Anyone who knows me even a little knows that one of my great passions is discovering, sharing, and enjoying stories that lie outside of our popular understanding of the world.   Photos by Petronella J. Ytsma This is especially true of historical stories, which often tend to center middle aged

Fledgling artists take note: Theatre Elision’s zany theatrics and guerrilla social media strategy is changing the game in #tctheater Photo from Theatre Elision’s website How do you write a review about a show described like this: “Ghost Quartet” is a song cycle about love, death and whiskey from Dave Malloy,

Lush. Lavish. Generous. Honest. Humbling.   Photo courtesy of the Penumbra’s website These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I try to describe the full circle experience that is the Penumbra’s latest show, Ntozake Shange’s seminal for colored girls who have considered suicide /

When is the last time you saw a show authored by a local playwright?   Photo courtesy of Theater Mu How about a local female playwright? How about a local Hmong female playwright? I’m with you – Theater Mu’s latest world premiere was a first for me too, and if

How do you feel about romantic comedies?   Photo by Mike Pingel I, for one, love them unabashedly. I used to feel ashamed of this, but no more. It’s HARD to write a script that is equal parts funny, sweet, tense, winsome and winning (don’t believe me? You try it).

Some excellent #beachreads for your consideration I’m always game for a good #shelfie Reading roundups have become one of my favorite perennial posts, and for good reason. I’m an avid reader and started tracking the books I read on Goodreads a few years ago to have a better way to

There’s never been a better time to #drinklocal   Be honest, what’s better than a strong cocktail on a rooftop on a gorgeous day? Nuthin’ We’re in the throes of #libation season, a favorite time of year for me, and I couldn’t resist sharing some of my favorite new finds

Every once in a while, someone surprises theatergoers with a sublimely fresh take on an old story.   Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Baskerville), the latest in Park Square Theatre’s annual mystery series, offers a totally new perspective of The Hound of the Baskervilles, perhaps the most famous of

It begins and ends with a bang.   Photo by Allen Weeks A broken bottle, a crumpled body, a shattered heart. Photo by Allen Weeks These events are the bookends of This Bitter Earth, a terrific new play by local playwright Harrison David Rivers that is currently showing at the

What to do on Easter when you’ve been eating boring Lenten food for over a month?   Photo courtesy of Thrillist Or more likely: if you’re one of the rest of us undisciplined sinners and just want to live.it.up. on the year’s best brunch day, where on earth should you