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Community Corner

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2014: The Ohman Stone

The Ohman Stone is an original musical work written by and under the artistic direction of Sheridan O’Keefe, featuring music by Nicholas Mroczek and lyrics by Sheridan O’Keefe, based on the controversial Kensington Rune Stone.  First discovered in 1898 in Kensington, Minnesota, the rune stone has been the subject of heated debate in historical and academic communities since its discovery.  This dispute is due to its very existence being possible evidence of a Scandinavian land claim of the Americas in 1362, long before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492.  

The Ohman Stone features actors, singers, dancers and musicians from the entire metro area performing varied works from Russian opera to Scandinavian-influenced Hip-hop and rap style.  A film interface is also included, featuring expert authors and well-known local personalities.  "This may be the most controversial play ever performed in the MN Fringe; it’s ‘Hamlet Meets 12 Angry Men - the Musical.’” states Sheridan O’Keefe, writer and director of The Ohman Stone.  “All characters but one are ghosts come back from The Netherworld to settle the question: "Is the Kensington Rune Stone an authentic 14th century artifact?" 

The Minnesota Fringe Festival is an non-profit theatre organization in its 21st season of production in the twin cities’ area with a “mission is to connect adventurous artists with adventurous audiences.”  In 2013, The Fringe Festival issued 50,007 tickets to 895 performances over 11 days, featuring actors, singers, dancers, musicians and playwrights from the metro area.

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All shows will be produced at Intermedia Arts Center at 2822 Lyndale Ave, Minneapolis, MN.  Showtimes are in August:  2nd at 2:30, 3rd at 10pm, 5th at 7pm, 6th at 8:30 and 10th at 4pm.  Tickets are $12 for a single show plus $4 Fringe Festival button or via punch cards or a multi-show pass to any show that can be purchased on the Minnesota Fringe Festival website:  fringefestival.org or at the door

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