Illusion Theater to Premiere ONLY ONE SOPHIE

The Illusion Theater presents the world premiere of Only One Sophie, an engaging musical inspired by Director Michael Robins' remarkable family history. Opening February 12, the new work will be on stage through March 5 at the downtown Minneapolis theater, located on the eighth floor of The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave.

Featuring books and lyrics by Robins and original music by composer Roberta Carlson, Only One Sophie explores a boy's longing to understand his place in the world as he remembers his beloved grandmother through colorful stories and heartfelt songs. Steeped in Jewish immigrant traditions that connect and conflict with a modern American upbringing, the imaginative production spans history and continents, and asks if it's possible to imagine a future while being haunted by the past.

The multi-talented ensemble cast includes Bonni Allen (Linda), Elizabeth Hawkinson (Young Sophie and Pam), Jay Hornbacher (Sam), Beth Gilleland (Clara), Bradley Greenwald (Michael), Kersten Rodau (Sophie), Randy Schmeling (Oscar), Benjamin Wagner (Louis, Richard and Jacob). They'll be accompanied by musicians Roberta Carlson (piano), Joe Englund (cello) and Doug Haining (clarinet).

Audiences can explore the themes of Illusion Theater's Only One Sophie through a series of pre- and post-show workshops, special events and educational panels, including:

Friday, February 12, following the 8:00 p.m. performanceCelebrate Sophie! Opening Night Party - Watch the show and stay after for a celebration that includes a spread of traditional Jewish Food.

Saturday, February 13, 7:00-7:45 p.m.What We Leave Behind: Ethical Wills. An ethical will, or legacy letter, is a way to document and share your values, beliefs, life's lessons, hopes, gratitude, love, and forgiveness with your family, friends, and community. Dr. Barry K. Baines will lead a conversation about this ages old custom and attendees can begin taking the first steps toward writing their own ethical will/legacy letter before the Saturday evening performance.

Friday, February 19, 6:00-7:30 p.m. - at Art Institutes International, 15 S. 9th St., MinneapolisGrandma's Recipe Crawl. The Gourmet Gallery at Art Institutes International (AII) will present a tasting of small plates representing the student chefs' heritage and recipes, passed down through generations. From 6-7:30 before the show, these delicious foods will be prepared by the student chef teams. Following the tasting, attendees will walk three blocks to the Illusion Theater for the performance. **Space is limited for this event.**

Saturday, February 20, 5:00 Workshop, panel following the 8:00 p.m. performanceThe Power of Memoir: Pre-show Writing Workshop & Post-show Discussion. Author Jeannine Ouellette explores the genre of memoir in this workshop. Tips, techniques, and writing exercises are part of the experience. After the show, Ouellette and other local authors will talk about their own experiences with writing life stories and comment on the show.

Sunday, February 21, following the 2:00 p.m. matineeThe Documentaries of My Life. Local filmmaker and documentarian Kelly Huang will host a conversation about her work, including her recent documentary featured at the Twin Cities Film Fest, "A Refugee's Story: Khamsay Huang."

Thursday, February 25, following the 8:00 p.m. performanceFood and Cultural Heritage. Charlie Awards Founder Sue Zelickson will moderate a panel of Twin Cities Chefs and cookbook authors as they discuss how their cooking has been influenced by their grandmothers' and mothers' heritage recipes.

Saturday, February 27, following the 8:00 p.m. performanceImmigration Then and Now. Peter Rachleff will lead a panel discussion, including Rabbi Simeon Glaser of Temple Israel, on immigration then and now. Rachleff is a professor of history at Macalester College, specializing in United States labor, immigration and African-American history. He is president, treasurer and co-founder of the East Side Freedom Library, housed in the previous home of St. Paul's Arlington Hills Library.

Friday, March 4, following the 8:00 p.m. performanceSophie's Landing: History of St Paul's West Side Flats. Steve Trimble, independent scholar focusing on local and ethnic history, leads a panel discussion on the history of St Paul's West Side, which was settled by many Jewish immigrants beginning in the 1880s. He was a history professor at Macalester College and a state legislator representing Saint Paul's East Side, and currently serves on the board of the Ramsey County Historical Society. "The Lost Jewish Community of the West Side Flats: 1882-1962," a memoir of this historic neighborhood, will be used as inspiration for the panel.

Admission to these events is free with a ticket to the accompanying performance. Tickets for Only One Sophie are $25-$42. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more people. Tickets are available at the Illusion Theater Box Office at 612-339-4944 or online at www.illusiontheater.org.

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