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Minnesota Fringe Festival

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Rated a 2009 Pioneer Press Newspaper "Must See" show!

Presenting the lighter, Minnesota Fringe Festival telling of our full-length traditional-style musical drama.







Returning to Kilkieran Valley - the home of his youth - Father Padraig Bones learns that vengeance is a thin soup and truth starves when food is a political weapon. He faces rebellious Irish farmers and double-crossing Land Agents, conniving English troops and a fickle food supply, while struggling to account for his father's criminal act that shattered his family forever.

Can Father Padraig find the answers before time runs out for Kilkieran Valley?

Join us for the premiere production of "The Red Tureen", proudly presented as part of the 2009 Minnesota Fringe Festival!


SONG LIST:
1. "The Burning House" (Instrumental)
2. "Turning It Over"
3. "The Hanging Gale"
4. "Pull The Praities"
5. "Man From Gal-o-Way"
6. "(A Candle) Book & Bell"
7. "Who'll Buy Your Cow?"
8. "The Great Agi-Tater"
9. "May The Road Rise To Meet You"
10. "Light From A Thousand Stars" (Instrumental)
11. "Someday"
12. "Something Must Be Done"
13. "Humble Pie"
14. "Midas Touch" (Instrumental)
15. "Laissez-Faire"
16. "Wind Through Heather"
17. "Casting Shadows"
18. "Nightshade"
19. "Clocks Are Ticking" (Instrumental)
20. "Starkey's Deal"
21. "Ireland Calls Me"
22. "Ireland Is Calling Us"
23. "A Place In My Heart"

RELATED LINKS ABOUT "THE RED TUREEN":

theredtureen.blogspot.com

http://swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2009/07/fringe-2009-ffa-1-red-tureen.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BTPVmIs0CM

Website designed by Bowen Design


© 2009 by Kevin Bowen & James Lundy. All rights reserved.

The cast

Vienna Folliard
Role: Director
Vienna most recently directed J.M Synge's Playboy of the Western World at the Frank Rog Ampitheatre. She has been directing high school theater for 7 years and is excited to get her first crack at directing for the Minnesota Fringe Festival. She is thankful to Jim and Kevin for giving her an opportunity to work with them and direct their show.

Andrew D. Umphrey
Role: Father Padraig Bones
Andrew is a recent graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato with his M.F.A. in Acting. A native to Minnesota, this performance marks his debut to the Minnesota Fringe Festival and the Twin Cities theatre community. A few of his favorite roles are Chris in Miss Saigon, Munkustrap in Cats, Trevor Graydon in Thouroughly Modern Millie, Laertes in Hamlet, Frederick in Pirates of Penzance, and Harold Hill in The Music Man (but can't wait to play the role when he is more age appropriate). Andrew would like to thank Kevin and Jim for this great opportunity! He also thanks his family, friends and mentors, and most importantly his wife, Leslee, for their guidance and support.

Jaclyn June Johnson
Role: Maeb McCullen
Jaclyn is proud to be joining the Minneapolis Fringe Festival and the company of The Red Tureen for this summer's premiere production. Last summer Jaclyn appeared in Riverside Theatre's Shakespeare Festival productions of A Comedy of Errors and A Winter's Tale in Iowa City and is happy to be performing in the Twin Cities again after a spell of out-of-state projects. Jaclyn's favorite past productions include Death of a Salesman, Arsenic and Old Lace, Pygmalion and Urinetown. She holds a BA from Cornell College. Jaclyn would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her family for their continuing support.

CJ Lewis
Role: William Bones
CJ is a performer, director, musician, and recent transplant to the Twin Cities area from the east coast. He most recently spent 2008 as a company member at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, NH. (Little Shop of Horrors, Around the World in 80 Days, 12th Night, Wait Until Dark, Pajama Game, Rocky Horror LIVE!). While there, he was also a guest artist at the University of NH on two occasions- directing the Amy Beach chamber opera Cabildo, and composing an original score for a new adaptation of Ubu Roi. CJ is also a proud former member of the Peterborough Players Second Company. In addition, he has toured as a performer with the National Theatre for Arts and Education, and will be heading to England, Ireland, and Scotland this winter to debut two new music/performance pieces with the Lighthouse Theatre Co.

Therese Walth
Role: Cinnie McMonigal
Therese completed her Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a Musical Theatre Emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She was an active member in the Universities Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Concert Choir. As a classical performer she was invited to sing in the Universities Music Department’s Honor’s Recital for five years. She was a Wisconsin NATS finalist in 2002. Therese was also heavily involved in UW-L’s Department of Theatre Arts where she was seen as Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, Mary Magdalen in Jesus Christ Superstar, Martha in The Secret Garden, and Eva Peron in the 2006 production of Evita. Currently, Ms. Walth is performing in Twin Cities areas as both an actor and singer.

Emily Thorkildson
Role: Sinead McKenzie
Emily is a recent graduate from the University of MN with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and appeared in productions of The Crucible (Susanna Walcott) and The Phantom Tollbooth (Earl of Essence). She made her professional debut last winter in a national tour of A Christmas Carol (Fred‚s Wife, Mrs. Cratchitt u/s) with Troupe America. Other favorite productions include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, Julius Caesar and The Nutty Nutcracker (special guest dancer with the Minnesota Ballet). Many thanks to family and friends!

Mark Taintor
Role: "Old Robert" McCullen
Mark is thrilled to be making his Fringe debut with such a talented cast and director. Mark is a graduate of St. Olaf College where he sang with the St. Olaf Choir. In addition, he sang for a number of years with the Dale Warland Singers. He’s appeared in shows with the Minnesota Opera, Bloomington Civic Theatre, and the Chaska Valley Family Theater. Favorite past roles include Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, and Daddy Warbucks in Annie. A special thanks goes to his wife, Julie, for supporting his love for theater (or is it theatre?). Mark is the proud father of three great kids - Ryan, David, and Katie.

David Beukema
Role: Major Trevor Hawkins
David is pleased to make his Fringe debut in The Red Tureen. A native Minneapolitan, David recently moved back to the area after 8 years out east, where he performed in Ohio, New Hampshire, and New York City. Since returning to the Twin Cities, David has worked with Cromulent Shakespeare, Theatre In the Round, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Many thanks to Kevin, Jim, and Vienna for trusting him with originating a role in a musical!

Melissa Dahle
Role: Fiona Duffy/costumes
Melissa is thrilled to be debuting within the Twin Cities theatre scene and at the Minnesota Fringe Festival with The Red Tureen. As a recent grad, Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Drama and Speech and a music minor from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. Some favorite productions include: Playboy of the Western World (Pageen) which she received an Irene Ryan Acting Award, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania), The Curse of an Aching Heart (Melody), What I did Last Summer (Bonnie), School House Rock Live! (Cast), Frog and Toad (Cast). Professional theatre (as an Equity Member Candidate) with the Barn Theatre credits include: Hair, The Graduate, Rocky Horror Show, Fiddler on the Roof, The Fully Monty, and Lil' Abner.

Mark Knutson
Role: Land Agent Roland Starkey
Mark is a theatre major from St. Johns University. Mr. Knutson’s SJU credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom), Death and the Maiden (Dr. Miranda), and All in the Timing (Trotsky). He has worked with CLIMB theatre here in the twin cities. After hiking much of Ireland in 2008, Mr. Knutson is looking forward to returning to this beautiful place as an 1840’s land agent.

Christian DeMarais
Role: Publican Lonan McMonigal
Christian is a rising Junior working toward his B.A. in both Business Management and Theatre at Gustavus Adolphus College. Recent credits include Ordway Center: Singin’ in the Rain (Policeman, Assistant Director, Ensemble), Yankee Doodle! (Reporter #1, Ensemble); St. Croix Festival Theatre: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Linus); Gustavus Adolphus College: The Impresario from Smyrna (Carluccio), The Other Shore (Man), Topsy Turvy Mouse (Kenny Haney), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Miles Gloriousus), columbinus (LONER/Dylan Klebold). After college, Christian hopes to pursue a career in film acting, law or business. Lastly, Christian would like to thank Kevin and Jim for this amazing opportunity, his friends, and his family for their unrivaled love and support, especially Mom.

Joshua Hinck
Role: Lieutenant Dobbs, Aidan Duffy
Joshua is a Sophomore Vocal Performance/Theatre (double) major with a dance minor at Concordia University St. Paul. This summer he is choreographer for the MayerCast production of State Fair and the Music Director for YAI's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Recently he has appeared onstage with Heritage Theatre Company in their production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder), Concordia shows include Amadeus, Chekhov's The Bear, and Dames at Sea. He also appeared onstage with the Old Log Theatre as a stand in for Keith in the production of Alone Together. Shout out to his supportive friends and family.

Alex Carlson
Role: Lieutenant Wiggins, Seth McPhee
Alex has a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Economics with Honors from the University of Minnesota, Morris. His past productions include playing The Cat in the Hat in Seussical, Frankie in A Lie of the Mind, Truffaldino in A Servant of Two Masters and Barnette Lloyd in Crimes of the Heart. He has been nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship four times. Alex recently moved back to St. Paul and is making a living by selling plasma. He appears on the local improv scene and one day dreams of being on the Amazing Race.

David Gottfried
Role: Lieutenant Browne-Brown, Sean Duffy
David is slightly intimidated and very excited to be performing with such a talented cast. This is his first show for the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Having just completed his sophomore year at Roseville Area High School, David has had the privilege to perform as Mr. Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, Jack in Into the Woods, Mayors in both Seussical and The Visit, and his latest role as Christy Mahon in Playboy of the Western World. He wishes to thank Kevin and Jim for this great opportunity!

John Wiehe
Role: Seamus "Moose" Callahan
John is 16 and this is his first Fringe Festival show. He is very excited to be part of such a great show with such great people. John attends Roseville Area High School where he has been in shows such as Chicago (Ensemble), The Pirates of Penzance (Ensemble), Noises Off (Selsdon), Suessical (Ensemble) and The Playboy of the Western World (Old Mahon). Thanks to David for driving me to rehearsal, thanks to my parents for giving me so much support and thanks to Jim and Kevin for the opportunity. Enjoy the show!

Madison Karpan
Role: Rosheen Duffy
Madison Karpan is looking forward to participating in the Fringe Festival with such a fabulous cast. Her previous productions include, "The Elephant Man" at Concordia College in Moorhead MN, "Cinderella" in Alexandria MN, and "The Shape of Things" with the Out of the Black Box Theater Company. She recently moved to Northeast Minneapolis from Fargo, ND. Hope you enjoy The Red Tureen!

Kevin Bowen
Role: Producer, Music & Lyrics
Kevin's bio is longer than his acting career. He was a triple threat, playing Organ Morgan, Nogood Boyo and Mr. Pritchard (in the parlor with a pick-axe?) in a Cricket Theater charity performance of Under Milk Wood; and years later played John, the brother of James (or was it James, the brother of John?) in back-to-back River Hills' Church productions of The Last Supper (where a comedic Judas tried to steal the show). Kevin's eclectic love of music, theater and all things Irish runs deep, and was cultivated over a lifetime. He is thrilled with this cast and crew and amazed we might actually pull this off! During the past four years, Kevin has written a number of shows, and all of them were The Red Tureen. If he ever writes another show, this one will be his first.

James Lundy
Role: Producer, Script
Jim appeared in Street Scene, Orpheus Descending, Corral Show 1977, Moonchildren, Ceasefire, Northern Lights, Under Milk Wood, and several cable-access and industrial films. He reprised the role of "Hydrogeologist" in numerous productions by Minnesota state government, including It's Fun to Work at the M-P-C-A, and Just for the Health of It. Except for an aborted early effort (Annie, Get Your Hydrolab; And Bring a Bailer Too), The Red Tureen is his first play to be produced, and this is as scary as hell.

Hannah Soule
Role: Stage Manager

Sally Robertston
Role: Props, sets
Sally Robertson is a student at Beloit College where she works in the scene shop. She is excited to be a part of the Fringe Festival.

Rose Lundy
Role: Costumes
Rose is a tenth-grader at Roseville Area High School. "The Red Tureen" is her first Minnesota Fringe Festival production.

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Doolin & Dingle

The Red Tureen

Sat., Aug. 1 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 1:00 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 4 @ 8:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 4:00 p.m.
[A] Sun., Aug. 9 @ 7:00 p.m.

KEY:
[S]=ASL interpreted
[A]=Audio described

Warning! Adult language, Loud noises/gunshots

Venue U of M Rarig Center Thrust
For ages 10+
Created by Kevin Bowen & James Lundy
Web site http://theredtureen.blogspot.com/
genres Musical theater, Drama
subjects Historical
features World premiere, Regional (MSP) premiere, Original script/choreography, Original music, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer

Overall rating

User reviews

I want more.
by Rick Jones Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The Red Tureen has potential in spades. The down to earth script presents a story of real people with real struggles that anyone can relate to. The songs are vibrant and tied firmly to the central emotional challenges of the characters. Ultimately, the cut-down format required for the festival left me wanting more-a more developed plot, a more detailed set, and more spectacle. When the opportunity for a full-length production comes around the story will really blossom and take on the ability to draw the audience in completely.

On the talent and direction side of things I am bit less convinced. There are a few powerful leading performances backed by impressive voices that bring out the shining potential of this play. However, despite some wonderful, and grounded performances (both vocal and physical) there are several cast members whose inexperience is obvious and deters from the overall cohesiveness of the production. A final detractor was the seemingly inconsistent use of pantomime. These moments tore me out of the story and made far to obvious that I was watching a play.

Overall,with a primed (albeit miniaturized) script and some brilliant performances The Red Tureen shows mountains of promise that left me wanting more...much more.

Great music and wonderful characters
by Robert Nevitt Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The musical score was first rate and the acting was excellent. Great job.

Great Voices, Good Music & Staging
by Micah Bruce Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
...but even with a large cast, the piped-in music sometimes overpowered the singers. All-in-all, it was well done, but because I couldn't hear some of it, I missed some plot points. When it was over, I was left with the feeling that I had just witnessed something pretty good...but I needed a TIVO to go back and make sure.

Gorgeous
by Rebecca Paine Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show pleased my palatte beyond any. The music was engaging, the costuming beautiful, the voices extraordinary. Some of the dialogue was lost due to body positioning within the thrust design, but overall... this show was very well thought out and brilliantly delivered. Bravo!

THE RED TUREEN
by Elise Karpan Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Very well done, both dramatically and musically. Convincing characters, beautiful voices. For me, an hour well-spent!

Entertainment with depth
by sally jablonski Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Red Tureen never let me down--I liked the songs; the actors had excellent voices. I could hear every word. It played well in that intimate theater but I would also like to see it expanded and on a larger stage. The songs were so naturally woven into the action--costumes, minimal staging; it all fit and was artistically very pleasing.

quite entertaining
by jack mulkern Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
lovely play. went without any preconceptions or even a basic outline of what to expect.. found myself quite happy to find it was a musical about irish persecution. the songs were well balanced in reflecting the grim nature of the period, while also portraying a noble happiness in simple, honest living. the play has enough parallel stories and content to keep the pace up to the standards of any member of the family. i can honestly say that it was hands-down the best fringefest play i've seen this year.

Polished
by David Trudeau Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Its hard to avoid stereotypes and old chestnuts when doing a famine play because it is material that is so overworked. But aside from those unavoided thematic pitfalls, the delivery, the acting and singing and especially the music is wonderful. I wonder if it could be produced in an expanded version; in an hour the play is too compressed for adequate plot and character development, though it does a good job.

Worth seeing
by Waylon Werner Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This show is worth seeing! There are some pacing and timing issues but the good out weigh the bad! I migh do some recasting or add a few strong voices but I was pleased over all. One of the better fringe musicals

Awesome! A Must See!
by Katie Knutson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Red Tureen was a great show. It was extremely entertaining and I loved every minute of it! I would definitely recommend taking the time to see this play! The music was wonderful and the actors fit the play perfectly. As others stated, I hope to see it picked up and get to watch the full play!

The Red Tureen Review
by debra mcgovern Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Congrats on a good production!!! I attended the opening and enjoyed the performance. The cast was well selected--ie., they were a good fit their roles and had good vocals. I agree with Debra O'Connor's review in the Pioneer Press & would recommend the show to others.

The Red Tureen
by Deb Fineman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Fabulous! I really hope a Twin City theater picks this up and it will become the 2.5 hour play that it deserves to be. The music is awesome, the cast is awesome. Great to have a play with first time writers make big in the Fringe!

Spectacular performance!
by Mark Caudill Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This musical is full of excellent songs with a great cast. Kevin Bowen did a phenomenal job writing the music and lyrics for this show. The story was very interesting and had me on the edge of my seat. This is truly a masterpiece, a story that takes place during the potato famine in Ireland.

I gave this a 5-kitty rating and it definitely deserves it, if not more. I was blown away by how well this performance was. The acting was excellent, music and singing were extraordinary, and the story was well-written.

I recommend everyone to see this show. You will not be disappointed.

Excellent
by Ellie Ewaldt Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Great show! The story is portrayed well, the cast is fantastic, and the singing is superb! I loved it!

The Red Tureen
by Laura Simonson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The play was awesome. I'd see it again. Alex you are the bomb. I could see you in a movie someday. Everyone got the Irish accent on the dot.

Excellent performers
by feesh ette Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I have to admit, it's hard to be a fan of historical musical theatre. However, I was completely impressed that EVERY actor in this show had a strong singing voice. Usually, fringe shows have one or two really good singers or a few really quiet/off-key singers. Everyone in this ensemble sounded fabulous. However, singing with false accents made it hard for the actors to keep on the tempo of the music. It was cute, but not scintillating. I was impressed by the talent of the performers, but not with the performance.

Excellent cast, mediocre everything else
by Ed Burke Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This play has a great cast - excellent actors and singers. I'd like to give it four stars because of them. But just about everything else had problems. Key plot development happens off-stage. (That is, it's obvious something important happened between two scenes, but we never saw it). The songs aren't particularly interesting. Andrew Murphy (Father Padraig) has an excellent voice, but not loud enough. The blocking is awkward.

If this same cast came together with a better play and better direction, they could do something special.

Full, rich, enjoyable show!
by Don Myers Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a great show with so much potential. The performers did very well, with fine acting and some wonderful vocals, lovely and smooth at the right times and raging and fanatical when appropriate. Writers Bowen and Lundy are clearly highly talented, and it would be great if the full version of The Red Tureen could be produced. They have created an engaging story that recognizes that clichés both need to be avoided but also have some universality that needs to be embraced (and they did so admirably, without being heavy handed). The songs are compelling and appealingly melodic, and the lyrics are alternatively poetic or hilarious and witty. Highly recommended—it’s a full, rich, enjoyable show!

Great start!
by Leslee Lapham Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I think that the Red Turn has great potential. I believe that there are some things that could be tweaked and tuned, but love the product so far. I thought that Father Padraig (Andrew Umphrey)performed wonderfully. On one occasion, I had a difficult time hearing him over the music. I enjoyed Agent Starkey's (Mark Knutson) performance. Overall, I liked what I saw, but would really like to see more. It felt a little rushed to me, but I expected that since I knew that the show had been cut. I give this show 5 kitties because of the pleasant story line, the message, and the effort.

Ambitious, But Ultimately Unsatisfying
by Sid Solomon Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I applaud the ambition of Doolin and Dingle for bringing such a massive undertaking to the Fringe. However, a huge cast, 23 songs, and a sweeping story of love and loss in Ireland prove too much to fit into an hour. The breakneck pace at which transitions happen keep the actors from ever settling into the story. Add to that a cast not uniformly able to keep apace with the canned music, and uneven performances by a largely inexperienced troupe, and ambition isn't enough to save the day.

Amazing cast & poignant story
by Alicia Duncan Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I enjoyed The Red Tureen very much. The cast was great - they seemed to really get into their characters and enjoy performing with each other. I did occasionally lose the storyline, and I think a narrator of some sort might help keep the story together and the audience on board--particularly in the one-hour version of the show. Maeb and William were particularly strong and well-acted characters in my opinion, and the award for best Irish accent and spot-on vocals goes to local performer Emily Thorkildson as Sinead.

This was a gem--perhaps an Emerald!
by J.D. Myers Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Just a lot of fun! Audience was clearly engaged and enjoyed the show (especially when that wayward potato hit my husband...). Music and lyrics were very entertaining. The acting and especially the singing were overall of outstanding quality. I'd love to see the full musical as this was an edited version. I would absolutely recommend this to a friend. It was a gem!

Outstanding Performance
by Jim Bertelsen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Music, the Singing and the script all brought this performance to life and provided a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all in attendence. The audience reaction was very favorable, which reinforced my perception that this was a well rehearsed performance that not only entertained but also provided real insight into the lifes of the Irish farmer during the potato famine. I would recommend this to everyone as a "Must See" during the Fringe Festival. This is clearly a labor of love for the entire cast and production team and I hope to see more in the future.

Very Entertaining!
by Mary & Graham Waltz Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Red Tureen has the basis of a great story -- entertaining, witty dialog, compelling music and fast paced. We wonder if a longer version would "flesh out" the characters and lengthen some of the lovely songs. Better imagery could have been used (a pot or "tureen" filled with real potatoes, etc.) to help clarify the "Irish" brogue and idioms. For this shortened version, an occasional narrator (the bartender, perhaps) could have guided the audience through the plot, deepening and engaging the audience in the crisis of the famine for this little village. The singing was outstanding and beautifully executed. However, at times, the background music was too loud and overpowered the singers. Overall, this was a first class effort for these newcomers. Give us more!

Outstanding
by Tom Gottfried Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The singing and acting in this show are superb. It is clear that the cast members enjoy working together - they are a very believable community. The sound problems that plagued the show last week have been solved. I highly recommend this show.

Blown away
by Ruth Alkons Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Incredibly impressed by the vision and scope of this production. To call it a labor of love is an understatement. I liked the music, the acting, and the subject matter. However, it seems like a lot to tackle in 1 hour.

Red Tureen
by Jessica Blum Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Very well done. The music well written the subject sufficiently substantial. The direction was impressive. I hope we see more of Vienna Folliard! It was fun to see a cameo of Kieran Folliard. Wonderful voices.

great story - astounding vocalists
by Chris Karpan Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
What a great little musical. Fun story - you can go home happy - albeit a small disturbing reminder of the misery the 1845 potato famine caused.

Whatever shortcomings the play had were made up by the astounding vocals of these gifted actors. If they had sung all day and all night, I never would have left my chair. You're not going to find pipes like this anywhere else in the Fringe in 2009! Highly recommend it.

Brought me back
by Brian Aiken Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I was visiting MInneapolis and came to the Fringe on a whim having no idea what to expect. The first show I saw was The Red Tureen - after which I immediately bought a multi-show pass. Acting, music, and writing were excellent. My ancestors immigrated to America in the wake of the Irish famine of the 1800's - this show took me home.

disappointing
by Dennis Duncan Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
I really wanted to like this show but was ultimately disappointed. Most of the actors have good voices and many of the songs are fine, but the staging and book need work. I would not, in good conscience, recommend this show to a friend.

Did the job...thanks to the cast.
by Eun Jin Song Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I wasn't sure what to expect when I approached this show... Umphrey's singing voice caught my attention immediately and despite some distracting direction flaws (aka pantomimed door entrances), it kept me engaged. The casting was the highlight of the show and I was extremely pleased with the singing/vocal quality- not necessarily the song/music quality. Had the show been given a full 2 hour slot,I'm not sure I would have a change of heart about the show as a whole, but lucky for Doolin & Dingle, their onstage talent kept me invested and alert.

New review, same rating.
by Tom Simonson Follow this reviewer
Rating 0 kitties
I posted a review after Saturday's performance that has since been taken down. I can somewhat understand it, since it was highly negative and attacked the creators by name. I do still want to make sure my voice and opinion are heard, though, so here is a second review, trying to be more constructive and less vindictive.

This show gets zero kitties for the following reasons:

1) It is badly written. Bland music, cumbersome lyrics, and banal book scenes.

2) It is badly directed. Poor staging, no development, and no commitment to one certain style.

3) I did find it rather offensive. For all the research and the long gestation period the authors purport to have put into this show, it still comes off as a half-baked combination of Andrew Lloyd Webber and "Darby O'Gill and the Little People". The "Irish flavor" imbued in this show is stilted and hackneyed. If this is what came out of the oven after 4 years of work, as one of the author's bios states here, it needs more time to cook.

I'd recommend avoiding this thin, trite, frustrating show.

Success!
by Betty Lundy Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A well-deserved five kitties for Jim and Kevin and the rest. This is a show that grabs you by the throat, makes you laugh, makes you cry (bring a hankie). I love the historic inspiration, the music, the story-telling, the mystery, and the denouement.

This is a show that reaches the level of "Fiddler on the Roof" in its dramatic delivery of the triumphs and tragedies of an oppressed people - in this case people who live under the boot-heel of British overlords.

Anyone who says they didn't like this show had ear plugs and a blindfold on!

The Red Tureen
by Catherine Furry Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This amazing show combines a compelling story line with solid musical scoring supported by intelligent and entertaining lyrics. The talented cast brought the story to life in an extremely well acted, sung, and danced musical.

The only drawback is the music volume that occasionally drowns out the vocals.

The Red Tureen
by Hanna Gilsvik Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A compelling performance by incredibly gifted actors. Particularly the lead (Father Padraig Bones), his brother William, and the hilarious crotchety land agent Starkey. The music was superb, and in some touching scenes I was on the brink of tears. I hope to see it once more this week. I wish I could have seen this talented cast perform the whole play, but of course the fringe requires it to be cut down. Nevertheless the shortened version is nothing short of wonderful!

Excellent show!
by Jenny Craig Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show was very well researched, with excellent music and a strong story line. The acting and signing were very polished. I learned a lot about the historical details and daily realities of the Irish potato famine through the compelling story and songs. Definitely worth seeing!

Outstanding
by David Wexler Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
"The Red Tureen" is a thoroughly entertaining musical that grabs you from the first song and keeps you enthralled until the end. The singing and acting is top notch from a talented cast of actors and singers. This well directed play covers a lot in an hour and leaves you wanting more. It works great in that format, but I can certainly see it expanded into a full length play. The songs are very well crafted, with some clever and witty lyrics. I highly recommend this play.

Wonderful!
by Anne Thorkildson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
My typical criteria for evaluating a show are: 1. Am I still thinking about it after the show; 2. Did it make me wish I could see it again; and 3. Is the music still in my head. For the Red Tureen it hit 3 out of 3. To condense a story of this depth into an hour could not have been an easy task, but was done admirably. It took a bit to grasp the plot, but given more time of a full blown show this has strong potential. The signing was amazing - extremely talented voices and alot of music to put into an hour. The track was a bit overwhelming at times, but the singers held their own. If this was ever developed into a full show I would certainly go back for more! Well done, I highly recommend.

Too short/long
by re gurgitate Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
When I heard this had been cut down from a 2 hr production it all made sense, because the show didn't. Some fine performances were wasted in an edited show that I question whether it should have been done at all.

Delightful, Yet Discombobulating
by Lily Respit Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
At face value, the concept of this show is more than golden. A' la 'Les Mis,' this show attempts to capture the spirit of the proletariat rising above the elite British soldiers during the Irish potato famine. However, this production falls quite short of Hugo's genius. Filled with inaudible and obscure (and mildly offensive) Irish cliches, I had trouble grasping plot lines until well into the production. Between drowned out dialogue, the strong artillery of talented signers managed to carry the lyric score. This show might manage as a full-length production, but as a Fringe show, 'The Red Tureen' felt hurried, difficult to follow, and trite.

Excellent musical
by M.E. Sjolin Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
good researched content and excellent music

Beautiful Voices
by Christopher Kemp Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I enjoyed the performances of all the actors. Very polished singing. The story was interesting and the score was enjoyable. The sound balance (Sat.) made it hard to hear some lyrics and dialog.

Lots of potentual
by J Emily Peabody Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Lots of young performers in this show, lots of enthusiasm, many nice voices, but the show was perhaps a little rough around the edges. Maybe the music needed a stronger celtic quality or the players more sincere tension. I hope this show gets developed further, this could be an interesting chapter in history and social injustice.

Masterful Production
by Dale Newton Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Knowing that the Fringe is often made up of productions that are in early stages of development or are bold experiments, I expected some ragged edges and poorly stitched plot elements. In The Red Tureen, I instead was delighted to find a fully realized production with well-drawn characters, a compelling historical plot, and music and lyrics that were engaging, pleasant, and clever. Add to that the strong cast of fine vocalists, and you've got a masterful production. The 57 minute production was packed with music and drama that never lagged. I heartily recommend this show.

A "MUST SEE" at the Fringe
by Deborah DeMarais Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Red Tureen is a complete professional production of a compelling story. The acting is wonderful and the vocalists super. The ensembles provide power to the message and the warmth of Irish music. Don't miss it.

The Red Tureen
by janet johnson Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
An hour is definitely not long enough to provide insights to a very complex historical period. I wonder what was cut to make the hour requirement for the Fringe Festival. However, the songs were witty and fun and the cast sang superbly.

Spectacular!
by Daphne Karpan Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This brilliant musical drew me in from the very first song! The characters were superbly acted and each role was well defined. The songs were executed perfectly by the entire cast; not just technically, but in keeping with each character's unique perspective. The minimalist set/props and the actors use of stage space was authentic and very effective (no potato peelers or paring knives here!) This musical was witty, touching, creative, and fast paced, with politics, romance and strife thrown in to flavor this tasty dish, served up in The Red Tureen!

Great
by Jill Serres Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The singing and acting was exceptional. The shortened version made me want to see more. The lead actors were wonderful. I enjoyed the story line and songs. Nice mixture of humor in a serious story.

The Red Tureen
by Margo DePaulis Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Absolutely impressed! I think the score was written in excellent taste and was marvelously performed. To have the complete score reduced to the 1 hour format was done brilliantly! I'd love to see this wonderful story play to live audiences for years!

Andrew Gulden
by Andrew Gulden Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This was a great production! The cast was filled with talented actors who not only acted well but sang great. The one complaint is the recorded music overpowered the singers in some songs. I would recommend others to attend this show!

High hopes hurtled headlong
by David Norris Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
This was a case of a mostly strong cast weighed down by substandard material. The music (which often seemed to have little to do with the plot or action itself apart from some cliched Irish music references) was too loud so I lost many of the lyrics and some dialogue, which at times sounded like a mishmash of Gilbert and Sullivan. The MIDI instruments, like the inserted love story and the faux Irish accents, were painful and unnecessary, and occasionally distracted me from the fact that the actors were often miming opening doors or digging potatoes.

There are some stories that lend themselves well to musical settings—this was not one of them. However, the actors put in a strong effort at making this work, and I can't say much negative about the voices and for that reason alone I give this two kitties. I just wish they could have been put to better use.

And why wasn't Father Bones wearing a clerical collar?

Mawkish, cliched, obvious.
by Robert Parke Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
The production was fine (it was actually nice to see such complete production values in a Fringe show), and the subject matter could have made a very interesting story, but as it was the whole thing felt extremely cliched and obvious. I'm sure this wasn't helped by the condensing of a full-length musical into an hour. Most of the characters were utterly flat and uninteresting, and what conflict there was was resolved in a very pat way. The whole thing felt too safe, too warm & fuzzy. Dramatic bombs are dropped and either not dealt with (a implied sexual near-assault) or completely unearned (the appearance of one particular character at the finale).

Sound issues were prevalent in the Saturday show. In early numbers, the singers were difficult to hear over the music track, which, coupled with the Irish accents, made understanding the words especially difficult. This issue faded, but throughout, the company seemed to float away from the meter of the music, consistently either ahead of or behind the track.

There was a Fringe show last year called "Musical the Musical," which mocked many of the tropes of the musical genre. This show uses several of them without irony. When it came to the romantic leads singing the Same Song in Different Places, I suppressed a smile.

There are a few good performances amongst the cast here, actors who made active choices with their characters rather than conforming to the cookie cutters they're given. But unless you really like formulaic musicals, I'd avoid this one.

Superb!
by Erin Goodrich Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I thought this was absolutely fabulous! Whatever this show could possibly lack is made up for in the music. I particularly enjoyed Starkey.

Unimpressed...
by Jenny Hunt Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
I thought this show definitely had potential. A musical set during the Potato Famine could really work, if put in the right hands. But in this show, the quality of the writing just isn't there. The score and the book were both really weak (repetitive songs, mundane dialogue, cardboard characters), which is too bad because there are some pretty great actors in it, too. Extra kitty for them, but really this should be a one kitty affair.

Lovely show
by Jane Gottfried Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The Red Tureen is a touching story of survival and faith in the midst of famine and hopelessness. The music is beautiful, the singing and acting are excellent. I would like to see a full play version of the show - it felt very condensed. There were some times when the soundtrack overpowered the singers. Definitely a play worth seeing!

The traditional musical lives!
by Johanna Lewis Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The show is briskly paced and nicely acted, but the songs are the strongest part of the show ... especially the ensemble numbers by the women in the cast. Some volume/balance issues between vocals and orchestration need to be worked out, and the ending is much too tidy. But it's a marvelous show with touching performances...and it's one you should see. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.

Starving Irish can still sing
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Marvelous ensemble singing transcends a thin story. The reality behind the Irish Potato Famine, and English complicity in starving out the locals, is complex and feels stuffed into the Fringe hour. The actors range from good to very good and the singing ranges from very good to great. Four and a half stars rounded down due to sound problems. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.

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

This was great!
by Cynthia Kahrmann Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
It's hard to imagine what it took for this number of cast members to learn this much music and for it all to fit into one hour--they did, and the play was great! Music supports the plot line, characters show a range of emotion, obvious attention to casting, interesting use of the music to punctuate the characters gestures. The historical basis of the play made me think it could be a good fit for the Minnesota History Theater.

The Red Tureen
by Faye Sleeper Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A wonderful surprise - the music was great and the story captured me. Definitely recommend this!

Mixed Feelings
by Melissa Beukema Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
This one is tough for me to rate. On the one hand, the production is excellent, the casting strong, and the story full of possibilities.

At the same time, it seemed very rushed and tried to accomplish too much in the limited time available. I was disappointed by the predictability once the plot got going.

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