FEATURE: On the Sweet, Seductive Decadence in Minnesota Opera’s Thaïs Arts Dance Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - May 11, 2018June 24, 2018 A scene from Jules Massenet and Anatole France's classic opera Thaïs, opening tomorrow at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN. Photo by Cory Weaver. Thaïs opens tomorrow at Minnesota Opera. The opera features some of the most beautiful music ever written, notably the famous Meditation (see below)
PREVIEW: Five Fifths of the Matrix Runs Down the Rabbit Hole (Minnesota Fringe) Arts Dance Music Theatre by Basil Considine - April 29, 2018April 29, 2018 A promotional image for Five Fifths of The Matrix. On Monday, May 7, the Minnesota Fringe Festival rings in its approaching silver anniversary with the latest installment of its annual Five Fifths fundraiser. Each year, the festival selects a new movie to parody and riff on; this year, executive director Dawn Bentley
BREAKING NEWS: Iowa Soprano 1 of 5 Winners at Met Opera Grand Finals Concert Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - April 29, 2018April 29, 2018 Soprano Jessica Faselt (right) during the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions at Bethel University in March. Photo courtesy of the Met National Council Upper Midwest Region. The votes are in for the final round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. The five winners, chosen based on their performances in the
NEWS: Finalists Announced for Metropolitan Opera’s Annual Talent Search Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - April 23, 2018April 23, 2018 The finalists for the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. L-R: Carlos Santelli, Ashley Dixon, Jessica Faselt, Gretchen Krupp, Danielle Beckvermit, Emily Misch, Madison Leonard, Megan Grey, and Hongni Wu. New York is heating up, and it's not just the temperature outside. Over the weekend, the Metropolitan Opera wrapped up the
NEWS: Four Humors to Host New MN Theater Awards Arts Music Opera Theatre Visual Arts by Basil Considine - April 17, 2018April 17, 2018 A medieval medical manuscript describing the four humors of the body. One of the big questions on the mind when the Ivey Awards announced their closure in February was, "Will anyone step up and take their place?" The answer, it turns out, is yes – and, at least to start, it's Four
FEATURE: The Ordway’s Jesus Christ: The Walking Dead and Other Shows that Could Have Been (April Fools) Arts Dance Music Theatre by Basil Considine - April 1, 2018April 1, 2018 The Walking Dead close in on Dieter Bierbrauer as he mourns the death of Jesus (Jesse Nager) to Walker bite in Jesus Christ: The Walking Dead. Photo by Rich Ryan. Planning on a musical theatre zombie apocalypse? Don't hire a focus group. That's one of several lessons gleaned from a review
PREVIEW: Sex, War, and Syphilis (and More) Come to Minneapolis Arts Theatre by Basil Considine - March 27, 2018March 28, 2018 Sex, War, and Syphilis are coming to Minneapolis. Technically, that should read is coming to, but really – do you want to debate grammar, or do you want to say, "WTF, mate – syphilis?" WTF, indeed: it turns out that St. Paul is to blame for giving Minneapolis Syphilis. This is clearly playwright Katherine
NEWS: Met Opera Auditions – Minnesota District Results Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - March 24, 2018March 25, 2018 The five winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions' Minnesota District round (L-R): Lauren Decker, Andrea Lott, Katherine Rose DeYoung, Jessica Faselt, and Kayleigh Decker. Photo courtesy of the MONC Upper Midwest Region. The Minnesota District phase of the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions concluded today. Five singers will advance
PREVIEW: The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - March 23, 2018March 23, 2018 Soprano Jessica Faselt singing at Bethel University in the 2017 round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council – Upper Midwest Region Auditions. Faselt won the Regional audition and competed in New York City in the Semi-Final Round of the auditions. Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera National Council – Upper Midwest
REVIEW: Reliable Horses in Old Log’s Guys and Dolls Arts Dance Music Theatre by Basil Considine - March 18, 2018June 24, 2018 The famous "Fugue for Tinhorns" in the Old Log Theatre's production of Guys and Dolls. Pictured: Jordan Oxborough, Aaron Booth, and Austin Stole. Photo courtesy of the Old Log Theatre. You won't find any surprises in the Old Log Theatre's new production of Guys and Dolls, but that's not why you