Kurt Kwan News

YOU FOR ME FOR YOU. Judging by the title I wondered if this was a play about former American Idol judge Randy Jackson. But of course it's not, rather this regional premiere by Mu Performing Arts is about North Korea, a subject I (and most Americans) know less about than American Idol. I was fortunate enough to attend the play when there was a post-show discussion with the playwright Mia Chung and director Randy Reyes, facilitated by the Star Tribune's Rohan Preston (read his review here). Hearing from the playwright, the director, and the cast about their experiences creating this piece gave me greater insight into the story. Mia shared that because there is so little known about what North Korea is actually like, she felt freedom in creating this world through 'magic realism' and really tried to focus on the human aspect of the story. She succeeds beautifully, as I was completely engrossed in the lives of these characters as brought to life by Mu's strong cast. This specific story of North Korean refugees is also universal in its themes of family, love, and sacrifice, themes that will feel familiar to any audience.

Park Square continues its 40th season with Julia Cho's THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE. George (Kurt Kwan*) speaks a dozen languages, but he can't communicate with his wife, Mary. Consumed by his quest to document the dying languages of disappearing cultures, George is unable to say what he needs to say so Mary sets off for a new adventure. THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE is a magical and quirky fable about finding the words that can change your world. Talkin' Broadway called it "…a tour de force… passionate, wise and wonderful."

No one does Shakespeare like Ten Thousand Things. They manage to boil the text down to its bare essentials, and convey the heart of the story in a way that feels fresh and modern. This season they bring their unique Shakespeare style to perhaps his most well-know play, the story of star-crossed lovers that inspired all others, Romeo and Juliet. In the typically minimalist production (since TTT performs on location at prisons, homeless shelters, and community centers, the paid public performances are also in a small, fully lit room with little in the way of sets and costumes), director Peter Rothstein and his fantastic cast of eight playing multiple characters bring this familiar story to life in a unique way.

With Sexy Laundry opening tonight, the entire cast roster for the theatre's biggest season is almost complete. Nearly 300 Minnesota artists - including actors, directors, designers and technical operators - will mount 18 productions on two stages. The season lineup confirms Park Square's commitment to the work of women writers like Amy Herzog, Michele Riml and Alice Walker. The casting emphasizes Park Square as a home for local artists of color, from returning favorites like James A. Williams, T. Mychael Rambo and Regina Williams to dozens of debuts like Dominique Wooten, Kurt Kwan and Sarah Ochs.

The Guthrie Theater today announced casting for the Mu Performing Arts production of Yellow Fever. Written by R.A. Shiomi, the play is a groundbreaking noir comedy in the Asian American theatrical canon told through the eyes of Sam Shikaze, a nisei (second generation Japanese) Canadian detective that explores themes of political deception and cultural assimilation. Yellow Fever will be performed in Guthrie's Dowling Studio from March 8-24, 2013 and directed by Rick Shiomi.

Mu Performing Arts' YELLOW FACE Closes 2/21 at the Guthrie Theatre.

Mu Performing Arts' production of YELLOW FACE opens February 6 and continues through February 21 in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie. Single tickets range from $18 to $30, and are available from the Guthrie box office at 612-377-2224 or online at www.guthrietheater.org.

The Guthrie and Mu Performing Arts today announced that actor Randy Reyes will star in the Mu production of the Obie Award-winning play YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang, directed by Rick Shiomi. The production, proudly presented by the Guthrie, marks the second of three works by Hwang - all of which feature Reyes in leading roles - to be presented in the Twin Cities during the 2009-10 season. Reyes' performance as DHH, Hwang's alter-ego in YELLOW FACE, is bookended by his appearance in Mu's recent production of Hwang's new adaptation of FLOWER DRUM SONG, and his upcoming appearance as Song Liling in the Guthrie's production of M. BUTTERFLY.

The Guthrie and Mu Performing Arts today announced that actor Randy Reyes will star in the Mu production of the Obie Award-winning play YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang, directed by Rick Shiomi. The production, proudly presented by the Guthrie, marks the second of three works by Hwang - all of which feature Reyes in leading roles - to be presented in the Twin Cities during the 2009-10 season. Reyes' performance as DHH, Hwang's alter-ego in YELLOW FACE, is bookended by his appearance in Mu's recent production of Hwang's new adaptation of FLOWER DRUM SONG, and his upcoming appearance as Song Liling in the Guthrie's production of M. BUTTERFLY.

The Guthrie and Mu Performing Arts today announced that actor Randy Reyes will star in the Mu production of the Obie Award-winning play YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang, directed by Rick Shiomi. The production, proudly presented by the Guthrie, marks the second of three works by Hwang - all of which feature Reyes in leading roles - to be presented in the Twin Cities during the 2009-10 season. Reyes' performance as DHH, Hwang's alter-ego in YELLOW FACE, is bookended by his appearance in Mu's recent production of Hwang's new adaptation of FLOWER DRUM SONG, and his upcoming appearance as Song Liling in the Guthrie's production of M. BUTTERFLY.

Pillsbury House Theatre presents the area premiere of the original production Playlist: America '09 By Aditi Brennan Kapil and Pillsbury House Theatre's Breaking Ice Company. Playlist: America '09 will be directed by Heidi Hunter Batz.

Pillsbury House Theatre presents the area premiere of the original production Playlist: America '09 By Aditi Brennan Kapil and Pillsbury House Theatre's Breaking Ice Company. Playlist: America '09 will be directed by Heidi Hunter Batz. Performances run May 8 through May 23 on the Pillsbury House Theatre Mainstage at 3501 Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis.PLAYLIST

Pillsbury House Theatre presents the area premiere of the original production Playlist: America '09 By Aditi Brennan Kapil and Pillsbury House Theatre's Breaking Ice Company. Playlist: America '09 will be directed by Heidi Hunter Batz.

Pillsbury House Theatre presents the area premiere of the original production Playlist: America '09 By Aditi Brennan Kapil and Pillsbury House Theatre's Breaking Ice Company. Playlist: America '09 will be directed by Heidi Hunter Batz. Performances run May 8 through May 23 on the Pillsbury House Theatre Mainstage at 3501 Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis.PLAYLIST