New Theater Blog

In an effort to further explore my passion of theater, I think I have found another broadway theater blog. This one seems to be a little bit more off-beat which might provide me more -rare- theater scripts. I love to read plays and sometimes I stumble on great scripts for speech.

This blog is Act Three: The Reviews and it is posted by Doug Marino! I will add it immediatly to my RSS feed.

Chapter 1: The Read/Write Web

What I learned in this Chapter:

The first chapter of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Otehr Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms was a great reminder about all of the opportunities that are out there for educators, but it also left me feeling overwhelmed. There are so many opportunities, that it is hard to know which route to go and how to be the most successful.

My greatest take-away from the chapter is the idea that we have to be learners of the read/write web before we can teach it. I have only begun to skim the surface of all the ways in which the read/write web could effect my life...and make my life easier! I read a lot of content on the internet about theater and Broadway. I enjoy it! I have made some attempts (on this blog and on our blog from New York) to begin to be a creator of content, but it is time consuming and I forget to to it.

Application for the Classroom:

It is important to use the read/write web for your own use before you challenge students to use it in a different way. Students are really good at doing what they know (teachers are too for that matter). It is important to push them and TEACH them how to do new things...outside their comfort zone.

I'm Back!

It has been a long time since I have posted on this blog and it is time to get reconnected! My wife and I are facilitating a Book Study for St. Mary's and I am going to use this blog to comment on what I am reading.

The book we are studying is called Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms and it should allow me to really reconnect with technology in my classroom. When things got busy last year with switching to a new school and doing new curriculum, my love for technology in the classroom took a backseat to just surviving.

WOW - Northern Lights/Southern Cross

The Guthrie presents

An Interact Theater production of

Northern Lights/Southern Cross:Tales from the Other Side of the World

an international collaboration with Australia’s Tutti Ensemble

Now through November 8th, 2009

I had the pleasure of taking in a preview production of this fine piece of theater with my beautiful wife on the one year anniversary of the day that I proposed to her at the Guthrie. I cannot believe how lucky we are to have stumbled upon such a gem.

Rarely am I moved to tears during live theater. It is weird, because I can cry pretty easily during a sappy chick flick, and I love live theater a ton more than that, but it is a rarity for me to get emotional enough to let a tear fall. I can think of a few productions that have done it...

Spring Awakening on Broadway

In the Heights on Broadways

Parade the Musical during its original North American tour

Rent in its latest tour with the original Roger and Mark

Okay....there may be a few more, but for all of the shows I have seen, my point is that it doesn't happen often. However, in Norther Lights/Southern Cross the tears were a-flowin'!

N.L./S.C. is incredibly difficult to describe. It is like nothing I have ever experienced in my life. The play is centered around the story of Kevin Kling, a Twin Cities' storyteller who was in a significant motorcycle accident. His story is at the heart of this piece. Kling plays a character with a very similar story in this production and he does it with amazing tenderness and humor. He is truly a remarkable gift to the Twin Cities.

Playing his wife in the production is Australian, Catherine Campbell. Catherine is a fine example of the collaboration between Minnesota's Interact Center and Australia's Tutti Ensemble. If it weren't for this collaborations, us Minnesotans would have never been exposed to Campbell's grace and amazing storytelling abilities. She brings us through the heartbreak of almost losing a husband with strength and humility.

Did I mention the show had huge influences in Aboriginal and Native American storytelling. Somehow the blend of these two ostracized groups works SO well with Kling's story of recovery. It is hard to explain how it happens, but somehow we are introduced to a multitude of cultural influences in the 75 minute play and not one of them feels out of place. We get didgeridoo, fancy dance, tribal drums, and a gospel choir!!!!

But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the evening comes from the Interact Center's chorus of actors playing clowns. The Interact Center is a group charged with providing distinct arts opportunities for people with disabilities. The clowns, allow the hyper-fantastic theatrical experience of N.L./S.C. to be rooted in something beautifully human. The moments they are on stage help lift the piece from the stage and into our hearts as audience members.

The bad news...I hear it is selling out quickly! I encourage you to get tickets if you can while they are still available!

Pictures Courtesy of GuthrieTheater.org

Mary Poppins - Oh so good!!

It has been a while since I have posted on here...mostly because life got busy with the wedding and we haven't really been out to any musical, plays, or even movies! Grrrr Summer! But alas, our season tickets for the Orpheum/State theaters have started!!

Our first show of the season was Mary Poppins! I have yet to not enjoy a Disney Broadway experience (and I think I have seen them all except Tarzan...which went away VERY quickly!) Mary Poppins did not let us down! I have been somewhat unimpressed by many of the touring shows that have come our way recently come our way because of their paired down orchestrations and mediocre casts. Mary Poppins was the opposite of that. With many of the cast members who originated their roles on Broadway, this was one tour that spared no expense, with many of the original special effects from Broadway came along with the show!

The dancing in the show was absolutely fabulous! Some of the coolest MASS tapping that I have ever seen. Not to mention tapping on the ceiling...wow!

Go see this...it is a delight from beginning to end!

Frozen Yogurt Fun!!!! - Freeziac

I haven't talked food yet on here, but those who know me well know that I LOVE FOOD!!! Sarah and I had a new find tonight and best of all...it is not too expensive and pretty healthy! I know...WHAT!?!

There is a new frozen yogurt joint in Eden Prairie (on the corner of 5 and Eden Prairie Rd...by Kowalski's)! It is called Freeziac and I encourage you to check out their website as it explains the concept much better than I could. Basically, it is REAL cultured frozen yogurt (fat free) and tons of topping choices! We had been big fans of the LeeAnn Chin frozen yogurt, but it is kind of expensive and not a ton of options! Freeziac is the opposite! I had a Pomegranate Yogurt with a great granola and white chocolate chips. What is so cool is that it is all self serve...so you can load up your toppings if that is how you want it (another criticism of normal frozen yogurt joints...you never get enough toppings)!

Why do I sound like a commercial for Freeziac!?!? Frankly...I have visions of it closing, mostly because Sarah and I lose our favorite new finds all of the time because not enough people go to them (ie...Mix and Nick and Willy's Pizza). People of EP and Chanhassen...let us all do our part to keep Freeziac open!!!!!

MMMM MMMMM Happiness

Julie and Julia!

Sarah and I took in a surprisingly packed 1:00 pm showing of Julie and Julia. I don't know if it was the rain, the high unemployment rate, or just the buzz around this movie, but it was hard to find a seat for this wonderful movie!

As someone who enjoys being in the kitchen, this movie was an inspiration to make an intricate meal. I have always found Julia Child's incredibly fascinating and this movie is a great summation of that. Meryl Streep nails this performance. She looks like she is having so much fun in this role...it is contagious to the viewer! If you haven't seen this yet, make time for it this weekend!