"Stories Will Be Told" at MPR's Fitzgerald Theater this Fall
Sep 5, 2013
MPR's Fitzgerald® Theater, the nation's leading presenter of staged radio shows, announces its fall lineup, featuring a range of comedy, musical and literary events with some of the nation's preeminent comedians, musicians, artists, storytellers and radio hosts. One of the country's legendary entertainment gems, the Fitzgerald Theater has long been recognized for its contributions to American cultural and literary communities. Since 1981, The Fitz has been the home of the nation's number one radio stage show, A Prairie Home Companion, and since that time, other public radio stage shows and personalities such as Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me, Radio Lab, This American Life's Ira Glass and many more have made their way to the Fitzgerald stage as part of their national touring circuit. This year continues the Fitz's unparalleled performance legacy with a range of programs especially designed to serve stage, radio and digital audiences. From the white-hot series, Wits, and audience faves like Talking Volumes to special presentations The Second City and The Moth Mainstage, this fall season at the Fitzgerald Theater is not to be missed.
The Second City
Happily Ever Laughter
Saturday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m.
Chicago's legendary comedy theatre, The Second City presents Happily Ever Laughter, a hilarious revue, featuring some of the best sketches, songs and improvisation from The Second City's 53-year history. John Moe, host of the hit variety show Wits, will introduce the show and welcome the audience. Drawing on classic material from The Second City archives as well as scenes ripped from the morning headlines, The Second City's Happily Ever Laughter is your chance to see comedy stars in the making in an evening of smart, cutting-edge comedy.
Tickets: $25/$35
A Prairie Home Companion Saturday, Sept. 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5 4:45 p.m. Season Opener (SOLD OUT)
A Prairie Home Companion Annual Street Dance and Meatloaf Supper
Saturday, Sept. 14, 5 p.m.
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor kicks off its new season out in front of the Fitzgerald Theater with its annual Street Dance and Meatloaf Supper following the broadcast. Join Garrison and the gang for meatloaf and mashed potatoes, live music with The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band and Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll Boys, and contests for valuable prizes. Come at 5 p.m., grab a seat on the street and listen to the live broadcast from inside the Fitzgerald. A $5 meatloaf supper will be served at 6 p.m. and there will be music and dancing in the street until 10 p.m.
A Prairie Home Companion's The Rhubarb Show
Saturday, Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 9 p.m.
After a record sell-out of tickets for the fall season of A Prairie Home Companion, host Garrison Keillor has announced that he's creating a new, non-broadcast variety show entitled The Rhubarb Show which will be "a club version of the radio show." The show will feature some guests from the A Prairie Home Companion broadcast, as well as local talent. Sound effects wizard Fred Newman will be featured each week along with magician Bill Arnold, and musical guests include: Chic Gamine, the Canadian girl group (with a guy drummer), and Katy Vernon. Garrison Keillor will host, and there will be other attractions, such as Karl Eilers on the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ, and a few other surprises.
Tickets: $5-$40
Kate DiCamillo: The Illuminated Adventures with Cathy Wurzer
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m.
Join MPR News Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer and renowned children's author Kate DiCamillo for this fun book launch event. DiCamillo's latest book, Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures (2013, Candlewick Press) is a story of the friendship, hope, and love between a young girl and a squirrel for young readers aged 8-12. Wurzer will interview DiCamillo, who also will read from the book. Fans young and old will have the opportunity to ask questions and there will be a few surprises throughout the evening. This event is co-presented by Candlewick Press, Minnesota Public Radio, Mackin Educational Resources and Star Tribune.
Tickets: $8 for children, ages 12 and under, $15 for children, ages 13 and up and adults.
Talking Volumes: Edwidge Danticat
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Edwidge Danticat is the author of Breath, Eyes, Memory, Krik? Krak!,Farming of Bones, and The Dew Breaker. She's a two-time National Book Award finalist and winner of the National Books Critics Circle Award. Talking Volumes is a partnership of Minnesota Public Radio and Star Tribune, in collaboration with The Loft Literary Center. The series is hosted by MPR News' Kerri Miller. Aby Wolf returns as music director for the second season.
Tickets: $25/$23 MPR members
Ask Me Another
Thursday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m.
Check out this live taping of NPR and WNYC's new show, Ask Me Another, a rambunctious and lively show that blends brainteasers and local pub trivia night-style questions with comedy and music. Hosted by Ophira Eisenberg, the show will make you stretch your brain and laugh out loud. House musician Jonathan Coulton adds guitar riffs and witty banter to the mix.
Tickets: $25
Talking Volumes: Margaret Atwood SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.
Margaret Atwood is the author of more than fifty volumes of poetry, children's literature, and non-fiction and is best known for her novels which include The Handmaid's Tale, The Robber Bride, and Alias Grace. Talking Volumes is a partnership of Minnesota Public Radio and Star Tribune, in collaboration with The Loft Literary Center. The series is hosted by Kerri Miller. Aby Wolf returns as music director for the second season.
The Tobolowsky Files
Thursday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Tobolowsky Files is a four part storytelling series about life, love and Hollywood. It is written and performed by actor and writer Stephen Tobolowsky. The Tobolowsky Files is a nationally distributed radio program from Public Radio International®. It's also one of the top rated Podcasts on iTunes. As one of America's most prolific character actors, Tobolowsky has amassed a lifetime of funny, profound and moving stories about his experience in and out of the movies.
Tickets: $25
Talking Volumes: Rick Riordan SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.
Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Heroes of Olympus. Over 30 million copies of his Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus books are in print in the United States. Talking Volumes is a partnership of Minnesota Public Radio and Star Tribune, in collaboration with The Loft Literary Center. The series is hosted by MPR News' Kerri Miller. Aby Wolf returns as music director for the second season.
Wits
Thursday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m.
Guests: Chris Kluwe, Dave Hill & Sara Watkins
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved. Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Liquid Music: Jherek Bischoff: Composed
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and special guests
Friday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m.
"Seattle phenom" (The New Yorker) and "pop polymath" (The New York Times) Jherek Bischoff is joined by an all-star cast of guest vocalists and instrumentalists including celebrated Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche, Icelandic folk chanteuse Olof Arnalds (mum), Polica's beguiling lead singer Channy Leaneagh, Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier, and some of the Twin Cities' finest instrumentalists in a concert that will blend high and low, contemporary classical pieces and new contributions to the American songbook.
Tickets: $25
Wits
Thursday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m.
Guests: Paul F. Tompkins and Yo La Tengo
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved. Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Wits
Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m.
Guests: Paul F. Tompkins and Rhett Miller
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved.
Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Wits
Friday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m.
Guests: Aisha Tyler and Loudon Wainwright III
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved.
Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Wits
Thursday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
Guests: Ellie Kemper and Katie Crutchfield
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved.
Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
The Moth Mainstage
Friday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m.
The Moth - hailed as "New York's hottest and hippest literary ticket" by The Wall Street Journal - is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. The Moth has presented more than three thousand stories, told live and without notes, by people from all walks of life to standing room only crowds worldwide. Each Moth Mainstage features simple, old-fashioned storytelling, by five widely divergent raconteurs who develop and shape their stories with The Moth's directors.
Tickets: $32
Talking Volumes: Pat Conroy SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Pat Conroy is the bestselling author of nine books including The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides, Beach Music, My Losing Season, and South of Broad.
Wits
Friday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m.
Guests: Margaret Cho and Josh Ritter
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved. Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Wits
Thursday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m.
Guests: Jim Gaffigan and Busdriver
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved. Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Gulliver Unravels: Kevin Kling & Chastity Brown
Friday, Nov. 29, 30, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m.
Renowned storyteller Kevin Kling and singer/songwriter Chastity Brown are creating a unique program that takes on the classic tale of Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift mixed with fact and fiction. The beautiful and funny program will be the perfect Thanksgiving weekend event as they examine stories from Kevin's life and songs from Chastity's repertoire including Irish folk. This holiday production is directed by winner Peter Rothstein and will include musical direction by Dan Chouinard as well Chastity Brown's band, cellist Michelle Kinney and the singing and acting talents of Bradley Greenwald and Christina Baldwin. The evening will weave together songs and stories with the dynamic staging of two great artists coming together around a classic story made new with Kling's unique take. Gulliver Unravels will entertain family members age 9 to 99. The program will be recorded and broadcast at later date. The show has been commissioned by MPR as part of Kevin Kling's three-year-original-works-residency.
Tickets: $35 for MPR Members on sale 9/10. Tickets on sale to the general public on 9/13.
Wits
Thursday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m.
Guests: Tim Heidecker, Aimee Mann, Ted Leo
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved. Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Wits
Friday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m.
Guests: David Cross and Har Mar Superstar
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved. Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
Wits
Friday, Dec. 20, 8 p.m.
Guests: Maria Bamford and Thao Nguyen
Tickets: $35/General Admission; $45/Reserved. Subscription packages on sale now. Visit witsradio.org for more details. Single tickets on sale Tuesday, September 17.
WHERE: The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul
TICKETS FOR WITS: Buy tickets to 5 or more shows at one time and get $5 off each ticket. Available for purchase only at the Fitzgerald Box Office via phone or in person (not online). Join the Wits Social Club for $35 and get a 10% discount on every ticket, in addition to the season package discount. Complete details at the Wits website.
ALL OTHER TICKETS: Tickets for all Fitzgerald Theater events are available to the general public in person at The Fitzgerald Theater box office at 10 East Exchange Street in St. Paul, Tuesday-Friday: Noon-5 pm. MPR members may also purchase tickets for selected events by calling (651) 290-1200 during regular box office hours. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster online, by phone at (800) 982-2787 or in person at any Ticketmaster outlet. An additional $2.50 facility fee will be added to the price of each ticket.