Minnesota Fringe Festival

Witness one man's romantic journey

The ups, and downs, the joys, the sorrows of this thing we call love. Is love the essence of our being? Is having been in love enough to carry us through life and beyond?

The songs and poetry of internationally renowned Rod McKuen are woven together and come to life to tell the story of one man's conflict between his heart and mind for love.

You will remember McKuen's popular tunes including: Seasons in the Sun, If You Go Away, and Listen to the Warm. Not familiar with McKuen? Come and hear the warmth, the depth, and the expressions of his thoughts. Experience the beauty of the phrases and richness of the chords and melodies as they play to your emotions.

Entire script are the words and songs of Rod McKuen.

The cast

Carol Bergeron
Role: Michelle / Co-Director
Carol has been performing anywhere people would let her since she was able to utter sound! She's been in musicals and choirs from Minnesota to Texas and back again. Most recently she's been performing with the Woodbury Community Theatre.

Although Carol has worked behind the scenes on many productions and films, this is her first time directing!! And her first Fringe Show!

Steve Hirsch
Role: Richard / Producer / Co-Director / Playwright
Steve jumped on stage three years ago because he thought that is what every guy does when he goes through his mid life crises. He was surprised to find out that it isn't. Nevertheless, he stayed with it and has been active in local Community Theaters. Some of his most recent roles have been; Hucklebee in The Fantasticks, Arvide in Guys and Dolls and Michael Snow in I Do! I Do!.

This is Steve's first attempt at playwright, directing, and producing and he is finding it to be an overwhelming but enjoyable adventure. He has enjoyed Rod McKuen's poems and songs for most of his life and is pleased to introduce many of you to his work through the Fringe Festival. Steve serves on the board of directors for the Mayer Community/Arts Summer Theatre group and currently has a son serving as a Marine in Iraq.

Jeff Erickson
Role: Narrator / Accompanist
Jeff is an accomplished pianist and music teacher currently residing in Minneapolis. Since graduating from Crown College in 2005 with a degree in Vocal Music Education, he has taught a wide range of public school musical ensembles from secondary choirs and show choir to elementary classroom music. His musical interests include composition, arranging, accompanying, weddings and private piano lessons. He hopes to someday teach college music theory and compose more regularly. Jeff enjoys spending time with Jesus, camping, bicycling, swimming and taking road trips to visit his girlfriend in Indiana.

Abbie Foster
Role: Stage Manager
Abbie is a secret agent working on the side for the fringe theatre as a "stage manager". Don't let her smiles fool you. Beware. She has lots of experience working behind the scenes if you know what I mean.

Steve Hirsch

Seasons in the Sun

Sat., Aug. 1 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 7:00 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 4 @ 5:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 4:00 p.m.

Venue Augsburg Mainstage
For ages 2+
Created by Steve Hirsch
genres Musical theater, Drama
subjects Relationships
features Regional premiere (Minneapolis-St. Paul), First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer

Overall rating

User reviews

Singing the Blues
by Chuck Beeson Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I saw this show yesterday and I was struck by two things...one, Steve Hirsch's singing was out of tune and two, the mood of the piece didn't fluctuate much. I understand the sadness going on here, but the songs and the tone of the piece would have been easier to watch if there were more spikes of inner hostility (from the loss of a relationship) so we could feel the down times more clearly. This is a nice concept, but it feels a bit like wallowing in sadness. Needs more color and variance.

Touching Portrayal
by peg janisch Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A well written and executed show. The concept really worked and I was very entertained. Steve was believable in his role and I especially liked how the poetry and song lyrics worked together to sculpt a story so universal and authentic to the human spirit.

Bergeron Rocks
by Mary Luczak Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The poetry of McKuen is beautiful. The voice of Carol Bergeron is what made the show a success. I'll be watching for her name in other shows. Hirsch didn\'t seem believable. Too bad, cause the material was great.

Mary E

I wasn't the target audience.
by Laurel Hansen Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This show may be a little more accessible to an older crowd. Especially those who are more familiar with the music or who have lost a spouse.

Seasons in the Sun
by Myra Hirsch Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Bravo! How touching and full of emotionally warm feelings.. I loved being on the edge of my seat wanting to hear more of the wonderful music beautifully sang by ALL actors! What wonderful charisma between Steve and Carol as very convincing Lovers. Jeff was excellent as Mistro and narrator. Steve, such a wonderful job! acting, directing, writing...can't wait to see whats next!

Love is a dish best served cold
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I've never been a fan of Rod McKuen's poetry, but I've always liked his song lyrics, especially the translations of Jacque Brel. The show never mentions any names, but follows the journey of one lonely man who sings about and with his lost loves. Unfortunately, he doesn't quite have the chops necessary to carry the songs. Fortunately, she does. While much of the performance was affecting, they massacre "If You Go Away" and and don't quite understand that "Seasons In The Sun" is a solo paean. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.

Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.

Done well!
by Lisa Kotila Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show was done well! The original writing was incredible, in that it was all put together from McKuen's poetry and songs. I was also impressed by the feeling and emotions expressed in the acting! The 3 cast members worked well together to tell a wonderful story of love and loss and finally finding love again after death. I would highly recommend this "well-done" show!

Seasons in the Sun
by Ruth Ohmann Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I enjoyed this show very much, from the poinancy of the story to the wonderful portrayal of the characters by Steve and Carol. I liked the way Jeff, the keyboardest, was also included in the performance by offering narration in various spots. I enjoyed the songs of Rod MdKuen and was surprised how many of them I knew. Both Steve and Carol did a wonderful job and I think anyone would enjoy seeing this production.

Somber
by Liz Floyd Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
If you are going through a divorce as I am, this may not be good show for you. It is a very good production but I found the sadness in it to bring me down.

Beautiful Show!
by Deborah Wilson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
As a teenager, I grew up listening to the words and music of Rod McKuen and was very interested in seeing how Steve could bring it all together in a storyline. I have to say this show met and even exceeded my expectations. Steve, along with Carol and Jeff, created a beautiful homage to Rod McKuen's music. I was very impressed with the chemistry between Steve and Carol, especially in the duets "If You Go Away" and "Seasons in the Sun" (which just happen to be two of my favorite McKuen songs). Their voices blended beautifully and they made you feel you were truly watching a love story ala the film "Somewhere in Time." I enjoyed Steve's playful interpretation of "I Have Been a Rover" and "Empty Is" made me cry. Carol's beautiful voice lent itself perfectly to "An Island of the Mind," a song I was not familiar with but may now become one of my favorites. Jeff's superb accompaniments and matter-of-fact delivery of the narrations brought the whole story together and made this a truly memorable dramatic event.

A really good show
by Susan Dietel Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
For this show, Steve used selections of Rod McKuens songs and poetry and found a common thread to tell a story of one mans journey of love.
The tallent of the solo keyboardist is very charming.
The on-stage chemistry between the singing and acting duo of Carol and Steve is deep and moving.
This is a really good show. Thank you Steve, and everyone involved.

Seasons In The Sun
by Jeff Peterson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This revue for Seasons In The Sun comes with a bias, since I had the pleasure of designing the card. Having conversations with Steve about what he was looking to accomplish, I was able to get a sense of his passion and love for the music of Rod McKuen. Then taking that through the songs and

performance to share his thoughts of love, how to love and be loved.

So knowing that, I had no other knowledge of how he was going to carry that out.

His playwright had great continuity from the music to and through his script. You feel deeply his struggle to find and receive the love of one person that he dearly missed. And how he made his way through life without it.

The meshing of vocals from Steve and Carol worked, even though their singing paths are quite different. They connected on stage visually while acting and in song.

And lastly, the accompanist Jeff was great, not only musically, but his voice as the narrator was a wonderful addition to the story.

Sweet and affecting
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Disclaimer: I saw this show in rehearsal and made some comments at that time. That being said, I was, and am impressed by the entire creation of this charming show. Steve Hirsch has managed to create a lovely and affecting storyline on which to hang the poetry and music of Rod McKuen. McKuen has a reputation for being highly sentimental, and it is a revelation to see some of his more piquant verses and lyrics presented here. Hirsch and his partner Carol Bergeron craft an unusual love story with sweet, unaffected vocalism, while Jeff Erickson lends his keyboard, singing and narrative talent to the story. This is a show for lovers. It will make you think about the fleeting nature of love and time.

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