Ashley Opina<\/span> Smart pet tech products for dogs and their owners<\/p>\n Light-up collars, trackers and cameras can give pet owners some extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n Problem Solved<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/media-video><\/div>\n MINNEAPOLIS \u2013 In 2022, Christina Baldwin decided to tour the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n On a TV in one of the rooms, an 18-minute physical comedy sketch was playing on loop. The 1963 German TV skit depicts a butler named James going through great lengths to help his employer, Miss Sophie, celebrate her 90th birthday.<\/p>\n Having outlived all of her friends, Miss Sophie had no one left to invite to her annual dinner party. So, her dutiful butler decided to act out the role of her departed friends during the celebration, resulting in mishaps and humorous outcomes.<\/p>\n More: <\/strong>Paramount reveals next half of season, with St. Cloud, national acts<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The skit \u2013 called Dinner for One \u2013 has been traditionally viewed on New Year\u2019s Eve all over Europe since 1972.<\/p>\n When first watching the skit, Baldwin was grieving the loss of her mother and trying to figure out where to channel her loss.<\/p>\n Then, suddenly, it came to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat struck me was an idea for a show that is grounded in great love and empathy for how hard it is to change our traditions once we have lost someone important to us,\u201d the Minneapolis-based artist said. \u201cAll of the physical comedy, the pratfalls and slapstick silliness, seemed so necessary. We laugh and cry, but life keeps moving on.\u201d<\/p>\n The idea stuck with Baldwin, so, as the artistic director for the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis, she decided to introduce the idea to her colleagues and fellow creatives in the Twin Cities, Jim Lichtscheidl and Sun Mee Chomet.<\/p>\n Together, they created their own rendition of Dinner for One \u2013 a show that, in Baldwin\u2019s words, \u201cis about how we care for the people we love, how we provide what they need, how sometimes we need to have space to remember the people that we miss and, sometimes, we need to just have a good belly laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n Returning for its third season at the Jungle Theater from December until Jan. 4, the comedic show features live music, two sets of actors and moments of improvisation, guided by the audience.<\/p>\n More: <\/strong>St. John alum directs ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ in Minneapolis<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are prompts that the audience provides before the show that the actors incorporate into each performance,\u201d Baldwin said. \u201cYou will truly never see the same show twice.\u201d<\/p>\n This year, for example, Baldwin \u2013 who is also the director of the show \u2013 is sharing the role of Miss Sophie with St. Paul-based actor Joy Dolo.<\/p>\n Lichtscheidl is sharing the role of James with Minneapolis-based actor Tyson Forbes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a unique holiday story. So different from what you would normally see around the holidays,\u201d Dolo said. \u201cEach show is slightly different based on the actors and the audience. It\u2019s a fun one to see multiple times.\u201d<\/p>\n The Jungle Theater encourages those who wish to attend to pay what they can, with tickets starting at $15. Tickets can be purchased at the theater’s website<\/a>. There will be a special performance on New Year’s Eve.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Jungle is a cozy theater, especially in the winter,\u201d Baldwin said. \u201cYou really feel like you\u2019re entering Miss Sophie\u2019s living room, and you get a sweet story told through comedy and music in just over an hour (\u2026) Dinner for One at the Jungle Theater has quickly become a holiday tradition for our audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n Call 612-822-7063 for tickets or visit the theater at 2951 Lyndale Ave S. in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0|\u00a0 Special to the St. Cloud Times<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"play\"](\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/appservices\/universal-web\/universal\/icons\/icon-play-alt-white.svg\"){kind=icon}
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