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Festival Faves: January 2021!

1/1/2021

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​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.”

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​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!”

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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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Festival Faves: December Edition!

12/1/2020

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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!

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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.”

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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! 

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​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!”

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Festival Faves: November Edition!

11/5/2020

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​1. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart, Silent Sky) says, “For years I have been a fan of the composer Max Richter who is probably best known for his work scoring several contemporary television shows and movies. Recently, however, I discovered his reworking of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, which apparently has been available since 2014. Essentially, Richter has re-composed these famous concerti adding his trademark depth and the slightest hint of a modern twist. I've always thought Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was something of a Baroque rock star, and have routinely appreciated the complexities of Baroque music. But hearing Richter's version made me appreciate the original all the more. Vivaldi's work is in no way hidden nor unrecognizable in Richter's homage. Rather, it is a study in appreciation: highlighting moments you may have missed in the original by using the merest alteration or emphasis in rhythm, harmony, or counter melody. It's been a nice addition to my (wildly varied) walking playlist as the temperatures cool off and nature changes colors. "Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons" is available everywhere you can stream or buy music.”
 
2. Director Ryan Stevens (Stuart Little) says, “As we pass through October's spooky season and get deeper into fall, I'm getting nostalgic for the crunchy leaves and autumn winds of my home in South Carolina. I've been listening to the podcast Old Gods of Appalachia, which tells spooky stories set in the Appalachian south. Ghosts at the bottom of coal mines, witches in the marsh, and all sorts of strange creatures in the deep, dark woods lurk in each short, twenty-minute-ish episode, each one told in a powerful, and familiar, Southern drawl. If you like spooky stories or are perhaps curious about that peculiar part of our strange, old, very spooky country, I recommend it highly! 
 
While the episodes don't have any offensive language, they can be pretty scary, so this may not be ideal for our younger Festival fans. Listener beware!”

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3. Actor (The Fantasticks, Elephant’s Graveyard) and director (The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) Emily Ahrens says, “My festival fave for this month is the podcast “Unlocking Us” by Brené Brown. If you haven’t heard of her, Brené is a professor, researcher, writer, and intellectual who cultivated her studies on themes of courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. On her podcast, she discusses everything from books to television to social issues to mental health and everything in between - But she always relates these topics back to the beauty of vulnerability and empathy. I really love the guests she has on her podcast and I almost always listen to her during my workouts! (I found her after reading the book Wild because one of the guests she features is author Cheryl Strayed, so so good!!)
Definitely would recommend. A good starting episode for anyone during these particular times would be “Loneliness and Connection.” So important to talk about right now!”

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4. Our Marketing Director, Isaac Bont recommends, “The Haunting of Hill House Spooooooky! As a fan of the horror genre, I can be a little desensitized to scary movies. But I thought The Haunting of Hill House had both effective scares, and also great characters and emotion to boot! This Netflix series garnered a lot of critical acclaim when it released two years ago, and I'm glad I sat down to watch it through recently. As opposed to a lot of modern horror, this series is more of a slow burn that makes you care about the characters and the awful things that happen to them. It's also a ghost story that's about not only literal hauntings, but the way aspects of life can haunt us through trauma, addiction, mental diseases and more. Definitely got binged by me.”
 
5. Our Arts Ed Director, Brooke Smith says, “During the fall months, I like nothing more than to plop myself down in front of the television and slip away from real life for a few hours. If you know me, you know that I am also a huge fan of animation. Cartoons are my faves, I have never grown out of them and never will! A few weeks ago, I decided to finally watch Disney’s highly acclaimed series Gravity Falls, and I am THRILLED that I did! Gravity Falls chronicles one summer in the lives of twin siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines, who are sent up north to the fictional town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, to stay with their “Grunkle” (great uncle) Stan and help him run his roadside shop of horrors, The Mystery Shack. However, things in Gravity Falls are not what they seem. Dipper and Mabel encounter gnomes, mermaids, and zombies, as well as the sinister Bill Cipher, an interdimensional triangle creature bent on destruction. 

As a twin myself, I love the dynamic between Dipper and Mabel who are each other's greatest supporter (and sometimes biggest annoyance). I also love the combination of fantasy elements with real-world situations, as well as nod to the beautiful outdoors of Oregon. And, though it is set in the Pacific Northwest, the scenery and situations remind me of the great outdoors and rich lore that exist in Northeast Tennessee where I’m from! If you’re looking for something to watch that allows you to veg out a bit while also keeping you interested and excited, Gravity Falls is a perfect choice this fall!”

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Festival Faves! October Edition

10/1/2020

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1. Actor Jessica Vanek (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools) recommends, “I listen to a podcast called My Favorite Murder (hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark). I’ve been playing catch up for like ten months, but I’m finally in sync with the new episodes. It’s super interesting, and if you’re even slightly curious about true crime, give this podcast a try.”
 
2. Jason Richards, our Executive Artistic Director says, “Check out Daily Wellness on Spotify. It a mix of mindfulness, meditation, poetry, and music. It’s a great way to wind down your day or get it started in a positive direction. I listen every night. It features material from Niall Breslin, Yoga Girl Daily (Rachel Brathen), and Deepak Chopra. I find it Monday-Friday in the “Made for you” section on my Spotify page.
 
3. Actor Ellie Larson (Fools, Crimes of the Heart), says, “My October Festival Fave is Leadership Without Easy Answers by Ronald A. Heifetz.
 
I started reading Leadership Without Easy Answers for my honors research project at school. It was published in 1994; however, I still find it incredibly relevant today, especially in the current political and social climate. Heifetz explores different topics in leadership throughout the book, including the difference between a leader and an authority figure, and "technical" vs "adaptive" problems society faces. More than anything the book has encouraged me to think about how I can be an effective leader, and also examine the leaders I know with a more objective lens. As the title says, there are no easy answers to leadership in this book, but it does give readers a jumping-off point and gets us thinking critically about becoming the best leader we can be.”
 
4. Actor Ashley Graham (Ashley would have been in The Crucible and The Gift of the Magi if we hadn’t had to cancelled them. Hopefully, she will be able to join us in 2021) says, “My favorite albums to listen to in October are Adele’s 25 and Mumford & Sons’ Sigh No More!”
 
5. Actor Madison Fairbanks (The Mavelous Wonderettes, Fools, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) says, “My most recent quarantine/self-isolation/roommate binge watch has been Norsemen on Netflix. Do you enjoy learning? Do you enjoy laughing? Then this just might be the show for you! As Jade Budowski said in a Decider article, "What if 'Game of Thrones' employed comedy in the style of 'Monty Python?'" This 8th century Viking story is informative, compelling, and, above all things, quotably hilarious. The characters are painfully human. You hate to love them; you love to hate them. They filmed each scene in Norweigan and then in English, so the viewers could get the same feeling wherever they watched. That's some serious dedication! The series travels chronologically for the first two seasons, then backwards in the latest installment, season three (referred to as Season 0). It's certainly non-traditional, but gives the audience a great perspective on the "Why?" rather than the "What now?" A historical, hysterical fiction match made in heaven (or, rather, Valhalla.) It is rated TV-MA (content rating from Netflix) so if little ears are around, wait until they're fast asleep. Uff da! Shouldn't have to tell you that one!

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​6. Director Ryan Stevens (Stuart Little) says, “As we feel that autumn chill in the air and bundle up inside, my Festival Fave for October is Over the Garden Wall, a cartoon mini-series from Cartoon Network that aired in 2014. The show is about two brothers, Greg and Wirt, lost in a strange magical world called The Unknown, as they stumble through misadventures on their way home. The show has very strong fall vibes - orange leaves and pumpkins everywhere. The show is also nice and short -- ten episodes, each clocking in at around eleven minutes, so you can either snack on it at your leisure or watch the whole thing in about the same amount of time as a regular movie. The cartoon is full of great humor and heart, a fun romp through mystery for the whole family!”

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7. Actor Erika Kuhn (1776, Rumors, It’s a Wonderful Life, Lone Star Spirits, Boy Gets Girl) says, “My Festival Fave is ice cream! The Twin Cities offers some of the best cream around and I (and my sweet-toothed pals) have dedicated ourselves to trying and ranking as many as possible. So, here goes!
 
#1.) Bogarts Donuts (Minneapolis) Try their ridiculous brown butter and dark chocolate swirl soft serve, you will not regret it. They'll even put it inside of a donut for you if you're up for the challenge. Beware, soft serve isn't available every day. 
#2.) La Michoacana Purépecha (Minneapolis & St. Paul) These folks offer the freshest delights in town, try their fresh fruit filled popsicles!
#3.) Minnesota Nice Cream (Minneapolis & Stillwater) If you want your ice cream loaded up and made Insta worthy, this is your place. Go for the edible glitter and great toppings, stay for the outdoor seating. 
#4.) J Selby's (St. Paul) The best vegan food in St. Paul, plus they offer an awesome non-dairy rotation of fabulous Soy-Clones and shakes!
#5.) Betty's Pies (Two Harbors) If the north shore is calling your name and you're up for a drive, stop by Betty's Pies for a pie shake. Ideal for those days when one dessert simply won't do. 
 
Pictured is Festival Friend Madison experiencing the joy of our #1 spot.”

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8. Actor Laila Sahir (1776, The Children’s Hour, The Fantasticks, Elephant’s Graveyard) says, "My fave this month is Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, the first book in her Legacy of Orïsha series. I absolutely love fantasy fiction, but up until recently I hadn't made much time in my life for reading novels. Earlier this month, I decided to replace my before-bed screen time with before-bed reading time, and I'm so glad I chose this novel to start with! The plot centers around a girl named Zélie who is tasked with bringing magic back into the world. It's a beautiful story that balances coming-of-age themes with conflicts centered around race and class. I'm about two-thirds of the way through the book so far, and I can't wait to see how it ends!"
 
9. Another recommendation from our friend Ed Moersfelder, he says, “Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was published in 1974. I first read parts of it lounged in the front seat of a canoe motoring across one of the motors-allowed lakes of the BWCA in the late 70s. Subtitled “An Inquiry into Values” its relevance to modern times has not changed in the past 45 years. It is a book about one person’s search for Quality that takes us through this man’s journey in search of himself. As described in an article by Matthew R. Crawford in the October issue of Smithsonian magazine, the book “uses the narrator’s road trip with his son and two friends as a journey of inquiry into values.” He and his son are riding his 1966 Honda Super Hawk motorcycle, now in the Smithsonian Museum.
 
 I am often reminded, especially in times like these, when we are facing down a pandemic, racial injustice, forest fires, and civil unrest, of Pirsig’s reference to “gumption”—what happens to someone who connects with Quality. But a “gumption trap” can cause one to lose sight of Quality. A gumption trap may be of two kinds. The first is caused by external circumstances, which he calls “setbacks.” This is the sort of thing when a part is broken on your motorcycle and the part is no longer available. The second gumption trap is caused by conditions primarily within yourself, which he calls “hang-ups” that might include anxiety, impatience, boredom—internal things that strip away the view to Quality.  
 
In October of 2016, the SCF City Council’s decision not to pursue the restoration of the Historic Auditorium caused a serious gumption trap that came close to my losing sight of Quality. It was a severe “setback,” but it also created “hang-ups”—anger, resignation, impatience—that could have stripped Quality from my view of Festival Theatre...and from the theatre itself. Fortunately, it did not.
 
As I ride out this ugly year, and the approach of this contentious and vitriolic election, I plan to once again reread “Zen...” I think for the fourth time. My gumption tank needs a refill.”
 
10. Actor Faith Klick (The Marvelous Wonderetes, Fools, Crimes of the Heart) says, “Some of things that I’ve been loving include:
 
Avatar the Last Airbender: This was a show that I watched as a kid, but it has come to Netflix recently and I’ve watched the series three times since it came back. The show has excellent world building, an intriguing heroic story, humor, and the characters are so well done that I can’t pick a favorite. Watching it now as an older viewer, I can see just how mature this story was for children. It deftly takes on tough political concepts so that children understand. 
 
Macarons: There is a place near me that makes homemade macarons in the safest way possible. They always taste EXACTLY like the flavor they are advertised as without being overly sweet. My favorites were the chai, lemon poppyseed, and salted caramel.”

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Festival Faves: September Edition!

9/3/2020

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1. Our Marketing Director, Isaac Bont says, “My Festival Fave: Free Online Courses!
All this time cooped up has had me doing a good chunk of personal development! There are education systems dabbling with online courses now for obvious reasons and you can take a lot of these courses with prestigious schools and professors for absolutely free! Personally, I've studied marketing, photography, writing, video editing, graphic design, and IT! During COVID, along with my job, it's given me measurable goals to work on and cool information/knowledge at my own pace! If you're finding boredom during these cooped-up times, learn something new for free! Some great sites for it are coursera.org and edx.org!”

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2. Board Member and Director, Mark Baer says, “I recommend The Walking Dead television series from AMC available on Netflix. While too violent for children and some adult viewers, a re-watch of this series has really resonated with me in the context of the pandemic and current political climate. The show is not just a zombie horror flick - it is a profound meditation on the definition of leadership in crisis and the price of trying to retain your humanity in an inhuman world. If you give it a try, and can stomach the graphic zombie gore, you will be surprised and moved by the vivid drama and smartly plotted ethical dilemmas faced by the rich and complex characters. The series began in 2010 (seems like a lifetime ago, right?) but it feels all to prophetic now.  In my opinion, ​seasons 1-4 are among the best television has to offer.”

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3. Actor Faith Klick (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, and Crimes of the Heart) says, “My faves this month have been Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and Scotcharoo ice cream.

 I’ve read almost everything Sarah J. Maas has released! I highly, highly, recommend her series A Court of Thorns and Roses. She writes new adult fantasy novels that are geared toward college aged individuals. Throne of Glass is the first book in her first series. It tells the story of an assassin who is forced to fight in a competition to become the top warrior of a tyrannical king. The series is full of action, fantasy, wit, and a little romance. She is great at world building, so if you're missing getting swept away to a far-off land with theatre being away for a while, read Sarah’s books! 

My Wisconsinite friends will know what a Scotcharoo bar is. For those who don’t, try it. It’s a butterscotch Rice Krispie treat with layers of peanut butter and chocolate. The ice cream tastes EXACTLY like the bar. If you’re a fan of this Wisconsin treat, you should try this flavor. It just came out this year and it has been selling like hot cakes where I work.”

4. Our Executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards recommends…, “When you have a few minutes checkout NPR’s podcast Kind World. These podcasts range from two to 15 minutes. It’s a series of uplifting true stories and a quick reminder that we still live in a kind world. Ironically, 2020 is the last season for Kind World. But you can still check out the old episodes. I hope you enjoy it. Here’s a link. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/522612822/kind-world ​
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5. Our beloved friend, actor, director, writer, and all-around good guy, Ed Moersfelder says, “Following closely on the heels of Benjamin Dreyer's 2019 book "Dreyer's English" (The title of which I know should be in italics, here and for the book titles below), comes his new game "Stet! Dreyer's English," described as "A Game for Language Lovers, Language Geeks, and Bibliophiles." The book, a welcome addition to one's library shelf holding "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White, "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss, and "Woe Is I" by Patricia O'Conner, styles itself as "An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style." (Had enough quotation marks yet?) It contains uncompromising adjudications of correctness such as throwing the rule to never split an infinitive (there, I did it) out the window and, my favorite, "only godless savages eschew the series comma." (The series comma is also commonly known as the Oxford comma, but you knew that). ((Had enough parentheses yet?))

But let's get to the game. It consists of one hundred cards. Fifty are Grammar cards which are shuffled and one card is laid face up on the table. Players review the sentence on the card for punctuation, spelling, grammar, and syntax (there is the Oxford comma for you) to decide if it's correct. When a player thinks they (yup, perfectly correct singular pronoun) know the answer they slap the table. If they think it's correct, they say "stet" (Latin for "let it stand," but you knew that, too.) If they think it is incorrect, they say why. If they are right, they get points; if they are not, no points. (Is that a good use of that punctuational outcast the semicolon?) Even more exciting is the game with the fifty Style cards (which can be combined with the Grammar cards for an even more mind-blowing romp). Players are given strips of paper. A card is laid face up on the table and each player's job is to decide whether they can improve it by tweaking the grammar, syntax, or style. If so, they revise the sentence. When all players have finished, the dealer reads the revisions and chooses the best revision (or selects the answer of "stet") and awards a point. If a player challenges the dealer's decision, the card is turned over to reveal "the expert and final opinion" and the point is awarded to the closest written answer, including "stet."
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I have not played this game. I'm waiting to do it with friends. I'm dying to read the cards, but that would be cheating. This is not to say I won't read the cards, it's just to say that I intend not to--until I can't help myself. Meanwhile, I may just reread "Dreyer's English." 
If you have persevered through this excruciating (though brief) ramble with respect to the vagaries of grammar, punctuation, usage, style, syntax, and bald-faced preferences and you are still reading, this game (and Dreyer's book) ((enough parentheses already!)) might be for you.” 

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6. Here is a fave from actor Madison Fairbanks (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood), “My Festival Fave this month is Talkspace! I had danced with the idea of going to therapy for years, but always stopped myself due to the stigma behind mental health. I am so glad I took the leap to sign up for Talkspace. After doing some research and hearing testimonials from various sources, Talkspace seemed to best fit my situation and lifestyle. Following the standard "paperwork" process, the app prompted me to look through and choose topics I wanted to discuss and matched me with several licensed professionals. Being able to see photos and read each individual's qualifications made the decision personal and gave me a great sense of control. I chose who I wanted to work with. All communication is done online, through the app; I can message my therapist whenever I want and we have weekly video chat meetings. It's been such a relief having someone I can talk to without risking exposure to COVID-19. I recognize that I'm coming from a position of privilege because I have insurance that covers mental health. If you are in a place where this is accessible, I highly suggest Talkspace. They offer individual and couples’ therapy, even a program specifically geared towards teenagers. Therapy can be beneficial to anyone. We all have stressors, worries, trauma, insecurities, or simply daily annoyances that we should work through to be our best selves. Check it out: https://www.talkspace.com/

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7. Emily Ahrens (Actor – The Fantasticks, Elephants Graveyard; Director- The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) says, “Hi fambam! Since my last Festival Fav was rather lengthy, I figured I’d keep this one short and sweet, while also doing a little shameless self-promotion :)
This past month, I put together a virtual concert that featured lots of talented performers whose jobs were cancelled or postponed due to COVID. The concert is called “Booked.” and it features the songs these performers were supposed to sing in the shows that they booked. (Basically, I created a virtual concert because I missed theatre and I have really talented friends that I missed hearing sing LOL. #makeyourownart)

​So, if you’re missing live performances too, check out the YouTube link listed below to view the full concert of “Booked.” below! You may even catch a Festival Theatre performer or two. :)” Link: https://youtu.be/nnuMZSmhUr8

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Festival Faves: August Edition!

8/3/2020

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1. Our Box Office and Marketing Associate, Megan Hanks says, “As we all know, binge-time is way up. Scotty and I have been blasting through an awesome series on Netflix called, Ozark (TV-MA). If you’re looking for some gripping, nail-biting TV, this is your show! It stars Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde, a financial planner who relocates his family from Chicago to a summer resort community in the Ozarks. With wife Wendy (Laura Linney) and their two teenage kids, Marty is on the move after a money-laundering scheme goes wrong, forcing him to pay off a substantial debt to a high-profile drug lord, in order to keep his family safe. ​
If you were a fan of Breaking Bad, I definitely recommend Ozark. The writing and acting is phenomenal, and the colorization is very intentional, and stylized in similar ways to Breaking Bad. The stakes are always high, alliances are always changing, and every episode is shocking. There are three seasons, and we’re currently in the middle of season two. I’m sure we’ll be through it soon!” ​
​2. Jason Richards, our Executive Artistic Director says, “The Thursday special at our local Poco Loco is double decker tacos. It’s a soft flour tortilla that’s heated and drizzled with queso. Then they wrap it around a crunchy flour tortilla. What!? Then add whatever filling your heart desires. I get the seasoned white rice with black beans, then I add cheese, lettuce, red salsa, and a squeeze of sour cream. Chef’s kiss. Pair it with a Jarritos and you’ll be transported to old Mexico. Only available on Thursdays.”
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3. Actor Jess Vanek (The Marvelous Wonderettes and Fools) says, “My fave right now is The Good Place on Netflix. It’s a hilarious show all about philosophy and frozen yogurt. I love Ted Danson specifically, but I find myself binging this show whenever I get the chance. (Jason is kind of like Ted Danson in the show, actually...)” ​
4. Emily Ahrens (Actor- The Fantasticks, Elephant’s Graveyard; Director- The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) says, “I hope you all are well! I don’t know about you, but I have been reading like crazy during this quarantine. I am a particular fan of biographies and this one has quickly jumped to one of my top three favorite books of all time. (Joining my other two all-time favorites, The Diary of Anne Frank and Little Women) I have also been really trying to read books written by women, specifically women of color, and this one also fit that!
My Festival Fave is a book called Butterfly: From Refugee to Olympian - My Story of Rescue, Hope, and Triumph by the incomparable Yusra Mardini.
I originally found the book because Emma Watson posted an interview with Mardini on her Instagram!
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For those of you who don’t know, Mardini was a young, nationally competitive swimmer for Syria who became a Syrian refugee and escaped to Germany during a time of war in her homeland in order to pursue her dream of competing in the Olympics.
As detailed on the cover (so no spoilers here!), while in a dinghy to cross the sea to Greece, the engine of Mardini’s boat gave out, prompting Mardini and her sister (also a professional swimmer) to jump out of the boat to swim the passengers to safety. At the time of her escape, Mardini was only 16 years old.
The reason I recommend this book is not only because is it so well written and compelling from page to page, but it gives a personal look at the plight of refugees in a way that isn’t presented to us in the media. Many of us (myself included!) hear ‘Syrian Refugee’ and we probably think of someone living in the desert with no technology or plumbing. This book immediately wipes away that stigma: These refugees are modern human beings - While escaping Syria, Mardini is texting her Mom and posting on Facebook while sleeping in the dirt! 
The novel confronts these stigmas and shows you how easily refugees are dehumanized simply because they are displaced. It completely opened my eyes and softened my heart to a situation that I usually switched the channel on when it came on the news.
Absolutely would recommend it to any reader, appropriate for all types and all ages! If you love The Diary of Anne Frank, you will adore this book. 
I would ESPECIALLY recommend for you to buy this book for all the YOUNG (9-21 years old) women in your life (which is what I’ll be doing for many friends this Christmas!): Yusra is an incredible, strong role model - And I think all the young women in our lives should be directed to more of those!!”
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5. Director Traci Ledford (Crimes of the Heart) says, “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a certain fascination with elephants. So, it should be no surprise that I follow elephant orphan and rehabilitation centers on social media. My favorite is The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust located in Kenya. They do such an excellent job of educating the public on their goals, and you get to see their work in action through their constant updates and live feeds. Not only do they raise and reintegrate orphaned baby elephants back into the wild, but they have anti-poaching units, aerial surveillance, community education and outreach, and a vet unit that will care for any species of injured or sick wildlife. To be honest, I often watch their videos to relax after a stressful day because baby elephants are the cutest. And if you feel so led, you can donate to the trust or adopt an orphan.
 You can get all the information you need and see their multi-platform social media posts in one place at:
https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
6. Director Ryan Stevens (Stuart Little) says, “During these hot summer months I've been curling up with a lot of good books, and specifically, a lot of good comic books. My latest fav is Tillie Walden's On A Sunbeam. A science fiction story about literally star-crossed girlfriends, the book came from author/illustrator Walden's boredom with sci-fi movies that are "always full of white hallways and white men." So, she channeled this disappointment in a whole genre into an epic story about growing up, falling in love, and seeing how cool outer space is. Tillie Walden is three years younger than me so while reading her work does make me extremely jealous, it doesn't get in the way of enjoying her stories and feeling the same sense of awe and wonder at the joy of words and pictures that I used to feel as a kid.
You can even read the whole thing online here, though I really enjoy the weight and feel of the physical book.”

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7. Peter Weber, Festival’s Technical Director says, “My Festival Fav this month is Taskmaster. This British panel comedy invites and pits five comedians against each other in random tasks. Each task feels more random and hilarious than the last one. Hosted by Greg Davis and devised and administered by Alex Horne, the duo poke fun at the contestants and award them points for how funny/well they complete the tasks. The Series can be found on YouTube at the Taskmaster channel.”

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Festival Faves: July Edition!

7/1/2020

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1. Isaac Bont our Marketing Director recommends Samosas at The Vegetarian in downtown St. Croix Falls. He says, “The Vegetarian is a real gem of a restaurant in St. Croix Falls. There are plenty of average to decent food choices in St. Croix Falls, but the Vegetarian feels unique and special in its cuisine choice of vegetarian/vegan Indian food. Whether you've had Indian food before or not, I can recommend their Vegetable Samosas to anyone. These are among the best samosas I've ever had at any Indian restaurant (I've been to lots, probably my favorite type of food) and it shocks me every time how delicious they are. 
Pair their samosas as a starter with one of their excellent beer choices and an entree of Aloo Gobi, and you find me a very happy camper! Don’t be intimidated by their menu, the Vegetarian is consistently delicious no matter what choice you make, but their samosas are straight up universal!” 

​2. Our Marketing Intern, Emily Kessler (btw, Emily is the person who posts our FF’s and adds all the cool graphics and basically makes it look awesome) says, “My fave for July is the podcast 1619 produced by the New York Times. It's sort of like a crash course in the history of slavery and racial oppression in the United States. There are six episodes (each an hour long) so it doesn't take long to listen to, but it's packed full of really life changing information. I listened to it in one day. It's not light and fluffy- it deals heavily with racialized violence, sexual assault and death so TW for anyone sensitive to that material. But it's packed full of rich, engaging conversations, and features a beautiful audio landscape. Overall, it's a great starting point for anyone ready to educate themselves on racial oppression in the United States. 
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It's such vital work for anyone concerned with the future of our country. You can listen for free on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify." ​
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3. Arts Ed Director Brooke Smith says, “I am coming up on my One Year Vegetarian Anniversary, yay!! In honor of this, I wanted to recommend something that has gotten me through many a lonely night when I haven’t wanted to take the time and prepare a full vegetarian dinner for myself. My July Festival Fav is something that anyone who has walked down a grocery store frozen food aisle will know and love: a Roma 4 Cheese Frozen Pizza! Approximately 50 cents cheaper than its counterpart, the Jack’s Original Thin Crust Cheese, Roma’s budget friendly variant keeps all of the delicious, cheesy, greasy flavor you’d expect of a frozen pizza. Pop one of these bad boys in the oven and after 10 minutes (I leave mine in a little longer than recommended to get it extra crispy), you have dinner and the following day’s lunch! 
All for $2! And with no meat involved! A vegetarian on a budget’s true kitchen staple. Pro tip: This is a great food item to bring to a game night, as it’s super easy to cut into approximately 24 square pieces. Next time you’re in the frozen section at your local grocery store, grab a Roma pizza and think of me.”
4. Jason Richards our Executive Artistic Director has fave new music to share! “Two of my favorite bands have recently released new albums. One is Waxahatchee with her release of Saint Cloud. This has been on loop at my apt. Saint Cloud is her fifth studio album and she just keeps getting better. Also check out American Weekend, my favorite album by her. Here is a review from Rolling Stone about the new album, Saint Cloud. She is on Twitter as well, @k-crutchfield. Check her out.
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Other new music is from Phoebe Bridgers and Punisher is the new album. While she has most certainly been busy writing and recording Punisher, she also managed to create music with other bands. She is one-third of the band Boygenius with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. Check them out as well. All three ladies are brill’. She has partnered with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes to form Better Oblivion Community Center. They have a great self-titled debut album. She has also released the song “Walking on a String” with National’s front man Matt Berninger. She is everywhere and awesome. Go check her out and you’re welcome. She too is on Twitter @phoebe_bridgers.”
​5. Director, Traci Ledford (last summer’s Crimes of the Heart, and can be seen in an episode of our online series “Festiv@l Home” called Mock Audition) suggests, “One thing I miss during this pandemic is carefree, long-range travel that led me to magical places in the great outdoors. So, I have compiled a list of my favorite trails and hikes that I've experienced in the past five years. These are all easy to moderate hikes found in city, state, and national parks (as well as one international entry). I've included links to help, particularly if there is a fee involved to access the land. In no particular order, they are:
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A) Bowl and Pitcher Trail in Riverside State Park: Spokane, Washington (fee)
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/riverside-state-park

I was lucky to do this hike in January with a bit of snow left on the ground. With majestic views of the Spokane River, which was a glacial blue in color, and the surrounding rock outcroppings (which look like a bowl and pitcher), this hike is breathtaking good fun.


B) Bridal Veil Falls, Hooker Falls, and High Falls in DuPont State Forest: near Brevard, North Carolina (no fee)
https://www.dupontstaterecreationalforest.com/Pages/WaterFalls.aspx

There are four waterfalls within this park, but I only managed to see three on my trip. Hooker Falls was the smallest (good for a foot soak), but Bridal Veil and High Falls were awe-inspiring and soul-filling (and often the settings for major motion pictures such as The Hunger Games). It's possible to visit them all on a single day, but worth spending more time to really explore the area.
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C) The White Cliffs of Dover: Dover, England (no fee to walk or access; transportation fees possible)
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-white-cliffs-of-dover

On my bucket list for a long time, I was able to visit Dover this past December.  The trick is to have your taxi drop you off at the halfway point and walk towards the visitor's center, but you can also choose to be dropped off at the light house and walk the full length. Just wear good shoes that can get muddy and be sure to download a map before you set off. It was a moderately challenging walk but absolutely breathtaking.  
D) Tubbs Hill Park: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (parking meter fee likely)
https://www.cdaid.org/763/departments/parks/all-parks/tubbs-hill

This is a stunning hike near some sheer rock faces which stretch down to a beautiful lake. While it's only a 2-mile trail around the park, there are so many spots to stop and enjoy the scenery, that I never made it all the way around. It was a delightful place to work up an appetite as there are several delicious restaurants in Coeur d'Alene.

E) Moses Cone Memorial Park: Blowing Rock, North Carolina (no fee)
https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/moses-cone-trails.htm

There are 25 miles of gently sloping trails all around the impressive Moses Cone Manor. You can choose anything from an easy, paved stroll around Bass Lake to a more strenuous hike across fields and forests up to the Flat Top Fire Tower (where you are rewarded with spectacular 360* views of the Blue Ridge Mountains). As many times as I have been here (I've lost count), I still have not hit all the trails. This part of the country is especially magical in the fall.”
6. Our Technical Director Peter Weber recommends the movie Booksmart.
Peter writes, “This coming of age comedy features two girls who are focusing on become top of their class and have missed out on all the classic high school experiences outside of school work. On the eve of graduation, the pair try to fit four years of high school hi-jinx into one night. The goal of their quest is to make it to the big party of the year. Can they do it or will they miss out?”
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Festival Faves: June Edition!

6/1/2020

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1. Marketing Director Isaac Bont shares the HBO tv series The Wire. 
“I just finished The Wire on HBO which has often been the subject of great critical hyperbole over the years. It starts out familiar enough as a police procedural about homicide and drug police in Baltimore, but the reason it holds a special place in the tv canon is that it quickly becomes much bigger than that. One of the most fascinating elements of its storytelling is how it humanizes and personalizes the figures within the drug trade. 
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 While we often write off such people in real life as monstrous, The Wire is empathetic and critical in its understanding of why people choose that lifestyle or how society and systems give them no other choice. The various seasons cover larger topics too, including blue collar work, the role of politics and the press in shaping a city and its resident’s lives, and most strikingly, a look at the public education system, its successes and failures in its children in West Baltimore. The show does this while having excellent acting, writing, and is exceptionally entertaining to boot! This is a critical darling that absolutely lives up to the hype!”
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2. Jason Richards, our Executive Artistic Director, says, “Recently, I’ve been checking out live feed animal cams. There are also many “zoo cams” but I don’t like those because personally I don’t like seeing animals in cages. But there are others that feature wild animals, which is infinitely better. You can access a variety of cams on Explore.org. Also you can check out these awesome bears on the Romanian Wildlife Live Feed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BDnAMR3GLg
3. Madison Fairbanks (actor – The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, and the upcoming The Gift of the Magi) says, “Like most of us, I’ve been binge-watching and consuming shows at an alarming rate. But the one that’s stuck out to me is Mrs. America. This story follows the women involved in the movement to ratify (or not to ratify) the Equal Rights Amendment. It has a female powerhouse of a cast: Cate Blanchett, Rose Byre and Sarah Paulson, just to give you an idea. It’s funny. It’s sad. It’s based in history. And I think, most of all, it’s important. It’s also on Hulu with new episodes every Wednesday."
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4. Ryan Stevens (director of the upcoming production Stuart Little) says, “Like many other quarantined citizens, I've been spending a lot of my in-door time playing video games to keep my mind occupied. Here are a few of my recent favorites!

--A lot has already been said about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a game about living on a peaceful island with cartoon animals and not really having any stress or objectives except for the ones you want for yourself. It's very easy to lose a few hours a day just hanging out with your virtual neighbors and visiting other friends who have the game to simulate hanging out in real life. This game is only for Nintendo Switch, though there is a phone version, Animal Crossing Pocket Camp, that's honestly not bad either.
--A similar 'do whatever you want in a peaceful little town' game is Stardew Valley, which swaps animal neighbors for real people and casts you as a city-slicker taking over your grandpa's farm. This game really encourages you to take things at your own pace, growing crops, raising animals, and hanging out with all the other kind and quirky people in your little farm town. It can be a little confusing at the start, but once you take some time to figure out how you want to live on your new farm, the whole game opens up to meet you on your own terms. And the good thing about Stardew Valley is that it's available on pretty much any game system or computer.

--Neko-Atsume is a phone game where you leave food and toys out for cats to come play with. ​ That's it. ​ ​You open the app every few hours, look at the cats that are chilling on your porch, smile, and leave them be. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
5. Technical Director, Peter Weber offers the movie The Platform. He says, “This Science Fiction horror movie hosts a vertical prison. Food is distributed daily on a platform that lowers from the top floor to the bottom. The film is a set of thrilling twists and turns for the viewer with tension that makes it hard for one to look away.”

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Click here for previous Festival Faves! And be sure to check back next month for a fresh round of recomendations!
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Festival Faves: May Edition!

5/1/2020

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1. Our Marketing Director, Isaac Bont recommends Quiplash! “My fave this month is Quiplash, a Jackbox games party game! Quiplash is a game that anybody can sign onto with their phones and answer ridiculous questions such as “Make up a name probably no one in history has every had!” and then anonymously everybody votes on which answer they enjoy the much. This is an insanely hilarious and fun party game that really acts a lot like competitive improv with friends. Definitely one of the best digital party games I’ve seen in the past decade, and anybody can have a joyous time playing it. You can buy versions of Quiplash via the Jackbox Party Pack 2, 3, or standalone! There may be a livestream edition of Festival staff playing Quiplash coming to our social media sometime soon, and many of our hangout sessions have gone late-night just playing Quiplash over and over again!”

2. The lovely and talented Jackie Johnson says “I love listening to podcasts! In the car, while doing laundry or dishes or vacuuming, or just wanting a story that does not require visual focus, podcasts are a great means to hear stories, be entertained, and/or stay informed. Generally, I tend to be pulled toward story-driven podcasts, short-stories being my favorite. Today I'm recommending the work of a very smart and talented American Journalist, Phoebe Judge. I'm a fan of her two podcasts, Criminal and This is Love. They are both excellently produced, interesting explorations of the human experience. The first podcast, Criminal, tells stories that are somehow intertwined with a crime. Might be from the perspective of the victim, or a dive into an unsolved case, or a memorable means of investigation. They are all fascinating true stories from various perspectives. It's been around for a while now so there's hundred-thirty-something backlogged episodes for you to work through if you find yourself enjoying it. This is Love is Phoebe's newer podcast, just entering its fourth season. As you may have guessed from the title, the theme of this podcast is love. Stories surrounding love, different acts of love, moments shaped by love, stories about expressions of love. And this fourth season centers around animals. If you know anything about me, you'll know that I love animals, and so this season is turning out to be exactly what I need, maybe now more than ever! Stories that center around love and animals. It's my kind of thing. For added fun, this season's opening episode titled "Episode 19: The Wolves," is a crossover episode Criminal's "Episode137: Wolf 10." I can't recommend these podcasts enough, but if there were only two episodes you gave a listen to, it's those. 

Please note that these podcasts are for adult listeners, and while Phoebe does a great job of including content warnings at the start of certain episodes, it's worth noting that these stories may reference violence, injustice, grief, or other difficult topics which parents may want to be aware of and/or screen before sharing with youth. The two I mentioned are on the safer side for a wider span of ages, but does share information about wolf behavior/aggression and poaching. 

Sending love to all the animals, humans included!”
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3. Actor (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, Into the Woods, Pride and Prejudice) Jessica Vanek says… “I have been LIVING for the new “Losing my Mind: A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream” album. It features over 40 Sondheim tunes and just makes you want to get up and dance! In these drab times, this album gives the listener a sense of fabulousness. It also provides a fun challenge to try and guess each song you hear. Sondheim is 90 years old now, and he deserves to be celebrated in the most frivolous way possible. Here’s the link to the Spotify album!”

https://open.spotify.com/album/20usfxMh6yPRcjBRw4oIbp?si=qITCF_NTQi6HSQb2X0S1tw

4. Technical Director Peter Weber says… “I would like to submit Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. This classic adventure tale of the high seas is still one of my favorite books since I first read it as a youth some 20 years ago. It features instant classic characters throughout the book, from young Jim to Long John Silver, whose likeness still colors our views of pirates to this day.”

5. Actor (Fools, Crimes of the Heart, Into the Woods, Pride and Prejudice) and Costume Designer (The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood) Ellie Larson says… “My May Fave is the app Marco Polo! It is a video messaging app, so you can record a message and send it to your friends and loved ones. It is basically a combination of FaceTime and texting. Marco Polo is available for Apple and Android users. It has been such a great tool to stay connected with everyone during social distancing, and, it is super easy to use. I am bad at using new technology, but I figured it out fine. Jess (Vanek) and I Marco Polo pretty much daily and send videos of our plants and pets and talk about how excited we are to return to St. Croix Falls (<3). I highly recommend it!”

6. Actor (The Fantasticks, Leading Ladies, Elephant’s Graveyard, and many more!) Kim Braun is offering “…an abbreviated mixtape for my loving, creative community.

I know many of you already share some of my favorite musical artists; Joni Mitchell (oh my goodness I just discovered “Cactus Tree” this winter), Darrell Johnston (wrote a gorgeous song about murmurations this spring), and Danny Schmidt (just released some artwork for his song “This Too Shall Pass” which is fitting right now) to name a few. Below are a couple songs from artists you may or may not be familiar with that are my go-to listening choices to cleanse the soul. Enjoy! 

“Emmylou” by First Aid Kit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC57z-oDPLs
I was introduced to First Aid Kit as a student at Gustavus, where we were all enamored with this Scandinavian sibling duo. First Aid Kit’s cover of Fleet Foxes' “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” in the woods as young artists is beautiful. “Emmylou” encapsulates their awesome sister harmonies and unbridled vocals perfectly in an upbeat country tribute.

“Summer” by Josh Pyke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJNKjkbzZGw
Friends in Alaska introduced me to Josh Pyke and this rendition with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra lifts singer songwriter simplicity to the ethereal in a way the Beatles effortlessly used strings. The restraint and build in this song perfectly pair pop with the refined, evoking unsettled nostalgia.

“Chandelier” by Twisted Measure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSjr6ixi4ik
Speaking of classical arrangements of pop hits, I can put headphones on and listen to this recording of Elon University’s a cappella ensemble three or four times for a meditation. I was first introduced to this through an uptown Minneapolis yoga class and not only does this do what many of my favorite covers do (take a point of view on a song that enhances the original), the vocal harmonies are divinely inspired and these young artists nail it in their interpretation of this song’s vulnerability. The cascading pop styling magnifies Sia’s hit song like Iron and Wine to The Postal Service or (see above) First Aid Kit to Fleet Foxes. Listen to this and breathe. Maybe find some movement or stillness. Bet you can’t listen just once!

I hope we can all be together again soon! Love, Kimberly Braun”
7. Incoming 2020 intern Sarah Weyrich says… “I am currently preparing for school to be over, but in the meantime, I am painting these little log ornament type things for all of the people in my senior class as gifts! I am also busy writing letters to my professors and friends. I try to do about one of these a day because they are super easy. It gets my creative juices flowing and takes my mind off schoolwork!”

Here is a link to the log ornaments: http://tiny.cc/6o46nz

8. Actor (1776, Rumors, Death of a Salesman, It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Play, Lone Star Spirits) Erika Kuhn says… 
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“The New Play Exchange (NPX), a National New Play Network program, is an awesome digital library of lesser known and up and coming plays. There's a variety of affordable subscriptions ranging from Reader, to Writer, and Organization ($10-$25 annual membership) that offer some really great resources. If you're on the hunt for a fresh monologue, want to dig into your local playwriting and dramaturgy scene, or network it's the place to be. It's completely user friendly with comprehensive search filters and cool features. Plus, if you're a writer yourself you can share your work. There are over 30,000 plays available typically through an easy download, (a lot like Scribd) but in a pinch I've been able to connect with writers directly to access their work! If you find something you really like you can leave a recommendation or seamlessly inquire about rights. Go forth and read!”

Here is a link: https://newplayexchange.org

Check out previous Festival Faves at the links below!
​April
March
February
January

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Festival Faves: April Quarantine Edition!

4/1/2020

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Hello! We have created something new for 2020. Every month we will be sharing our Festival Faves! Faves can be anything from books to websites to movies to recipes, or anything that we are currently into. So, check them out each month. It’s just another way to connect with our community.
 
1. Traci Ledford director of last summer’s Crimes of the Heart and future director of this fall’s The Crucible offers this tasty recipe.  
 
“Homemade soups can go a long way during isolation and quarantine. Here is one of my own recipes that can easily be adapted to your own tastes and preferences. If you’re a vegetarian, just omit the meat and switch to your favorite vegetable broth.

Chicken Cilantro Lime Soup
 
1 (32 oz) to 1 ½ cartons of chicken stock or broth [best to buy two and have one on reserve]
1 (10 oz) can of Ro-tel chopped tomatoes and green chilies [substitute 1 (14 oz) can of diced petite tomatoes if you prefer non-spicy soups or mix and match the two]
1 medium-sized white onion, diced
2-3 yellow summer squash, sliced 
2-3 boneless chicken breasts [boneless chicken thighs are good too]
1 bunch of cilantro; leaves only, discard stems—simply add your preferred amount 
[If you dislike cilantro, then just leave it out and rename your soup.]
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
¼ teaspoon of black pepper
2 large or 3 small limes
 
Optional items to add to according to your preferred taste:
½ cup of rice
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of black beans, drained
 
Place all items, except the limes, in a stew pot, soup pot, or Dutch oven. Cover and bring to a boil on medium heat. Reduce heat once the soup boils, keeping the soup at a simmer. When the chicken is cooked through (30-45 minutes simmering), remove each breast and shred or dice before returning to the soup. If the chicken stock/broth cooks off, add more as needed to desired consistency. 
 
Just before serving: halve the limes. Squeeze and stir in the juice of each lime to your preferred taste. I go for more rather than less here. 
 
Optional toppings:
shredded cheese 
sour cream
crushed tortilla chips
sliced avocado
fresh cilantro leaves
more lime juice
 
Enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips and a side of queso or guacamole! It will taste even better the second day.”
 
2. Here is a fave from Board member and director of our upcoming summer production of Into the Woods, Mark Baer. “For parents with students age 7-12 or so, I have a great suggestion. We were gifted a Highlights Which Way USA subscription and my 7yo Samantha is loving it.  
 
Grade school is more rigorous than ever these days. She is so far ahead of where I was at her age in math and reading. But geography and social studies are still just on the periphery of her awareness. These magazines allow us to take an imaginary trip to places all over our country.  
 
You get a map of the country at the beginning and then each month you get two new issues, one for every state. The premise is that your child is on a team that is completing challenges related to each state’s unique landmarks and attributes. Your child has to complete puzzles and challenges to help their team – each one earns points toward the team victory.  The competition is imaginary – you don’t have to login or anything – but my daughter sure doesn’t know that!
 
In a moment when many parents have suddenly been signed up for homeschooling, this is a unique educational resource that doesn’t feel like “school” and doesn’t involve additional screen time. It’s been very fun for the two of us. The other day we finished several puzzles about Florida and then Samantha set up her stuffed animals in a pretend classroom in front of the map and taught them all about the Fountain of Youth!”
 
https://www.highlights.com/store/puzzle-book-clubs/which-way-usa
 
 
3. Our executive Artistic Director, Jason Richards says “For this quarantine edition of FF my recommendation is the Pulitzer Prize list for fiction. For years, I have been working on reading the entire list of winners. There are 92 winners (and counting), I have read 66 so far! I’m currently working on number 67; The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson. (Update: The Orphan Master’s Son is brilliant, and devastating, and haunting, and exhilarating, and endlessly fascinating. I can’t put it down.) You may enjoy reading this list of great works of fictions as well. Some of my favorite winners are (in no particular order):
 
1. Lamb in His Bosom – Caroline Miller
2. The Town – Conrad Richter (This is the third book in the series that includes, The Trees and The Fields. All three are great.)
3. The Travels with Jamie McPheeters – Robert Lewis Taylor
4. Angle of Repose – Wallace Stegner
5. The Executioner’s Song – Norman Mailer
6. Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa Lahiri
7. Empire Falls – Richard Russo
8. The Known World – Edward P. Jones
9. The Goldfinch – Donna Tartt
10. The Underground Railroad – Colson Whitehead
 
Here is the Pulitzer Prize link
https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/219
 
However, there are several book lists to choose from if the Pulitzer Prize list doesn’t strike your fancy. Here are a few links
 
1. The 50 Coolest Books Ever
https://www.listchallenges.com/the-50-coolest-books-ever
 
2. The National Book Award
https://www.nationalbook.org/national-book-awards/years/
 
3. 100 Best Books from the 19th Century
https://www.listchallenges.com/100-best-books-from-the-19th-century
 
4. Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels
http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/
 
 
Happy reading!”
 
 
4. Amy Hayes, director of our upcoming summer production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile recommends these favorites.
 
-New favorite drink: cucumber Perrier
-Favorite pastime: listening to Classic novels on Audible while doing nostalgic jigsaw puzzles
-Favorite online exercise: Yoga with Adrienne (YouTube)
-Favorite meditation app: Calm
-Favorite streaming radio app: Classic FM (UK)
-Favorite podcast: The Daily (NYTimes)
-Favorite tea: Lady Grey (with either a little honey or a little milk; not both)
-Favorite non-dairy milk: Flax milk
-Favorite new ritual: eating dinner at the table every night with the candles lit and the music on
 
 
5. Actor (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fools, The Somewhat True Tale of Robinhood, The Gift of the Magi) and Costume Designer (Charlotte’s Web, The Gift of the Magi) Madison Fairbanks says, “I love to read but the recent shutdowns have made it pretty hard to get out to a library or bookstore. This is where Scribd comes in handy. Scribd is an online book/document/written word library that I find to be incredibly user friendly. I enjoy it because there are truly hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres and formats. Need a book recommendation? Scribd users have made tons of easily accessible lists to guide you in the right direction. Like to multitask? Try an audiobook! Sheet music is available if you’ve been thinking about learning a song and auditioning for a certain local theatre's musical! Scribd also has an app so you can read on your phone or tablet. My favorite thing is that I’m constantly discovering new scripts and monologues for work as well as play (pun intended). There is a subscription fee, but you can get a free trial month when you sign up!”
 
https://www.scribd.com/subscribe-now?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=adwords_brand&utm_campaign=Google_Search_Alpha_Brand_US&utm_term=scribd%20free%20trial&utm_device=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItrSJ8OK56AIVzP_jBx3XIAMqEAAYASAAEgI1zPD_BwE
 
 
6. Stage Manager (The Diary of Anne Frank, A Christmas Carol: A live Radio Play, The Crucible, The Gift of the Magi) Emily Carey says, “Since quarantine has, inevitably, taken over everyone's lives, I've found one of my favorite things to do to pass the time is find Virtual Museum Tours! In uncertain circumstances many people, like myself, have been turning to art to get us through. I think now is a more valuable time than ever to take the chance to learn more history and consume as much art as possible. It's incredible how many iconic museums are available to the public!
 
I went through the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA (https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/video-tour/#), The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/van-gogh-museum), and the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam (of course!) (https://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/secret-annex/landing/) to name a few! There are many more out there. All it takes is a Google search!”
 
 
7. Morgan Fanning one of our upcoming 2020 summer interns shared her Festival Fave. "I've decided to take advantage of my free time during quarantine by watching some Netflix! Sherlock, from the BBC, is a great way to pass the time. It's a mystery series following the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in modern day London. There are a lot of things about this show that I really love. The way the audience is able to see into Sherlock's mind when he is solving a crime is so cool, the catchy music enhances the show by setting the mood, and there are always moments of humor amidst the otherwise series content. I also like that as a viewer I am trying to solve the crime with them. If you're looking for something to watch, I would recommend checking out Sherlock!"
 
 
8. Here is a Fave from one of our incoming 2020 interns, Lauren Lash, “One of my favorite things I've rediscovered during quarantine is Trivia Crack. This is a mobile trivia game that allows me to test my knowledge on things like art, science, etc.  I like this particular game because it allows me to stay connected with my friends while learning new things and refreshing old things I already knew. 
 
 
9. Upcoming 2020 summer intern Sarah Weyrich says “Currently my two ‘Quarantine Faves’ are redecorating my room back at home and painting!
 
Redecorating Room in Utah: School is online for the semester and my room was still decorated from high school so when I packed up my apartment at school I decided to use some of my decor to revamp my room!
 
Painting: Painting has always been a sort of relaxing activity for me. I haven’t been able to do it as much since being busy with school, but now I have more time and love getting back to it. 
Check out previous Festival Faves at the links below!
January
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St. Croix Festival Theatre
​Franklin Square Black Box, 125 N. Washington Street, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024                 
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