1. Actor Laila Sahir (1776, The Children’s Hour, The Fantasticks, Elephant’s Graveyard) says, “My favorite thing this month has been playing board games with friends. I've loved playing the game Mysterium, where one player is the ghost and the other players are psychics who have to work together to figure out the circumstances of the ghost's death. It's like a cooperative version of Clue, and the art on the game pieces is so beautiful. Would highly recommend!”
 
2. Technical Director Peter Weber says, “My fave this month is a repeat fave that Brooke first put forth in March. My question for you is have you watched it? I have been loving it and its second season is halfway done now. I have decided to restate Brooke’s text from before due to it being so spot on. ‘Our Arts Ed Director, Brooke Smith says, “My Festival Fave for March 2021 is the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso! Starring Jason Sudeikis and based on a character he first portrayed during NBC's 2013 coverage of the English Premier League. Ted Lasso follows a Division 2 American football coach (the eponymous Lasso) who is hired by a vindictive divorcee to coach one of the most prominent soccer teams in the UK: the fictional AFC Richmond. Despite being hired to fail, Ted rises to the occasion, gaining the love of his team as well as the audience. ‘

​3. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards, says, “Check out this video of millions of Monarch butterflies taking off. The butterflies migrate south to Mexico to escape the harsh northern winters. This video allows you get to be up close and personal as they use a hummingbird drone to catch the footage. Here’s the link.”
 
https://www.mexperience.com/mexicos-monarch-butterflies/
 
4. Our Marketing Director, Isaac Bont, says, “My fave is revisiting old cd's/playlists.
Recently I've been perusing old playlists on my Spotify account. I've had the account for a number of years. There's so much music out there. I'm the type to really love something and listen to it for a while. Revisiting the songs that stuck out for me at any period of time, whether middle school, when I was 27, when I was in love, whether I was depressed, etc. is typically a joyful experience for me. Also, it helps me remember absolute A+++ songs. My recent relisten helped me rediscover "Fireball" by Pitbull, "Voodoo in my Blood" by Massive Attack/Young Fathers, "Johnny and Mary" by Todd Terje/Bryan Ferry and so much more.”

5. Our very own Edward Moersfelder says, “Sweet corn! Keep your zucchini, your tomatillos, and your patty pan squash. This is the time of the year for sweet corn--holdin' it in both hands, butter runnin' down your chin, savorin' some of the last-sunlight-of-a-long-summer-in-your-mouth sweet corn. Tomatoes are good, yeah, but sweet corn is the gastronomic physical senses luxury trip. If you can pick it and eat it the same day--priceless.  

Okay, that was a warm up--now, my other September Fave. I am not a mystery fan, maybe because I can never follow the plot and I always have to ask Karel "what just happened?" But she loves mysteries and talked me into watching "The Murdoch Mysteries." One show and I was hooked. The Canadian series debuted in 2008 and is now in its 15th season. Set in Toronto at the dawn of the twentieth century, it depicts a Toronto constabulary which weekly sets about solving mysteries, mostly murders. Murdoch is a detective and an inventor and with a wink solves mysteries using predecessors to x-rays, robotic devices, "imail" (instant mail), "finger marks," etc. with the help of his wife Julia, who is a Toronto coroner, and the other constables in his office, each more colorful and kinkier than the next. The writing is excellent, the acting is superb, and even I can sometimes figure out who did it. Guest appearances have included Winston Churchill, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Mark Twain (played by William Shatner). I'm hooked. It's on Ion Plus every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and given there are 221 episodes and counting, you can often find me with Karel in front of the TV on a weekend evening.”
 
 
6. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart, Silent Sky, Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “I enjoy really writing letters or sending cards. In a world where we are so overwhelmed with texts, emails, and social media, I love taking my time with a personalized greeting or note. It allows me to creatively invest in another person, forcing me to slow down and craft a thoughtful exchange. Whether it's to encourage someone who is struggling, connect with longtime friends, celebrate a milestone, or comfort the grieving, there is nothing quite like a handwritten letter. And, of course, I love it when someone responds in kind. It's rather therapeutic, paired with a nice beverage and your favorite music, and I highly recommend it.”

1. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart, Silent Sky, Brighton Beach Memoirs) submits the band Penny and Sparrow. She says, “I love a variety of music, but for the drive to Wisconsin from Texas, I particularly enjoyed listening to Penny and Sparrow, a Texas duo known for their folksy-Americana sound, reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel. Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke met as students at The University of Texas, and their career as singer-songwriters was born. I've actually seen them in concert a number of times, and their live appearances are always entertaining as well as moving. They are consummate showmen who know how to work a crowd with humor between songs. Their music is honest and raw, often showcasing the difficulties we face in this life through their powerful lyrics and haunting melodies. They even have a series of original songs (usually one per album) based solely on a character from Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, including Valjean, Javert, Eponine, Fantine, and The Bishop. For an introduction, I recommend their Live in Texas, 2019 album.”
 
 
2. Artist Lauren Lash (Actor: Sense and Sensibility, Brighton Beach Memoirs; Stage Manager: Shipwrecked! An Entertainment, Goldilocks on Trial) says, “My favorite thing this month has been DND (aka Dungeons and Dragons). A few of us started playing this past month and it's so fun to create your own character and improvise through adventures together. 

3. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards says, “Go catch a Twins game at Target Field. It’s an excellent way to spend a summer night. You can’t beat the crack of the bat and the pop of the glove. Their record is not so great but the game is always entertaining and you can’t beat the view of downtown Minneapolis. Be sure to get a Dinger Dog and some Cracker Jacks! Here is a link for tickets and more info about the stadium.”
 
https://www.mlb.com/twins/ballpark/information
 
4. Actor Faith Klick (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, Crimes of the Heart) says, I’ve been reading a lot of Greek mythology retellings. The first recommendation is Circe by Madeline Miller. It’s about the first witch, Circe and her story of becoming a strong, independent woman. I also read some phenomenal poetry entitled Aphrodite Made Me Do It by Trista Mateer. In the book, Aphrodite recounts her story from her own perspective and gives her thoughts on love through a modern lens. Highly recommend both reads! 

​5. One of our Youth and Family actors, Kylie Hawkinson (Anne of Green Gables, The Diary of Anne Frank, Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “The song Rue des trois frères by Fabrizio Paterlini has been my fave this month. It’s a song that is just the happiest rollercoaster ride you could possibly ever be on. It can just put me in the best of moods on the worst of days. I absolutely love it. Highly recommend you check it out.”
 
 
6. Actor Shahmad Muhammad (Sense and Sensibility, Shipwrecked!, Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “My current favorite things to do is collecting and wearing cool earrings. Before arriving for my acting internship here at Festival Theatre, I’ve only owned one pair of earrings and now I have at least ten different pairs ranging from awesome strawberries to cute tiny little elephants. By the end of the month, I hope to add more to my collection. It’s probably time for me to buy a jewelry box.”

1. Board member and Director, Mark Baer (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Clue the Musical, True West) says, “Drop what you are doing and go see the movie musical In The Heights, directed by Jon M. Chu, based on the script and score by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  I went expecting to enjoy Miranda’s upbeat score and learn a little something about Latinx culture in NYC, but I had a profound experience with this film that far exceeded my expectations. It is visually beautiful with clever direction by Chu and joyful choreography by Christopher Scott. I was particularly moved by the staging of one dance number on the literal side of an apartment building, but there are an equal portion of simple, honest moments between the all-star cast.
 
The film feels authentic, grounded in specific cultural experiences like food, clothing, and a mix of Spanish and English. But it blindsided me with universal questions that reached far beyond one neighborhood in NYC. How should we balance our ambitions and our need to feel connected to our community? Have I abandoned my tribe in search of my career? I was crying happy tears for hours afterward. Reinvigorate your love for musical theatre with this brilliant cinematic experience.”
 
2. Isaac Bont our Marketing Director says, “Beach House is an indie rock band that has some very dream pop qualities to them. I say dream pop qualities because they say in interviews, they don't like being called a dream pop band. Their sound is reminiscent of a hot summer night cruising along the road with the windows down with someone you love but have to let go. Their sound is very dreamlike, nostalgic, mysterious, catchy earworm that feels like it lives smack dab in the middle of dichotomies: happy/sad, love/heartbreak, hope/despair, etc. At any point in their songs, it feels like their balance could tilt either way, but the songs always ride a line of tension like that. It helps that many of their songs are beautiful and very catchy and musically interesting. My favorite songs (probably in this order) are Myth, Space Song, Master of None, and Lemon Glow. Check them out!”

3. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards says, “Check out Onesimplewish.org. Here’s the blurb from their website. 
 
‘At One Simple Wish we believe that every child deserves love, hope and joy.
Every year nearly 500,000 children are impacted by abuse, neglect and trauma and spend time in our nation’s foster care system. It can be lonely, confusing and a bit scary. Through our innovative wish-granting platform, you can send some love to a child who needs it. When wishes come true, kids not only have a chance to just be kids, but they can also make important connections, experience new things and find their passion!
500,000+ kids spend time in foster care each year.
100,000+ kids are waiting to be adopted.
22,000+ young people age out without stable, permanent connections.’
 
Here is a link to their site.”    https://static.onesimplewish.org

​4. Actor Jess Vanek (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools) says, “My July fave was Festival Theatre’s production of Sense and Sensibility! What a super cool show and a great way to get back into live theatre!”

5. Peter Weber, our Technical Director says, “The book, Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting was an amazing read. It was very engaging and complex but not hard to follow the story. The author touches on themes of family, war, adventure, mystery, and detailed knowledge of wood. Best described as a ‘Historical Romantic Thriller,’ the story starts in a small Norwegian town. Edvard, who never knew his parents due to a mysterious trip to The Somme that led to their deaths, was raised by a loving but stern grandfather, Sverre. After his grandfather's death, Edvard finds some letters that start him on a path toward the answer to his parents' deaths. Each chapter answers a question in the mystery but also adds more questions for the reader and Edvard. I found myself having a hard time putting the book down and spent a few late nights reading.”

The calm before the theatre storm is today as Shipwrecked: An Entertainment, the amazing adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as told by himself) begins rehearsal tomorrow afternoon! With Sense and Sensibility now open and charming audiences at Festival, we thought it'd be special to share a production diary of the Shipwrecked process!

Production meetings have been in progress for Shipwrecked between the designers and marketing has begun spreading around town about the show. Director Ryan Stevens is flying in, anxious to start working in person with the cast and crew. Ryan last directed the online version of Stuart Little for Festival, and we are excited to have his insane talent, mind, and direction on this latest project.

The poster of Shipwrecked took a few different forms before landing on its final version. Marketing director Isaac Bont noted themes of storytelling, adventure, high seas, tall tales, and islands when trying to land on a proper marketing theme for the show. Check out some of his earlier works on the play and also the final poster (the first image below) to have a look at how marketing decisions change with feedback and time on shows.

​1. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart, Silent Sky, and the upcoming Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “This month, I'd like to highlight one of my favorite regional theatres: Actors Theatre of Louisville, particularly their Humana Festival of New American Plays. Usually held in March-April of any given year (excepting the pandemic), the festival features the debut of at least five new works by both established playwrights and up-and-coming writers. Some weekends of the festival are geared towards academics and have key-note speakers such as Rajiv Joseph or Idris Goodwin. I've attended the festival in person three times, and I have consistently seen life-changing theatre each time I've gone. When I say "life-changing," what I mean is this: I typically watch plays very stoically, as my director training kicks in, and I analyze everything from lighting to blocking. Somehow at Actors Theatre of Louisville, however, I get sucked in emotionally and find myself completely and viscerally absorbed into the story and the characters. Examples of Humana productions that have left a lasting impact on me include Charles Mee's The Glory of the World, Sarah Ruhl's To Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday, and Lucy Padilla's How to Defend Yourself. On the whole, the productions are extremely well directed, acted, designed, and stage managed. While every play may not resonate strongly with me, there is an unmistakable love for the craft in every presentation. Additionally, Louisville, as a city, is quite affordable to explore and stay in as well. For more information about Actors Theatre of Louisville, please visit: https://www.actorstheatre.org/”
 
 
2. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards says, “Here are a few songs that have been on repeat at my apt as of late.”
 
Scratchcard Lanyard by Dry Cleaning
Idaho by Slow Pulp
Seabirds by pizzagirl
LeBron James by Do Nothing
Fly Out West by Yot Club
Car Crash in G Major by fanclubwallet
I Was Sad Last Night I’m OK Now by tobi lou
HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS by PawPaw Rod
There Must be More Than Blood by Car Seat Headrest
Anything by Adrianne Lenker

​3. Our Marketing Director, Isaac Bont says, “I began transitioning into a vegan diet this late spring. I'm not a combative vegan, so I leave it up to other people to discover if veganism is interesting to them or not. Regardless, there is some amazing vegan food out there when you go looking for it. In St. Croix Falls, the Vegetarian downtown is vegan heaven, and there are vegan options from most restaurants nearby that are excellent. Personal favorites locally are veggie samosas and avial from the Vegetarian, vegetable lo mein from Panda King, a veggie burger with sweet potato fries from the Watershed Cafe, and a good old black bean burrito with the works from Poco Loco. Minneapolis and St. Paul have amazing vegan restaurant options including Trio, JB Selby’s, and Reveries, and also, they have more expansive cuisine selections of course that are conducive to many vegan options. Thai, Indian, and Asian cuisine tend to have many vegan options. Next time you have a chance to try out a vegan burger or vegan mac and cheese, give it a shot! You might be surprised at how delicious it can be!”
 
4. Actor Clare Rolinger (Sense and Sensibility, Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “This month, my festival fav is the New York Times podcast, Modern Love. The podcast centers around stories of love, loss, and redemption. People submit essays on their experiences with love, and each week, a celebrity guest reads an essay aloud that resonates with them. After the reading, the podcast host, Meghna Chakrabarti, interviews both the celebrity guest and the essay author.
 
I really enjoy this podcast because it not only looks at romantic love, but also familial love and friendship. Sometimes it makes me teary! Sometimes it makes me laugh! It is an absolute joy to listen to and I hope that you check it out.”

5. Actor Lauren Lash (Sense and Sensibility, Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “My favorite thing this month has been the Wisconsin wildlife. I am from Columbus, Ohio. So, I have seen my fair share of deer, but deer sightings here are much more frequent than where I was in Ohio. I also saw four bears driving back to my host home from the theatre. It looked like a mamma bear and three cubs. I have also seen many colorful birds which are always nice to look at. So overall, my favorite thing this month has been watching the many different kinds of wildlife Wisconsin has to offer.”

​1. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards says, “It’s finally time to start thinking about outside. One of my favorite things about St. Croix Falls is all the trails for hiking and running. If you are ready to get back out there after hibernating all winter, it may be time for a new pair of shoes. Let me recommend Altra. They make my favorite trail running shoes. I have several pairs that I switch between. You can hardly go wrong with any of their designs but the Lone Peak is my personal favorite. Altra shoes have many features that I like. For example. They are a zero drop shoe. Meaning the front of the show and the back of the shoe are level. Most shoes are higher in the back. Some by a few millimeters and some by a lot. The zero drop lets your foot function properly as it would without shoes on. Also, the toe box is shaped like your toes. Most shoes narrow at the fore foot which squeeze your toes together. Altra’s foot-shaped toe box gives your toes more room which, again, allows them to function as they would if you were barefoot. This also creates a larger foot bed to allow for more stability on the trail. Check out the link below for more details. Happy running! (Or hiking!)
 
https://www.altrarunning.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwppSEBhCGARIsANIs4p6924kv6jRAOeSELkiZS_12Xndm79FRklT5hYT_X8HV_Q6Z3KDKnHIaAjfrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
 
 
2. Incoming actor, Clare Rolinger will be joining Festival Theatre this summer. You will see her in Sense and Sensibility and Brighton Beach Memoirs. She writes, “My Festival Fav for May 2021 is the show, "The Great" on Hulu! It is a period satire about an eighteenth-century empress of Russia, Catherine the Great. Catherine marries into the royal family and develops a deep hatred for her husband, Peter. The show follows Catherine as she plans a coup and attempts to murder Peter and rule Russia on her own. Fascinating and compelling female characters! Murder! What more could you need? The show is by no means historically accurate (every episode starts with a title slide that says, "The Great, an occasionally true story"), but it is incredibly funny and the costumes are exquisite and it has been an absolute joy to watch.” 

​3. Our Board President, Meg Luhrs says, “The cold spring has slowed the wildflower show on the best wildflower walk around, the Indianhead Trail on the north end of the Lions Park in St. Croix Falls, and that's a good thing! You can still see Dutchman's Britches, Rue Anemone, (false or otherwise), Trout Lilies galore, Marsh Marigolds or Cowslips, as we used to call them and you will see why, Skunk Cabbage, and Bloodroot. Violets are still shy of the cold and Trilliums are just daring to show small leaves and buds. Go early and often because the display changes every day! The trail crosses numerous streams with wooden bridges and is handicapped accessible. If you follow it to the picnic table/campsite, you will see a ginormous eagle nest across the river in a white pine. Bring your binoculars so you can spot the "tiny" inhabitants.”
 
4. Actor Faith Klick (The marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, Crimes of the Heart) says, “My favorite is a reality show called The Circle on Netflix. Sometimes it’s nice to not think too much. The show questions whether or not the true you can be portrayed through social media and if people will believe the lies you tell on social media. I’ve been consuming a lot of other media with very thick and complicated plots

​5. Actor Lauren Lash will be joining us for the first time this summer. (Sense and Sensibility, Shipwrecked!, Brighton Beach Memoirs) She says, “My favorite thing lately is the Adventure Challenge. This is a book with a collection of adventures and comes in three editions: solo, friends, and couple. You scratch off a mystery adventure the day you want to do it and then you go on an adventure. Maybe it is painting, going to the thrift store, baking etc. This book has really expanded my idea of adventuring and given me a lot of really fun things to do that I would not have thought of myself.” 

1. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards says. “I’m sure by now you have heard about Girl Scout Troop 6000. If not, below is a link to check out. In short, it is the Girl Scout troupe for the NYC Shelter System. From this link you can learn more about the program and buy cookies from them! I hope you will “tagalong” with me and “do-si-do” over to their website to buy some cookies.
 
https://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/en/whatgirlsdo/gs-troop-6000.html

2. Actor Jessica Vanek (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools) says, “Smart Food White Cheddar Popcorn. That’s it, that’s the favorite. It is just so good. I’ve loved it for many years and my love has not died. We’re planning an elopement within the year, so if that doesn’t demonstrate my love for this product, then I don’t know what does.
 
3. Actor Faith Klick (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, Crimes of the Heart) says, “This month my favorite has been (surprise,surprise) baking bread! I just started this new form of baking and I love it! There is nothing like the smell of fresh bread and using it to make a grilled cheese. My newest favorite loaf is focaccia bread. This loaf has rosemary, garlic, olives, and cherry tomatoes on it. It was heavenly. Baking bread is a great way to desires and think about something else. Highly recommend!!!”

4. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart, Silent Sky, and the upcoming Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “As many of you know, I am based near Dallas, Texas. And, as most of you are aware, we are still emerging from an infrastructure failure triggered by a severe winter storm, unusually sustained cold temperatures (for our region), and a lack of oversight from the powers-that-be. Living through this event made me categorize my favorite modern conveniences. This may be a little unorthodox for Festival Faves, but what follows are the inventions/conveniences that I learned to appreciate during those ten days. First, the most important necessity for my family was clean, drinkable water. We were fortunate in that we never had to shut off our water, and we never had to boil our water. Others were not so lucky, and millions either had no water or a boil order in place. Had we lost this; it would have meant an immediate relocation for the safety of my elderly parents. Second, for me, was a working fireplace and stove. Our fireplace and stove are powered by natural gas, and it was a luxury to be able to curl up next to a warm fire and cook a hot meal on a stove when there was no electricity. There was discussion that supply was limited for both gas and water, so we conserved as much as we could without jeopardizing the health of our family. Coming in third would be phone service. The power outages knocked out our home phone, cable television, and internet service. Cell service was in and out: a victim of rolling blackouts as well. It was rather scary knowing I could not contact anyone via text, data, or phone call in the event of an emergency nor keep up with the local news/weather forecast. When this stabilized, I was so very relieved. The fourth most important thing for us was a well-stocked pantry and well-managed grocery stores. We were fortunate that we heeded the weather warnings and purchased enough food and medicine to sustain us, if needed, for two weeks. My sister and her family, in a different city, failed to do this, and they were scraping together ragamuffin meals as their grocery store was bare. Finally, the last thing was electricity. I was surprised by how well we did without it: candles, flashlights, firelight, books, conversation, and warm blankets served us well. In Texas, our homes are built to keep us cool--for we are well known for our long summer streaks of 100*+ days. And, while snow is magical and beautiful, it was anxiety-inducing to have the mercury dip below zero without a way to protect our homes and families. Of course, as I write this, we've already reached 81* just a week after we hit -2*. And that, my friends, is Texas in a nutshell.”

​5. Our Arts Ed Director, Brooke Smith says, “My Festival Fave for March 2021 is the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso! Starring Jason Sudeikis and based on a character he first portrayed during NBC's 2013 coverage of the English Premier League, Ted Lasso follows a Division 2 American football coach (the eponymous Lasso) who is hired by a vindictive divorcee to coach one of the most prominent soccer teams in the UK: the fictional AFC Richmond. Despite being hired to fail, Ted rises to the occasion, gaining the love of his team as well as the audience. 
 
Despite having played several high school sports, I would not consider myself a ‘sports person.’ But I couldn't help but fall in love with Ted and his team of misfits. I laughed, I cried, I reconsidered all of my life decisions, I could not recommend it more. It may be difficult to get a hold of since it's only streaming on Apple TV+, a less-purchased streaming service, but if you know a friend who will let you use their passcode or if you're willing to start your 7-day free trial, it's well worth it!"
 
6. Isaac Bont, our Marketing Director says, “Feel good movies can get a bad rap these days. Chef by Jon Favreau is absolutely an easy breezy movie that I caught on Netflix that I'd heard good things about previously. It follows a professional chef as he reworks his personal and artistic life over a food truck road trip from Miami to New Orleans to Texas. The most interesting thing to me about this film was the story structure. Following the first twenty minutes, there is no conflict. It's just a feel good journey with likeable characters and a lot of great food and music following the climax of conflict that happens within the first ten minutes. Very strange story structure which pays off because it was still enjoyable to watch, and a testament that we don't always need the old tried and true story structure of a normal narrative journey! Also, it's a love letter to Cuban sandwiches... more on those in my April Festival Fave coming up!

​1. Actor and Costume Designer Ellie Larson (Actor: Fools, Crimes of the Heart; Costume Designer: The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) says, “My February Festival Fave is Burt’s Bees lip balm. It is super moisturizing and long-lasting, so it's nice for wintery chapped lips, and there are lots of different flavors. I personally like the mango and pomegranate flavors. It also makes me very nostalgic for summer 2019 in St. Croix Falls. 
 
One of the first days I was in town, I went into Tangen Drug across the street from the theatre because Jess Vanek, another intern, got a really cool sticker there, and I wanted one, too. When I got up to the register, there was a minimum purchase to use my card, and so I grabbed the closest thing, and it happened to be a Burt’s Bees lip balm, and that is when it all began. Never looked back.
 
Really anything from Burt’s Bees is a home run in my book. I also use the cuticle oil, face wash, night-time moisturizer, and the under-eye brightening gel and they are all great. PLUS’ Burt’s Bees is cruelty-free and uses lots of natural ingredients. It makes self-care feel very indulgent.”
 
2. Actor and Director Jackie Johnson (Actor: 1776, Rumors, Leading Ladies, Elephant’s Graveyard, Crimes of the Heart; Director: Death of a Salesman, Fools, The Diary of Anne Frank) says, “After a smart and talented friend recommended Blown Away on Netflix about a year ago, I went home and queued up the first episode. That night I had to force myself to pause after watching two episodes because I didn't want to burn through this artistic journey too quickly. I become an instant fan. Season two was released recently, and I've been similarly trying to pace myself. It's a vibrant and exciting introduction to a world of artistry that I had previously known very little about; glass blowing. Ten industry champs (with the support of several talented assistants) compete for an Artist Residency at the Corning Museum of Glass and $60,000 to support their career. Not only is it exciting to watch artists excelling in their craft, the fragility of their work mirrors the fragility of our lives, our systems, our emotions. I am reminded that we all shatter glass from time to time, and it's what we do with those broken shards that matters most. Thanks to that friend (spoiler alert it was Jason Richards) who made the initial recommendation, I am now passing it on to you all! We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we have.
 
By now you've probably already heard or read Amanda Gorman's Inaugural Poem, "The Hill we Climb." But if you haven't, do yourself a favor and take it in. This is an incredible young poet, and in sharing her gift with the nation, she strikes an inspirational chord while honoring the often painful history that brought us to this moment in time. Gorman captures so much about our shared national identity and provides a beautiful and inspirational look at how we can return to compassion as a foundation of our government. It gives me great hope for our future, ‘if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.’ You can read a transcript of her poem, "The Hill we Climb" here, or watch her recitation here.”

​3. Isaac Bont, our Marketing Director says, “I've been re-watching a lot of David Lynch material lately. He's one of my favorite film/tv directors and minds. Some of my favorite stuff by him include Mulholland Dr., Eraserhead, and all things Twin Peaks. Lynch is a surrealist filmmaker who grew up in the 1950's. Much of his material tends to seem very confusing on first watch, but you notice that it's very atmospheric, provocative, and fun to experience. Lynch had a great reply in an interview when asked ‘What do you say to people who say your films make no sense?’ Lynch responded that ‘I like a story that has concrete structure but also holds abstractions. Life is filled with abstractions. The way we make heads or tails of it is with intuition. People get used to a film that explains itself 100% and they can turn off that beautiful thing in their head that allows them to respond to abstractions. Some people on the other hand, love abstractions, and it gives them room to dream.’ Regardless of whether you respond well to abstractions, Lynch is masterful at creating a mood, delighting with the joys of humanity and goodness, and also delving into our disturbing potential for violence and evil.”
 
4. Actor Faith Klick (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, Crimes of the Heart) says, “My favorite for this month is the Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook. I have been missing humanity and traveling recently. I was lucky enough to receive this cookbook from one of my best friends, Tyra, this Christmas as a reminder of the trip we took three years ago. The book is filled with treats that we loved and wanted to try. The recipes were actually pretty accurate! If you’re having a little bit of wanderlust, I highly recommend picking up a cookbook and experiencing travel through food. Those flavors will make it feel like you’re there!”

​5. Actor Scott Murdock (Fools, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play, God of Carnage, The War of the Worlds) recommends Rishi Tea. “Nothing feels, or smells, quite like a fresh hot tea during Midwinter. The warmth of the mug to your hand is magical. I've found my tea fix this winter right here in St Croix Falls, at 3 Arrows Coffee Shop. Yes, I also happen to work there ;) 3 Arrows carries tea from the Rishi Tea and Botanical Company, located in Milwaukee. It is great stuff. Weighed to perfection and steeped at the exact temperature and time needed to achieve the perfect brew, 3 Arrows ensures that the quality of Rishi Tea is never compromised in its preparation. My personal favorites are Peppermint Sage (wow) and Earl Grey (classic). I know Jason would endorse the Masala Chai, himself. :) Stop on by to get yo tea on!”
 
6. Actor Laila Sahir (1776, The Children’s Hour, The Fantasticks, Elephant’s Graveyard) says "I just finished playing the game What Remains of Edith Finch, and I LOVED it. It's a first-person adventure game available on several different platforms (I played on my laptop). While the game is technically an adventure game, I was more taken with the aspects of the story that center around family and loss. The content can get a bit dark at times, but the storytelling and the artwork are absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to play through it again!"

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7. Our Board President Meg Luhrs says, “Since last spring, I have been walking on various segments, in Chisago County MN, of the Swedish Immigrant Recreational Trail. It's paved for bikes but walkers are welcomed. In the winter, some segments are cleared and others are packed snow or even fresh powder, suitable for snowshoeing. The newest segment terminus is in Taylors Falls at their City Hall campus just west of downtown on County Road 37 and is a nice facility with parking, picnic tables under a shelter, and portable toilets. Walking west from there, with the Interstate Park on your left, you cross two beautifully engineered bridges spanning deep ravines, and eventually come to Herberg Ave., where you can turn around or cross the road and continue to the Tern Ave. parking area or proceed all the way to Shafer, MN. The trail ends, for now, a few miles west of Shafer parking area.
 
The trail surface is wide and even, the terrain is flat to gently rolling, and it passes through varied surroundings, from woods to meadows, farmlands to wetlands, villages and campgrounds, always providing an atmospheric journey suggestive of that taken by early settlers as they ventured west from the steamboat landings of the Lower St. Croix.”
 
8. Actor Madison Fairbanks (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) says, “My February Festival Fave is embroidery! I’ve only been embroidering for a few years but self-isolation has had me working on a ton of different projects. Traditional hoops as well as ball caps, jeans, and sleeping masks have been a saving grace as a creative outlet. I prefer it to other fiber crafts such as knitting or cross stitching because embroidery lends itself to so much freedom. If I mess up, fixing it is no sweat. When I say it’s a great beginner craft, I mean it! Start off with something simple; the shape of Wisconsin, a quote that inspires you, the Festival Theatre logo (maybe that’s more advanced, your call), whatever you want! My current, specific, fascination is “Day of the Week” tea towels featuring critters doing chores around the house. The best advice I can give is not to take it too seriously! It’s a fun, entirely customizable, simple craft. A needle, an embroidery hoop, embroidery floss, and some fabric is all it takes. Put on a podcast, some music, a favorite tv series, sit in silence, whatever you want, and stitch away!”

​1. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards, says, “Check out Pitchfork.com’s 50 best albums of 2020. It’s an eclectic mix of bands from multiple genres. I am sure you will find something that you like. Keen lovers of the Fave lists will remember that I listed two bands as Faves back in July, Phoebe Bridgers and Waxahatchee. Both bands make the list! Check it out here.”
 
https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2020/
 
2.  Actor Jessica Vanek (The Marvelous Wonderettes and Fools) says, “I just spent two days watching all of The Queen’s Gambit and I LOVED IT. It’s a limited series on Netflix about chess and I really enjoyed it! If you’re looking for a binge show, this is the one for you.”

​3. Designer Rachel Armour (Set Designer: Fools, Props Designer: The Marvelous Wonderettes and Crimes of the Heart) says, “My favorite tradition is playing board games with my family :) We just got Stratego, which is kinda like chess but more fun.”
 
4. Marketing Director Isaac Bont recommends, “Snowshoeing! If you've never been snowshoeing, the time to try it out is coming up! Winter in the Midwest is beautiful (if a little chilly) and even if the idea of an oversized ping pong paddle strapped to your shoes doesn't seem particularly thrilling, you'd be surprised! It's mostly an excuse to go out into a beautiful outdoor area (there are many local state parks and forests beautiful for this) and not sink into a deep bed of snow while you explore! Pair it up with some hot cocoa (with a little Baileys for the 21+ crowd) and a wintery movie afterwards!”

5. Actor Faith Klick (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, Crimes of the Heart) says, “A favorite of mine has been Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!. It’s a Greek mythology podcast. It’s a great way to learn all about Greek mythology and the host adds a lot to it. 
 
6. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart, Silent Sky, and the upcoming Brighton Beach Memoirs) says, “Tiger Leap Productions is a podcast production team founded in part by Dan Buck, a dear colleague of mine from graduate school. He, along with others, have created three original podcasts with the intention of bringing fun and wonder back into the lives of ordinary humans. I've listened to every episode of the limited series, Project SSA, as well as their new offering, Curio. Both are similarly appealing in their childlike wonder of adventure and mystery. The final one is called The Punnery, which is self-explanatory and often filled with odd true stories. The production quality is solid, and all of the adventures either awaken curiosity or have you shaking your head in laughter. Each podcast is available on multiple platforms. An overview of each podcast is available at their website: https://tigerleapproductions.com/
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​1. Actor Faith Klick (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, Crimes of the Heart) loves the holiday season so much she sent in several faves. Here is her list.
 
#1. “Christmas! Christmas is my favorite time of the year and now that Thanksgiving is over, I can’t wait to blast Christmas music. It’s a time of joy and togetherness, even if that looks a little different this year.”
 
#2. “Making my own Christmas ornaments! This is a great way to show your love, without breaking the bank. Plus, easy to ship during these social distancing times!”
 
#3. “Gingerbread cookies. A yummy dessert is always a favorite in my book.”
 
#4. “Chai Tea Lattes: The colder the weather gets the more I crave these. All I do is heat some almond milk, steep the chai tea of my choice, and add a little honey. It’s a great fall flavor that I think fits in every season.”
 
 
2. Director and Board member Mark Baer says, “I’d like to recommend the Netflix series Dash & Lily, a romantic comedy 8-episode series created by Joe Tracz based on the young adult series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn. As I huddled in quarantine preparing for a very difficult season away from friends and family, I stumbled on this quirky Christmas-themed show featuring a fresh storyline and many memorable moments of holiday fun. Set in New York (in the tradition of many holiday classics) and featuring the earnest and charming performances of Midori Francis as Lily and Austin Abrams as Dash, this series strikes the difficult balance between innocent wonder and plausible plot construction that I look for in an escapist holiday narrative. It was lovely to find a new show that almost-eight-year-old Samantha, my wife, and I could all agree was not only enjoyable but worthy of a re-watch.  Happy holidays from a distance!

3. Here is a fave from actor Jess Vanek (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools). “I have always been a fan of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It’s always been an iconic movie and it really puts me in the sentimental holiday spirit. 
 
I also love watching the Festival Theatre Christmas Special ;)”
 
 
4. Here is an entry from our Technical Director, Peter Weber. He writes, “Return of the Obra Dinn, self-described on its website as "An insurance adventure with minimal colour." This puzzle game harkens back to vintage games with a modern feel. This is topped off with an amazing story that you (as the player) must unravel. Winning six accolades in gaming including two BAFTA awards for game design and artistic achievement. I knew before starting this game that it appealed to me but was not ready for how much I would come to love it. The mystery, narrative and stunning visual style quickly put this game into my top five video games of all time. The simple controls make it great even if you are not a hardcore gamer and just want some casual fun. The game was created by Lucas Pope as an independent game. This labor of love took him about four years to develop and he put a breathtaking amount of detail into the game. It is well worth the short playtime; I finished in just under six hours. I completed it this Sunday last and am still thinking of the intriguing and full narrative.”

5. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart, Silent Sky) has two holiday faves to share.
 
“Oddly enough, one of my favorite things during the holidays are the Boot Barn commercials. You read that right: Boot Barn. Their commercials are cinematic in every aspect from the score underneath to their top-notch cinematography and editing. I love them because they defy stereotypes associated with Western wear. And to be honest, I don’t own a thing from Boot Barn nor have I ever shopped there (even though I am a born and bred Texan). Yet every time the Boot Barn holiday commercial comes on, I stop whatever I’m doing and watch.
 
And… “About fifteen years ago, my Mom and I were Christmas shopping in a small, local store. They were playing a CD of holiday music that we inquired about and ended up purchasing. Christmas Chillout by Crystal Theory has become one of our family favorites. The group takes traditional carols and songs, arranging them into a very chill jazz remix. I don’t know how else to describe it. Jazz fusion? Synth jazz? I’m not that musically literate, but I do really like their unique covers of some very famous holiday tunes. They have two volumes of Christmas music, and both are still available to purchase or stream.”
 
 
6. Actor Madison Fairbanks (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, Stuart Little) says, “My Festival fave this month is the infamous Don Hansen Sugar Shack Maple Syrup! I missed having this delicacy in my coffee each morning; a trick I learned from local celebrity Sydney Paredes, so I snagged some during my last visit to the St. Croix Valley. The moment I was able to pour the sweetest nectar you've ever tasted into my not-so-special brew, it felt as if I was having a luxury drink. Don's Sugar Shack offers a variety of maple products from syrup, to candy, to cream! These make wonderful gifts for the holiday season while supporting a small local business. Or you can have some all for yourself. There's really no wrong way. Pick up a bottle and enjoy a true taste of the Twin Falls! 

​7. Actor Erika Kuhn (1776, Rumors, Death of a Salesman, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, Lone Star Spirits, Boy Gets Girl) says, “My Festival Fave is a Kuhn Family Tradition: Swedish Pancakes. Am I Swedish? Who knows! But my great grandmother Ruth got us absolutely hooked on these thin, crepe-like delicious stacks and they've quickly become a staple for holidays and birthdays. We firmly enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and I hope you do too!
 
While you can prepare them from scratch, we typically opt for the ease of the classic Lund's Swedish Pancake mix that you can pick up from most grocery stores. My mom likes to amp them up a bit with some vanilla and cinnamon, so feel free to make them your own! We've recently experimented with taking the batter from the griddle to a waffle maker and have thoroughly enjoyed the results!
 
Try them with butter and some local maple syrup, or done up with berries and whipped cream (my sister's favorite). 
 
Enjoy!”
 
8. Actor/Director Emily Aherns (Actor: The Fantasticks, Elephant’s Graveyard; Director: The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) says, “I am not usually a TV person, but in this off season, I have finally started watching shows that I’ve said I would watch for YEARS now. So, my December Festival Fave is the Netflix series The Crown. Y’all. I am literally obsessed with this show. For those who may not know, The Crown is a drama following the life of Queen Elizabeth II in England (yes, the one that’s still ruling). The acting is simply unparalleled (Claire Foy... I mean COME ON) and as someone was a history nerd all her life with a special love for Princess Diana (you get to her a few seasons in!) this show hits all the marks. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a new watch during the holidays!”