Kevin Kling's Blog

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INVISIBLE FENCES

By Kevin Kling and Gaelynn Lea
Directed by Timothy White

Singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea and storyteller-playwright Kevin Kling combine their talents in an original musical fable, which weaves together storytelling and song to create a unique theatrical experience. This production blends their internationally-renowned skills in music and storytelling to create an intimate show that is rich in the wit and wisdom inherent in Disability Culture.

The Largroff (Gaelynn Lea) is a platypus who was born with a spontaneous genetic mutation that caused her to sprout wings, horns and a snout. The Grasshopper (Kevin Kling) lost two of his limbs as a nymph, and is on a quest to get to the city for a peaceful retirement. Together this unlikely pair embarks on a journey where they come face-to-face with different worlds, dangers and dreams. This musical play touches on identity, disability and the stories we tell ourselves. Featuring Kling’s signature poetic word-play, and an array of captivating songs, written and sung by Lea, who plays her violin accompanied on guitar by Jeremy Ylvisaker.

This show will be heavy on fun and adventure, while also centering accessibility and Disability Culture. Every performance will have ASL interpretation as well as projected captioning. There will also be narrated audio descriptions at the beginning of each scene to help blind and low-vision audience members better place themselves in the worlds we are creating.

NOVEMBER 7TH – 23RD

(Thurs – Sun & Thurs – Sat)

$25.00 GENERAL ADMISSION

Zeitgeist Theater

Ticket Packages

The post “Invisible Fences”, Zeitgiest Theater, Duluth, November 7-23, 2024 appeared first on Kevin Kling.

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For many of us who live in the city, there is the  warmth of homecoming when we see the skyline. Then add in summer evenings rich with lilacs, barbecue, cicadas, a ball game, laughter, a kid learning  the saxophone. The city forms its own music and,  when taken in all at once — say from a rooftop — it’s a symphony for the senses. Join  Kevin, Dan, and Simone as we celebrate this jewel on the prairie. For decades this trio has performed their stories and songs throughout the  country. Pianist/accordionist Dan Chouinard is accompanist for a who’s who of Twin  Cities performers, an enabler of community singalongs, and a writer of shows for  public radio, concert halls, and theatrical stages. He recently accompanied Garrison  Keillor and Prudence Johnson in concerts around the U.S. Monologist and playwright Kevin Kling is known for his humorous stories and thoughtful philosophizing.  He has performed in libraries, school gymnasiums, at the Kennedy Center and  off-Broadway, and at storytelling festivals around the world, and he will be performing in an upcoming theatrical collaboration with arctic explorer (and Woman’s Club  member) Will Steger. Simone Perrin has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion and has performed at the Guthrie Theater, Theater Latte Da, Open Eye Figure  Theatre, the Cincinnati Playhouse, and the Seattle Repertory Theater. She and  Kevin Kling developed two original plays: How? How? Why? Why? Why? and Breakin’  Hearts and Takin’ Names. She released her first album, Hummingbird, in 2009.

VIP tickets $75; includes premium seating, one complimentary refreshment,  post-performance meet-and-greet with the cast, and reserved parking. General admission $40.

5:00 pm The Rooftop opens for dining (by reservation only)

8:00 pm Performance

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The post “A View From the Rooftop, Summer in the City” with Dan Chouinard & Simone Perrin, Minneapolis Women’s Club; June 6 @ 8 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.

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Stories and Songs celebrating Mother’s Day

Looking to celebrate this Mother’s Day? Come on down to Crooners on Saturday, May 11th. Whether you are a mother, or are married to one, or know, or have, or have had one, this is the show for you. Victor and Kevin are back under the big top for an early evening of stories, poems and songs that celebrate those who fed and wiped and everything in between. Come and share a laugh, maybe a tear, and don’t worry, it’s not a school night.  What do you and Einstein, Gandhi, Taylor Swift and Queen Victoria have in common? Mothers.

Kevin Kling is a beloved storyteller and an award winning playwright and writer whose plays have been produced in regional theaters, including The Guthrie, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, the Goodman, Kennedy Center, Denver Center and off Broadway at Westside Arts and Second Stage Theater. Kevin is a frequent performer at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. He has written five books and appears often on PBS and Minnesota Public Radio. His PBS autobiographical documentary Kevin Kling: Lost and Found won a Regional Emmy. He was named the Minneapolis Storyteller Laureate by Mayor RT Rybak in 2014.

Victor Zupanc has been a composer, music director, sound designer and performer on over 300 plays at some of the most prestigious theaters in America and abroad winning many awards for his work. Since 1989, he has been the resident Music Director/Composer at the Tony Award winning Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis as well as dozens of productions at The Guthrie Theater. In addition, Kevin and Victor have been commissioned together to create large scale pieces for orchestras and chamber ensembles. www.victorzupanc.com.

TICKETS

The post “Kevin Kling & Victor Zupanc, Your Ultimate Troubadors”, Crooners, May 11 @ 5 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.

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The post “End in Mind Project”, w/Cathy Wurzer & Annie Mack, Minnesota History Center, March 19 @ 7 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.

Steve Amundson, Guest Conductor

Kevin Kling, Narrator

Leroy Anderson — Irish Suite (Selections)
Percy Grainger — Irish Tune from County Derry
Kevin Kling/Victor Zupanc — The Burning Wisdom of Finn McCool

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The post “Celtic Dreams”, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra Family Concert, March 17, 3 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.

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“Come on Spring, we know you’re out there!  We are in the final push, if only there was one more event to get us through. Look no further. Join Victor and Kevin for a night of music and stories geared for shedding the layers and launching into salad weather.  Like a car stuck in a snowbank, you gotta rock it!”

The post Kevin Kling & Victor Zupanc at the 318 Cafe, Excelsior; Sunday, March 24 @ 8 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.

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Country western artists have given us some of the most tender love ballads, heartbreaking anthems and rafter-kicking, floor-stomping, two-stepping hits in American music. And that doesn’t even include the horse, dog or pick-up. This year, The Love Show is devoted to lonesome pines, denim and gingham, and the rough and rowdy love stories that sprouted from these parched plains. A visit to the softer side of hard times, hard people and hard drinkin’. Come join us. Adventure waits behind every bend.

*ASL interpretation will be provided at this show.
*For patrons who would like to control the volume of their listening experience, assistive listening devices and sensory ear plugs are available upon request at the Ticket Office. 

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The post “THE LOVE SHOW – SWEETHEARTS OF THE RODEO”, O’Shaughnessy, Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 7 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.

In the stillness of a winter night, surrounded by the softness of the drifting snow, it seems stories and  songs can be more easily invited in.  What better time to reflect, remember and remind ourselves of the beauty, humor and great fortune it  is to live in this boreal home. Join Victor and Kevin as they celebrate this uniquely blessed time of year in  stories, song, a laugh, a tear, a nosh and a nog.

Victor Zupanc

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The post “Kevin Kling & Victor Zupanc: In Praise of Winter”; Crooners Main Stage, Sunday, January 14, 2024, 4:30 – 6:00 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.

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“One in Five Minnesota families with children have a child with a disability or chronic health condition. Connecting with another parent is critical to knowing where to look for resources and services for our children and youth. We do not have to feel alone.”

Hosted by Kevin Kling who will be joined by Dan Chouinard and Simone Perrin for the evening’s entertainment.

Silent Auction begins at 5 p.m.

Minnesota Humanities Center

987 Ivy Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106

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The post “12th Annual Connecting Hearts, Raising Voices Gala”, MN Humanities Center, St. Paul, 5 p.m., November 3, 2023 appeared first on Kevin Kling.

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The post A Journey of Healing and Hope, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence, KS; October 19, 2023 @ 7 pm appeared first on Kevin Kling.