by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | December 23rd, 2019
by Kris Gruber
perriex1@gmail.com
High Plains Reader spoke to Act Up Theatre board member Jackie Shaw, about the fundraiser "Kabaret for Kaleidoscope" at the TAK Music Venue.
High Plains Reader: How did the idea for this show come about?
Jackie Shaw: Act Up Theatre is a small nonprofit organization, started in 2010 in Fargo-Moorhead to provide musical performing opportunities to high school, college students and young adults with a focus on productions that create a more socially conscious…
by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | December 18th, 2019
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by Jill Finkelson
jsfinkelson99@gmail.com
The original 1892 version of the Nutcracker panned after Tchaikovsky begrudgingly set the score as a favor. It passed without fanfare, overshadowed by Sleeping Beauty and the like.
However, the show went through a renaissance and now can be seen all over North America during the holiday season. The score is universal and even those who shun classical music would be hard pressed to say they don’t recognize the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy or…
by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | November 13th, 2019
By Michael Str!ke
michaelstrike.solo@gmail.com
Comedy, dance, live music, and that classic wordplay and wit only Mel Brooks can deliver. This Friday, November 14th, Concordia College Theater premieres their production of Mel Brooks’ musical “Young Frankenstein.” Directed by New York’s acclaimed director and choreographer, Donna Kaz, and musically led by musical director Andrew Steinberg; the musical features a cast and crew entirely comprised of students.
As someone with a history…
by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | October 23rd, 2019
By Scott Ecker
notharrisonford@gmail.com
Theatre is something that takes a lot of work from a lot of people. This is something that is easy to forget while watching a good play. Great theatre is immersive. The script, acting and technical work is all in the service of communicating a story. It transports the audience into a world that is completely different from theatre seats.
I had the privilege of getting to see some of the process of FMCT’s latest production, “Sweeney Todd: The…
by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | October 2nd, 2019
By Michael Str!ke
michaelstrike.solo@gmail.com
“No one moves to Fargo to become a professional actor,” she said, but after starting Theatre B with her husband and a core ensemble of performers almost 18 years ago; Carrie Wintersteen has found a home, a calling, and her own vocation here in the Fargo/Moorehead area.
Carrie’s interest in performance started at the very young age of five or six; when her parents would ask her to sing and entertain family and friends during their bridge…
by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | September 11th, 2019
By Scott Ecker
notharrisonford@gmail.com
On Wednesday, September 11th the tour of We Will Rock You is coming to BlueStem in Moorhead. We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical based on the music of Queen that originated in West End in 2002. This tour is coming out of Canada and will be the first performance in the US.
I had the privilege of speaking over the phone with Krystle Chance right before the show’s performance in Winnipeg. Krystle is a performer out of Toronto who has performed…
by Ryan Janke | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | July 10th, 2019
The annual mainstage summer musical, produced by Trollwood Performing Arts School and sponsored by Bell Bank, opens Thursday, July 11. This year’s performance is Disney’s “Freaky Friday.” Trollwood Performing Arts School’s website describes the musical as a, “classic story of a mother and daughter magically swapping bodies and, as a result, learning what life is like by spending a day in each other’s shoes.”
“‘Freaky Friday’ is a new musical and Trollwood Performing…
by Ryan Janke | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | June 19th, 2019
The Cass Act Players will take the stage this weekend to bring “Weather the Storm” to Bonanzaville’s Dawson Hall in West Fargo.
“Weather the Storm” is a musical based on the infamous tornado that hit Fargo’s Golden Ridge neighborhood, killing 12 and destroying over 300 homes, in 1957. Local residents Tracy Frank and Topher Williams collaborated on the project.
“‘Weather the Storm’ is a story of community and, ultimately, it’s a story of a fractured community –…
by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | June 12th, 2019
By Amber Westereng
Minnesota State University Moorhead’s (MSUM) Straw Hat Players has performed more than 300 shows during their 56 years and has groomed more than 2,000 actors, technicians, and crew for careers in the theatre industry. The Straw Hat Players kicked off their season in June with “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” but many may wonder, who are they?
MSUM’s summer theatre company is a dedicated 50-person crew comprised of actors and off-set staff who work 10-hour days,…
by John Showalter | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | April 10th, 2019
Countless examples can be found throughout the history of great art that was only recognized as such after the life of the artist that created it. Such is true of Georges Bizet’s opera "Carmen." While its reception during his lifetime could be arguably be referred to as ‘lukewarm’, it went on to become of the most widely performed and recognized works in the opera repertoire. One would think that a story of love, jealousy, revenge, and a fiery femme fatale would have perennial…
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It’s time for an update on Meridian Energy Group and the Davis Refinery. You probably remember them, although it’s been a while since I last wrote about them. Meridian is the California/Texas company that wants to build an oil…
by Taylor Markel taylormarkel@cableone.netWhat began as a single weekend of wintry activities, has now, for the first time in its history, snowballed into a multi-week celebration of all things winter! With countless, exhilarating…
Thursday, January 30, 7- 10 pmThe Fargo Theatre, 314 N Broadway, FargoKevin Smith is coming to town to show his latest and greatest motion picture, “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.” Followed by a Q&A. Can you believe Jay and Silent…
by Erin Thostensonphoto by Erin Thostenson, Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.ErinAT@far.midco.net I've lived most of my life in Fargo, but I attended La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia last year to finish my degree in…
Whatta Deal! A Heart Transplant Only Runs $1,698,831.13!Ten years ago our life expectancy plateaued—and then we started to lose years of life. Every other industrialized country has gained years. A study claims this has happened…
To say that this year’s Bartenders Battle was the best display of talent in the six years since its creation would be an understatement and a disservice to not only the bartenders who made it into the competition, but also the…
by Jill Finkelsonjsfinkelson99@gmail.comHave any good stories from Ralph’s Corner Bar? The Historical Society of Clay County wants to bring us back in time to the Moorhead favorite and they need the local’s help. Musicians,…
by Jill Finkelsonjsfinkelson99@gmail.comDeb Jenkins returns for a 23rd year of celebrating Fargo’s Women- and their music. The story is old news now, Deb tells me over the phone as I ask her- how did this start? 23 years ago, she…
Nearly one year ago, Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s stunning documentary “Honeyland” collected a trio of awards following its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Those accolades, including special jury…
“Surrealism permeates--there’s a legacy there with contemporary art where they’re still trying to capture or convey something that can’t quite be fully understood without the existence of that thing that you can’t fully…
by Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader spoke to Act Up Theatre board member Jackie Shaw, about the fundraiser "Kabaret for Kaleidoscope" at the TAK Music Venue.High Plains Reader: How did the idea for this show come…
Stand-up comedy is traditionally a one-way exchange. Outside of the odd question addressed to a random audience member, the limit of the spectators’ contribution to the conversation is their laughter at the comedy stylings being…
Even though it didn’t officially open until February 1st of last year, Moorhead bar Harold’s on Main had been under discussion for several years beforehand by its owners. Longtime friends and musicians Eric Odness, Rob Pope,…
Every Thursday evening during the month of June, Mara Solberg is inviting people to come out and try Yoga on the Farm. It is a unique yoga experience that was born from an idea that was proposed to Solberg.“I’ve been with Red…
by HPR Contributor
by Devin Joubertdevinlillianjoubert@gmail.comIt’s that beautiful time of the year that’s filled with seasonal decorations, sparkly lights, warm family gatherings, and delicious feasts. I love everything about this time of the…
by Karen Andersonkartcone@gmail.comCongratulations to the Fargo School District for opening up a discussion regarding today’s students as covered in the January 7, Barry Amundson article “Social, emotional learning a forefront…
