Media

Contact:

For more information, please contact Heather Brands at TigerLion Arts at hbrands1@gmail.com.

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Articles & Reviews:

"The program for “Nature: a walking play” doesn’t credit anyone, but whoever designed these acres of trees, ravines, flowers, meadows and ponds deserves a salute. What better scenery could exist for a play about two men who drew inspiration from the beauty of the Earth?"
—Star Tribune
Full Article

"The eleven-person cast and community chorus lead us through the experience, dressed in authentic looking period clothing (costumes by Christine A. Richardson). Waldo and Henry are perfectly personified by Tyson Forbes (who also created and co-wrote the piece) as the tall, elegant, well-dressed minister and lecturer, and John Catron as the bearded and unruly-haired nature-lover who eschews the trappings of modern society."
—cherryandspoon.com
Full Article

"Emerson and Thoreau both believed that the divine manifested itself most strongly and clearly in the natural world, and, after spending a few hours tromping to and fro in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s Garden for Wildlife, even the most indoorsy of audience members will likely be inclined to agree with them."
—Emily Anderson, Bad-Entertainment.net
Full Article

"The show owes much of its energy to its performance outdoors, and director Markell Kiefer does an admirable job creating performance spaces that are clearly demarcated from but wholly integrated into some rather majestic landscapes. Some of the moments are strikingly beautiful, and there always will be something to venerate in hearing, as we do here, delicate music sung by strong voices echoing off a hill of tall prairie grass. Composer Dick Hensold has done a terrific job with a score inspired by the music of New England in the 19th century."
—Matthew Foster, MinnesotaPlaylist.com
Full Article

"Aside from providing an opportunity to appreciate the natural world, Nature stages a more profound debate about political engagement. While Emerson (Tyson Forbes) advocates bringing change to the world through public discourse, Thoreau (John Catron) becomes a hermit, preferring to minimize his environmental footprint as much as possible. Much of the script is drawn directly from original texts by Emerson and Thoreau, and Forbes and Catron do an excellent job bringing the eloquent prose to life while imbuing it with their characters’ distinct personalities."
Sophie Kerman, aislesaytwinciteis.com
Full Article

"The idea is to really heighten the awareness of the nature and the gardens themselves," says Forbes, 38. "We're always talking about that with the cast: to be very aware of the sun, the wind, the birds--to play with them and to acknowledge them."
Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Full Article

"I thought about nature not as something to be visited occasionally, but as something we live in the midst of daily, whether we're aware of it or not. Sometimes her voice is obscured by the busyness of modern life, but she's always there if we take the time and listen hard enough."
Broadway World
Full Article

"Nature is performed outdoors as a “walking play.” A professional ensemble of actors takes the audience on a journey through the natural environment as scenes unfold around them. Bagpipes, ancient flutes, drums and rich choral arrangements are intricately woven into the script with compositions by Dick Hensold."
Chanhassen Villager
Full Article

Art Matters broadcast of interview on Nature: Full Broadcast

"Best of 2014: Striking performances mark best in theater"
—Star Tribune
Full Article

"The show created by TigerLion Arts of Minneapolis – is a deft and entertaining integration of ideas and drama, music and dance, that is light enough to keep children interested but substantive enough to be thought-provoking for adults."
—Jody Feinberg, Patriot Ledger
Full Article

"Ralph Waldo Emerson once described the stars as a perpetual presence of the sublime, now one of Emerson’s descendants is bringing that love of the outdoors to life, in a new walking play called Nature."
—Jared Bowen, Open Studio - WGBH
Full Broadcast

Audience Response:

"This production was absolutely magical! My husband said EVERYONE needs to see this! I loved the message it sent, and the way nature played along with the script at times-- left me in awe! The music, singing, and acting was way beyond my expectations. … It is a special memory that will be etched into my heart and mind for years to come. Thanks to everyone who made this production possible! I have been to an outdoor play before, but nothing quite like this!"

"Amazing...innovative, creative, powerful, sweet, tender, timeless, connected, relational...and more."

"The cast lovingly and expertly deliver their craft, braving the challenges and changes of weather. With a vibrant energy that leaps across the stage they deliver each scene with music and song and sound and laughter and tears that fill the hearts of the audience."

"Humorous and yet poignant, passionate and promising."

"We loved the setting, the walking, the beautiful day, the whole experience. The acting was excellent, and the musicians were awesome. Such a great combination of rhythm and song, story and poetry. I learned more about Thoreau and Emerson than I ever did in college, and it was such a fun form of education."

"Most clever and flexible staging. Excellent musical accompaniment."

"The theme is so close to my heart, and so close to what is important in our lives now."

"I would see it again and again!"

the 2021 tour

tickets

program

Interested in bringing Nature to your neck of the woods? nature@tigerlion.org

Presented by:

This activity is 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.