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Ordway Blog: Stay connected here with what is happening at Ordway and take a look at what is going on behind the scenes.
Ordway's at the Great Minnesota Get Together
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 2:14 PM by Ryan Jones
It’s that time of year again, when people come from miles around to munch on a variety of fried delicacies on a stick. That’s right! I’m talking about the Great Minnesota Get Together: the Minnesota State Fair! The Ordway, not wanting to miss the fun, has a booth filled with great prizes, friendly staff and giveaways.
You can register to win exciting prizes such as complimentary tickets to Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor® Dreamcoat or to a performance from our Target® World Music and Dance Series.
Also, the first 100 people that stop by the booth at 9am and 3pm daily will receive our special Ordway hand sanitizer to help you clean up after some delicious cheese curds.
Again this year, you can purchase single tickets to all Ordway performances at the Ordway’s State Fair booth before the official season on sale scheduled for September 9. Not only will you be among the first to purchase your tickets, but the Ordway is offering special ticket discounts to State Fair attendees.
Specials include:
- $35 Tickets to Joseph for December 7 or 8 (scale 2 & 3) performances
- 50% Off Tickets for the Joseph New Year’s Eve matinee performance at 2pm
- $5 Admission to Ordway’s New Year’s Eve Ball – A Technicolor Family Affair! for ticketholders after the 2pm matinee
- $10 Tickets to CONTRA-TIEMPO or Terrance Simien; part of the Target® World Music & Dance Series
- $20 (plus fees) Tickets to STOMP (valid in the Gallery only)
- Free drink ticket with the purchase of a ticket to 9-5 The Musical
Offers available only at the Minnesota State Fair. Subject to availability. Standard fees apply. Not valid on previously purchased tickets.
To get your hands on some great ticket deals and Ordway fair fun, stop by the Ordway’s booth located in the Merchandise Mart on the corner or Dan Patch and Copper Avenues.
There’s no better way to celebrate the end of a fun-filled summer than stopping by the Ordway’s Booth at the State Fair. And if you happen to buy yourself some tickets for the Ordway’s upcoming season, the fun can last long after the summer!
Posted in State Fair, Announcements
Ordway Summer Dance Highlights
Mon, Aug 23, 2010 5:00 PM by Ryan Jones
Thanks to everyone who came to downtown Saint Paul to take part in our Summer Dance Series this year. The events were a great success and we had a blast dancing with you. Enjoy some of these pictures from our weekly dance nights.
We look forward to seeing you inside the theater for Ordway’s theater, music and dance events this season.
Until next time we dance,
Posted in Summer Dance
Gospel at Colonus Reviews
Mon, Aug 9, 2010 2:19 PM by Ryan Jones
Read all of the reviews for The Gospel at Colonus at the Ordway from Aug 5 – 11. More reviews will be added as they are published.
Star Tribune “'Gospel at Colonus' is uplifting in both story and song”
St. Paul Pioneer Press “To say 'Gospel at Colonus' is complicated is preaching to the choir”
Howwastheshow.com “The Gospel At Colonus At The Ordway”
Twin Cities Daily Planet “‘The Gospel at Colonus’: A Minnesota miracle”
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Get tickets to The Gospel at Colonus, running now through August 11
Posted in The Gospel at Colonus, Reviews
The Top 10 Reasons to Come to Summer Dance
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 1:07 PM by Ryan Jones
By Arielle Melum
1. It’s outside on a summer evening in Minnesota. If you are a seasonal albino…I mean Minnesotan…like me, you know how to appreciate our wonderful summers. It means spending as much time as possible soaking up sun and breathing in fresh air. Well Summer Dance is the perfect place to spend your summer evenings! Who doesn’t love to watch the sun set over the river amid a sky swirling with pinks and oranges, with a gentle summer breeze blowing across their face?
2. To step outside your comfort zone. Yes you read that right. Stepping outside your comfort zone is a good thing. It’s how we grow, gain perspective, and experience life to the fullest (please excuse the cliché). I’ll bet the most interesting and inspiring people you know are those who haven taken risks. They have embraced the awkwardness and felt the fulfillment that comes from taking chances. lt may feel uncomfortable at first, but after a few minutes of swingin’ to the singin’ you’ll wonder why you were so nervous. I get that it’s scary, and the ways in which your world will expand will be worth facing the fear. You don’t even know what you’re missing.
3. It’s free! It seems the price of entertainment just keeps rising. It’s easy to spend a rather hefty amount on a night out. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know many families in a recession who have all that much extra money to spend. But we shall not be deprived of merriment simply because our wallets are feeling a little thin! Summer Dance is free entertainment that involves more than just a walk through the park. You are guaranteed to get your money’s worth. J
4. It’s great for your health. Not only does dancing improve coordination, strength, flexibility, and overall fitness, it’s great for your mental health. Studies have even shown that the Tango can help patients with Parkinson’s improve their mobility, and Ballroom dance can help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease. So whether your intentions are to better your body or mitigate your mind, Summer Dance is the place to do it.
5. The food! I don’t know about you, but dancing makes me hungry and thirsty! Luckily Summer Dance has quite the spread to curb your cravings including yummy treats and refreshing drinks from Pazzaluna.
6. To experience St. Paul in a whole new way! If you are from Minnesota or have lived here awhile you’ve probably been to St. Paul a million times. You’ve seen the sights, you’ve walked the streets, and you’ve eaten at the restaurants. But Summer Dance is taking St. Paul to the next level. Now you can recapture your favorite haunts all amidst the backdrop of St. Paul’s skyline.
7. People watching. So let’s say you’re not really into the whole dancing thing for some reason or another. You can still come to Summer Dance because the “dance” is only half of it. The “summer” part involves nice weather, live music, good food, and great people watching! And you know what’s better than watching people walk around? Watching them dance (or at least attempt)!
8. Meet a new friend (or maybe more than a friend). You might be waiting in line to buy a crepe, or laughing as you both struggle to master a dance move when you find someone you connect with (whether it be romantically or not). Take the risk and start up a conversation. You never know, your soul mate just might be in need of a dance partner.
9. Support the Ordway and our mission to spread the joy of art, music, drama, and dance with the community. Because even the greatest Broadway show isn’t a production without its audience. We invite you to experience the joy that the performing arts provides. Summer Dance is only the beginning!
10. Everyone is welcome. Simple as that, everyone is welcome. That’s the great thing about this weekly event. It doesn’t matter if you’ve danced in a company, or just in your bedroom. All levels of experience (and I mean ALL levels of experience) are invited to join us.
So join us tonight and next Thursday at 6:00 pm in Landmark Plaza. Learn more about Summer Dance >
Posted in Summer Dance
Get to know The Steeles
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 10:31 AM by Ryan Jones
Did You Know?
Everyone talks about how roof-raising the music of Gospel at Colonus is, so I thought I’d give you a little context on the amazing artists that are involved in the production. Some things you may already know, while others may be new random facts you can use the next time you’re searching for conversation topics during an awkward silence.
I’ll start with The Steeles.
- The Steeles have earned every musical award that Minnesota has offered in the last 20 years. Talk about an impressive résumé!
- The siblings (they’re all brothers and sisters) grew up in Indiana, but started to develop their style right here in the twin cities.
- These local sensations have performed at some pretty prestigious places, including (but not limited to) Carnegie Hall, Paris, London, Barcelona, South Africa, and Moscow.
- Billy Steele may be the youngest, but he has no trouble measuring up to his older siblings. He performs, produces and writes for the ensemble “Sounds of Blackness”, through which he has won three Grammy Awards.
- While some kids were busy getting their drivers’ licenses, J.D. Steele was directing a 100-voice choir at age 16!
- You may have heard The Shangilia Youth Choir at the Ordway’s 2010 Children’s Festival, but did you know they are a group of 200 orphans from Kenya and were started by J.D. Steele? Well now you do.
- Jevetta Steele originally came to Minnesota to become a criminal lawyer. But life happened and she ended up getting an Academy Award nomination in the movie, Bagdad Café instead. I’d pick the theatrical route too if I had that kind of talent!
- Besides blowing off rooftops with her incredible singing voice, Jearlyn Steele has her own talk show, Steele Talkin’, every Sunday night from seven to eleven on 830 AM. She calls herself “the singing speaker” and has shared her stories from places as far as Asia to right here in Minnesota.
- Perhaps you’re familiar with Target®’s Lifescapes CD collection. Their biggest seller to date, “Gospel” is the opus of Fred Steele himself.
- Jearlyn dreams of someday singing with Josh Groban. We’ll see what we can do about a guest appearance at Gospel.
Check out the Steele’s website for more information.
Posted in The Gospel at Colonus
Construction Update
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 11:44 AM by Ryan Jones
The Ordway is under construction this summer as the 5th street stage door entrance and loading dock are undergoing extensive renovations. The Ordway’s Stage Door entrance is getting an update thanks to the $7.5 million bonding project that was awarded to the Ordway by the State of Minnesota in 2006. The renovation process began June 14, 2010 with demolition to the Stage Door’s existing stairs. The new Stage Door entrance will include the addition of an accessible ramp using reclaimed brick from the original loading dock, as well as upgrades to the existing doors, which will include mechanized access and the installation of new security cameras. The new loading dock will allow trailers to back up directly to the building, creating an energy efficient seal. This will allow for more efficient loading in and out of show equipment and increased efficiency for heating, ventilating and air conditioning functions. The loading dock and stage door entrance, scheduled to be completed by August 30, 2010, will continue to serve as a private entrance for artists and staff of the Ordway and Arts Partners
Photos by Peter Van Johnson
Posted in Construction, Behind the Scenes
A Night of Magic: Summer Dance
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 10:34 AM by Ryan Jones
By: Kristie Gaalswyk (Ordway Intern)
As I walked up to Landmark Plaza, I didn’t know what to expect. Things were still getting set up and I was surprised to see that people were already sitting and walking around waiting for the impending night of dancing. It was great to see everyone mingling while eating and drinking.
It occurred to me quite quickly that people from all walks of life were coming together to share in this one moment. I saw older people, young people, a man with a cowboy hat, a woman in a wheelchair waiting patiently, a group of teenagers in flip-flops standing awkwardly, and even little kids jumping with excitement were there to share in the fun of learning and experiencing Tango.
When the instructors were beginning the lesson, I was curious as to how such a varied group of people would interact in this one space, the dance floor. What I came to see was truly awe-inspiring. Everyone became involved in the learning process. They forgot the people around them, who were either stumbling over the steps or excelling at the sultry movements of Tango. They didn’t even pay notice to the people outside of the dance floor watching with smiles glued to their faces. They were certainly in the moment. Some were fast learners, picking up on the dance moves quite quickly and others struggled a bit, but nobody paid any attention to this. You could tell by their faces that everyone out on the dance floor was lost in the moment and having a great time.
As the lessons went on, people walking by would come to a halt and after time would start making their way into our little cluster. Some would join in the dancing, others would meekly dance on the side trying to catch up on what they had missed, or others would just become one of the spectators watching the magic happening in Landmark Plaza while sipping on a glass of wine or munching on a delicious crepe.
It finally came time for the people to test their newly acquired dance techniques to live music. Mandragora Tango started to play, and the atmosphere changed. As the music began, I decided to walk the perimeter taking in the beauty of the weather, the sun gleaming on the Downtown Saint Paul buildings, and the people who had come together for this one night. There was a pair of older women smiling and swaying to the music as they sat on a nearby park bench, a mother spinning around to the music with her little baby in her arms, two little giggly girls skipping through the dancing couples, and a woman leaning against a parking meter mesmerized by both the music and watching the couples as they danced by. This was truly a sight to behold.
It was refreshing to see how this moment really gave all people, from all walks of life, the opportunity to experience arts and culture. I was truly proud of the Ordway and the downtown Saint Paul organizations for creating such an event as this, an event that makes the arts accessible to all.
As I walked away from the plaza, the music began to fade, as did the smile that I had on my face the whole time I was watching the event. I began thinking to myself; will the beauty of this moment be forgotten? Will people who came together for this one night forget the magic that just occurred in the plaza? My question was quickly answered, however. As I got into my car in the parking ramp, I saw a couple all by themselves in the distance, silhouetted by the setting sun, and they were dancing the Tango moves they had just learned. The smile on my face quickly returned as I drove off into the sunset, thinking about the magic of the night; and how glad I was that a night of Summer Dance shall return tonight where people can learn another genre of dance, Disco.
Let the dancing continue!
Posted in Summer Dance, Dance
Time to Tango!
Wed, Jul 7, 2010 2:08 PM by Paul Escalante
A sudden silence swept across the crowded nightclub as the door swung open and in walked the silhouette of a man. He stood with his hands on his hips, head cocked a little to the left. His face, wet with sweat from the hot sun, flickered in the candlelight and his heavy trousers and boots were caked with dirt. Embedded in the man’s thick dark skin were scratches and scars from a hard day’s work. Upon entering the room he brushed the dirt off his clothes and removed his wool hat.
“José!” shouted a voice from the corner of the room. “It’s good to see you, hombre. You want a drink?”
“No gracias, Umberto” José replied in his thick Argentinean accent as he weaved through the tables toward a woman across the room. “Tonight, solo quiero bailar.”
With that he thrust the woman into his arms, the music began, and they danced into the night.
If only life actually happened like that. But who knows, maybe long ago in the slums of Argentina it did. The history of the tango is not clearly defined, but one story says that it began with the gauchos of Argentina. Ironically, the dance that today is the quintessence of elegance and wealth, with women in glittering gowns and men in tuxes, actually started with the working class. After a long and hot day on horseback in the fields the gauchos would enter crowded nightclubs hoping to dance. (Good luck with that guys.) They had to dance with flexed knees because their pants were stiff due to the sweat of the horse and the women held their heads back to avoid the stench of their foul smelling partners. In exchange for dancing with such a disheveled date, the women placed their hands on the man’s left hip looking for money. Together they would weave through the crowded nightclub, which is why the path of the Argentinean Tango is curvy.
How much of the story is true is hard to tell, but it is fact that the dance began in the lower class and worked its way up. The name “tango” even means “a place for slaves to meet”. It was first danced to the flute, guitar and violin, probably in the courtyards of tenement blocks in Buenos Aires. People would get together and play the popular music of the time, savoring the moment of peace from a life of hardship. The dance became more than a pastime. It became a language that weaved together the styles of many different cultures, castes and countries. Gradually the various threads joined to create a fierce tapestry of passion and seduction that we know today as the tango.
This Thursday, get ready to learn the secrets of seduction as the Ordway’s third week of Summer Dance continues with the tango! For those of you that haven’t heard, Summer Dance is the place to be every Thursday night. It’s an eight-week program that begins at 5:30 with food and drinks, continues at 6:30 with a free dance lesson from local professionals, and at 7:30 it’s time to show off your new moves to live music! But don’t worry; you really don’t need to be a “good dancer” to come. All levels of skill and experience are welcome, and that includes you. See you Thursday!
Written by Arielle Melum
For more information on Summer Dance visit http://www.ordway.org/summerdance/
Posted in Summer Dance, Dance, Tango
What is Gospel at Colonus?
Wed, Jul 7, 2010 1:53 PM by Paul Escalante
Upon telling people that I work with Ordway Center for the Performing Arts I’m often met with the response, “Oh neat, what shows are coming up?”
“Well at the end of the summer we’re doing Gospel at Colonus.” I respond, to which people raise their eyebrows and stare blankly at what I hope is not a new zit on my forehead. “It’s the story of Oedipus told with a gospel twist.”
“Oh,” silence. “That sounds interesting.”
Interesting: That wonderfully elusive adjective that we Minnesotans love to use when we either want to give a polite insult, or to describe something that we really know nothing about. The ironic thing is interesting happens to describe the Ordway’s upcoming performance of Gospel at Colonus perfectly. A classic tragedy of suicide, betrayal and incest infused with the soul-stirring sounds of galvanizing gospel music…what could be more interesting than that?
But what’s it about?
The play Gospel at Colonus is a gospel version of the third and final part of The Oedipus Plays written by Sophocles around 405 B.C. A prophecy is made to King Laius of Thebes and his wife, Jocasta, that their son, Oedipus, will kill his father and marry his mother. To prevent this from happening King Laius leaves his son to die on the side of a mountain with his feet bound and pierced. (And you wonder why the kid is deranged…) But because this is a Greek myth and prophecies always have to come true Oedipus is rescued by a shepherd and later accidentally kills his father and marries his mother. I didn’t see that one coming.
Gospel at Colonus begins after Oedipus banishes himself from Thebes for performing murder and incest. After years of wandering with only his daughter, Antigone, the duo reaches the city of Colonus. While they settle in at their new abode of a rock outcropping on the side of a grove, Oedipus’s other daughter, Ismene, delivers the news that there’s trouble back in Thebes. Oedipus’ sons are fighting over his throne. If that wasn’t enough to fight about, they are also battling over where Oedipus should be buried, because according to the Delphic Oracle his burial place will receive good fortune. They are just one big happy family.
I won’t give away the ending. You are going to have to see the show to find out what happens. I will tell you it’s not quite happily ever after. But I promise it’s not just a depressing tragedy.
The music of Gospel may be renowned, but it actually has some rather humble, local roots. It includes performances by The Steeles, who began to develop their style right here in Minnesota, and continue to perform around the Twin Cities today. They have been awarded every musical award offered in Minnesota. Now that’s what I call an accomplishment! The Steeles aren’t the only cast members bringing Minnesota pride to Gospel. Rev. Dr. Earl F. Miller is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Saint Paul. He’s also served as President of many other Saint Paul organizations.
Gospel at Colonus is an upbeat and heart-pounding musical that will take you for a journey; a soulful journey of love, power, and pride. If that isn’t interesting, then I don’t know what is.
Check back soon to learn more about the amazing artists of Gospel at Colonus!
Written by Arielle Melum
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Learn more about The Gospel at Colonus at the Ordway >>
Posted in The Gospel at Colonus, Theater Season
Q & A with dre.dance founder Andrew Palermo
Wed, May 19, 2010 2:25 PM by Ryan Jones
In 2004, Taye Diggs and Andrew Palermo founded dre.dance, a New York based contemporary dance company. Andrew and Taye were friends for many years before they created their company and have worked together on a wide range of projects for over twenty years. Aside from working with dre.dance, Andrew has choreographed multiple shows and has appeared both on and off Broadway. The following is a question and answer with Andrew about his experiences and inspirations for dre.dance. On Thursday May 20th, dre.dance performs their production beyond.words at the Ordway. Hear more from Andrew Palermo before the show at the Ordway Extra, starting at 6:30pm.
How did the idea of forming a dance company come about?
As I was rounding out my time performing in the original company of Wicked in New York, I was beginning to work more and more as a choreographer. I knew I wanted to go into choreography full time, so I approached Taye with the idea of presenting an evening of work together.
Taye and I had been friends since high school and taught many masterclasses together over the years. We share a commonality and respect each other’s work, so it seemed like a good idea to lean on each other, as it were, with our first full evening of dance.
We went to Dancers Responding to Aids and offered to co-produce the show with and for them, benefiting their wonderful organization. They were excited at the idea, having only one request; that we were more than just ‘Taye and Andrew’. Hence, dre.dance was formed.
What is the meaning of dre.dance?
It’s a combo of our nicknames; ‘Drew’ and ‘Taye’.
What do you look for in the dancers you hire for dre.dance?
We really require a lot from our dancers.
First, they must be technically very strong.
Second, they must be extremely athletic. We don’t separate what the boys and girls do. They all throw each other, and themselves around.
Third, they must be able to tell a story. That doesn’t mean that they are always in ‘narrative’ mode. It means that, even through the simplest movement, or lack thereof, they must have something going on inside.
Fourth, they must ‘get’ our style.
Lastly, they must be collaborative and have a passion for performing the work. dre.dance is a family. We need each other to succeed. So, if one person isn’t pulling their weight, or is not jibing with the rest, we all feel it. It has to be a group effort.
What dance movement styles inspire your choreography?
Taye and I really just let it all filter through us. We don’t narrow our choices based on what piece we’re working on. That said, we pull from almost everything: classical technique, jazz, hip hop, theatrical choreography, pedestrian movement, gesture. You name it, we use it.
What comes first, the music choice or the choreography?
It depends on the piece. We’ve worked in every order. Sometimes the idea is first. Sometimes, the music. Sometimes, the choreography.
What event made you decide to start on this journey in creating beyond.words?
This piece was inspired by a CNN feature about a woman with ‘severe autism’, Amanda Baggs. Ms. Baggs makes videos that shed a light on ‘a day in the life’ for her. The video that really exploded and struck a chord with me is entitled ‘In My Language’. The crux of the message of this video is, ‘just because I (Amanda) speak a different language than you (neuro-typical people), it doesn’t mean that it’s not valid, and maybe you should learn to speak MY language, and not the other way around’ (paraphrased). This message blew me away and led us on our way to create the work.
What are the major lessons you learned while creating this dance piece?
I’ve been thrust into this wonderful community of people affected by the autism spectrum. It’s been a beautiful lesson in how to work with people with special needs while not attempting to strip away who they are at their core. I’ve now taught dozens of classes with people on the spectrum as well as workshops for parents and caregivers to utilize movement therapy. None of this would have happened without ‘beyond.words’.
I think, most importantly, I’ve learned to judge people less. We all have our idiosyncracies, passions, habits; things that make us ‘different’. If someone behaves differently than I do, that doesn’t make it wrong, or them dysfunctional, but simply different than me.
What do you want people to take away from “beyond.words”?
That the only way to understand someone, and potentially make their experience in this world a more realized one, is to approach them with openness and love. Trying to cure someone is definitely not the only way.
Are you creating any new works for dre.dance right now?
We just premiered ‘dre.diohead’, and evening of dance to music by the iconic band, Radiohead, in NYC two weeks ago! And now, we’re presenting it at the Ordway’s wonderful school performances this Tuesday and Wednesday.
We’re also just starting to germinate on the next piece. Keep your eyes out!
Where do you see dre.dance in ten years?
Hopefully all over the world!
www.dredance.com
www.facebook.com/pages/dredance/18881769562
www.youtube.com/dredancetube
www.myspace.com/dredancenyc
Posted in dre.dance, Dance, Behind the Scenes
This blog is a group effort by Ordway staff, actors, artists, musicians, dancers and all those involved in the creative process of performances, programs and events at the Ordway to provide a behind the scenes look at what happens onstage, backstage and in support of the work presented at the Ordway. We also hope to discuss pertinent topics in our industry.
The purpose of this blog is to engage with you in the blogosphere. We wish to let you know that our posts do not go through any official editorial process for spelling, grammar or fact checking, therefore errors may occur – please be kind! Every blog post is open for public comment, questions or suggestions and the Ordway chooses not to pre-screen these responses. That being said, we do reserve the right to remove any offensive, illegal, or inappropriate content at the Ordway's sole discretion.
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