Fortune's Fool Theatre
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WHAT WE'VE DONE

Fortune's Fool Theatre was formed in fall 2005 to produce the world premiere of Daniel Pinkerton's play, Do You Want to Know a Secret? Daniel Pinkerton and director Leah Cooper coproduced. For a long time, we were the smallest theatre in the Twin Cities -- what we like to call a "microtheatre." Yes, Secret was a multimedia extravaganza about an East German family before and after the fall of the Berlin wall. However, despite excellent reviews and a good run at Intermedia Arts, we did not produce again until 2011. 

Our second show, YARRRH! The Lusty, Busty Pirate Musical (another world premiere), was a tour de force for three actresses who played over 11 roles between them, and an accordionist who constituted the entire orchestra. This bawdy, subversive romp was one of the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival's biggest hits (9th in percentage of seats sold, out of 168 shows). We successfully remounted it at Open Eye Theatre in fall 2011. Ariel Leaf coproduced along with Daniel (as well as playing several onstage roles). At the end of the revival, Daniel invited Ariel to become co-artistic director. 

The first project that Ariel initiated was our third show, Stop Kiss by Diana Son. Stop Kiss is an award-winning drama about the forging of love between two women so strong that it survives the horrific beating of one of them. We received glowing reviews and drew good crowds at Nimbus Theatre in 2014.

We actually mounted a second production in the calendar year 2014—a first for us! This bill of darkly comic one-acts included Harold Pinter's little-seen A Slight Ache and the world premiere of actor Michael Ooms's In the White Room. This spare production was performed in an intimate and nontraditional theatre setting.

In fall 2015, we presented the North American premiere and first theatrical run of internationally renowned playwright Kira Obolensky's Why We Laugh: A Terezín Cabaret. It is a moving contemporary play based on a cabaret written by Jewish prisoners in the Terezin Ghetto during World War II. 

In 2016, we produced another show as a part of the 2016 Minnesota Fringe Festival: Grand Theft Autobiography, co-artistic director Daniel Pinkerton's stories of his career as a juvenile delinquent. 

In fall 2017, we produced The Lady with a Lap Dog, the world premiere of a new musical, book and lyrics by Daniel Pinkerton, music by Robert Elhai, based on the short story by Anton Chekhov. It was staged at Open Eye Figure Theatre, one of our favorite venues, from September 15-24. It is an intimate, nuanced story of the transformative power of love.

In spring of 2018, we presented the rarely seen masterpiece The Skriker, by the renowned British playwright Caryl Churchill, with original music composed by Keith Hovis. It was our largest scale production ever, with a cast of seventeen and an additional thirteen members on the creative staff. This fierce, poetic, feminist horror tale wowed audiences and critics alike, with Ariel Leaf receiving rave reviews in the title role. It was honored for Outstanding Overall Design at the 2018 MN Theater Awards.  

In December 2019, we presented the Midwest premiere of Dog Act, by Liz Duffy Adams. This fierce and funny post-apocalyptic vaudeville featured singing, dancing, and foul-mouthed cannibalistic Scavengers. It was performed at the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul. 

In November 2020, we presented To Breed, or Not to Breed, a COVID-19 safe anthology of autobiographical stories about choices made. Each week, six different stories were told by a completely separate cast, for a total of eighteen original stories written and performed by 21 diverse artists. We created a three videos (one of each week's lineup). They will stream for free (also we request a donation from those who are able and moved to give) in December 2020 and January 2021.

Below are pictures from and credits for our past productions. 

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET?

Barbara Kingsley (Karin) and Stephen D'Ambrose (Walter)
L to R: Barbara Kingsley (Karin) and Stephen D'Ambrose (Walter). Photo: Scott Pakudaitis
This production was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Do You Want to Know a Secret?
by Daniel Pinkerton
directed by Leah Cooper
videography by Matthew Foster
March 9-26, 2006, Intermedia Arts

CAST
Stephen D'Ambrose*: Walter Berger
Maggie D'Ambrose: Erika Berger
Barbara Kingsley*: Karin Berger
Greta Grosch: Anja Hornung
Harry Baxter: Wolf Niedermann

*member of Actors' Equity

CREATIVE STAFF
lighting design: Ariel Pinkerton
set design: Grif Sadow
costume design: Annie Cady
stage manager/assistant director: Reid Knuttila
stage manager, sound/lighting crew, house manager: Ariel Pinkerton
​​
Maggie D'Ambrose (Erika), Barbara Kingsley (Karin), Stephen D'Ambrose (Walter)L to R: Maggie D'Ambrose (Erika), Barbara Kingsley (Karin), Stephen D'Ambrose (Walter). Photo: Scott Pakudaitis





YARRRH! THE LUSTY, BUSTY PIRATE MUSICAL

L to R: Lisa Bol, Ariel Leaf, and Dawn Brody
L to R: Lisa Bol, Ariel Leaf, and Dawn Brody. Photo: Minnesota Fringe Festival
​YARRRH! The Lusty, Busty Pirate Musical
book and lyrics by Daniel Pinkerton
music by Chris Gennaula
directed by Melissa Hart*
Performed at Gremlin Theatre, St. Paul, MN, August 4-14, 2011, as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival. YARRRH! ranked 9th in percentage of seats sold (out of 168 shows), and 15th in total number of tickets sold.

​*member, Actors' Equity

Cast: 
Lisa Bol: Billy Silverhook, Captain Jake O'Reilly, and others
Dawn Brodey: Rosie Bustle, Governor Cyril Toadmoor, and others
Ariel Leaf: Captain Desirée LaFemme, Cecily Toadmoor, and others
Oliver Hands: Toby Bustle
Noah Strom: accordion

music direction: Chris Gennaula
fight choreographer: Annie Enneking
stage manager: Sarah Perron
costume designer: Andrea Gross
Picture
Left to right, Ariel Pinkerton (Desirée), Valerie Rigsbee (Rosie). Photo: Scott Pakudaitis.

​YARRRH! was revived and ran at the Open Eye Figure Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, from September 9-24, 2011. All personnel remained unchanged except that Valerie Rigsbee replaced Dawn Brodey as Rosie Bustle, et al, and Ariel Leaf was the lighting designer.

STOP KISS

Ariel Leaf (Callie)
Ariel Leaf (Callie). Photo: Scott Pakudaitis
Katie Starks (Sara)
Katie Starks (Sara). Photo: Scott Pakudaitis
L to R: Ariel Leaf (Callie), Katie Starks (Sara)L to R: Ariel Leaf (Callie), Katie Starks (Sara)
Stop Kiss 
by Diana Son
directed by Ben Layne
Performed at Nimbus Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
January 25-February 8, 2014

Cast:
Ariel Leaf: Callie
Katie Starks: Sara
Linda Sue Anderson: Mrs. Winsley/Nurse
Andy Chambers: George
Michael Ooms: Peter
Joel Raney: Detective Cole

lighting design: Julia Carlis
Set design: Ursula K. Bowden
props design (and more): Corinna Knepper Troth
costume design: Jenna Graupmann
sound design: Scot Moore
stage manager: Kate O'Connoll
publicity, house manager, box office: Daniel Pinkerton

This production was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.



A SLIGHT ACHE / IN THE WHITE ROOM

Picture
Left to right: Ariel Leaf (Flora), Michael Ooms (Edward). Photo: Heidi Garrido
A Slight Ache 
by Harold Pinter
directed by Ben Layne
Performed at the Black Forest Inn Banquet Hall
Minneapolis, MN
September 13-28, 2014
Michael Ooms: Edward
Ariel Leaf: Flora
John Leaf: Matchseller

Picture
Left to right: Lacey Zeiler (Clerk), John Leaf (Steve). Photo: Heidi Garrido
In the White Room
written and directed by Michael Ooms
​Performed at the Black Forest Inn Banquet Hall
Minneapolis, MN
September 13-28, 2014
John Leaf: Steve
Lacey Zeiler: Clerk

WHY WE LAUGH

Picture
Left to right: Elise Langer, Skyler Nowinski, Ryan Lindberg. Photo: Scott Pakudaitis.
PictureBack, left to right: Craig Harris, Ryan Lindberg, Skyler Nowinski. Front, left to right: Julie Kurtz, Elise Langer. Photo: Scott Pakudaitis.
Why We Laugh
​by Kira Obolensky
music by Craig Harris
Based on “Laugh With Us” by Felix Porges, Vítězslav Horpatzky, Pavel Weisskopf and Pavel Stránský; English translation & dramaturgy by Lisa Peschel
Performed at Open Eye Figure Theatre
​Minneapolis, MN
September 12-27, 2015
​
CAST
Julie Kurtz:  The Scholar
Elise Langer:  Elly Bernstein-Porges
Ryan Lindberg:  Vítězslav Horpatzky
Skyler Nowinski:  Felix Porges
Craig Harris:  Pianist

​ARTISTIC STAFF
Hayley Finn:  director
Mawrgyn Roper:  stage manager, light board operator
Irve Dell:  Scenery and properties designer
Ariel Leaf:  lighting and lobby display designer, coproducer
A. Emily Heaney:  costume designer
Daniel Pinkerton:  graphic designer, publicity, coproducer
​Sott Pakudaitis: photographer

This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund; and by a grant from RIMON: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, an initiative of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.


GRAND THEFT AUTBIOGRAPHY

Picture
Grand Theft Autobiography
stories written and performed by Daniel Pinkerton

Songs by Gary Rue
performed live by Gary Rue and the Delinquents:
   Gary Rue: guitar & lead vocals
   Megan Mahoney: electric bass & backing vocals
​   Kenneth Watson, Jr.: drums & backing vocals

Direction & dramaturgy by Ariel Leaf

​Performed at the Strike Theatre, Minneapolis MN, August 4-14, 2016, as part of the 2016 Minnesota Fringe Festival.
Picture
Gary Rue and the Delinquents. Left to right: Kenneth Watson, Jr., Megan Mahoney, and Gary Rue. Photo: Ariel Leaf.

THE LADY WITH A LAP DOG

Picture
Left to right: Andrea Leap (Anna) and Joel Liestman (Dmitri). Photo by Scott Pakudaitis.
This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Picture
"Anton," the titular lap dog. Puppet by Corinna Knepper Troth. Photo by Daniel Pinkerton.

​The Lady with a Lap Dog
a new musical
book and lyrics by Daniel Pinkerton
music by Robert Elhai
based on the short story by Anton Chekhov
performed at Open Eye Figure Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
​September 15-24, 2017

CAST
Dmitri Gurov: Joel Liestman*
Anna von Diederitz: Andrea Leap
Madam Prozorov, Dasha Gurov, others: Laurel Armstrong

CREATIVE STAFF
Director: Nicole Wilder
Stage manager: Megen Ealaín
Set & properties design: Ursula K. Bowden
Costume design: C. J. Mantel
Lighting design: Ariel Leaf
Puppet created by Corinna Knepper Troth
​Stage hand: Michael Spegar
Music director/pianist: Jill Dawe
Accordion: Dee Langley
Cello: Diane Tremaine



THE SKRIKER
Picture
Picture
Top photo: Ensemble, by Scott Pakudaitis. Bottom photo: Ariel Leaf as the Skriker, image by Phen Grant and Leah Edelman-Brier.
The Skriker
by Caryl Churchill

performed at The Crane Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
​April 7-22, 2018


HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING OVERALL DESIGN, 2018 MINNESOTA THEATER AWARDS

CAST
Lily: Haley Sisler

Josie: Gabrielle Dominique
Skriker: Ariel Leaf
The Hag: Nissa Nordland
Johnny Squarefoot: Stephanie Johnson
Passerby: Josiah Thompson
Yallery Brown: Keith Hovis
Black Dog: Brynn Berryhill
Kelpie: David Wasserman
Green Lady: Sheree Froelich
Woman with Kelpie: Nicole Laurenne
Girl with Telescope: Megan Anderson
Rawheadandbloodybones: Heather Jo Raiter
Man with Bucket: Michael Quadrozzi
Spriggan: Gail Estelle
Black Annis: Mary Davis
Dead Child: Leah Eckardt

CREATIVE STAFF
Director: Ben Layne

Stage manager: Megen Ealain
Assistant Stage Manager: Alyssa Thompson
Lighting design: Joanna McLarnan
Set Design: Sean McArdle
Prop Design: Terri Ristow
Costume Design: Tracy Swenson
​Makeup design: Ariel Leaf

Choreography: Josiah Thompson
Composer/Music director/sound design: Keith Hovis
Dramaturg: Callie Meiners
​Dialect coach: Joel Raney
​
​
This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Picture
Picture
Dog Act
by Liz Duffy Adams

Performed at Gremlin Theatre 
St. Paul, MN
December 7-22, 2019
​
CAST

Zetta - Ariel Leaf
Dog - Joe Wiener
Vera Similitude - Delinda "Oogie" Pushetonequa
Jo-Jo the Bald-Faced Liar - Nissa Nordland Morgan
Coke -Timothy Daly
Bud - Michael Terrell Brown

CREATIVE TEAM
Director - Ben Layne
Music director - Nicole Wilder
Stage manager - Sarah Perron
Fight choreographer - Meredith Kind
Set and properties designers - Ursula K. Bowden and Corinna Knepper Troth
Lighting designer - Becky Raines
Costume designer - Tracy Swenson





Upper left: Joe Wiener (Dog) and Ariel Leaf (Zetta). Photo by Kari Elizabeth Godfrey Photography.

​Lower left: Dog Act cast. Left to Right: Timothy Daly, Delinda "Oogie" Pushetonequa, Ariel Leaf, Nissa Nordland Morgan, Joe Wiener, Michael Terrell Brown. Photo by Scott Pakudaitis. 

​
​
This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

To Breed, or Not to Breed
an anthology of stories about choices
concept by Ariel Pinkerton
​
Presented at The Crane Theater
Minneapolis, MN
November 4-20*, 2020.
*scheduled for November 4-22, but theatres were closed at 10 pm on November 20 due to the pandemic

PROGRAM, WEEK ONE:
"Therefore, I Trust Myself" written and performed by Anthony and Haley Sisler-Neuman (presented on video)
"Mother's House" written by Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, performed by Jeannie Lander
"I Have Only One Regret" written and performed by Heidi M. Garrido
"I Don't Wanna" written by Daniel Pinkerton, performed by Daniel and Ariel Pinkerton
"Real" written and performed by Suzie Juul
"This Is Not How I Wanted to Start This Story" written and performed by Ariel Pinkerton

PROGRAM, WEEK TWO:
"Blood Knot" written and performed by Linda Sue Anderson and Tim Hammett
"Rising with the Tide" written and performed by Doc Woods
"Nothing Traditional Here!" written and performed by David Coral and Vicki Knight
"The Poem" written and performed by Kelli Gore Raney
"The Things I Didn't Carry" written and performed by Eli Effinger-Weintraub
"SLAMM" written and performed by Jean Wolff

PROGRAM, WEEK THREE:
"I Want a Goddamn Cloak" written and performed by Jen Scott
"The Family You Choose" written and performed by Josh Cragun
"Following Your Bliss and Avoiding Other People's" written and performed by Matt Kessen
"My Pandemic Pregnancy" written and performed by Jenna Papke
"Hole" written and performed by Ariel Pinkerton
"The Duckling List" written and performed by Duck Washington

CREATIVE TEAM:
Directed by Ben Layne
Dramaturgy by Ruth Virkus
Lighting by Ariel Pinkerton
Original music by Aaron Henderson
Stage manager and board operator: Andy Kedl
Videography for online streaming: Bill Stiteler
Drawing for program/website: Grace Goeks
Publicity and program: Daniel Pinkerton







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