The Commonweal Theatre has come up with another winner in Bus Stop, a 1950’s comedy by William Inge. There’s a lot more than just laughs and slapstick going on in this play though. Loneliness, the play-wright seems to be saying, is the shared common
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"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 8:58:04, Jun 18th 2013 - cabraden1 - I salute you Colonel Overland. Your were my c.o. at Rockville Naval Air ... [Read More]
- 7:10:46, Jun 13th 2013 - chipperlee - Seems to be a well written article, except maybe Silica Sand is used in ... [Read More]
- 12:02:15, Jun 9th 2013 - getthefacts - The problem here lies in the fact that girls were repeatedly told "if y ... [Read More]
- 10:45:32, Jun 7th 2013 - Jo mom for 6yrs - Mr. Ehler hit the nail on the head. I agree with the religious con ... [Read More]
- 2:47:58, Jun 7th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 9:06:21, Jun 6th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 2:05:29, Jun 6th 2013 - Kim Wentworth - The number one rule in a debate: 1) if the person from the opposite si ... [Read More]
- 12:42:18, Jun 4th 2013 - EW - For someone that is always spouting religious rhetoric, you try to come off as a ... [Read More]
- 11:32:18, May 31st 2013 - JO PLAYER - This is unfair to us girls. Morrie Miller is not getting canceled but J ... [Read More]
- 8:25:34, May 29th 2013 - RP - Why is Mr. Ehler involving himself with non-school activities? Is he going after ... [Read More]
33
Do you think the use of all fireworks should be legal in the state of Minnesota for all consumers?
The Lion in Winter: A royal feast
Comments
Monday, September 18, 2000
"The Lutheran tongues will be wagging," one theater goer said to me after seeing Commonweal Theatre's staging of The Lion in Winter.
He was right. The Lion in Winter is a medieval soap opera chock full of court intrigue, conniving monarchs and whining princes. Throw in some first rate cursing, a smattering of adultery, familial imprisonment and the hint of homosexuality, and you have the makings for a royal feast.
As is always the case, the Commonweal Theatre acting is superb. The Lion in Winter is a showcase for the talents of husband and wife actors, Hal Cropp and Kristen Underwood, as the feuding King Henry II and, his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
The story takes place in 1183 with Henry II and Eleanor, whom Henry has banished from the court, reuniting for Christmas. Young Henry, the heir to the throne, has just died and the two monarchs battle over which of their three sons will be next in line to be King: Richard the warrior, the cunning Geofrey or the snivelling John.
Cropp's Henry II is a roaring, boastful, omnipotent emperor. At a time when marriages of alliance were common, and princesses were thrown into the pot in order to secure a treaty, Henry was probably the most powerful man on earth - and Cropp makes the audience feel that they are looking at him.
Equally fearless is Kristen Underwoood's Eleanor of Aquitaine. Quick witted, and cynical from her recent exile, she is Henry II's peer when it comes to court intrigue and manipulation. Underwood is crisp and on her mark with comedic one-liners that help keep the play grounded in the real world. One moment she is the proverbial dragon lady scheming against Henry's machinations, the next she is bringing the house down with a poignant quip. Underwood thrives on great roles like this, and Eleanor comes to life in her hands.
The three sons, all of whom have been trained to seek the crown, and do so with great ardor, create a series of sideshows around their two parents exploits. Eleanor says about them, "What a greedy little trinity you are."
Richard, played by Eric Knutson, is Eleanor's choice for heir. Henry II wants John, a born whiner, played with whimpering success by Mark Robinson. Torsten Hillhouse is the cold Geoffrey, "the smart one" as John refers to him.
When Henry II finds none of them worthy of the crown, he plans to sire another heir with his mistress Alais, played by Stela Burdt. Doug M .....
[Read the Rest]
"The Lutheran tongues will be wagging," one theater goer said to me after seeing Commonweal Theatre's staging of The Lion in Winter.
He was right. The Lion in Winter is a medieval soap opera chock full of court intrigue, conniving monarchs and whining princes. Throw in some first rate cursing, a smattering of adultery, familial imprisonment and the hint of homosexuality, and you have the makings for a royal feast.
As is always the case, the Commonweal Theatre acting is superb. The Lion in Winter is a showcase for the talents of husband and wife actors, Hal Cropp and Kristen Underwood, as the feuding King Henry II and, his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
The story takes place in 1183 with Henry II and Eleanor, whom Henry has banished from the court, reuniting for Christmas. Young Henry, the heir to the throne, has just died and the two monarchs battle over which of their three sons will be next in line to be King: Richard the warrior, the cunning Geofrey or the snivelling John.
Cropp's Henry II is a roaring, boastful, omnipotent emperor. At a time when marriages of alliance were common, and princesses were thrown into the pot in order to secure a treaty, Henry was probably the most powerful man on earth - and Cropp makes the audience feel that they are looking at him.
Equally fearless is Kristen Underwoood's Eleanor of Aquitaine. Quick witted, and cynical from her recent exile, she is Henry II's peer when it comes to court intrigue and manipulation. Underwood is crisp and on her mark with comedic one-liners that help keep the play grounded in the real world. One moment she is the proverbial dragon lady scheming against Henry's machinations, the next she is bringing the house down with a poignant quip. Underwood thrives on great roles like this, and Eleanor comes to life in her hands.
The three sons, all of whom have been trained to seek the crown, and do so with great ardor, create a series of sideshows around their two parents exploits. Eleanor says about them, "What a greedy little trinity you are."
Richard, played by Eric Knutson, is Eleanor's choice for heir. Henry II wants John, a born whiner, played with whimpering success by Mark Robinson. Torsten Hillhouse is the cold Geoffrey, "the smart one" as John refers to him.
When Henry II finds none of them worthy of the crown, he plans to sire another heir with his mistress Alais, played by Stela Burdt. Doug M .....
[Read the Rest]
Gateway Towns
Greetings from Austin, Minnesota! Located on I-90, visitors from the west will come through this major city located on the Cedar River.
Austin is the home of the Fortune 500 company -- Geo. A. Hormel & .....
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Northeastern Iowa
Northeast Iowa shares much of the same topography of Historic Bluff Country. Limestone bluffs, meandering rivers, springs, and rolling hills in the east and softly rolling hills with rich prairie soil in the west. Minnesota and Iowa also share the sa
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Anytown, MN
Nestled in a deep valley of the Root River is the unique city of Anytown. This quaint townsite of less than one thousand residents, located in the state hardwood forest reminds one of the many hillside villages in Norway.
Strolling down the .....
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Strolling down the .....
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Not in my backyard
Monday, June 26, 2000
In the usually quiet burg of Spring Valley, the hot topic of conversation has switched as of late. While recent flooding has left the community with much to contemplate, another issue is sizzling to the forefront. What’s .....
[Read the Rest]
In the usually quiet burg of Spring Valley, the hot topic of conversation has switched as of late. While recent flooding has left the community with much to contemplate, another issue is sizzling to the forefront. What’s .....
[Read the Rest]
Wykoff, MN
Our limestone karst region is dotted with "sink holes" which indicate caverns below ground such as the caves at Mystery Cave near Forestville State Park.
When you visit the heart of Bluff Country, take the drive on MN Hwy. 80 and you will fin .....
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When you visit the heart of Bluff Country, take the drive on MN Hwy. 80 and you will fin .....
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Whalan/Highland area
Whalan, with a population of 90, is one of the smaller towns along the trail. The town provides excellent access to the Root River Trail and nearby recreational activities. Situated at the midway point between Fountain and Rushford on the Root River
.....
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[Read the Rest]
Stewartville, MN
Stewartville is a small city with a friendly atmosphere lo-cated in the beautiful Root River Valley 10 miles south of Rochester. Known as the Gateway to the Historic Bluff County, Stewartville has much to offer, whether you come for a visit or stay f
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