Theatre

The show must go on

February 19th, 2020

The Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) is continuing to move forward as they wait to see what the future holds for the building located at 333 4th Street S. in Fargo. FMCT made two moves over the past several weeks, including moving their administrative building and launching a capital campaign.

The building was deemed structurally unsound in December after staff noticed cracks in beams by the ceiling.

“Back on Dec. 13, we noticed that there were some unusual cracks in some beams…

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A mid-life renaissance: Theatre B’s ‘The Roommate’

February 5th, 2020

photo courtesy of Theatre B. cover design by Raul Gomez

by Erin Hemme Frostlie
froslie@cord.edu

Nearly everyone has a roommate horror story. Maybe it’s the college roommate who refused to do dishes. Or the one who promised to pay rent but didn’t. Or a roommate’s friend of a friend who asked to stay for a weekend, left three months later, and didn’t even say thank you.

Yes, there are stories that make one cringe. And then there are those roommate relationships that evolve into something deeper and more transformational than anyone first…

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Making a Difference: Act Up and Kabaret for Kaleidoscope

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…

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A holiday tradition: The Nutcracker

December 18th, 2019

Photo by Dan Leeaphon

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…

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​‘Live music sounds so much better.’

November 13th, 2019

Photograph by Samantha Svendsen

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…

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​Razor Sharp Theatre

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…

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The power of yes: Carrie Wintersteen

October 2nd, 2019

Carrie Winterstein - photograph by Thuen Studios

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…

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No Big Disgrace

September 11th, 2019

No big disgrace - photograph provided by Queen Theatrical Productions Ltd

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…

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Trollwood production examines life in someone else’s shoes

July 10th, 2019

Photograph by Joy Photography

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…

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​‘Weather the Storm’ blows into Bonanzaville

June 19th, 2019

Weather the Storm - photograph provided by Tracy Frank

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 –…

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