Theatre

​Uncovering Marilyn Monroe through modern music

July 1st, 2015

A local theater troupe will pay tribute to Marilyn Monroe, one of the most iconic hollywood stars to ever live, though modern music starting July 7 at The Stage at Island Park.

The production, “Heartthrob,” is being presented by Experience Blur, the same troupe that put on the edgy, imaginative summer productions of “Grease” and “The Great Gatsby.” We interviewed creative director Ryan Domres to get an idea of his vision for this upcoming production.

HPR: Is “Heartthrob”…

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​Time and talent Straw Hat Players plot another summer of eclectic offerings

May 27th, 2015

Kate Aarness and Kit Asfeldt in

Time and talent Straw Hat Players plot another summer of eclectic offerings

Craig Ellingson knows this summer will be a great one.

The Minnesota State University Moorhead theater director has his hands full with the Straw Hat Players this May and June, and despite several changes that are in the air, he asserts the summer theater students won’t miss a beat.

“It’s going to be a challenging summer for some of our shows,” Ellingson said. “We have a bunch of new people, which is…

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​Hello, comrade! Actress Aimee Klein presents sketch comedy, night of characters at Theatre B

May 27th, 2015

Hello, comrade! Actress Aimee Klein presents sketch comedy, night of characters at Theatre B

Last week Wednesday, under a beaming, mid-morning sun, Aimee Klein wore a heavy fur hat and leopard print dress while walking downtown. “Hello, comrade!” she greeted passersby, laughing that she must suffer for her art under the bright sun. Soviet Union flag in hand, the only thing missing was Klein’s accordion, and the picture of Natasha Vodkavitch would have been complete.

Klein brings her…

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Meet Mr. Lahey… Meet John Dunsworth

May 27th, 2015

Villain characters from ‘Trailer Park Boys’ to perform The Aquarium

“Julian is a jerk. He's a money-hungry, narcissistic rum-swilling jerk. Ricky is dumb as a post. Bubbles is an idiot savant, a lovable character I suppose. Lucy has no morality whatsoever. Corey and Trevor are idiots!”

That quote comes from John Dunsworth, the man who plays Jim Lahey, the primary villain—or the guy who “stirs the shitpot,” to borrow one of his terms—on the TV series Trailer Park Boys.

“Lahey…

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Dave Chappelle to perform at the Fargo Civic Center on June 23

May 19th, 2015

Star comedian Dave Chappelle will perform at the Fargo Civic Auditorium on June 23. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, May 20 and will be available for purchase at ticketmaster.com, Venue Box Office or charge by phone 800-745-3000.

Chappelle is known for his roles in films like "Half Baked," "Robin Hood: Men In Tights," "You've Got Mail" and "Blue Streak," among others. Though it was his sketch comedy show, "Chapelle's Show," that brought him international fame and adoration. Since the…

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Silver Follies, golden oldies

May 13th, 2015

Photo by Jack Dura

‘Yee Haw For Hee Haw’ unfolds days of old

Age is just a number, and the Silver Follies know this better than any area performers.

This weekend the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre’s Silver Follies troupe, organized by performers ages 50 and over, performs its 11th annual show “Yee Haw For Hee Haw.” The blast from the past to Roy Clark’s beloved country variety show includes golden oldie favorites, a bit of dancing and a plain, old good time.

“They’re so cheerful and bring…

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​Magic in the air: ​NDSU Opera unfolds ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

May 6th, 2015

Photo by Kim Hill

Summer is not even here yet, but NDSU Opera is already taking us there.

The university opera company has “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” lined up for the stage, combining Shakespeare, opera and an enormous ensemble for one of NDSU Performing Arts’ last productions of 2014-2015. Cutting the story back a bit for this operatic telling, one aspect of this art form sticks out most of all to the director.

“The music is very difficult,” director Tara Faircloth said, “very vocally and…

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​Welcome to Fargo, Night Vale

April 23rd, 2015

Photo by Whitney Browne

One of the most popular podcasts in the world, “Welcome to Night Vale,” will be performed live on stage at The Fargo Theatre on April 30.

The live show will feature the latest and most exclusive news, police, weather and cultural reports from the tiny, fictional desert town of Night Vale. It’s a place where all conspiracy theories exist and mysterious hooded figures, among other arcane obscurities, rouse the curious nature of the listener.

HPR interviewed co-creator and co-writer…

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​Greek theater packing a punch

April 22nd, 2015

Courtesy of NDSU Performing Arts

Theatre NDSU brings new flair to comedy ‘Lysistrata’

Dancing, dirty jokes, pop culture references and a party.

This is the recipe for Theatre NDSU’s season closer “Lysistrata,” taking off Thursday through May 2, and giving a modern update to satirist Aristophanes’ 2,500-year-old Greek comedy. With a recent translation contemporizing the text, director Chelsea Pace found her own inspiration from the playwright to further adapt this show for NDSU’s stage.

“It’s still very…

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​The ‘Spike’ of life Theatre B closes with laughs and a look at family tension

April 8th, 2015

Spring brings another play into full bloom at downtown Fargo’s Theatre B next week – Christopher Durang’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” a modern farce speckled with family tension.

Loaded with laughs and offering a look into sibling rivalries and caring for aging parents, “Vanya” offers plenty for audiences looking for entertainment, escape or introspection.

“If it’s not reason enough to come out and spend the night laughing until your gut hurts, (it is) to see…

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