Knight Errant » Reviews

No Pot of Gold at the “End of The Rainbow”

Kiley Petersen, Staff Writer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:14:14 +0000

There is certainly no pot of gold at the end of Judy Garland’s rainbow. In the Guthrie’s new production of “The End of the Rainbow,” the US premiere of the play, British actress Tracie Bennett shines in Peter Quilter’s tragic account of the last year of the international icon’s life. Judy’s troubles began at a [...]

This Album is “Born to Die”

Laura Shannon, Staff Writer — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:01:27 +0000

Since the drop of her first hit single, “Video Games,” internet and media hype have been surrounding upcoming pop-artist Lana Del Rey’s every move. Through a lackluster Saturday Night Live performance to the release of her masterful EP, fans and critics alike were eagerly awaiting the release of her album “Born to Die.” The album, [...]

Green Day to come to life on the Orpheum stage

Lauren Effertz, Staff Writer — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:59:25 +0000

It’s been eight years since Green Day released their smash hit album “American Idiot,” but fans of the concept album will have a chance to hear it in a whole new way this month at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. “Green Days American Idiot: The Musical” will begin its run February 21 and close on the 26. In addition to a stellar cast, many of whom are returning from the original Broadway production, the musical’s creative team consists of some of the most progressive artists currently working in the industry. Director Michael Mayer won a Tony for his work on “Spring Awakening,” while musical arranger Tom Kitt’s work can also be heard in the popular show “Next to Normal.” Mayer and Kitt worked closely with Green Day frontman Billy Joel Armstrong to create the story and adapt the album’s tracks to make them more stage-friendly.

Don’t spend your money on this one

Mallory Hoch, Staff Writer — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:44:24 +0000

Based on the number one selling book series by Janet Evanovich, the film “One For the Money,” produced by Katherine Heigl adequately follows the story line of the book, but falls flat in theaters, ultimately confusing audience members who aren’t privy to the book’s complex characters and plot twists. After being fired from the lingerie [...]

McPhee shows promise in this smash hit

Emily Kline, Staff Writer — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:38:40 +0000

NBC’s highly-publicized new musical drama “Smash” premiered on the network’s website on January 16, answering the long-held question of whether the show would be an original success or a Glee rehash. While a final verdict remains fuzzy at times, this song-and-dance romp offers just enough promising aspects for an entertaining first season. At its core, [...]

“Red Tails” is fast to fall out of the sky

Peter Best, Staff Writer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:28:37 +0000

Created by cinema legend George Lucas and inspired by true events, “Red Tails” strives to recount the story of a handful of World War II’s most inspirational soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen, the first corp of African American aviators in the United States military. The highly anticipated film had the potential to be one of the [...]

Jukebox the Ghosts gets you dancing “under the sun”

Lauren Effertz, Staff Writer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:14:29 +0000

Jukebox the Ghost recently released their second album, “Everything Under the Sun,” the follow-up to this Philadelphia-based three-piece’s 2008 release “Let Live the Let Ghosts.” The band––pianist/vocalist Ben Thornewill, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Siegel, and drummer Jesse Kristin––has been touring extensively for years with artists like Ben Folds and The Moldy Peaches and is currently opening for [...]

“Ragtime” goes from rags to riches

Emily Kline, Staff Writer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:24 +0000

Ragtime trailer from Park Square Theatre on Vimeo.

Ragtime trailer from Park Square Theatre on Vimeo.Park Square Theatre’s “Ragtime,” the most ambitious show in its 36-year history, takes on the challenge of a musical behemoth and comes up with resounding success. This production features emotional songs, a wide range of characters, and acting talent to make both shine. In the end, “Ragtime” tells [...]

You Should’ve Stayed Home on “New Years Eve”

Marielle Arostegui, Staff Writer — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:05:04 +0000

Created by the same producer and director as “Valentine’s Day”, the new film “New Year’s Eve” embodies similar characteristics as the former, only set apart by the holiday it takes on. Packed with a cast of well-known actors, this film had the potential to be highly entertaining, however the outcome was the exact opposite. Even [...]

They Bought a Zoo- You Shouldn’t

Mallory Hoch, Staff Writer — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:31:48 +0000

After a prolonged layoff from directing, Cameron Crowe returned this year with his new movie “We Bought A Zoo,” a true story based on an adaptation of writer Benjamin Mee’s memoir called “We bought a Zoo: True Story of a Young Family, a Broken Down Zoo, and the 200 Wild Animals That Change Their Lives [...]