October 3–November 1, 2009
Buddy Holly (a.k.a. Charles Hardin Holley) was not only extremely talented, but relentless in his pursuit of his music. In a time when rock 'n’ roll was demonized by many, including his own family, Buddy stood his ground and hung on to his principles. In doing so, he rose to the top of the charts! Tap your toes along with this musical retelling of the life and times of Buddy Holly, from his meteoric rise to stardom to the unforgettable Clear Lake, Iowa concert. Musical hits include: Peggy Sue, Chantilly Lace, La Bamba, That’ll Be the Day, and more.
November 21–December 20, 2009
The Andrews Sisters – LaVerne, Maxene, and Patricia – were born and raised in Minneapolis, with their sights set on making a career in music. Little did they know when they left Minnesota, that they would become the all-time leader in the recording world with more records than The Beatles and Elvis! Revisit the American experience during World War II through the finger-snapping, Big Band music of the Andrew Sisters, including Don’t Sit Under Apple Tree, Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy, Rum and Coca Cola and many more.
January 7–10, 2010
Raw Stages is an opportunity for our patrons to experience a first view of four original plays-in-progress from some of the most talented local and national writers working today. With scripts so fresh you’ll be able to smell the ink as a cadre of talented actors and directors bring these stories from the page to the stage for the first time.
Brave Heart, Noble Soul
Written by Donald Orwald | Directed by Sarah Goia
Thursday, January 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Nellie
Written by Kim Hines | Directed by Richard D.Thompson
Friday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m.
A Tale of Two Cities
Written by Kevin Kling | Directed by Suzy Messerole
Saturday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Coco’s Diary
Adapted by Bob Beverage and Ron Peluso | Directed by Suzy Messerole | Music Direction by Andrew Cook
Sunday, January 10 at 2:00 p.m.
January 23–February 14, 2010
Sister Elizabeth Kenny, the Australian-born nurse, is remembered as a life-saver by thousands of Minnesota families who faced the crippling disease of polio during the epidemic of the 1950s. From the day she set foot in America in 1940 she was determined to shake up the medical establishment and "make them" hear her calls for change. Had it not been for Sister Kenny's one-woman revolution, her groundbreaking therapies could not have helped thousands of polio survivors or paved the way for modern techniques of rehabilitation and physical therapy.
February 27–March 21, 2010
For many years Sabina Zimering, a successful eye doctor in Minneapolis, held a secret close to heart. Then she took a class at the Loft Literary Center and her amazing story of escape and survival became a truly compelling book. Sabina, a Polish Jew, had come of age as Hitler and the Nazis rose to power. When Poland was invaded Sabina and her sister survived the horrors of the Holocaust by disguising themselves as Catholics from Poland while living in Germany! Along the way they had to rely on one another and their quick wits to keep them safe and sane as the world around them crumbled.
April 24–May 23, 2010
A funny, poignant, and revealing look at the lives of burlesque performers both on and off stage. With a wink and a nod to both naughty and nice, you will be transported back to the Twin Cities’ burlesque theatre scene of the 1950s as it begins to fade in the wake of televisions and changing social mores. As the era comes to an end, these performers find themselves caught between economics of the time and the talents that they’d spent their lives honing. Stand up comics and girls with boas draped over just the right places make for a provocative night of music, dance, and laughter.
