Category: Culture Crawl

Culture Crawl 302 “So, What’s New?”

Metromix Chorus, a 45-member troupe of barber shop-style singing, bring a new show to the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 11 and the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center on Nov. 12. Lynda Black-Smith and Ann Buckheister say that “So, What’s New” will feature tunes by Pentatonix, a patriotic medley, and …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 300 “Identity Crisis”

“City of Angels,” a musical whose book is by Larry Gelbart, creator of “MASH” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” takes place in two eras, present day and the 1940s. The 1940s scenes are staged in black and white. This creates some technical challenges for the directors and crew of …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 301 “Don’t Beat The Clock”

It’s a first for Tim Hankewich and Orchestra Iowa as they provide a live soundtrack to the classic movie “Casablanca,” one show only, Oct. 27 at the Paramount Theatre. Tim says that this is particularly challenging for the conductor, as he is the only one of the seventy musicians who can see the time codes …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 299 “Demon Cheerleaders & The Gelatinous Cube”

Nate Sullivan, IC Community Theatre

The Iowa City Community Theatre presents “She Kills Monsters” Oct. 27 through Nov. 5. It’s the tale of a young woman’s journey to deal with tragedy against the backdrop of the role playing game “Dungeons & Dragons.” Director Nate Sullivan, an avowed D&D’er himself, says the play combines stage combat, and special effects that include …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 298 “We Won’t Ask You To Turn Off Your Phone”

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” is the story of a woman whose life is forever changed by the group of unusual characters she gets involved with after answering someone else’s phone. Theatre Cedar Rapids’ Scenic Director Daniel Kelchen moves into the director’s chair for the first time since college in this dark comedy, which opens Oct. …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 297 “Like Seeing The Grateful Dead”

Riverside Theatre presents “Circle Mirror Transformation,” a play written by Annie Baker, who earlier this week one of the famous MacArthur Fellowship “genius grants.” The play is about a group of people taking an acting class at a Vermont Community Center, and the unintended emotional directions the experience takes them. Director Angie Toomsen and cast …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 296 “Secret Message”

Tim Hankewich and Orchestra Iowa present Tchaikovsky’s final symphony, “Pathetique,” which premiered just nine days before the famous composer’s death. Tim says he thinks the piece is Tchaikovsky’s most profound work. The Orchestra will feature its principal cellist, Laura Usiskin, in a Shostakovich concerto. Shostakovich lived during the Soviet Union era, and actually wrote a …

Continue reading

Culture Crawl 295 “Grandpa’s Torture Book”

Miera Kim and Carey Bostian of Red Cedar Chamber Music present “Czech Strings,” a program of music by composers with Czech heritage, that Miera and Carey say is surprisingly international in flavor. One of the composers featured has an interesting musical lineage connection to Miera. Presented at various locations, including Washington, Iowa City, and Cedar …

Continue reading