I’m in New York City for an unbelievably packed “A Prairie Home Companion” at the Town Hall.
Kristin Chenowith joins us between performances of "Promises, Promises"
Kristin Chenowith, Debra Monk, Rob Fisher, Heather Masse, and a young star to be, Kate Beahen. Friday night we wrapped rehearsal at 7pm, so I went to the TKTS Booth on 47th to get a half price seat for Christopher Walken’s play ” A Behanding in Spokane” by Micheal McDonagh. I met Micheal when I introduced a sneak screening of his Oscar nominated film, “In Brugge”, a lovely guy and amazing writer. Christopher Walken is off the charts with his “Walkeness” in this hysterically dark dramedy about a man in search of his missing hand for some 45 years. A couple of erstwhile drug dealers try to rip him off, and a hotel receptionist brilliantly played by Sam Rockwell adds to the grisly humor. If you are in New York and have a hankering for the quirky by all means see ” A Behanding in Spokane”.
After the show we found ourselves right in the middle of the car bomb threat in Times Square. A little more excitement than the City should really have. Thanks goodness the phrase “See something, Say something” meant something.
Tim Russell and Sue Scott were joined by Norah Jones and Martin Sheen, along with singer Madeleine Peyroux, this week on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” at The Town Hall on W. 43rd in Times Square in New York City. The “Blizzard of 09″ hit just after the show, stranding the us in the city for an extra two days. There are worse places to be stranded. Here’s Tim’s video of the weekend, including an interview with Norah and Martin.
We just finished our run at The Town Hall in New York City. What a show! Elvis Costello and Tom Snow as our special guests, along with one of our favorite people, Heather Masse. Elvis was terrific in our “Guy Noir” and “Lives of the Cowboys” scripts.Be sure to listen to the April 18th show on Prairiehome.org.
After the show we joined Fred Newman and family at a new outdoor restaurant in Bryant Park, The Bryant Park Cafe. A Beautiful Spring night, 70 degrees at 10pm.
Prairie Home Companion is back at The Town Hall for a three week run. Last week we enjoyed meeting the talented Wynton Marsalis, who joined us in a Guy Noir script.
Wynton Marsalis Post Show
He’s a magnificent musician and the crowd loved hearing his Quintet.
Our other guest is the wonderful singer Heather Masse.
Singer Heather Masse
She is a member of The Wailin’ Jennys . They are taking a break for a few months so Heather is free to sing on the show with some regularity.
This week we will hear some talented duos with “The Great American Duo Singoff” on “A Prairie Home Companion”.
Tim is learning how to walk again after ankle surgery so his sightseeing adventures are somewhat limited, but it’s supposed to rain this weekend anyway. Enjoy the show from New York City.
I had my maiden voyage last weekend with crutches on a flight to Appleton, WI to do “A Prairie Home Companion” at their beautiful Performing Arts Center. My foot responded by swelling like a Johnsonville Brat with 5 fat sausage toes attached. fortunately we stayed at the boutique Copperleaf Hotel. They have a wonderful spa in the building so I had a massage, which did wonders. The 5pm broadcast show was great and Garrison did a second non-broadcast show at 8:30pm. We finished at 11:20pm so the in-room whirlpool tub was a lifesaver the next morning before checkout.
Amy Carlson Gustafson, a writer for The St. Paul Pioneer Press was kind enough to note my return to work in her “Hot Dish” column.
WCCO’s Tim Russell back on air
It’s been six weeks since listeners got their entertainment updates from WCCO radio’s Tim Russell. Blame it on the ice. Last month, Russell took a nasty spill on a patch of ice while taking out the garbage. Not only did he dislocate his left foot, but he also broke two (!) bones in his ankle. It was painful just listening to him describe the incident. As if that wasn’t enough, the ankle surgery preceded prostrate surgery that he underwent earlier this month. (You can read more about his various health issues on his blog.) While he was out recovering, the station was sans an entertainment editor and “Prairie Home Companion” had to do three shows without one of its regulars. Well, we’re happy to report that this week Russell is back behind the mic at WCCO and will be at the “PHC” show in Appleton, Wis., this weekend. So how did Russell survive weeks of bed rest? “American Idol,” “Dancing With the Stars” and other television shows helped. “I watched Gordon Ramsay’s ‘The F-Word.’ They run that thing constantly on BBC America and his “Kitchen Nightmares,” too. I had never seen Gordon Ramsay before so it’s a revelation,” Russell joked. Check out this amusing video of Russell navigating the WCCO studios with the aid of his “knee walker.”
Posted by Amy Carlson Gustafson in the Pioneer Press on March 24, 2009
To Book or Audition:
Hire nationally recognized voice talent, Tim Russell and Sue Scott, by contacting Amy Oppegaard of Wehmann Models and Talent, Inc. in Minneapolis at 612.333.6393.
LA representation: Contact Wes Stevens of VOX at 323.655.8699.
Christopher Walken is off the charts with his “Walkeness” in this hysterically dark dramedy about a man in search of his missing hand for some 45 years. A couple of erstwhile drug dealers try to rip him off, and a hotel receptionist brilliantly played by Sam Rockwell adds to the grisly humor. If you are in New York and have a hankering for the quirky by all means see ” A Behanding in Spokane”.
