THE STORY OF MY LIFE

Area Premiere
March 9 – 25, 2012 – Illusion Theater

Music and Lyrics – Neil Bartram
Book – Brian Hill

MMT cofounders Steven Meerdink and Kevin Hansen reunite on stage for the first time in six years to tell the touching and often humorous story of two childhood friends and how their relationship profoundly defined their lives. Thomas Weaver is a best-selling, award-winning author. Alvin Kelby was his best friend for thirty years. But time can test the bonds of friendship, and when it does, Thomas calls on the only resource he has – his stories of Alvin – to learn where things went wrong. A richly melodic musical, The Story of My Life is a soaring tribute to the power of friendship and the people who change our lives forever.

(This activity is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature.)

Director – Christine Karki
Musical Director – Lori Maxwell

Scenic Designer – Darren Hensel
Light Designer – Grant Merges
Sound Designer – Lucas Melchior
Rehearsal Accompanist – Matthew Bear
Stage Manager – Joyce Norman

Cast
Alvin Kelby – Kevin Hansen
Thomas Weaver – Steven Meerdink

Star Tribune (Graydon Royce):  “This ‘buddy’ musical has genuine warmth and charm…Director Christine Karki smartly resists the temptation to play these scenes with tears and puppy-dog looks…Meerdink and Hansen treat their characters with kindness and discovery…seeing them give a genuine and unstinting account of two old friends who recognize the impact they’ve had on each other was so worth the 90-minute investment.”  (read the full review)

City Pages (Ed Huyck):  “The bonds of friendship run throughout MMT’s engaging and moving production…Kevin Hansen and Steven Meerdink completely inhabit their characters…both bring plenty of shades to characters that could have remained stock…The show embraces what brought them together and spins that into a universal tale.”  (read the full review)

Twin Cities Metro (Lauren Peck):  “Kevin Hansen and Steven Meerdink are a great pairing…playing their roles as children and as adults with perfect ease, capturing the humor and heartbreak that comes with any long-term relationship…The tight-knit friendship at the heart of this show is palpable and heartfelt…A simple and moving story.”  (read the full review)