Jungle Theatre Kicks Off 2018 Season with Two One-Person Shows with Music

The Jungle begins its 2018 Season with a duet of innovative plays showcasing local musicians. Opening the new season on January 13 is Ishmael, a fable that features members of the standout bluegrass band, Pert Near Sandstone. Next up is My Mother Has 4 Noses, written and performed by acclaimed singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke, opening February 10.

In Ishmael, a country schoolteacher named Ishmael signs on to a whaling trip with a captain he's never met. Drawing freely from Herman Melville's classic novel, Moby Dick, shapeshifting actor-singer-songwriter Jack Weston plays all 12 characters, and with the help of three bluegrass musicians, conjures a funny, thoughtful, harrowing play about one man's drive to see the world,

Ishmael, written by Hollywood producer-actor-writer Leo Geter, was a Minnesota Fringe Festival favorite in 2015. Geter returns to his theater roots to direct this Jungle production, on stage through February 4. Pert Near Sandstone members Nate Snipe (fiddle/voice) and Kevin Kniebel (banjo/voice), along with Jim Parker (mandolin/guitar/clogging/voice) provide the music. Geter's creative team includes Sarah Bahr (set and costume design), Bill Healey (lighting design), Sean Healey (sound design) and John Novak (stage manager).

The Playwrights' Center's Jeremy B. Cohen (Le Switch) returns to the Jungle to direct the regional premiere of My Mother Has 4 Noses, which was developed at the Playwrights' Center, and was a N.Y. Times Critics' Pick and a Time Out New York Critic's Pick.

In this moving mother-daughter love story, on stage through March 4, Jonatha Brooke uses stories and songs to recount caring for her mother in the last years of her life. Her mom did have four noses, at least as many names and an indomitable sense of humor. She was a published poet, a clown, a Christian Scientist, and she had Alzheimer's. In their final two years together, the two Brookes would mine the daily goings-on for theater. This show, performed by Brooke, is the poignant result.

Sarah Bahr (set and costume design), Bill Healey (lighting design), Paul Mitchell (sound design) and John Novak (stage manager) round out the My Mother Has 4 Noses creative team.

Both plays with music are staged at the Jungle, the intimate Lyn-Lake neighborhood theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis. The Jungle offers post-show Stay Late discussions with an actor after every performance to give audience members the opportunity to ask questions and talk about the play's themes.

Performances are Tuesdays ($37), Wednesdays ($37), Thursdays ($35), Fridays ($47) and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. ($47), and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ($42). The Preview performance ($15) of Ishmael is January 11 at 7:30 p.m. and My Mother Has 4 Noses is February 8 at 7:30 p.m. Rush tickets are offered every night of the week, based on availability two hours prior to the performance, and there is special Friday night pricing for students, 55408 neighborhood residents and employees, and those under 30 years of age. Tickets and more information are available at (612) 822-7063 or online at www.jungletheater.com.

About the Jungle Theater

The Jungle Theater is a neighborhood theater with a national impact. As one of the region's most dynamic theaters, the Jungle is known for its definitive productions, exquisite design, masterful acting and compelling storytelling. Since its founding in 1991, the Jungle has been a flagship example of the transformative power of the performing arts, playing a vital, continuing role in the economic, social and cultural life of its Minneapolis Lyn-Lake neighborhood.

Dates

ISHMAEL

Preview Thursday, January 11 @ 7:30 p.m.

Media Night Friday, January 12 @ 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night Saturday, January 13 @ 7:30 p.m.

Audio-Described Thursday, January 25 @ 7:30 p.m.

Closes Sunday, February 4 @ 2:00 p.m.

MY MOTHER HAS 4 NOSES

Preview Thursday, February 8 @ 7:30 p.m.

Media Night Friday, February 9 @ 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night Saturday, February 10 @ 7:30 p.m.

Audio-Described Thursday, February 22 @ 7:30 p.m.

Closes Sunday, March 4 @ 7:30 p.m.

PHOTO: Jonatha Brooke

PHOTO CREDIT: William Clark

To post a comment, you must register and login.