MPR Presents "Gulliver Unravels" Thanksgiving Weekend at the Fitzgerald Theater

Nov 4, 2013

Storyteller Kevin Kling and singer/songwriter Chastity Brown have come together to create "Gulliver Unravels", a Minnesota take on the classic tale "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift. The three-show production runs Nov. 29 -Dec. 1 at the Fitzgerald Theater.

Set in a northern Minnesota bar with Chastity Brown's band playing in the background, Kling encounters a man who is enjoying a few too many stiff drinks. Kling soon discovers that the man is named Gulliver and his brilliant banter and outrageous adventures oddly resemble the main character from the famous 18th century Swift novel, "Gulliver's Travels." Kling goes along for the ride, meeting up with many characters and calamities and traveling to strange lands with great music. Throughout the journey, complete foolishness turns into heartfelt inspiration, as Kling shares stories from his own life. Travels from home and back again are the perfect theme for this Thanksgiving weekend production.

Swift's classic tale has been made into films and quoted often, but Kling's adaptation promises to harness the satire and wit of the original. Kling's setting of Northern Minnesota was intentional , he explains, "To test whether Gulliver's stories stand the test of time I have placed Gulliver in a room of the most astute and harshest critics of our time: A bunch of Northern Minnesota guys in a local bar."

Perfect for ages 9 to 99, this Thanksgiving production is directed by the acclaimed Peter Rothstein and will include musical direction by Dan Chouinard. Chastity Brown's band will be accented by the singing talents of Bradley Greenwald and Christina Baldwin, and cellist Michelle Kinney. 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. The program will be recorded for broadcast on 89.3 The Current and MPR News. The show has been commissioned by MPR as part of Kevin Kling's three-year-original-works-residency.

WHAT: Gulliver Unravels: Kevin Kling & Chastity Brown

WHEN: Friday, November 29, 8 p.m.; Saturday, November 30, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. The Sunday, Dec. 1 performance will feature an American Sign Language interpreter.

WHERE: The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul

TICKETS: $35/Reserved seating. 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 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.

The Fitzgerald® Theater is committed to programming that reflects the audience and mission of Minnesota Public Radio®. One of the country's legendary entertainment gems, the Fitzgerald Theater has long been recognized for its contributions to American cultural and literary communities. This 1,000-seat theater acts as MPR's largest broadcast studio, with airwaves reaching millions of people tuned in to A Prairie Home Companion®. Our staged productions commission authors, artists and radio hosts to create intellectually stimulating programs that delight and enlighten our vast public radio community. The Fitzgerald Theater is St. Paul's oldest theater and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. Visit fitzgeraldtheater.org for a complete schedule of events.