By: Play off the Page on October 8, 2012 - 8:29am - Add new comment
I've seen "The Diary of Anne Frank" performed several times, and this production at the local college/Brainerd community theatre was different. It is a newer adaptation of Anne's diary. I had a stronger sense of their religion and customs in this version. Anne speaks more openly about her body and sexuality, though not overtly, rather as most girls do as they're growing up and curious about their bodies and who they will fall in love with. I felt more of a tenderness between Anne and her mom towards the end of this production than I've ever felt.
By: Play off the Page on October 9, 2012 - 10:20am - Add new comment
"Appomattox" by Christopher Hampton is a play in two acts, currently playing at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. The first half of the play is set during the American Civil War with all the main players of the time, President Abraham Lincoln, Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, and their wives, generals, soldiers and slaves. The battle is raging to end slavery, save the union, and end oppression.
By: Play off the Page on October 13, 2012 - 12:35pm - Add new comment
The Crow Wing State Park located nine miles south of Brainerd on highway 371 offers gorgeous trails with historical markers. The Chef and I walked along the trails where the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers intersect. I wondered why I hadn't been there before either on my own or with a school group with one of my kids. Some schools do use this park as one of their field trips. My kids' classes did not go here. I think they missed out.
By: Play off the Page on October 15, 2012 - 7:31am - Add new comment
On my writer's blog this morning, I have a guest post by an author publishing under the name Sophia Stone. In her memoir, "Mormon Diaries," Stone examines her life, her relationships, and her faith. She writes with honesty and bravery as she dares to face and question what she once thought of as truth.
To read the interview with Sophia Stone, go to my writer's blog, Play off the Page, www.maryaalgaard.blogspot.com. If you're reading this at a later date, find the tab under my picture header for Book Reviews.
The first comment of this morning:
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.
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 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 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 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 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
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