Ragged Ascent Transcends

By Genevieve Heinrich

Mount Vernon - Reviewing an original piece is a unique challenge. Despite all the many things, both positive and negative, that I could say about the production of Ragged Ascent, I find that all I WANT to discuss is the content. Ragged Ascent takes the well-known story of Orpheus and Eurydice and transforms it into something even more arch than myth - in the hands of playwright Mike Moran, the story becomes allegory. It is at once more personal and more profound than most other treatments I've seen of the familiar tale.

Before I spend even a moment discussing acting, or lights, or music, I want to urge any readers who enjoy reconsidering what they believe to be true, who appreciate a challenge that will have them pondering as they leave the theatre, and especially those who understand that the ancient myths still have relevance to our lives today, to go see this show without hesitation. There are only two more performances - today, May 17, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The gentle reverence with which Moran treats his subject is a love story of epic proportion.

Ragged Ascent Opens May 16

Mt. Vernon - "Ragged Ascent, a new play from the Iowa Goatsinger, opens May 16 at 7 pm at the Uptown Theatre in the First Street Community Center, 221 1st Street NE, Mount Vernon. The play incorporates a mix of theatre, movement, puppetry, and new and traditional music.

Summer Commences: a Goatsinger Show Plays June 1

Mount Vernon - "This Saturday Mount Vernon's own homegrown stage act will be presenting fresh material for your pleasure and enjoyment.

The goatsinger show typically opens with an introduction to the mythical town of Mount Revere - which, it is explained, you reach by heading out to the shoe-tree west of town and making "the appropriate turn." What follows is an occasionally hilarious, sometimes serious, always engaging program of storytelling, short performance pieces, puppetry, and music, that culminates in an all-house singalong.

Cabin Fever Comedy Festival is Next Week

Mt. Vernon/Lisbon - The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group has announced the 2nd Annual Mount Vernon-Lisbon Cabin Fever Comedy Festival, which will take place March 20 through 23, 2013, at several locations in Mount Vernon and Lisbon.

The Iowa Goatsinger's Vernal Weekend Celebration

Goatsinger Productions - The Iowa Goatsinger is celebration spring with a full weekend of performances. The festivities will begin April 27 at 7:30 with a staged reading of Song For Orpheus, a modern retelling of a Greek myth. Local songwriter Josh Woosley will perform, and music by locals Sam Knutson and Milk & Eggs will also be featured.

Saturday (7:30) continues with the regular Goatsinger show; this month's installment is titled "Gethsemane." It features music performances by Daniel Kelchen of Lisbon, Marty Christensen of Mount Vernon, and guest-artist Bryan Carmody from Chicago, with sketches and monologues written by Amy White of Mount Vernon and other members of the Black Doggers Playwright Group.

Sunday (11:00am) greets the morning with the Iowa Goatsinger Gospel Hour. This consists of a lecture on resurrection myths, as well as a sing-a-long of old spirituals led by Carmody and Kimberli Maloy.

All performances will take place at Mt. Vernon's First St. Community Center, 221 1st St. East in Mt. Vernon.

A Goatsinger Show for the Holiday Season

Mount Vernon - The Goatsinger Show, Mount Vernon's own modern vaudeville show, returns Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the Uptown Theatre in the First Street Community Center, 221 1st Street NE, Mount Vernon. The event features music, sketches, theater, puppetry, and more.

Set in the mythical Iowa town of Mount Revere, the December Show is called The Coming Home. A stranger has wandered into town and finds himself at a coffee shop surrounded by storytellers and musicians. The show features music by Josh Woosley, Tony Immergluck, Sam Butz, Jessie Stewart, and Grace Moran; plus, performances by Nicci Miles, Brandon Rowray, and Mike Moran. Also included will be a closing sing-a-long and an appearance by Frog.

“The Goatsinger Show has been developing both in form and content since it first began – becoming more theatrical without losing its initial quirkiness,” said producer, Mike Moran. “As always, we’re open to the strange or the curious – whatever playful or fascinating act we can book.”

Admission to The Goatsinger Show is on a pay-what-you-can basis. More information is available at (319)213-0148.

The Goatsinger Show Returns with "Getting Dark"

Mount Vernon - The Goatsinger Show, Mount Vernon's own modern vaudeville show, returns Saturday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the Uptown Theatre in the First Street Community Center, 221 1st Street NE, Mount Vernon. The event features music, sketches, dance, theater, puppetry, and more.

The October Show is titled Getting Dark and features SanDee's Sisters of the Shifting Sands as they dance an exorcism, Josh Woosley putting his own dark spin on some head-shaking music, Sam Butz and Nicci Miles singing through a spooky little tune, a ghost story/performance by Brandon Rowray, a new tale from the Iowa Goatsinger, a poem slammed by Zak Moran, a freshened-up sing-a-long, and Frog.

“This show has been slowly gaining popularity over the past year,” said Goatsinger producer, Mike Moran. “We are always looking for the strange and unique -- whatever playful or fascinating act we can book.”

Admission to The Goatsinger Show is on a pay-what-you-can basis. More information is available through (319)213-0148.