Freud meets Nietzsche meets Alice in Wonderland (bondage a-go-go style)... as an angelic being descends to earth to bear witness to the sufferings and cruelty of everyday life.
Amanda Sterling Role: Director Amanda has been involved with all nuances of live theatre for pert near 20 years. Her directing style is so intense, so groundbreaking that it has consumed her soul. As a result, she has little time to write a self-congratulatory, backslapping bio of her life's work. Therefore, she has hired a FOX comedy writer to undertake the task for her.
"Ehem... Amanda is a decent friend, competent listener, avid peanut butter enthusiast, and monkey aficionado. Given her theatrical background, devotion to the arts, and respect for both Shakespeare and Craig Ferguson, our conclusion is thus... Amanda prefers ninjas over pirates."
Giggity.
Stephanie Kulbeik Role: Agnes
Twenty-one years after stunning critics in her debut as Townsperson #2 in her high school's production of "Our Town", Stephanie is thrilled to be a part of "A Dream Play"... and even happier to have lines this time. A veteran of over 60 productions, including previous Fringe performances in "No Exit", "Why We Have A Body", and "4:48 Psychosis", she has come to learn three incontrovertible facts: 1) learning lines sucks, 2) wanting to throw up before every performance is normal, and 3) this wouldn't be nearly as fun without her friends along for the ride.
Carl Scott Role: Writer, Lina1, Singer, and Blindman
Carl Scott has a BA in Theatre Arts, Cinema Studies and Media Culture, and Art. He has partaken in the Minnesota Fringe Fest for the past 4 years and worked for CLIMB Theatre from 2005-2007. His most recent endeavors include "Passing Through: Movement in 2 Directions" and "An Exploration of Life Via Death". He can be seen in the upcoming production of "Dr. Faustus" as Mephistopheles.
Carl Scott would like to thank all his friends and family for their continual love and support, and thank Amanda for not killing or blocking his character with his back to the audience this time.
Jon Stentz Role: Officer
Once upon a time (1998) Jon Stentz finished his theatrical studies at Hamline University. He felt so empowered and enriched by this education that he decided to give of his talents freely to all who would have them. Little did he relize that so many actors shared his level of generosity. Nonetheless he found theaters in need of his services. He has driven people to tears in "Love Letters" as well as little children back to their therapists in "Dracula".
He thanks his wife for her continued patience with his "generosity."
Jamison Russell Role: Lawyer, Father, Husband, and Chair
Jamison Russell declares that he is a filmmaker and writer and resides in Los Angeles with his wife, two children and dog. That's right. He defeated decisively the crippling fear and depression that had held him back for so long, and found himself capable of producing a steady flow of high-quality creative work, from which he is now making his living. He does not answer phones at an insurance company and does not live in the same crummy apartment in Shoreview with second-hand smoke coming in the window.
He does honestly thank his friend Amanda for her continued friendship and awesome creative fortitude.
Roger Jacquemart Role: Stagedoor Keeper, Mother, Kristin, Lina2, Wife, and Dancer
Roger Jacquemart is the secret lust child of Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono raised by Namibian gypsies. Roger is an artist and observer of human behavior, most recognized for the performance of the bumbling buffoon in the long running sit-com known as "Life". La Jacquemart is survived by faithful companion, goldfish Claudia and pure unyielding shame.
Tim VanNess Role: Billsticker, Quarantine Master and The Inquiry
Rachel Brask Role: Ugly Edith
Tenth Muse
A Dream Play
Fri., Jul. 31 @ 8:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 1 @ 1:00 p.m. Sun., Aug. 2 @ 7:00 p.m. Fri., Aug. 7 @ 4:00 p.m. Sat., Aug. 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
Great Costumes by Justin AlexanderFollow this reviewer Rating 2 kitties The central problem with this abridged production of Strindberg's A Dream Play were the lack of stakes: It felt as if everyone was arguing over nothing more consequential than what type of tea they should order at tea time.
This apparent lack of care or urgency, combined with Strindberg's surreal imagery, left the production feeling curiously lifeless and rather baffling (despite my own familiarity with the script).
The costumes, however, were marvelous.
Perfect venue for this play by Chuck BeesonFollow this reviewer Rating 4 kitties The Southern was a great venue to host this unusual Strinberg play with the depth and lighting and texture of the walls. The costumes were an interesting blend of urban and period clothing with strange masks and wigs and a plastic wagon. Following this play is difficult at first until you find out it's about a woman who decides whether she wants to live a life of quiet predictability and frugalness with her husband or abandon her family and live for her happiness by the sea...great acting and a neat look to the show
Excited to see this play produced by Dave & Mary SandbergFollow this reviewer Rating 4 kitties This edited version of Strindberg's Dreamplay is well worth seeing. It doesn't really explain that Agnes is the daughter of the Hindu god Indra...coming down to earth to experience why humankind is so dissatisfied. It was very modern for it's time (1902), still very applicable today and not without humor. The company deserves a bigger audience than they had the night we were there. Our only criticism/wish is that they might bring the action forward - closer to the audience. (It was a little distant.) Agnes was lovely...thanks for producing this play!
Appreciating the Quirky by Leila JaneFollow this reviewer Rating 5 kitties I don't completely "get" the play. Normally, this would bug me about as much as a Cohen Brothers' movie that has no point. But despite that, I genuinely liked it. A "straight" performance of it would have been just as suffocating as a broiling quarantine room that had been thoroughly pasted over by Kristin. The "quirkiness" brings some fresh air that allows the audience to breathe. More importantly, it brings a much-needed dose of humor that Strindberg seems to have forgotten is also part of the human experience.
For a script that seems to want to take the audience on a steady decline, Amanda Sterling's direction changes the course to a more interesting up-and-down route that made me want to continue the ride even though I knew it was not going to end well. Sure, life can suck, but we do find a few laughs along the way.
Seek Better Dreams by Kathleen JohnsonFollow this reviewer Rating 1 kitty A dark view of the dreadfullness of existence presented by actors working very hard to overcome the dreadfullness of the script's conceit...
Hmmmm by Donovan WalkerFollow this reviewer Rating 3 kitties 3 stars is \'worth a look\' 4 stars is \'excellent\' and 5 stars is \'I want to have your baby\'-
I didn\'t quite understand this piece, but there were good bits. The fisherman is fun!
