Northern Lights/Southern Cross, with Kling, Opens at Guthrie

By Andrew Gans
October 24, 2009

Northern Lights/Southern Cross: Tales from the Other Side of the World, starring actor/playwright/storyteller Kevin Kling, opens Oct. 24 at the Guthrie's Dowling Studio after previews from Oct. 22. Performances play to Nov. 23.

An international collaboration between Interact Theater and Australia's Tutti Ensemble — companies both featuring artists with disabilities — the production will be directed by Interact artistic director Jeanne Calvit with original music by Tutti Ensemble's Pat Rix.

Northern Lights/Southern Cross, according to press notes, "begins the moment Kling goes boots over helmet from his motorcycle. When his startled soul flies from his brain-injured body, Kling discovers himself on the other side of the world trying to put things back together. Throughout his dream-world journey, it is the Native American heyoke (the wise fools) and their Australian larrikin cousins that goad and guide him to understanding and healing. . . . In the end, as he is accepted into the world of the sacred clowns, he discovers that his reason for being on this earth is to heal through the powerful medicine of his humor."

The production team also includes Karin Olson (lights), Brad Dahlgaard (set) and Caitlin Schaeffer (production stage manager).

The Guthrie Theater is located at 818 South 2nd Street in Minneapolis, MN. For tickets, priced $18-$30, visit www.guthrietheater.org.