The Southern Theater and Theatre of Fools Presents THE VAUDEVILLIAN
By: Gabrielle Sierra
Hidden beneath the floorboards and between the walls of the historic Southern Theater, the spirit of vaudeville lies in wait. With humor, spectacle, and a look back at one hundred years of the Southern Theater, this dynamic evening coaxes out the ways that history and stage craft have guided the pursuit of the American Dream. The Vaudevillian is a story with haunting parallels to our time.
Theater of Fools' co-founder and artistic director Lloyd Brant's research for The Vaudevillian led him to a newspaper account of the first vaudeville show performed at the Southern Theater, at its grand opening on March 1, 1910. "I must say chills ran up and down my spine when I first read this story," said Brant. "Not only was there a juggling clown team that sounded just like me and my old juggling partner Arsene Dupin, but also the only woman on the bill was named Rose. I knew right then that my wife Rosie and Arsene and I had to recreate the very first vaudeville show that ever played the Southern Theater as the opening scene of the play." The Vaudevillian will feature live music by The Medicine Show Band, a group "made up guys born one hundred years too late," said Brant. "Scott Crosby tap dances, does sleight of hand, and has a handle bar mustache that you could hang bagels off of... Seeing their act is like really traveling back to the time of vaudeville."Thurs. at 7:30pm, Fri. & Sat. at 8pm, Sun. at 2pm
Opening night pre-show reception at 6:30pm sponsored by The Red Stag Supperclub and vita.mn; complimentary appetizers and beverages will be served
Single tickets: $27, pay-as-able March 11
Discounts available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more
Southern Theater box office: 612.340.1725, located at 1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454 www.southerntheater.org
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