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Guthrie brings show to St. Cloud
The Guthrie Theater takes the show on the road this spring in a Midwest tour that includes a stop at St. Cloud's Paramount Theater next week.
After being dormant for several years, the Guthrie Theater's touring program was brought back to life in 2000 when "A Midsummer Night's Dream" swept 16 cities. In 2001, "Molly Sweeney" was seen in more than 30 communities including St. Cloud.
"Ah Wilderness" will be the Guthrie's third play at Paramount.
"We've been doing a whole bunch of things to prepare for the Guthrie coming to town," said Ellen Nelson of the Paramount.
The preparations Nelson referred to include not only getting the stage ready and moving in equipment, but also getting the community members excited about the show by involving them directly.
The Guthrie has offered 174 workshops since 2000 and worked with over 8,100 students and adults.
"Last week we had a workshop day for theater. Several of the Guthrie performers came and did acting workshops with local folks and some students from SCSU," Nelson said.
The Paramount gallery also reflects the interactive spirit of "Ah Wilderness."
"Local artists have responded to the play by creating designs that were judged and selected for an 'Ah Wilderness' art exhibit," Nelson said.
Nelson predicts "Ah Wilderness," which is expected to play for an audience of up to 50,000 total throughout Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, will have a great turnout at Paramount.
"We'll probably be close to selling out," Nelson said.
"Ah Wilderness" is noted for its classic "coming of age" tale that director Douglas C. Wager says "dances blithely between comic delights and wistful regrets."
The story, written by Eugene O' Neill, centers on the Miller family's teenage son Richard, and takes place in a small Connecticut town over the Fourth of July weekend.
According to Nelson, the local performers are especially looking forward to this show.
"They love to see other professional actors. They enjoy it very much," Nelson said.
"Ah Wilderness" will be playing at Paramount April 2-3 at 8 p.m. There will be a special senior citizen matinee April 3 at 2 p.m. for $15. All tickets for regular performances are $22 for adults and $17 for students and seniors.
Kristen J. Kubisiak can be reached at: [email protected]
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