Beaverdance!

Marxshake

2010-06-22T15:31:00.002-05:00

AEGIB (Always-Enjoyable Giant Inflatable Beaver)

2010-03-05T20:45:00.004-06:00

Better than Mel Brooks?

2010-02-10T11:47:00.003-06:00

Penis jokes! Okay, now you probably don't even need to even bother reading the rest of this review of Mel Brooks's "Young Frankenstein" at the Orpheum

Jay Gabler is still giving us props in TC Daily Planet:

"There are a lot of penis jokes in Young Frankenstein, and sure, some of them are funny—but honestly, I laughed a lot harder at the danger-zone jokes in writer Corrie Zoll's Beaverdance at Bedlam in December. Maybe Zoll's better than Brooks at coming up with amusing genitalia-themed double entendres, maybe vaginas are just funnier than penises at this particular point in history, or maybe supersizing a production makes it harder for simple offhand gags to register. Unless Beaverdance hits Broadway we'll never know..."

Beaver Attacks Boy In Southern Okla. - Oklahoma City News Story - KOCO Oklahoma City

2009-12-23T21:17:00.000-06:00

Beaver Attacks Boy In Southern Okla. - Oklahoma City News Story - KOCO Oklahoma City

Trang Do Slide Show

2009-12-15T10:33:00.003-06:00

see the whole slide show on Flickr

Review from Cake in 15

2009-12-14T15:53:00.001-06:00

From cakein15.com

Look, any show that starts off with the audience clapping and hollering “BEA-VER! BEA-VER!” is a show you want to be a part of. When you are exhorted into singing the Beaver version of the Internationale which happens to be a disco-ish number telling you to put your hand in the wet beaver, there is a great sense of solidarity. Even if you don’t decide to overthrow your capitalist oppressors, you can definitely overthrow another Summit and get into the Marxist holiday spirit.

Dancing Beaver

2009-12-13T18:07:00.001-06:00

StarTribune Best Bets

2009-12-13T18:03:00.002-06:00

Beaverdance was listed in the Entertainment Best Bets in the StarTribune today.

Visitors

2009-12-12T13:41:00.002-06:00

Last night we had a group of nine historical reenactors come to see the show. They were awfully nice and offered to help us actually get the history or the costumes right if we were interested.

The MinnPost Review

2009-12-11T13:13:00.001-06:00

From MinnPost:

The entire piece, directed by Foxy Tann, feels as though it will careen out of control at any moment and the on-stage anarchy and absurdity are barely reined in. To this I say more please.[...] "Beaverdance!" revels in its own madness, leaving the audience out of breath as the show twists and turns until its end. That this is dinner theater with a fine, multicourse meal from the folks at Bedlam is just an added bonus.

SantaMarx and the Beaver

2009-12-09T19:07:00.003-06:00

Dwight Hobbes on Beaverdance

2009-12-08T19:49:00.002-06:00

From the TC Daily Planet:

The cast, led by gifted actors Laura Leffler-McCabe, Bedlam co-founder John Bueche, Scotty Reynolds, Tom Lloyd, and Zoll, is splendid. Solidly supporting are Alberta Mirais, Heidi Arneson, Carly Wicks, Cody Stewart, Ben Egerman, and Kitten Stoeckeler. Mirais gives a clinic in chorus work, her dancing precise, gestures and facial expressions smoothly animated. She works with a world of chops, making a tough job look easy.

Beaverdance on MPR

2009-12-08T19:23:00.005-06:00

On Minnesota Public Radio today:

"Once you combine Karl Marx with the Voyageurs, it's got to be a holiday show because Karl Marx has a big beard, and he could be disguised as Santa," Bueche said.

The Beaverdance story gleefully sets logic and historical accuracy aside, as well as most of its sense of decorum.

Bueche is in the show, as well as Corrie Zoll who plays Karl Marx, dressed in a Santa suit.

"And the thing was," said Zoll, "as soon as we found Foxy to direct the show, we realized we could cut some costs because right away the beaver costumes got a lot smaller."

It's an evening of slightly raunchy silliness, filled with double entendres. So who should see it? One cast member said it's a show for all the family, as long as everyone is older than 14.

Zoll describes the Beaverdance this way: "It's a show that your mother would like, but it's probably not a show that you would tell your mother you went to see."

Euan Kerr on Beaverdance

2009-12-06T17:55:00.003-06:00

Just went from seeing Disney's 'Princess and the Frog,' then across town to Bedlam Theater's 'Beaverdance.' Two very different shows. VERY!

Listen for Euan's Beaverdance feature on Minnesota Public Radio Tuesday 12/8 during All Things Considered

Is It a Good Thing When They Like You in The Onion?

2009-12-03T08:23:00.003-06:00

From AV Club Twin Cities:

In a nutshell, BeaverDANCE! is a musical dinner show about fur trappers in Central Minnesota meeting an Indian princess named Bemidji who can speak to beavers, with a cameo by Karl Marx as Santa Claus. To top it all off, the show is directed by burlesque queen Foxy Tann, and it should be fairly self-evident that if you get a burlesque actress to helm a show called Beaverdance!, you are in for a good time.

Minnesota Monthly

2009-12-02T07:56:00.002-06:00

In the December issue:

Just when you thought there were no new holiday concepts, Bedlam Theatre presents this Marxist holiday musical about the fur trade—as dinner theater.

SantaMarx and Friends

2009-11-30T19:24:00.002-06:00

Never Again

2009-11-30T07:58:00.001-06:00

From Jay Gabler at TC Daily Planet:

You'll probably never again see such a randy Minnesota-themed musical about Karl Marx; in fact, you'll probably never again see a Minnesota-themed musical about Karl Marx. A good choice for: People who like to bring some Surly into the theater with them.

Buy Your Tickets Today

2009-11-30T07:27:00.004-06:00

at bedlamtheatre.org

Dwight Hobbes on Beaverdance

2009-11-28T11:02:00.003-06:00

From TC Daily Planet:

"On the way, Bedlam Theatre's open. Chancing it that artistic director John Beuche's on the premises, I stop in. Lo and behold, his is the first face I see. He treats me to a glass of Summit and, while we're waiting for the bartender to get around to us, I grill John on what's what these days at Bedlam. We step into the house, where the set for Million Dollar Museum is a week away from production. The area's an intriguing expanse of odd imagery that surrounds seating for the audience. John and I chat. Turns out Foxy Tann will direct the Christmas holiday show, Beaverdance. I roll my eyes in delight. With that dauntless heathen at the helm, it's a perfect match of artist and venue. Foxy Tann is an unbridled hellion and Bedlam—well, it didn't take the name idly—is a madhouse of irreverence. The conversation's cut short after about 15 minutes. John has work to do. Anyway, I gotta get home. He takes his leave. I wolf down my beer and beat it."

Happy Beaver

2009-11-24T19:30:00.002-06:00

Beaverdance Merch For Sale

2009-11-22T20:57:00.004-06:00

Finally all of your Beaverdance merch needs in one place at www.cafepress.com/beaverdance

Publicity

2009-11-18T20:35:00.001-06:00

Choreography

2009-11-18T20:34:00.002-06:00

Beaverdance Rehearsal weeks 2 and 3

2009-11-16T11:48:00.006-06:00

As rehearsals roll on, we are focusing on the all important scene work. Week 2 was filled with discussion between Heather and the actors about character development and interpreting subtext. An example: "Maybe Blaine has a lumberjack costume in the closet".

The beavers are pushing their stereotypes, which is great.

"BOLD CHOICES EVERYBODY!"

Week 3 we were able to stumble through the entire show! Which was great, seeing as we have only a couple weeks before the show opens. I also had the awesome opportunity to stand in as Santa, and since my dreams of being Mrs. Claus at Macy's were shattered, this was a small victory.

All the music is coming together wonderfully. Its always nice to be a part of a production that is constantly evolving and having everyone be able to take ownership within their roles in the production. Everyone is working dilligently, this is going to be a very well though out and clever production.

I'm excited to see what rehearsal week 4 will bring. I mean, with a cast like this, what else can happen?

Some good quotes taken out of context:

"We're not going without a fight, this beaver's got teeth!"

"Bleuh Fromage, get your ass onstage."

"Oh, did we tell you we're adding a stripper pole?"

Ending note: I think everyone should find their inner beaver. So think about how your beaver would react in certain situations.

1. Your beaver is in immediate harm, there are dangerous unidentified objects aiming straight for your beaver?

How would your beaver react?

2. Your beaver is very happy, what would be a situation that would make your beaver happy?

Is there an abundance of wood? Easy access? Now, what would happen if that was happiness was taken away? How would your beaver react?

These are very much like the questions our beavers have to answer every rehearsal. Are they reacting as a Hopeful beaver, a radical beaver or a wise beaver?

Until next week friends, I mean beavers.

Wobbly Beaver

2009-11-12T16:52:00.004-06:00

Here's Beaver in Your Eye

2009-11-12T13:08:00.005-06:00

The beaver starts peeing at about 1:30 Or watch it in slow-mo

Foxy's Casting Notes REVEALED

2009-11-09T17:11:00.002-06:00

Rehearsal Week 1: Do the Beaverdance!

2009-11-02T11:32:00.007-06:00

Hello Beaverdance! Fans, my name is Jen and I am Intern Beaver here at Bedlam. I will documenting this crazy, awesome, unique Beaverdance! process. As we head in to another week of the wonderful Beaverdance!, let's recap last week.

First off, I just want to let it be known that the Beaverdance! choreography is stunningly epic. And by epic, I mean hysterically funny. I have the Beaverdance! opening number playing over and over in my head, a hazard of working on a musical. A few years ago, I worked on a production of the Music Man, I had 76 trombones playing over and over, tormenting me.

Shake your beaver tail
Drop your beaver pants
Show your beaver fur
And do the beaverdance.

Hilarious lyrics+infectious melody= impossible to forget.

The rehearsal process as it stands is rather unique, Foxy wants actors to find their own motivation, find their own characters, overall, it is extremely collaborative. The production is ever-changing, ever-evolving and is only getting better. There are active and exciting conversations about drafts.

Since I love quotes that are out of context, here are some of my favorite from our first week of rehearsal:

"Its a good day for Beaver frolicking"

"Be like... Pavaratti Beaver"

"Faster. Funnier. Sexier."
Foxy Tan's most used directing words.
"Faster. Funnier. Louder."
Shakespeare's most used directing words... Scary.

"You've just experience birth... You've just experienced birth multiple times!!"

"Yes, I'm reinventing oompa loompas."

Also, I learned a new vocabulary word this week: "Merkin" ("Google Images" this one folks)

Finally, to cap off rehearsal week one, we found out that the character Jacques is actually based on a Bert Reynolds.

What a manly bear of a man.

Fourrure Torture

2009-10-29T09:24:00.002-05:00

Beaverdance in Paris

Christian Beaver

2009-10-28T11:47:00.002-05:00

This video should approximate the level of maturity we're aiming for here:

Lyrics from the Boy Scout Trail:

Beavers One, Beavers All,
Let's all do the Beaver crawl!
(make crawling motions with hands or crawl on ground)

Beavers Two, Beavers Three,
Let's all climb the Beaver tree!
(make motion like climbinb a tree)

Beavers Four, Beavers Five,
Let's all do the Beaver Jive!
(do hand jive motions)

Beavers Six, Beavers Seven,
Let's all go to Beaver heaven!
(do hand prayer, close eyes, and sway)

Beavers Eight, Beavers Nine,
STOP! - - It's Beaver Time!
(Do crazy dance and Nah, Nah, Na-nah singing of Hammer Time song)

Foxy Lady

2009-10-28T10:04:00.002-05:00

Our indomitable director leading this week's rehearsals.

Don't Panic

2009-10-25T17:33:00.002-05:00

Jaques, Jean, and "Pepe" in their short-lived 1990s children's television show, "Time for Beaver"

Beaver Wrangler

2009-10-25T17:20:00.002-05:00

What stage manager could possibly keep this show under control? We got one who likes to discipline rollergirls in her spare time.

There is Power in the Beaver

2009-10-02T15:28:00.000-05:00

There is Power in The Beaver

2009-10-02T14:52:00.003-05:00

Lyrics by Daniel Pinkerton, Music by Marya Hart

There is power in the beaver,

Though you may thing we're all wet...

But put your hand in the beaver,

And we may surprise you yet!

When we're beaver, to beaver, to beaver,

There's nothing we can't eat!

There is power in the beaver,

And we will not accept defeat!

Beaver!

2009-09-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

Solidarity Forever

2009-09-22T19:55:00.001-05:00

Winona Laduke on Marx

2009-09-22T14:51:00.004-05:00

Russell Means on Marx

2009-09-22T14:36:00.004-05:00

"The only possible opening for a statement of this kind is that I detest writing. "

For America to Live,
Europe Must Die

Beaver Lodge

2009-09-22T10:57:00.000-05:00

You Only Have One

2009-09-22T10:31:00.001-05:00

Trading Room

2009-09-22T09:27:00.000-05:00

Angry Beaver

2009-09-22T09:26:00.000-05:00

Wonder Beaver

2009-09-21T16:33:00.001-05:00

Wonder Beaver

2009-09-21T16:28:00.001-05:00

Wonder Beaver

2009-09-21T16:25:00.004-05:00

Clothing

2009-09-21T15:47:00.000-05:00

Fur Company Coat of Arms

2009-09-21T15:32:00.000-05:00

Clothing

2009-09-21T15:26:00.000-05:00

Capote and belt

Revolt of the Beavers

2009-09-21T15:18:00.000-05:00

Dog Sledding

2009-09-21T15:15:00.000-05:00

90-Pound Packs at Fort William

2009-09-21T15:11:00.000-05:00

Fort William Trading Room

2009-09-21T15:08:00.000-05:00

The trading room at Fort William

Trading Room at Grand Portage

2009-09-21T15:06:00.000-05:00

The trading room at Grand Portage Monument.

Dramatic Clothing Interpretation

2009-09-21T15:04:00.000-05:00

Beaver Pelt

2009-09-21T15:02:00.000-05:00

Grand Portage Dogsled

2009-09-21T14:59:00.000-05:00

From the indoor exhibit at Grand Portage Monument.

An Injury to One is an Injury to All

2009-09-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

Tipi

2009-09-21T14:44:00.000-05:00

Clothing

2009-09-21T14:42:00.000-05:00

Wobbly Cat

2009-09-21T14:41:00.000-05:00

Married Life

2009-09-21T14:32:00.000-05:00

Dog Sledding

2009-09-21T14:31:00.000-05:00

High Wine

2009-09-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

I found a few definitions for "High Wine". I came to the conclusion that ports in London were awash in goods from ports all over the world. Some of this was alcohol, and some of this alcohol was not high enough in quality to sell or trade. This sub-par hooch was all poured together, re-distilled to make hard alcohol, and repackaged as "High Wine" ("high" referring to the alcohol content). I believe that, at the height of the fur trade, enough high wine was imported for every Canadian to drink a half-pint every day, all year round.

90-Pound Packs

2009-09-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

Dog Sled

2009-09-21T14:20:00.000-05:00

Fur Post

2009-09-21T14:16:00.000-05:00

Santa Marx

2009-09-21T14:14:00.000-05:00

Dog Sledding

2009-09-21T14:12:00.000-05:00

Beaver Hat

2009-09-21T14:10:00.001-05:00

DWitt Sketch

2009-09-21T14:04:00.001-05:00

Bily Bragg There is Power in a Union

2009-09-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

Bily Bragg There is Power in a Union

2009-09-21T13:48:00.000-05:00

There is power in a factory, power in the land
Power in the hands of a worker
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand
There is power in a Union.

Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands to trenches full of mud
War has always been the bosses' way, sir.

The Union forever, defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and out sisters from many far off lands
There is power in a Union.

Now I long for the morning that they realise
Brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us?

Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone
What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child
There is power in a Union.

The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and out sisters from many far off lands
There is power in a Union.

Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear

2009-09-21T13:46:00.000-05:00

Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear

2009-09-21T13:45:00.000-05:00

Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear
By Randy Newmann

I may go out tomorrow if I can borrow a coat to wear
Oh, I'd step out in style with my sincere smile and my dancing bear
Outrageous, alarming, courageous, charming
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing how fair people can be

Seen at the nicest places where well-fed faces all stop to stare
Making the grandest entrance is simon smith and his dancing bear
They'll love us, won't they?
They feed us, don't they?
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing how fair people can be

Who needs money when you're funny?
The big attraction everywhere
Will be simon smith and his dancing bear
It's simon smith and the amazing dancing bear

Joe Hill, There is Power in a Union

2009-09-21T13:43:00.000-05:00

THERE IS POWER IN A UNION
(TUNE: THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD) (BY JOE HILL) (1913 EDITION)

Would you have freedom from Wage slavery,
Then join in the grand Industrial band;
Would you from mis'ry and hunger be free,
Then come, do your share, like a man.

(Chorus)
There is pow'r there is pow'r in a band of workingmen,
When they stand hand in hand,
That's a pow'r, that's a pow'r
That must rule in every land-
One Industrial Union Grand.

Would you have mansions of gold in the sky,
and live in a shack, Way in the back?
Would you have wings up in heaven to fly,
And starve here with rags on your back?
(Chorus)

If you've had `nuf of the "blood of the lamb"
Then join in the grand industrial band;
If, for a change, you would have eggs and ham,
Then come, do your share, like a man.
(Chorus)

If you like sluggers to beat off your head,
Then don't organize, all unions despise.
If you want nothing before you are dead,
Shake hands with your boss and look Wise.
(Chorus)

Come, all ye workers, from every land,
Come, join in the grand industrial band;
Then we our share of this earth shall demand.
Come on! Do your share, like a man.
(Chorus)

Solidarity Forever

2009-09-21T13:40:00.000-05:00

Solidarity Forever
Ralph Chaplin 1914-1915

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
But the union makes us strong.

CHORUS:
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
For the union makes us strong.

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?
For the union makes us strong.

CHORUS

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

CHORUS

Through our sisters and our brothers, we can make our union strong,
For respect and equal value we have done without too long,
We no longer have to tolerate injustices and wrongs,
For the union makes us strong.

CHORUS