The History of Knox Neighborhood Theater

KNT

is unique among theaters in the Twin Cities.  Since 1999, each of KNT's annual productions have been written, directed, acted and produced by theKnox Church community.  Of course, other theaters produce original plays but few that do so exclusively and even fewer where the playwright is part of the "company."  Sure, there are churches that produce plays but scripts are usually purchased, very few are original and most of those congregations are much larger than Knox.  So, looking toward to our eighth year, what course of events could have given rise to such a unique theater?

Coffee

played a huge part in the creation of KNT.  In November, 1998, Knox held a very popular "Coffeehouse" with a commercial espresso bar, fantastic gourmet desserts prepared by members of the congregation, a roaming magician and live music.  We sent invitations to friends, neighbors and the community surrounding Knox and everyone had a great time.  It was so much fun we decided to schedule another coffeehouse for the spring.

After

the success of the first Coffeehouse, we hoped to continue the fun with something new and different to go along with the fantastic desserts and coffee.  Someone suggested that a Knox member had written a play that could be performed in about and hour or so, leaving time for the Coffeehouse delicacies.  So, KNT was born before we realized what was happening in May, 1999, as the entertainment for the Coffeehouse.

We

started small.  Small stage.  Small cast of 5.  Small budget.  But - much to our surprise--the results from “Turning Tables" were anything but small.  We "sold out" two free performances (is that possible?) and played to audiences of more than 100 people on both nights.  Knox was abuzz with compliments, smiles and inquiries about the "next play".  It seemed to have turned out much better than people expected from CBT (Church Basement Theater).  Our favorite overheard comment:  "If I'd known it was going to be so good, I would've brought some friends."

Each

 year, the production grew.  The stage size doubled in 2000 for the production of "Love Stories" and doubled again for "Northern Lights" in 2001.  The "Love Stories" cast helped revise the script and each of the nine actors wrote a special segment for themselves.  Contributions from more volunteers enabled us to design an impressive technical production for "Northern Lights"--a moving set with walls, doors, windows, scene changes and special effect lighting not often associated with CBT productions.  We added a matinee on Sunday afternoon and the show had capacity crowds of 125 for all three performances.  KNT was the featured article in the Arts section of Southwest Journal the week of the show.

"Book

Club Night at the Hong Kong Pizza King" drew the largest single audience for the Sunday performance-nearly 150 people), most of whom stayed for the pizza party following the show.  “Loaves and Fishing" required a particularly challenging scene change.  The first act was set in the basement rec-room of a home and the second act was set on a frozen lake in January with an ice fishing house and lakeside panorama.

“Milwaukee's
Best Pickles” was the offering for fall of 2004, a play centering around 3 siblings trying to come to terms with the death of their mother—and how to fairly treat the ne’er-do-well brother, a wanna-be composer.  This production featured an original song, “I Was Gonna Call You But It Looked Like Rain”, words by Amy Hinds and Mark Anderson, music by Jeanette Anderson. 

Kids,

kids, and MORE kids!  Spring of 2005 was the debut of KNT KIDS—and what a debut!  A humongous cast of 19 young people, ages 6-19, came together to produce  “Paddles & Pin Oaks”.  Set in a camp setting, the entire theatre area became acting space, featuring campers wandering the trails through trees,  watched by owls, and other “wildlife”,  and heading down the dangerous road to Mystery Cave at midnight.

Eight

years is a long run for many theaters and we are extremely fortunate to have grown each year in the production values and attendance.  Many theaters fold before reaching five years because of lack of funding or the inability to reach an audience consistently.  We are so grateful to the dozens of people who have made our productions possible, including 41 different actors over the years and for the faithful support of Knox to permit us to continue.

The

audiences at KNT performances might surprise you.  About one-third of the attendees have been members of the Knox Church community.  Another third have been members of Knox's extended families.  And a consistent one-third of the audience has been Southwest Minneapolis residents, neighbors of those who have attended before, co-workers of those connected to KNT actors and other participants that have no connection to Knox other than through KNT.  To our visitors, we extend a very warm welcome.  One of the primary purposes of KNT is to reach out into the Community and we appreciate how you have responded to our productions. 

Knox Neighborhood Theater Productions

"Turning Tables" (1999):  A young married couple celebrate their first anniversary and an older couple commemorate their becoming "empty nesters" at a fine dining restaurant in this funny and poignant play.  The couples share the excitement and uncertainty for their futures as well as the reminiscences of their pasts.  An almost magical waiter who suggests what might satisfy them waits upon them:  both for a fulfilling meal and a fulfilling life.

"Love Stories" (2000):  Nine actors and two musicians, age 8 to 80, form a Company to take a hilarious and thought provoking look at Love from all different views using vignettes, monologues, songs and even a Greek Chorus.  Love Stories, it’ll tickle your funny bone, tug at your heartstrings and set your toe to tappin'.  Puppy love, First love, Young love. Wedding day jitters love. Been together forever love. And long lost love.  So what do YOU love?  You just might be surprised.  Each actor performed a monologue, written by them and complete with family photos, about what they really love: pets, vacations, baseball, gymnastics, fishing, sewing, running, chicken noodle soup and, yes, the infamous "cookie dough malts" at The Malt Shop.  The evening ended with God's description of Love from I Corinthians 13.

"Northern Lights" (2001) is a light-hearted look at the challenges of an extended family living together under one roof.  The play centers on Andrew & Susan O'Neill, whose formerly quiet home serves as a refuge for Andrew's relatives who, by circumstance, are forced to share a single house.  The family includes Andrews aging Dad and elder, irascible, theatre critic brother.  Their daughter is awaiting word from her unemployed husband off looking for a job while she is caring for their toddling daughter.  Their teenage nephew is staying with them as Andrews’s younger brother (who married into money) sails the Greek Isles with his wife.  The play concludes with the four "O'Neill Men" trespassing in a farm field near Stacy, Minnesota, hoping to see the Northern Lights, and the bug-bitten aftermath of that adventure.

“Book Club Night at the Hong Kong Pizza King" (2002) revolves around the aftermath of a robbery at a neighborhood café, the "Hong Kong Pizza King", during the weekly Book Club.  Only the owner's family, close friends and the local pastor are in attendance when the robbery occurs.  Money-hungry Wyman Patsch, owner of the café, can't imagine who would have stolen from him.  His knee-jerk accusations get him in plenty of trouble with his sister, Vi, and her two teenaged children upon whom he relies to run his hole-in-the-wall café.  The final conclusion is definitely a surprise.

"Loaves and Fishing" (2003):  Two interrelated one-act plays.  In "Loaves", three women and four young ladies gather in Bonnie Blackstone's basement rec-room to try to create "toothsome" bread for a homeless shelter.  An "unbelievable" event causes them to examine their beliefs and relationships.  "Marge-in-charge" Munson oversees the bakers who include Joycie Bergside, wife of the new youth pastor, as well as Bugsy and Bet Blackstone and their best friends Callie, a mathematics whiz and Christy the "clean queen".  In "Fishing", five men gather to initiate new youth pastor Sherwood Bergside to the wonders of ice fishing.  Although only one small fish is brought up on the ice, the men come away with a "fish tail to end all fish tales".  Lyle is an experienced angler with a huge chip on his shoulder and "King of the Lake" Manny Munson comments from his toasty fish house while Sherwood suffers from hypothermia and Ben Blackstone awaits an important call from his doctor.  Jeremy is a teen from Sherwood's youth group with a lot of heart and good sense.

"Milwaukee's Best Pickles"(2004) follows Fuzzy B. Thorson, a middle-aged kid-at-heart choir director, living on a shoestring in his mother's home while pursuing his dream of composing the song that will catapult him to success.  He is bewildered by the sacrifices to a "real job" and family made by his two creative sisters, Glenora and Melinda, both of whom take after their mother Wilda’s artistic side.  As the play begins, Wilda’s family is gathering for "Box night" to divide the personal items she left behind when she passed away a few months ago.  While others dig for treasure, Glenora only wants one thing:  Wilda's prize winning recipe for fabulous pickles:  Milwaukee’s Best.  The three siblings and Melinda's "Word-o" husband, Beau, who is serving as attorney for Wilda's estate, sort through their differences and resentments along with boxes of antiques as they reminisce about Wilda, unwrap their own pasts, and meddle in Fuzzy's future.  This recipe also includes four nieces, a nephew and Wilda’s antique dealer friend from next door.  Add spices, cover with vinegar, toss in a crock and see how it all turns out!

“Paddles and Pin Oaks” (2005): After 7 years of rivalry, the campers of Camp Pin Oaks (girls), and Camp Bait ‘n Tackle (guys” find themselves at a crossroads.  Do they call a truce?  Or do they continue to hold grudges and fan the flames of a long-ago feud.  When the guys force the question by boldly invading the girl’s camp to recapture the canoe paddle claimed the girls in the prior year, the girls gravely rise to the occasion.  The play follows one lonely camper through her first day at Camp Pin Oaks.  Indignities suffered include being left off the camp roster, enduring stupid Macaroni Art in the Craft Hut, getting stuck with KP potato-peeling duty, having no talent for the talent show, and ultimately, being left totally along in the dark in the woods on the Midnight Walk to Mystery Cave.  Sporting a cast of 19 Knox kids and friends, “Paddles and Pin Oaks” was a sometimes silly and sometimes serious look at fear, feuds and friendship.  This production marks the debut of “KNT KIDS”, theatre exclusively using children as actors.

“Hopper Struck Out Looking” (2006): Set in small-town Youville, MN at Butterfield Ballpark (owned by town big-wig Eldon Butterfield) where baseball fans gather to cheer on their major league hopeful, Teddy Hopper.  At the game are friends and neighbors, a girl scouting troupe on a field trip, and a couple of fanatical fans all hoping to see Hopper and the Youville Jays demolish the Nemaha Titans.  While everyone’s eyes are on Hopper, Eldon Butterfield has much more at stake: the success of his new organic bakery line and the opportunity to put Youville on the map.  Eldon’s son, Emory, and his buddies take matters into their own hands to try and force a win which results in the unexpected, both on and off the field.