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^{photos by Rose Johnson}

Finally, for my last blog post here at The Rake, we have rehearsal photos. Above: Paul Cram and Tracey Maloney. See more below.

Everywhere Signs Fall — "The most exciting play you'll see all year!" I actually do believe this to be true, but I'm willing to put it out there for debate. Come see the show. Tell me I'm wrong.

In a hot motel room in Phoenix, a brother and sister lead an ominous investigation into the reasons that their lives have gone the way that they have. (Don't we all wonder that sometimes?) They record and analyze and replay memories in an attempt to understand the meaning of the events that have changed their lives. (Cool! I've always wanted to be able to relive and rewrite my memories!) When they bring a down-on-his-luck bartender back to their room for an interview, their investigation takes a dark, deadly turn. (Cue music: Dun dun Dum! Call now, 651-228-7008). Everywhere Signs Fall is a thrilling psychological rollercoaster ride through mystery, tragedy, and romance, filled with sharp dialog and raw but humane passion.

Here's John looking all film noir-y and handsome, even with a script in his hand. He plays the down- on-his-luck bartender. Over the course of the last two years, I've seen him in plays from Torch's Thousand Clowns to Our Town at the Theater Garage to King Lear at Starting Gate Theater. His performance in Gremlin's Petrified Forest is still one of my favorite performances ever in the Twin Cities. I've tried to see everything he's been in since then, but he works so much, I've missed a lot.

I think Tracey Maloney is one of the most intoxicating actresses in the Twin Cities. (You may have seen her as Laura in the Guthrie's Glass Menagerie, among other shows.) She has an insightful intelligence combined with raw, emotional, instinctual energy that's hypnotic. We've worked on small plays together at Thirst Theater, where the actors mingle with the audience in a bar as they perform, and I have literally seen mouths drop open around the bar as people watched and even fell a little for her. (No pressure, Tracey.) Sorry that the image is blurry.

Paul Cram is an emotionally available, smart, brave actor with a wide range of experience in film who hasn't seemed to find it hard at all to adjust to the differences in theater.

For me, great theater is passionate, smart, interesting, mysterious, and unique. More heart than mind. A journey and experience that is as worth leaving your house for as much as a exotic trip outside of Minnesota. A story about people in extreme, interesting circumstances that illuminates the struggles and passions we all share. Honestly, you may not understand everything you see in this play, but you will feel a lot, and — we hope — you'll be talking about what you feel and what you think for a while after you see it.

We certainly have the cast to pull it off. Hope to see you there.

Thank you for reading.

—Alan

And here's one more picture of John in the rehearsal room — just because the whole "come hither" posture amuses me.