Sometimes there is so much more information about upcoming events than can be easily written into the column and this is one of those weeks. Please continue to check the calendar listing for up-to-date information.
Common Ground will give a tour of the Wm. S. Marvin Visitor Center which is located on the corner of Highways 11 and 313 in Warroad. A major employer in Northern Minnesota, Marvin Windows and Doors, honors in this interactive museum not only the founder of the company (George G. Marvin) and his family but the greater Marvin family; generations of hardworking individuals. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and admission is free. For guided tours contact Karen Hontvet at 218-386-4334.
Just yesterday, I had the opportunity to interview Doc Severinsen by phone from his home in Mexico. He placed the call on this 45 minute chat. He is just as charming as I hoped he would be–this is from years of working in live theater with traveling shows and meeting notable actors and musicians who were less than charming! In the background, I could hear his barking Chihuahuas, just two of his eight dogs. They barked on and I said that they were just doing what they get paid to do–watch him. He countered that Chihuahuas were not noted for their sense of humor and we both laughed. We talked about the years he spent with Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show–which I admit not watching after the Carson era ended. Severinsen is Pops Condcutor Laureate of the Minnesota Orchestra and he was looking forward to reuniting with many old friends on this trip to Minnesota and using his old dressing room which he said is held for him to use whenever he is in the area. He said that "There are no better people in the world" than mid-westerners. He is especially fond of Minnesotans and said that they have been very good to him– many years ago, Skitch Henderson brought him to Minnesota and he returned many times for high school and college band clinics. Doc still practices two to three hours a day–he said it takes more work to stay on top at his age–going on 85 this May! He is especially proud of his grandchildren and said that they are "as good as the best." Back in New Jersey, the "Blaire Reinhard Band" plays in and around the metropolitan area. He is so enthusiastic about the group he is bringing with him for this Sunday’s concert party because he helped them achieve the musicial status that they now enjoy by mentoring them for Doc is still giving back for those who helped him through the years. "Let’s get those fannies in the seats" was the last comment he made to me besides asking that I write a nice piece about him–easy to do.
"Reunited We Fall," is a fast paced comedy by Steve Saari who has gathered a talented cast for his upcoming dinner-theater show. The last play (Ruby Lips Above the Water) he had produced in Bemidji was so gripping that I had to see it two times and would have gone for the third time had there been another performance. Saari is able to capture those human characteristics that bind us together through the good and bad times on so many levels. I have no reservations in recommending this play based up Saari’s other plays. Seeing Kevin Cease do his "stuff" will probably be worth the admission price!
"Wait Until Dark" is a first rate shocker–The young woman (Mallory McKay) is stalked by thugs who are looking for a stash of heroin that her husband transported from Canada as a favor to someone else. The heron is hidden in a doll which appears and reappears during the play because a youngster in the same apartment building likes to play with it. The play opened on Broadway in 1966, revived in 1998 and in 2003 in London. It was filmed in 1967 by Warner Bros with Audrey Hepburn as the young wife. She was nominated for an Academy Award in that role. In short, the play has a long history and should prove to be an entertaining evening with such players as McKay, Jeremiah Liend and Andor Lofthus in the lead roles; Mike Bredon, Chelsey Harris, Greg Gasman and Perry Eddy are supporting actors.
I just couldn’t resist putting a picture of the Hamrin girls with their violin teacher Michele Laliberte during a practice session. The girls are charming and seem to be unaffected by the attention their musical talent at such a young age brings them. Laliberte accepts private students to her studio and can be reached at 586-2626 for more information.
