ARMIN Wiebe thinks Mennonites are misjudged if they are seen as humourless, religious pacifists who spend their days singing and shunning in southern Manitoba.
“The image of the poor, serious Mennonite may be handy as PR but it’s not the reality,” says Wiebe, 62. “Mennonites are a people who love to laugh. They are always telling jokes, making dummheit, doing crazy things.”
Read more of today’ Winnipeg Free Press Preview by Kevin Prokosh
And so is CBC’s Manitoba Scene – your new guide to local arts and entertainment!
As the title suggests, the piano takes centre stage in Armin Weibe’s The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz. But lurking in the shadows is the mysterious, sinister and possibly pagan companion of Mennonite New Years Mummers – the Brummtopp.
We were thrilled to discover Daria Puttaert is a natural on the Brummtopp!
When we talked about this unusual instrument with Jim Agapito at CBC, he knew he had a story – the Brummtopp seemed rather exotic…
But he also really wanted learn more about the experience of the playwright. Even though Armin’s writing career stretches over decades, this would be his first time in the rehearsal hall and that would be an interesting view of the process!
The result is a story on the play on CBC’s Manitoba Scene featuring Armin’s Blog and Jim’s video which exploring the history of the brummtopp.
There will be more blogging and more photos from the rehearsal hall later this week!
More and more people are purchasing tickets through TPM’s online store, but we know that some people just like a ticket…a real ticket with snap that you can rub between your fingers like a good luck charm.
Theatre Projects Manitoba is eager to answer this tactile dream and has teamed up with McNally Robinson to offer you cold hard tickets for purchase for our upcoming premiere of The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz. When you’re through browsing the Prairie Writers section, just proceed to the front desk and one of their friendly staff will assist you.
Tur
nstone Press Night is Friday April 15th!
The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz is Armin’s latest Gutenthal story written for stage and produced by Theatre Projects Manitoba.
Turnstone Press and Theatre Projects invite all authors, readers, friends, and fans of Armin Wiebe to join us on Friday, April 15 for a post-show reception. While we nosh, playwright and novelist Bob Armstrong will moderate a talk-back discussion with Armin, exploring the relationship between Armin’s Gutenthal novels and his new play. MORE >>
“You don’t see plays like this very often…this one is worth seeing” says Kevin Prokosh in his outstanding review of Almighty Voice and His Wife in the Winnipeg Free Press. Read the article
Kevin Prokosh speaks with playwright Daniel David Moses, Native Earth Performing Arts Artistic Director Yvette Nolan and Theatre Projects’ Artistic Director Ardith Boxall about Almighty Voice and His Wife. Moses talks about how he came to the story and the distinct style that some have described as “two plays in one”. Read the Winnipeg Free Press article…
Almighty Voice and His Wife is previewed by Jared Storey in this week’s Uptown. He talks to Derek Garza (Almighty Voice) and Artistic Director Ardith Boxall about the play’s evolution with it’s audience and it’s distinct style and structure. Read the Uptown article.
Some old, a whole bunch new, quite a few borrowed and at least one (Calendar Girls) sort of blue mark this year’s season on Winnipeg stages. And TPM’s premiere of The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz is April’s must see show!
TPM will once again participate in the Manito Ahbee Festival – this time with our presentation of Almighty Voice and His Wife. Now in its 5th year, the Festival is devoted to engaging all nations in an international celebration of Aboriginal music, arts, culture and heritage. Taking place from November 3rd – 7th in Winnipeg, this dynamic festival honours the Manito Ahbee sacred site, Aboriginal elders, ancestors, communities and the global nation.
Moonlight Sonata playwright delves into the art of the edit
Tracy Penner and Eric Nyland find inspiration in The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz. Photo: Leif Norman