'Make 'em laugh'

Whoever said theater is no laughing matter hasn’t seen the 2012-13 schedule for the Sheldon Theatre.

Interspersed with musical concerts, dance events, stage dramas and classic films are more than a half-dozen events designed to generate smiles, giggles and the occasional guffaw.

Consider “The Capitol Steps” on Sept. 29, a troupe founded by Congressional staffers that takes a timely look at the political scene. “They put the ‘mock’ in democracy,” officials warn.

And “Big Pants and Botox” on Nov. 10, a show from Great Britain that celebrates aging with humor and poignancy.

And “Late Night Catechism Las Vegas: Sister Rolls the Dice” on Feb. 9, in which the ever-popular nun tries her luck at Texas Hold’em.

And Maria Bamford on April 20, a show featuring the comedian whose comic CD was named one of the best of the year by Amazon.com.

Friends of the Sheldon

Locals cash in on the urge to smile, too. Friends of the Sheldon will reprise two unusual fundraisers — another original movie and another Fifties dance party, spokesman Ben Manning said.

“The Penny in the Old Man’s Hat” will get its world premiere Oct. 6. An original feature film by Scott Thompson of My Town Pictures, the murder mystery/comedy was shot here in February. The 28 local actors include many familiar names.

The Friends also are bringing back Jimmy Stanley for another dance party Feb. 7 at the National Guard Armory. He’ll do more Buddy Holly tunes and other music of the era, Manning said, adding that Stanley comes here from England at his own expense to help out the local theater organization.

“We try to create a march through the seasons with variety,” Sheldon Executive Director Sean Dowse said. “We always want a wide variety of offerings” embracing local, regional, national and world-class talent “so people don’t have to drive to see really good music and theater and dance and comedy.”

At the same time, he noted, “We continue our efforts to nurture local artists.”

Prices also run the gamut, starting at $3 for children and $5 for adults for some movies to $51.50 for the internationally acclaimed folk singer Arlo Guthrie. Prices are reduced for people who buy four or more shows by Aug. 31 in person or on the phone.

This year, the $2.50 sustainability fee that was being added onto the cost of each ticket has been incorporated in the price, Dowse said. “We wanted everything in one fee” to eliminate confusion.

Music

Guthrie headlines the list of concert performers in the coming season. He will present “Here Comes the Kid: A Tribute to Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday” on Nov. 3.

Guthrie is among nationally acclaimed acts the Sheldon was able to book while they tour the country, Dowse said. The Capitol Steps and Bamford also are widely known for their unique talents.

Other vocalists slated to perform this season include pop-folk artist Mason Jennings, appearing Nov. 17 with Solid Gold and opener Deer and Snow; Mick Sterling, performing “At Christmas” on Dec. 15; Zydeco master Terrance Simien on Feb. 23; and Red Horse — Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky — on March 9; plus the Red Wing Singers on March 16.

Bands also have a strong local following. Ivory Bridge will play for a Goodhue County Humane Society benefit on Sept. 15, and the John Philip Sousa Memorial Band makes its annual appearance on Sept. 22.

Also on the schedule: Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra Oct. 26; Sheldon Theatre Brass Band Nov. 23-24 and April 27; Café Accordion Orchestra and Monroe Crossing on New Year’s Eve; the Daddy Mack Blues Band with the Back Channel Blues Band on Jan. 19; and the Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical “Variety Showcase” on April 13.

Theater

Stage shows tackle serious topics in addition to comedy themes.

The opening event of the season, on Sept. 8, will be “8 The Play,” a project undertaken by PFLAG — Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays — with the local Soap Box theater troupe. Based on the trial over California’s Proposition 8, it presents both sides of the question prior to Minnesota’s fall vote on same-sex marriage.

Regional actors will be seen in “In the Company of Legends” on Oct. 20, an original one-act play set in the late 1890s featuring such characters as Buffalo Bill Cody and Wyatt Earp. Goodhue County Sheriff Scott McNurlin appears as Bat Masterson.

Commonweal Theatre is making Red Wing a tour stop, too, with a performance of “A Doll’s House” on March 23.

Phoenix Theatre has two shows on the schedule: “Babes in Toyland: The Musical” Dec. 6-9, and “The Importance of Being Earnest” April 4-7. The Red Wing High School musical, not yet chosen, will be staged May9-12.

For the kids, Missoula Children’s Theatre will be back in January to perform “The Secret Garden” with Red Wing school children and “Hansel and Gretel” with 4-H’ers, and the Arts Alive stage show is set for Feb. 15-16. This year’s school shows will be “Bunnicula” on Oct. 3; “The Gruffalo” on March 4; and “The True Story of the Three Pigs” on March 21.

Dance

Three major dance events are booked this coming season.

Tu Dance, a Minnesota-based professional organization that performs a broad range of dance styles, will be here Oct. 13.

Continental Ballet Company returns with its annual holiday production of “Nutcracker Ballet,” featuring local dance students along with professionals, on Dec. 22.

The James Sewell Ballet also is returning, on March 2, as the professionals continue to challenge their physical limits and expand notions about ballet.

Films

In addition to the original local movie, the Sheldon will screen three classic films.

In celebration of Halloween, “Rosemary’s Baby” (R, 1968) will be shown on Oct. 27, and the silent film version of “Phantom of the Opera” (1925) will have its annual screening on Oct. 27.

The all-time favorite “Casablanca” (PG, 1942) will be shown on Jan. 5.

For more information or to order tickets, stop by the Sheldon in downtown Red Wing or call 651-388-8700 or 800-899-5759. Tickets also may be ordered online; Internet fees may apply.

Sheldon 2012-2013 season

September

8 — “8 The Play” a courtroom drama about same-sex marriage, 7 p.m.; $17.50 adults, $11.50 students

15 — Ivory Bridge in concert with Kim Harrington, 7 p.m.; $22.50 adults, $14.50 students; benefit for Humane Society of Goodhue County

22 — John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, 7 p.m.; $17.50 adults, $11.50 students

29 — “The Capitol Steps” music and comedy show, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.; $32.50 adults, $20.50 students

October

3 — School Show: “Bunnicula,” 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; $14 adults, $6 students

6 — “The Penny in the Old Man’s Hat,” world premiere of movie starring local actors, 7 p.m.; $22.50; benefit for Friends of the Sheldon

13 — Tu Dance, 7 p.m.; $20.50 adults, $13.50 students

20 — “In the Company of Legends,” original play about Wild West heroes, 7 p.m.; $17.50 adults, $11.50 students

26 — Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra in concert, 7 p.m.; $16.50 adults, $10.50 students

27 — “Rosemary’s Baby” classic film, 7 p.m.; $5

28 — “Phantom of the Opera” silent film, 2 p.m.; $5 adults, $3 students

November

3 — Arlo Guthrie presents “Here Comes the Kid: A Tribute to Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday,” 7 p.m.; $51.50

10 — “Big Pants and Botox” comedy play, 7 p.m.; $27.50 adults, $17.50 students

17 — Mason Jennings, Solid Gold and Deer & Snow in concert, 6 p.m.; $14.50 adults, $9.50 students

23-24 — Sheldon Theatre Brass Band Holiday Concert, 8 p.m.-2 p.m.; $17.50 adults, $11.50 students

December

6-9 — “Babes in Toyland: The Musical,” a Phoenix Theatre production, 7 p.m. Dec. 6-8, 2 p.m. Dec. 9; $20.50 adults, $13.50 students

15 — “At Christmas” with Mick Sterling, 7 p.m.; $12.50 adults, $8.50 students

22 — Continental Ballet Company presents “Nutcracker Ballet,” 2 p.m.; $27.50 adults, $17.50 students

31 — Café Accordion Orchestra and Monroe Crossing in concert, 7 p.m.; $27.50 adults, $17.50 students

January

5 — “Casablanca” classic film, 7 p.m.; $5

12 — Missoula Children’s Theatre and Red Wing Schools students present “The Secret Garden,” 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; $12.50 adults, $8:30 students

19 — Daddy Mack Blues Band featuring Back Channel Blues Band, 7 p.m.; $23.50 adults, $15.50 students

26 — Missoula and 4-H’ers present “Hansel and Gretel,” 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; $12.50 adults, $8.50 students

February

2 — Fifties Dance Party, 7 p.m. at Red Wing National Guard Armory; $22.50 advance, $27.50 at the door

9 — “Late Nite Catechism Las Vegas: Sister Rolls the Dice,” 7 p.m.; $31.50 adults, $19.50 students

15-16 — “Arts Alive,” 7 p.m.-2 p.m.; $15.50 adults, $10.50 students

23 — Terrance Simien Zydeco concert, 7 p.m.; $22.50 adults, $14.50 students

March

2 — James Sewell Ballet, 7 p.m.; $20.50 adults, $13.50 students

4 — School Show: “The Gruffalo,” 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; $12 adults, $7 students

9 — Red Horse: Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky in concert, 7 p.m.; $29.50 adults, $18.50 students

16 — Red Wing Singers in concert, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., $17.50 adults, $11.50 students

21 — School Show: “The True Story of the Three Pigs,” 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; $12 adults, $7 students

23 — Commonweal Theatre presents Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” 7 p.m.; $20.50 adults, $13.50 students

April

4-7 — Phoenix Theatre presents “The Importance of Being Earnest,” 7 p.m. April 4-6, 2 p.m. April 7; $20.50 adults, $13.50 students

13 — Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical presents “Variety Showcase,” 7 p.m.; $14.50 adults, $9.50 students

20 — Maria Bamford comedy show, 7 p.m.; $25.50 adults, $16.50 students

27 — Sheldon Theatre Brass Band spring concert, 7 p.m.; $17.50 adults, $11.50 students

May

9-12 — Red Wing High School musical; $22.50 adults, $14.50 students

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