A New Brain
october 18 - November 9, 2019
schneider theater
Gordon Schwinn is the frustrated composer of a children’s TV show who, on one otherwise ordinary day, collapses into his lunch and wakes up in the hospital. As doctors and nurses fly in and out of his room, trying to figure out what’s wrong with his brain, Gordon drifts in and out of consciousness as he contemplates his life, legacy, and the meaning of music—all while navigating his relationships with his best friend, mother, and boyfriend. Oh, and he’s also being haunted by Mr. Bungee, an imaginary frog and the star of the children’s show he’s supposed to be composing for. A semi-autobiographical musical by Tony Award-winning composer William Finn, A New Brain features Finn’s signature lyricism and is an unexpectedly funny, relatable, and ultimately touching meditation on how beautiful the world is when we slow down enough to look.
tickets
$46 / $43 - Adult
$41 / $38 - Senior (62+)
$17 - Next Generations (30 and Under)
standard / subscriber rate
Call the box office: 952-563-8575
directed by
Benjamin mcgovern
MUSIC DIRECTOR Anita Ruth
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY William Finn
BOOK BY James Lapine and William Finn
MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS BY Jason Robert Brown
CAST
Gordon Schwinn - Riley McNutt
Roger Delli-Bovi - C Ryan Shipley
Mimi Schwinn - Jen Burleigh-Bentz*
Mr. Bungee - Bradley Greenwald*
Lisa, A Homeless Woman - Mary Palazzolo
Rhoda - Caitlin Burns
Dr. Jafar Berensteiner - Rodolfo Nieto
Richard, the Nice Nurse - Evan Tyler Wilson*
Waitress/Nancy D., the Thin Nurse - Sarah DeYong
The Minister - Reese Britts
*AEA
ORCHESTRA
Conductor - Anita Ruth
Reeds (Clarinet, Flute, Alto Sax) - Matt Krueger
French Horn - Kristen Haug
Violin - Terry Elliott
Cello - Ed Cadman
Synthesizer - Tony Sofie
Piano - Kate Brown
Bass - Joan Griffith
Percussion - Brian Glenn
CREATIVE TEAM/Crew
Director - Benjamin McGovern
Music Director - Anita Ruth
Choreographer - Heidi Spesard-Noble
Stage Manager - Lee Johnson
Assistant Stage Manager - Rebekah Meyer
Scenic Designer - Rick Polenek
Lighting Designer - Karin Olson
Costume Designer - Ed Gleeman
Sound Designer - Matt Bombich
Properties Designer - Katie Phillips
Scenic Charge Artist - Angelique Powers
Lighting Assistant - Alex Clark
Cutters/Stitchers - David Santos Cottrell, Cindy Forsgren
Costume Craftsperson - Nanci Aeilts
Master Electrician - Jeremy Ellarby
Lead Carpenter - Pete Mairs
Carpenters - Brittany Pooladian, Colin Williams, Jamie Case
Sound Board Operator - José Rodriguez
Electricians - Paul Epton, Jack Hinz, Joanna McClarnon, Claudia Errickson
Run Crew - Christian B. LaBissoniere, Joel Bronson
Wardrobe Technician - Tracy Swenson
Spotlight Operator - Wesley Cone
Production Video
Production Photos
Press
"Consistently Impressive"
- The Pioneer Press
"Everything I love About Musical Theater"
- Cherry and Spoon
"McGovern steps boldly into the artistic void.
He never apologizes. He is a treasure."
- How Was the Show
"This show deserves to be seen again."
- Star Tribune
"One of the best pieces of theater that I have seen this year."
- Twin Cities Stages
"It will remind you how wonderful life can be. Don't miss it."
- Say Entirely
"The cast and orchestra are spectacular."
- Minnesota Monthly
"A lovely show with gorgeous music that deserves to be heard, and a production that is unlikely to be bettered. I sure wouldn't miss it."
- Talkin' Broadway
Rehearsal Video
Rehearsal Photos
Special Pricing
PAY WHAT YOU CAN PREVIEW (Tuesday, October 15, 7:30 p.m.): To help make the arts accessible for all, we offer a Pay What You Can Performance (PWYC) for every Artistry production. Half of the available PWYC tickets are available for purchase in advance. Advance tickets may be purchased for $10 and up. The remaining half are reserved for purchase starting at 6:30 p.m., in person, on the evening of the performance. "Night-of" tickets may be purchased for $1 and up. Click here for more information about Pay-What-You-Can Preview.
PREVIEW (Thursday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.): $20. Our second preview takes place one night before opening night, giving actors a chance to see how the show is working for the audience and to further hone their performances. You may purchase them online, by phone, or in person at our box office.
GROUP RATES Groups of 20 or more receive specially priced tickets. Please contact the Box Office for more information.
EXCHANGES All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Season ticket holders may exchange tickets for another performance of the same show (subject to availability). Please call the Box Office for more information.