By: Play off the Page on January 20, 2013 - 8:48pm - Add new comment
When you go to see "Pinocchio" at the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis, you might think that they aren't ready for you, yet. The set is paint cloths and scaffolding, with buckets and brushes lying around. The actors are in work clothes and seem distracted until you arrive with your energy and eagerness to watch them tell a story. They look at you. They listen to your cries to tell the story, and they hear you taking in your breath as the magic unfolds. They hear your giggles and encourage you to help Pinocchio on his way.
By: Play off the Page on January 15, 2013 - 8:01am - Add new comment
Paint to Music at Glaze 2 Amaze, Thursday, January 24 from 6:30-8:00 pm. Joy Ciaffoni and Mary Aalgaard, who have started the Primo Art Spa to assist artists in the area, will be performing live music while you paint a plate and find out what kind of music brings out your red, blue, lemon, or your spice. Using a plate as a palate, you will create art that serves up memory, emotion, and delicious inspiration. You can use it as a plate for special occasions, a gift, or a memory piece for someone you love. Glaze 2 Amaze is located at 706 Laurel Street in Brainerd.
By: Play off the Page on January 9, 2013 - 10:54am - Add new comment
The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis is performing a new adaptation of "Pinocchio" Jan. 15 - Feb. 24, 2013.
New Adaptation Brushes Sawdust Off of Pinocchio
Greg Banks returns to CTC to create world premiere adaptation of Pinocchio
By: Play off the Page on November 28, 2012 - 10:09am - Add new comment
Memories are formed around food, the preparations, the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the people who share a meal with us. Thanksgiving is all about the menu. You remember meals shared, where you were, and who was there. We reminisce about holidays of the past, someone's home who is no longer with us, and longing to taste one more time Grandma's lefse as only she could make it.
By: Play off the Page on November 19, 2012 - 9:07am - Add new comment
"A Christmas Carol" has been a tradition at The Guthrie Theater for 38 years. I wonder if anyone out there has attended a performance every year? Are there people who work for the Guthrie who have been part of every production? I know that some of the actors have been in several productions. This year, J.C. Cutler is again playing Ebenezer Scrooge. I think he's fantastic.
Attending holiday performances is becoming part of my family's tradition. To read more of my review and see photos of the production, go to my writer's blog, Play off the Page, www.maryaalgaard.blogspot.com.
By: Play off the Page on November 16, 2012 - 10:51am - Add new comment
Finding your voice in your art builds self-confidence. An artist who has a well defined voice stands out in the crowd. Have you ever started reading an article, or exerpt from a book, and thought, "I know this author." You might have even identified her before looking at the by-line. The same thing happens when you look at art. The masters can be identified by most people. You can tell a VanGough, for instance, from a Rembrant or Monet. Can you pick up a family photograph and determine who took that shot? Do you know the voice, style, of your best friend's paintings?
By: Play off the Page on November 12, 2012 - 7:57am - Add new comment
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is marvelous, filled with tenderness and giggles, wisdom and wit. It's colorful, musical and fun. Go, if you can! It's a Christmas present the whole family can enjoy. I attended this show with children ages 5 through 13, and they all loved. The grown-ups also thought it was a hoot. To read more of my review and see photos from the production, go to my writer's blog, Play off the Page, www.maryaalgaard.blogspot.com.
By: Play off the Page on November 5, 2012 - 6:48pm - Add new comment
Children's Theatre Company presents favorite Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
By: Play off the Page on October 24, 2012 - 7:22am - Add new comment
Award-winning author Candace Simar visited with me about her fourth book in her Abercrombie Trail series, "Blooming Prairie." The journey starts with Evan Jacobson in "Abercrombie Trail", a Norwegian immigrant in the mid-1800's, who lands in Minnesota. He takes the job of stagecoach driver. Candace uses this as an excellent story-telling tool as Evan drives over the newly settled land from Fort Snelling to Fort Abercrombie, meeting and greeting settlers along the way, as well as befriending some of the Indians, while fearing for his life from others, Indians and settlers.
By: Play off the Page on October 17, 2012 - 8:34am - Add new comment
Minnesota Poet Laureate Joyce Sutphen visited the Brainerd lakes area as the guest presenter for The League of Minnesota Poets' conference on Saturday, October 13, 2012. She gave a public reading of her poetry at Central Lakes College in the evening. Three local musicians, Sarah Yeh, Anja Smith, and Sophie Stubbs provided lovely music to set the mood for this event. Special thanks to Krista Rolfzen Soukup, of Blue Cottage Agency, for coordinating this event.
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