Ballad of the Pale Fisherman at The Illusion Theatre

I had no idea what to expect as I went to see Ballad of the Pale Fisherman at The Illusion Theatre this February. My friend offered me extra ticket and I was more than happy to tag along, although the title sounded odd. I was extremely pleased by what I saw that night.

The show, written & directed by Isabel Nelson, is a fishing town folk tale. The show was very simply put together with a chair and accordion being the only props, used only by the narrator. This simplicity of the setting led to complexly choreographed movements and well executed sound effects created by the cast. The entire show was very much like a dance, each movement carefully performed to portray activities like the washing of laundry or the waves of the sea in the background.

Diogo Lopes and Anna Reichert in Ballad of the Pale Fisherman. Photo by Aaron Fenster, courtesy Illusion Theater.

The story, acting, and movement were all brilliant. Each actor played a variety of parts, changing characters easily and clearly. Although the show was short, it was very satisfying and different from shows I typically see. If you ever have the chance to see this show, I highly recommend it.

My November Notables

Here are some upcoming plays and movie events in November that I think may be worth checking out! (I didn't list any concerts because there are just so many and they are quite varied.)

Chanhassen Dinner Theatre:
Hairspray- Now- Jan 28
Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings- 4th- Dec 31

Children's Theatre:
A Wrinkle in Time- Now- Dec 4
The Wizard of Oz- 8th- Jan 8

The Guthrie:
Much Ado About Nothing- Now-5th
The Burial at Thebes- Now-6th
The Edge of Our Bodies- Now-20th
A Christmas Carol- 19th- Dec 30
Charley's Aunt- 26th- Jan 15

Heights Theatre:
The Wizard of Oz- 6th (1:15pm)
Found vs. Found- 14th (7:00pm)
Broadway Melody of 1940- 21st (7:30pm)
Bringing Up Baby- 24th (7:30pm)

History Theatre:
Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall- Now-6th
A Civil War Christmas- 19th- Dec 18th

Illusion Theatre:
Bat Boy: The Musical- Now-13th

The Jungle Theater:
I Am My Own Wife- 4th- Dec 18

Lyric Arts Main Street Stage:
Irving Berlin's White Christmas- 18th- Dec 18th

Park Square Theatre:
Oliver Twist- Now-6th
Of Mice and Men- 17th-20th

The Southern:
Triple Espresso- 16th- Jan 8

Theatre in the Round:
The Reluctant Debutante- Now-6th
The Dining Room- 18th- Dec 18th

Uptown Theatre:
Zombie- 4th & 5th (11:55pm)
Attack the Block- 11th & 12th (11:55pm)
The Room- 25th (11:55pm)
Rocky Horror Picture Show- 26th (11:55pm)

Minneapolis Musical Theatre Gets Batty, Again

I have a speical place in my heart for Minneapolis Musical Theatre. For one, MMT's director, Steven Meerdink, has been the theatre director at my high school for two decades, so I have worked with him personally and even been able to work on sets for MMT at Hennepin Stages and The Illusion. Two, MMT has great contests on their Facebook page to win free tickets to all their shows, which my sister and I have both been lucky enough to win a couple times. And three, they put on enjoyable, yet uncommon, shows.
MMT's current show is Bat Boy: The Musical. As the title would suggest, it is a musical about a boy found in a cave who has bat-like tendencies and features (based off a story in a Weekly World News tabloid). He is taken in by a family, much to the chagrin of the hick townspeople. The story is about family and being different.
The performance by Tyler Michaels, whose plays Edgar (the Bat Boy), is fantastic. He incorporates animistic mannerisms in a way that makes it seem natural. (This is his first show ith MMT... Maybe Meerdink actually found him in a cave?) Although the show is campy (as it is suppose to be), Michaels really makes you feel for Edgar and you want him to overcome his bat-ish nature, find happiness, and be accepted.

Photo Credit: Laurie Etchen

The show did kind of lose me towards the end as it got odder and odder. Let me say, this is not a show you want to go to with your grandma. The song "Children, Children" is a bit strange and random with costumes during that part that were even stranger. Shortly after that number, the big twist is revealed, which is a bit predictable (which isn't a problem) and rather bizarre (which could be a problem, but is performed through actor's shadows on a screen and puppets.. so kind of creative and cool).
I did think the show was well done and I very much enjoy the music. The song "Three Bedroom House" has been stuck in my head ever since. The show is both very funny and darkly dramatic. If you are interested in a supernatural show for this Halloween season, I suggest checking out Bat Boy! Tickets and info here. Runs through November 13th.