Start the New Year off right by learning about DACA, the DREAM Act, and how to truly help your neighbors.   Photo by Mark Van Cleave If I haven’t sung the praises of Karen Zacarias enough yet, let me correct that right now: she is one of my favorite new

For one of my favorite annual roundups (books, duh), look no further. This #shelfie of goodies from my time interning at Graywolf Press is a regular fave. If you’ve never read any of their books, what are you waiting for?!  Devoted Compendium readers may remember my post halfway through last

If you liked Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, you will LOVE this show. Dracula from COLLIDE THEATRICAL on Vimeo. Cross necklaces? Check. Vampy face paint? Check. Perfectly tailored pleated pants? Check. Moody emo rock band? Check. Ubiquitously smeared eyeliner paired with thin strapped halter tops? Check, check, check. If there was

Sometimes in life, all something needs is a fresh political climate to feel brand new again.  Photo courtesy of Theater Latte Da This was my main thought while watching Man of La Mancha, the premiere musical of Theater Latte Da’s 20th anniversary season. I’m sure we’ve all heard at least

What was Lin-Manuel Miranda up to prior to Hamilton?  Photo courtesy of the Ordway If you don’t know the answer to that question, you could be forgiven. Hamilton has become such a ticket sales juggernaut that its reputation has eclipsed a host of other excellent new musicals of the last

What is it like to play the villain?  Photo courtesy of Hennepin Theatre Trust I think many people stereotypically assume that the best part to play in any script is the role of the hero. I mean, who doesn’t want to be admired and spout pithy quotes and swashbuckle their

What IS jazz music?  Photo by Maria Baranova How do you define it? Who are “real” jazz musicians? How do you listen to jazz? As arguably music’s most postmodern art form, jazz can be polarizing. People either love love love it, or they really love to hate it. The rest

The Immigrant Journey Project is everything that Refugia should have been but wasn’t. I hope it has an incredible audience engagement; it deserves it.   This little map was the most beautiful way to connect all audience members’ families’ journeys to the United States!  When I was arranging to see

 Nordrsraga is a little punk, a little sexy, and a whole lot of rock and roll. Photo courtesy of Circus Juventas.  What’s dark and flies and is sparkly all over? Photo courtesy of Circus Juventas.  Why that would be Nordrsraga, the latest show from the Twin Cities’ resident circus arts school,

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day…. Photo by Joan Marcus What would the world have been like if Motown Records never existed? I mean think about it – the entire popular musical landscape we enjoy today would essentially not exist. No Marvin Gaye. No Temptations or Commodores. No Diana