Theater Latté Da’s luscious production of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” is cream-colored, waltzy and sexy. It’s like a painting that moves and sings. And Sally Wingert’s performance of “Send in the Clowns” is rich and rare, loaded with so much insight you’ll dig for a tissue.
The script is quick and witty, the cast sublime – Wingert is paired once more with Mark Benninghofen, the Twin Cities’ ideal stage couple – and Peter Rothstein shows, not for the first time or the last, that with the right people and arrangements, five musicians can make an orchestra. Joel Sass’ set design and Rich Hamson’s costumes are pure eye candy.
The show will still close on March 3, but three performances have been added between now and then: Feb. 12, 19 and 24. FMI and tickets ($31-57). UPDATE: “A Little Night Music” has now been extended to March 10. Seven more performances have been added.
Two “Cosis” are coming
We’ll have the chance to see two very different versions of Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” this year. Skylark Opera Theatre will mount its site-specific version at the Historic Mounds Theatre in St. Paul. And Mill City Summer Opera will present its take at the Ruin Courtyard in July.
The title loosely translates as “They’re all like that,” with “they” meaning “women.” The opera is a cynical take on relationships – can women be faithful? Want to bet? – but the music is glorious.
For its eighth season, Mill City Summer Opera will stage “Cosi” for five nights in July. The opera will be sung in the original Italian with projected English supertitles. MCSO’s new artistic director, Crystal Manich, will direct, and the cast will include Karin Wolverton (Minnesota Opera’s “Silent Night”) as Fiordiligi. Manich said in a statement, “For our production, we are looking at the direct impact of war on young people who, out of desire for escape, are sucked into romantic farces that lead to mistaken identity and uncontrollable confusion.” Opening night tickets are available now. Tickets to all other nights go on sale in May. FMI.
New this year, MCSO will also present Pergolesi’s “La Serva Padrona” at Icehouse during the “Cosi” run. The 60-minute Italian comedy will star Madison Holtze and Rodolfo Nieto, who’s busy at the moment in “A Little Night Music” at the Ritz. It will be performed three times with live orchestra. FMI and tickets (available starting May 14).
The picks
Sometimes everything happens at the U of M.
Tonight (Wednesday) at Northrop: Reception for “Takeover: Morrill Hall, 1969.” Fifty years ago in January, approximately 70 black students at the University of Minnesota took over Morrill Hall, the administration building housing the office of the president. The event lasted 24 hours and resulted in the founding of an African American Studies department. Archival documents, photographs, and recordings, some publicly exhibited for the first time, show the power of student protest. The exhibition team will be present for the reception. In Northrop’s fourth-floor gallery. 5-7 p.m. Free. Closes Dec. 2019.
Thursday at the Capri: “Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami.” Musical sequences and personal footage tell the story of the androgynous glam-pop diva’s life. The acclaimed film was directed by Sophie Fiennes, sister to Ralph and Joseph. The screening will be followed by a conversation led by Ashley Selmer, founder and creative director of SHAPESHIFT Theatrical. Presented by the Capri and the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society. 7 p.m. FMI, trailer and tickets ($5).
Get tickets now
Marlon James’ new book, “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” came out yesterday and he’s one of the hottest people on the planet. On Thursday, Feb. 13, MPR’s Kerri Miller will interview James at the Fitz on “The Thread Live.” Doors at 6, event at 7. FMI and tickets ($25-50). Here’s James last night on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
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