architectural landmark. If this isn’t the most romantic place to dine in the city, I honestly don’t know what is.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REVIEW…

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Every show I’ve been privy to at the Ordway has always blown my mind as far as production value goes. Sparing no expense or detail, each theatrical extravaganza has an air of magic about it — and Singin’ in the Rain is no exception.

An apt closer to the Ordway’s season-long homage to the “American Dream,” Singin’ in the Rain reprises the 1952 film classic with a not-so-surprising amount of exuberance. The sincere and peppy cast of characters each steals the show in their own way, bringing life to every scene. Catchy tunes, astounding dance numbers and gorgeous costuming abound, and the fast-paced movement of the production easily keeps the attention of both the young and old.

A musical comedy depicting the early transition of silent film to the “talkies” (films with sound), Singin’ in the Rain follows Don Lockwood, a silent movie star who falls for Kathy Selden, a cynical stage actress with a sweet voice. After a couple awkward encounters, Lockwood and Selden end up working on the same film; a silent movie that they need to quickly turn into a talking picture to beat out a rival production company. One problem: Lockwood’s longtime leading lady, the arrogant and glamorous Lina Lamont, has a grating voice that doesn’t exactly match her good looks. When Kathy is slated to voice-over Lina’s part, the jealous actress stops at nothing to make sure Kathy doesn’t get credit — and shenanigans, of course, ensue.

One of the play’s major highlights is its glitzy costuming and set design. Dozens of glittering and hand-beaded gowns, colorful flapper-esque get-ups and beautifully tailored, flamboyant suits make Singin’ in the Rain as visually appealing as it is highly entertaining. The most dazzling number, “Beautiful Girl,” features a decadent display of sparkly costuming that wouldn’t be out of place in a Busby Berkeley musical. The set is a constantly-moving objet d’art that seamlessly transitions between opulent film sets, city streets, and intimate settings. And in an undeniable feat of theatrical prowess, the Ordway’s amazing set crew actually makes it “rain” in two scenes.

A fantastic production to take the whole family to, Singin’ in the Rain, is filled with non-stop music, physical comedy, and spectacular dance numbers backed up by an energetic and talented cast of performers. The show only runs through June 28th, so get your tickets now!

This week, register to win two tickets the Saturday, June 27th performance of Singin’ in the Rain at Ordway Center! You’re automatically entered by subscribing to our newsletter at StPaulSTAYcation.com. If you don’t win, take advantage of Ordway Center’s STAYcation Special and get Singin’ tickets for just $35 plus fees for performances the weekend of June 26th – 28th. Use the promo code FRIENDS to unlock the discount online at ordway.org or by phone at 651-224-4222.

THE ART OF MIKE CARNEY

Take your coffee with a side of art this Friday at Cosmic’s Coffee Shop! Local artist Mike Carney has garnered attention for his kaleidoscopic, pop culture-infused mixed media works, which will be on parade for your viewing enjoyment this evening, and through the month. Party with the artist at this fun opening reception while enjoying caffeinated beverages and live music from Reed & Ben. The show will be up for at least a month, so if you can’t make it to the opening party, be sure to stop in for a cup o’ joe sooner than later to catch a glimpse of this awesome art!

Opening Reception: Friday, June 5th / 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Cosmic’s Coffee, 189 N. Snelling Avenue (Selby & Snelling), St. Paul

CONVERGING TRADITIONS

Head Downtown this evening for an unusual and beautiful combination of musical influences! Expanding the boundaries of sound and tradition, composers Paul Elwood, a renowned banjo player, and Chinese pipa player Gao Hong will accompany Zeitgeist, a new music chamber ensemble that features percussion, piano and woodwinds. “Through new music, Converging Traditions will give audiences the opportunity to discover common ground between two musical traditions developed worlds apart,” said Heather Barringer, managing director and percussionist for Zeitgeist. Come experience this musical mashup of style and sound at Studio Z this weekend!

Performances: Friday June 5th & 6th / 8 p.m. / $10

Studio Z, 275 E. 4th Street, Downtown St. Paul

THE ART OF D.C. ICE

As you may have read in my introductory post, I recently bought a piece of art by D.C. Ice. And as luck would have it, Ms. Ice will be opening a new exhibit of her work this very weekend! Unfortunately for me, I am currently on an “art buying freeze,” due to lack of wall space (and moola), though owning more D.C. Ice is certainly tempting. One of my favorite St. Paul artists, D.C. Ice has a self-described “sinister but sweet” style that combines her girlish sensibilities with dark, poetic imagery, fine lines and thoughtful composition. Head to Highland Park this Saturday evening for a peek inside the mind of this imaginative up and comer, and go home with a D.C. Ice piece all your own. Show runs through July 6th.

Opening reception: Saturday, June 6th / 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Frameworks, Ford Parkway & Cleveland Avenue, Highland Park

GRAND OLD DAY GETS ARTY

Grand Avenue will be rockin’ with the annual Grand Old Day celebration this Sunday! There will be tons of arty goodness to check out, as the festival has its very own “Art District” that overflows the street between Snelling and Hamline. See work by local artists on display, art cars, and street performances; participate in art-making activities and even listen to live music! Visit www.grandave.com for more info on Grand Old Day, and be sure to mark these arty Grand Ave businesses on your map to check out this Sunday or next time you’re in the area!

Benevolent Acorn
1087 Grand Avenue

This cute little specialty shop is a go-to source for locally made artisian wares such as paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, purses, scarves, ceramics, sculpture, functional art, and more. www.benevolentacorn.com

Grand Hand Gallery
619 Grand Avenue

A Grand Avenue staple, the Grand Hand Gallery caters to the discerning art buyer with an eclectic selection of rotating artwork and crafts created by artists in Minnesota and across the U.S. including clay, metalwork, woodwork, fiber and jewelry. www.thegrandhand.com

Wet Paint
1684 Grand Avenue

One of the best independently owned art supply stores in the Twin Cities, Wet Paint is a crowded and lively shop filled with colorful tools for the artistically inclined. One stop into Wet Paint and you’ll surely be inspired to create! www.wetpaintart.com

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ORDWAY!

Get your tickets now for these two amazing upcoming engagements at the Ordway, later this month!

Singin’ in the Rain

Runs June 16th-28th in the Main Hall

“In 1952, Singin’ in the Rain burst upon the scene and became one of the most celebrated movie musicals of all time. The musical stage production embraces the best of the beloved songs and characters and adds a remarkable dimension that delights theater lovers. This show overflows with romance and unforgettable dancing, and YES, it is going to rain!”

Click HERE to reserve your tix!

Mu Performing Arts presents Flower Drum Song

June 26th-July 12th, Ordway McKnight Theater

“In Tony Award®-winner David Henry Hwang’s new adaptation of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, Mei-Li flees communist China and finds herself in San Francisco’s Chinatown. This naïve young refugee is befriended by Wang, who is struggling to keep the Chinese opera tradition alive despite his son’s determination to turn the old opera house into a swingin’ Western-style nightclub. The unique blending of American razz-ma-tazz and stylized Chinese opera traditions creates a beautiful theatrical tapestry in this lovely new version of an American classic.”

Click HERE to reserve your tix!

This Saturday in Downtown St. Paul is a colorful one, that’s for sure. From Rice Park to Lowertown, the opportunity to immerse yourself in art is almost unavoidable. As summer slowly comes out of its shell, so do all the hibernating creatives — and watching that transition from an arts writer’s perspective is like being at an already awesome party that suddenly becomes epic.

This Saturday I plan on taking an overnight STAYcation in Downtown St. Paul, which you’ll hear all about next week. Perhaps you’ll see me out and about, perhaps you’ll even want to buy me a drink (I’ll be gracious enough to accept, of course), but one thing’s for sure, I’ll be taking full advantage my own recommendations — and I hope you do too!

Flint Hills Children’s Festival

This annual extravaganza is not just for children, though it’s definitely geared towards the whimsically inclined. Make a play-date with your mate or your family and partake in this amazing festival that includes ticketed performing arts events in the Ordway Center (think Cirque du Soliel-style acrobatics and kid-friendly theater) as well as free, outdoor art shenanigans that will overtake Rice Park and Landmark Center Plaza. Marvel at live music and dance performances on two outdoor stages and mingle with roaming artists such as mimes, balloon artists, minstrels, and clowns. Be charmed by the beauty of the butterfly garden or watch as artists create the 50 foot “Blooming Saint Paul” mosaic installation at Landmark Plaza. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Click HERE to check out the full lineup of events.

Sat-Sun / 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. / Ordway, Rice Park, Landmark Center Plaza / Free ($5 for ticketed events inside the Ordway Center)

Grey. Green.

Head Lowertown this evening for some stellar art viewing and hobnobbing with four very cool up and coming artists! Tim Armato, Mitchell Dose, Aaron Dysart, and Andrew Lange all seem to have a common bond in their work: mixed media with a nod to mother nature. And when I say “mother nature” I’m not talking paintings of howling wolves or landscapes; these four take organic to the next level with an avant garde twist. With backgrounds that dabble in sculpture, installation art, sound art, graphic design and more, you can bet this group will bring something unique, modern and pretty to look at to the table.

Saturday / Reception 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Northern Warehouse / 308 Prince Street @ Studio 312 / Free

Naturally

Just a mere three blocks from the aforementioned opening at the Northern Warehouse, you really haven’t any excuse not to hit up this show too! Well-known illustrator David Witt (a.k.a. Dwitt) and seasoned artist and educator Christopher Bowman team up to produce a fresh and playful art exhibit that will make your eyes pop with its candy colors and delightful subject matter. See solo work from each artist, as well as plenty of collaborative work, including the biggest painting either has made in over a decade!

Saturday / Reception 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Back Alley Gallery / 262 E. 4th Street #LL2 / Free

I had a chat with Dwitt this week about the exhibit, the Twin Cities art scene and more…

What can people expect at your latest exhibit at Back Alley Gallery? How does your and Christopher’s artwork play off each other?

People should expect to see a lot of work. Playful, colorful, menacing, confusing, wonderful, funny artwork.  I’m really proud of what we both produced for this show.  Christopher and I have known each other for a long time, since college, but this is the first time we’ve worked together to produce a show (and it won’t be the last time, either).  We work in different ways, but the aim of our work is very similar. If it makes us laugh, we like it. While making several collaborative works in the show, we were both in fits of laughter. We also seem to borrow imagery from each other, but take our own spin on it.  As a result, there are a lot of birds in this show.

Your work has been shown all over the world, and was even featured in the Guitar Hero video game — do you feel you’re living your dream yet?

In September it will be my 5 year anniversary of being a full-time artist. There have been some really tight situations in that time, but I’ve managed to get out of all of them and I keep learning.  It’s definitely the life I saw for myself as a kid, so I’d say I am living my dream, its just a lot harder than I ever imagined. I never think about where my work is going, or who is seeing it, I’m mostly concerned about getting projects done on time (not as easy as you think), and how to continue making work and pay my bills. Its no cake walk, but I don’t want to do anything else.

You are a founding member of awesome screen print collective, Squad 19, what do you think about the screen print art scene in the Twin Cities? Any exciting projects on the horizon for you?

The Twin Cities is a pretty amazing place to be making screenprinted art.  We have no shortage of venues and local bands to do work for.  We have who I consider to be the greatest printers in the world, Burlesque Design of North America, and our talent pool has some of the world’s best designers working here, like Aesthetic Apparatus and Amy Jo. It’s hard not to be excited working here, and I really enjoy seeing lots of new poster people coming out all the time, like Land Land Design and DNML. The projects I’ve been most excited about lately was making a new poster for author Chuck Palahniuk’s recent book tour promoting his new book ‘Pygmy’.  It was the second poster I’ve made for him, and the chances are very good it won’t be my last either.

What would be your dream art project if money and time were no object?

Redesigning the Presidential Seal of the U.S.A, or perhaps even designing new currency would be an amazing job.  My more realistic dream job would be painting full time and not needing any illustration jobs to keep me going. Painting never seems like work to me, but drawing can, so everyone please come out to my show and buy some paintings to help me achieve my dream!

What are your top five favorite people/places/things in/about St. Paul?

The St. Paul Art Crawl is always a highlight of the spring and fall for me.  Grand Ave is full of great stuff to do/see/eat. I have walked from one end of downtown St.Paul to the other at night and not seen another person out walking around.  It was like the set to a post-apocalyptic zombie movie, and I liked that. The restaurant Punch Neapolitan Pizza in the Highland Park neighborhood, has become my favorite pizza in the Twin Cities. I lick the plate clean. Biking in and around the Como Park area is always nice, which reminds me, I need to get my bike fixed so I can do that soon.

For more information on Dwitt visit www.dwitt.com