Theater arts has been at the center of the creative atmosphere within Minnesota for decades. The varied array of local venues have both fostered talent through the years and brought world-renowned individuals to present their artistic approaches to our Minnesota stages. The theater scene has also been integral in social dynamics within our communities…from social issues, race, to gender.
The likes of The Guthrie, Mixed Blood, Penumbra, Park Square, Stages Theater, History Theatre, Theater in the Round, Duluth Playhouse, and so many more have drawn audiences in and left an indelible mark.
Collected here are a selection of interviews, performances, critiques, and profiles of those behind and in front of the curtains.
January 10, 1992 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder interviews Loren Niemi and Jim Stowell about storyteller series being held on the Jungle Theater stage.
January 11, 1992 - Kim Hines, a local playwright, discusses her play, Who Was I The Last Time I Saw You? A Play in Four Lives. Topics in play include social issues in the Black and gay communities. Hines highlights two characters (80 year-old Mavis & 10 year-old Christy) and performs excerpts from play.
January 17, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend interviews American actor Ron Vawter about his stage work for Roy Cohn/Jack Smith. Vawter explores the themes of sexual identity in play with a series of two monologues that contrast the characters of two gay men who died of AIDS.
January 31, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend interiews playwright Syl Jones about “Shine!”
February 5, 1992 - MPR’s Kitty Eisele reports on Mama Drama, a motherhood play being staged at the Cricket Theatre. Segment includes interviews with playwright and an actress in production.
February 26, 1992 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder interviews local playwright Syl Jones and actor Don Cheadle about the play, Cincinnati Man, an autobiographical story about a black college professor who comes home suddenly.
March 19, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend interviews John Olive about his play, Evelyn and the Polka King. The play features live polka music.
March 20, 1992 - An interview with Lance Belville about his play, Olle from Laughtersville, which illustrates the Swedish American comedian/musician in Minnesota Hjalmar Peterson. His stage name was Olle i Skratthult (Olle from Laughtersville).
March 26, 1992 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder talks with Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers about Love Letters. The play is a two-character drama featuring actors sitting and reading letters that chronicle the lifelong relationship between Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III.
March 27, 1992 - MPR’s Beth Friend sits at the table with Kevin Kling as he talks about his childhood in the state. Kling is visiting home in Minnesota for the Jungle Theater production of his play, Home and Away.