May 12, 2003 - The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis has won a Tony Award for excellence in regional theater. And more recognition could be on the way. The company's show "A Year With Frog and Toad" was nominated today for three Tonys, including best musical. In April, "Frog and Toad" became Minnesota's first original production to open on Broadway. Dominic Papatola is the theater critic for the Pioneer Press. Papatola says each year, one theater company outside of New York is given a Tony to honor its overall body of work. He says the C-T-C is the first children's theater company to ever win the award.
May 16, 2003 - In a fast paced society, people must learn to adapt to the world around them.In Lanesboro, the Commonweal Theatre presents "Beautiful Again," the story of one family's comic yet poignant growing pains. When only one member of the family changes, and the others don't, it's hard for the family to stay together and be happy. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports:
May 16, 2003 - Last week the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis turned 40 years old. As part of a special celebration, the theater invited one of the actors from its 1963 acting company back to the stage, Hume Cronyn. The 91-year-old stage and screen actor talked with Joe Dowling, the Guthrie's artistic director, during a special "in conversation" event last week. Cronyn talked about the early days of the Guthrie, his approach to acting, and his experiences working with different directors and actors during his career.
May 21, 2003 - Two Irish brothers are out in a bog cutting turf for a fire. One of the brothers swings his shovel and makes a grisly discovery--the perfectly preserved head of a red-haired woman. Because peat bogs prevent decay, the head could have been buried for centuries--or she could be a new homicide. That is the opening scene of Minneapolis writer Erin Hart's new book "Haunted Ground." Hart's novel combines archeology, forensics and her love of Irish music and culture. She left her job with the Minnesota State Arts Board to pursue her dream of becoming a novelist. Erin Hart told Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham winning Glimmer Train Magazine's literary contest started her professional writing career.
May 23, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports on birthday celebration for Bob Dylan at Duluth’s Armory building. A teenage Dylan was inspired by a Buddy Holly concert at venue.
May 26, 2003 - One of Minnesota's oldest cemetaries marked two occasions today . As it has since 1870, St. Paul's Oakland Cemetery hosted a Memorial Day service honoring the veterans buried there. But this year the cemetery also celebrates its 150th anniversary. Oakland has long been one of Minnesota's lesser-known historical treasures. But in the past few years volunteers have uncovered a wealth of new details about the veterans buried there. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports on the effort to find and honor Oakland's veterans.
May 26, 2003 - Legislative leaders are meeting again on this holiday in hopes of reaching a deal on the final budget bill. Lawmakers reached a deal early this morning on three of the four outstanding budget items. Leaders say they hope they can compromise on the $7.3 billion health and human services bill today. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
May 26, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders have made a major breakthrough in budget negotations. Negotiators met late last night and into the morning to craft agreements on transportation funding, aid payments to local governments, and state borrowing. Lawmakers are expected to return later today to tackle the final piece of the puzzle the health and human services budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 26, 2003 - One of Minnesota's oldest cemetaries marked two occasions today. As it has since 1870, St. Paul's Oakland Cemetary hosted a Memorial Day service honoring the veterans buried there. But this year the cemetary also celebrates its 150th anniversary. Oakland has long been one of Minnesota's lesser-known historical treasures. But in the past few years volunteers have uncovered a wealth of new details about the veterans buried there.
May 27, 2003 - Leaders in the state Legislature have tentatively agreed to a bonding bill that would provide the Guthrie Theater with 25-million dollars for a new multi-stage complex on the riverfront and 5-million dollars to the Children's Theatre Company to renovate its current space. But even in the final hours of the special session, the battle is far from over for both theater companies. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.