THEATER AND PERFORMANCE
High Art Meets Low Art
Who would have thought that The Simpsons and Shakespeare would ever come together? You really have to see it to believe it. MacHomer, written and performed by Rick Miller, is a one-man show featuring over 50 voices from TV’s favorite dysfunctional family, the Simpsons, in a comedic multi-media performance of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy, Macbeth. Yes, it sounds ridiculously odd, but the show has toured the world to rave reviews and awards in Scotland, England, Australia, and New Zealand — and has finally arrived to the Twin Cities. You have to give it an “A” for ingenuity if nothing else. And it’s guaranteed to make Simpsons fans laugh. Of course, if you don’t know the Simpsons (And who doesn’t know the Simpsons?) you might be utterly lost and confused.
7:30 p.m., The O’Shaughessy, College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, 651-690-6700; $25.
A Gothic Fairytale Goes from Screen to Stage
It’s hard to imagine Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands without Johnny Depp (forget Winona Ryder), but… well… now you don’t have to imagine it. You can see for yourself. Tonight, Matthew Bourne and his New Adventures are presenting a new adaptation of the Burton movie, Edward Scissorhands, at the Ordway. This musical adaptation tells the story of a boy created by an eccentric inventor — after his son dies playing with scissors. With only scissors for hands, Edward must find his place in a candy-colored suburban community. Don’t miss it. Edward Scissorhands broke all Box Office records when it premiered at Sadler’s Wells in November 2005.
8 p.m., Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, Box office: 651-224-4222, Main: 651-282-3000; $20-$50.
Watch a video of Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands.
MUSIC
Swamp Rock Funk
Apparently, there’s more to Florida than a retirement town and a Spring break destination. Hailing from the swamplands, JJ Grey & Mofro serve up some gritty country ghetto music tonight at the Varsity Theatre. Not so appealing? How about Southern funk and soul music? Bringing a fresh take to an old American sound, JJ Grey draws from rock, blues, gospel, and soul to deliver a great show. The lyrics are raw and folksy, telling tales of the Southern life over guitars, organ, drums, and occasionally horns, harmonica, and tambourine. Grey’s vocal range is impressive, as he shifts from a high-range lulling sound to a lower grittiness that seems to fill the space with that wretched Florida heat. Don’t dismiss it ’til you hear it. You won’t be disappointed. Playing with them is Dubconscious, a progressive reggae band from Athens, Georgia.
9 p.m. (8 p.m. doors), Varsity Theatre & Cafe des Artistes, 1308 4th Street SE, Minneapolis, 612-604-0222; $15.
Listen to JJ Grey & Mofro.
Watch and listen to JJ Grey.
Listen to Dubconscious.
Transcendental Virtuosity
Looking for something slightly more conservative — with unleashed passion? Tonight, American pianist Jeffrey Siegel brings his Keyboard Conversations series to St. Paul with Liszt: The Devil Made Me Do It! The program, designed to make classical music more accessible to newcomers and enhance the concert experience for connoisseurs, begins and ends with discussion. Before the performance, Siegel will speak to the audience about the composer and the historical context of the music. Following the performance will be a question-and-answer session. Come learn about one of history’s most sublime musicians, Franz Liszt, inventor of the symphonic poem; and learn from one of the current world piano masters. Jeffrey Siegel has been soloist with the world’s great orchestras, as well as conductor from Minnesota to Pittsburgh to France to South America. In addition to solo piano works of Rachmaninoff (one of the most difficult composers to play), Hindemith, and Dutilleux, Jeffrey Siegel has recorded Gershwin’s complete works for piano and orchestra with Leonard Slatkin and the Saint Louis Symphony.
7:30 p.m., Sundin Hall, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, 651-523-2459; $17 ($12 seniors and students).
Art-Inspired Compositions
Tonight, award-winning students from the School of Music will be performing compositions inspired by art from the Weisman Art Museum’s permanent collection. Join the Art Sounds concert and reception in the museum galleries, where you can listen to the music as you absorb the art that inspired it.
7 – 8:30 p.m., Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, 333 East River Road, Minneapolis, 612-625-9494; free.
LECTURES
Which Way South Africa?
Join South African political analyst and commentator Xolela Mangcu as he discusses the future of South African politics when South African President Thabo Mbeki’s term comes to an end. Often described as the heir to Steve Biko, leader and martyr of the Black Consciousness Movement in 1970s South Africa, Dr. Mangcu calls for a revitalization of the democracy movement as a whole. Founder and past executive director of the Steve Biko Foundation and former director of the Division of Social Cohesion, Identity, and Leadership at the Human Sciences Research Council (the main research body in South Africa), Mangcu is now director of the Centre for Public Engagement at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, syndicated weekly columnist for Business Day, and assistant editor of the Sunday Independent. He is a regular political commentator and has been featured on both local and international broadcasting networks.
8-9:30 p.m., Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Cowles Auditorium, 301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-626-5054; free.
BOOKS
Hang with the Minnesota Book Award Nominees
Don’t settle for being a passive reader. Join April’s Raking Through Books tonight to celebrate the Minnesota Book Award nominees. Come to our Kieran’s happy hour, hang out and chat with the authors, and get your books signed. Rake readers receive 20 percent off the Raking Through Books selections at the University of Minnesota Bookstore at Coffman Union.
5:30-7 p.m., Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Av. S., Minneapolis, 612-339-4499; free.
Leave a Reply