Sheldon looks ahead to comedy, music

The Sheldon Theatre will continue serving up plenty of laughs and music in 2013.

“It’s really what we find our audience wants to see,” Sheldon Director Sean Dowse said. “They want to see comedy and they like music.”

The schedule also highlights local talent and community involvement. The Sheldon Brass Band, Arts Alive and Red Wing Singers are among performances slated for the rest of the theater’s season.

Artistic highlights such as the James Sewell ballet also round out the winter and spring lineup.

Looking back at 2012, Dowse said there were some real highs and a few lows.

“I think we’re in the middle of a really good season,” he said.

Top highlights included performances from Arlo Guthrie and Monroe Crossings, Dowse said. Also bringing in a solid crowd was the Mason Jennings show. That was part of an effort working with the Minnesota Music Coalition to bring in a younger crowd, and it worked.

“It was an audience we don’t often see at the Sheldon who came, so it was very nice to see that,” Dowse said. “That was a real high point and success story.”

The Sheldon team is working to solidify schedules for summer and fall, and the trend for 2013 likely will continue.

“We’ll always be presenting dance and theater,” Dowse said. “But comedy and music … people respond and come to see that, so that’s what we want to present.”

Here’s what’s left for the rest of the Sheldon’s 2012-13 season:

January

5 — “Casablanca” film, 7 p.m.; $5

12 — Missoula Children’s Theatre presents “The Secret Garden,” 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; $12.50 adults, $8.50 students

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

26 — Missoula presents “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: 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 concert, 7 p.m.; $22.50 adults, $14.50 students

March

2 — James Sewell Ballet, 7 p.m.; $20.50 adults, $14.50 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., $22.50 adults, $14.50 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 (not yet chosen), 7 p.m. May 9-11, 2 p.m. May 12; $22.50 adults, $14.50 students

Tags: arts and entertainment, sheldon theatre, red wing, social, arts, entertainment, lifestyle