CD
The songs on this CD center around the "reformation" which was underway in Midwestern churches in 1960, and how the Church Basement Ladies reacted to the changes. Some of their reactions included: Beverly's first pair of high heels for confirmation; the Pastor announcing his impending nuptials; Mrs. Snustad and Mrs. Gilmerson planning a food booth at the County Fair; and Mrs. Engelson embarking on a spontaneous driving lesson.
Songs include The Boogie Woogie Bulwark, After I'm Confirmed, The Ballad of Mrs. Elroy Engelson, Growing Up, Born to Farm, All Heaven Broke Loose, An Absolutely Perfect Day, Pickle Queen, and That's Lutheran Love.
Based on Norwegian-Lutheran humor books written by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson
Script by Greta Grosch
Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen
Directed by Curt Wollan
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CD
The songs on this CD center around the "reformation" which was underway in Midwestern churches in 1960, and how the Church Basement Ladies reacted to the changes. Some of their reactions included: Beverly's first pair of high heels for confirmation; the Pastor announcing his impending nuptials; Mrs. Snustad and Mrs. Gilmerson planning a food ... ... more -
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featuring Sissel Kyrkjbø CD Although Sissel Kyrkjebø has been singing since she was 15 and made her European debut the next year, it wasn't until the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer that American audiences were introduced to her during her magnificent singing of the Olympic's Opening Anthem. With many CDs and awards, she has teamed up with vocal ... ... more
featuring Sissel Kyrkjbø CD Although Sissel Kyrkjebø has been singing since she was 15 and made her European debut the next year, it wasn't until the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer that American audiences were introduced to her during her magnificent singing of the Olympic's Opening Anthem. With many CDs and awards, she has teamed up with vocal masters such as Placido Domingo, Celine Dion, Jose Carreras and Josh Groban. But, according to Sissel, singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for this Christmas Concert was “a match made in heaven." For her first-ever Christmas album released in the U.S., Sissel collaborated with the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra. The concert was seen on PBS throughout the United States, and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Sissel received two Grammy nominations for this release, "Spirit of The Season" for Best Classical Crossover Album as well as Best Engineered Classical Album. -
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Anne-Charlotte and Ellen Harvey CD Anne-Charlotte Harvey and her daughter, Ellen, sing songs for a traditional Santa Lucia festival, as well as favorite songs for dancing around the Christmas Tree. The 20 songs include: Sankta Lucia; Hej, tomtegubbar; Stille natt, Hellige natt; Julpolska--nu har vi ljus; När juldagsmorgon glimmar; and others. Newly available on CD format. ... more
Anne-Charlotte and Ellen Harvey CD Anne-Charlotte Harvey and her daughter, Ellen, sing songs for a traditional Santa Lucia festival, as well as favorite songs for dancing around the Christmas Tree. The 20 songs include: Sankta Lucia; Hej, tomtegubbar; Stille natt, Hellige natt; Julpolska--nu har vi ljus; När juldagsmorgon glimmar; and others. Newly available on CD format. -
CD
The CD of the Christmas production was recorded in the Fall of 2009 by five cast members. Unlike the first two productions, this show had two sets of cast members rotating in and out to meet the intensely scheduled calendar of holiday shows. Vocals on the recording are by Greta Grosch, Robbie Mancina, Dorian Chalmers, ... ... moreCD
The CD of the Christmas production was recorded in the Fall of 2009 by five cast members. Unlike the first two productions, this show had two sets of cast members rotating in and out to meet the intensely scheduled calendar of holiday shows. Vocals on the recording are by Greta Grosch, Robbie Mancina, Dorian Chalmers, Tara Borman, and Tim Drake. Drew Jansen, who wrote the music and the lyrics for this show, plays the keyboard on the CD. Other accompanists are Andy Nelson on the sax, Vin Parker playing percussion, and trumpeter Adam Rossmiller. (The other five actors, not heard on this CD, are: Shannon Herman, Judi Gronseth, Roxanne Britz, Andrea Alioto and Greg Eiden.) Songs on this CD include: Away in the Basement, The Unforgettable Christmas Program of 1958, Everybody is a Kid Again at ChristmasTime, Just Not Mary Material, Always One More thing, I Think You'd Like Her, Pińata, Whatsoever You Doo-Wop, Reindeer Rendezvous, and the world's best version of "Jeg er så Glad." Based on Norwegian-Lutheran humor books written by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson Script by Greta Grosch Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen Directed by Curt Wollan -
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Adapted from Roald Dahl's story
DVD
Roald Dahl, like many of Rural Route Bookstore's customers, was 100% Norwegian. However, his parents emigrated to Wales rather than America. Dahl — a prolific writer of adult and children's stories, screenplays, novels, and short stories — became internationally known for his writing and ... ... moreAdapted from Roald Dahl's story
DVD
Roald Dahl, like many of Rural Route Bookstore's customers, was 100% Norwegian. However, his parents emigrated to Wales rather than America. Dahl — a prolific writer of adult and children's stories, screenplays, novels, and short stories — became internationally known for his writing and philanthropy, but mainly for nineteen children's books which were translated into many languages and often made into movies. Throughout the years, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been issued by several film companies under different titles including "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". This special widescreen edition version, released in 2005, stars Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka, the reclusive candy connoisseur of a candy factory that is supposedly closed but continues to produce and ship candy all over the world, and is directed by Tim Burton. Fill a bowl of popcorn or, in this case, a bowl of Wonka Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight candies, and let your imagination run wild as you sail along the Chocolate River, enter this magical factory, and frolic with the Oompa-Loompas. 115 minutes. Rating "PG Suggested". -
CD
Church Basement Ladies, the first show in the series, is a humorous reflection about growing up in an era before women wore pants to church, and before men served in the church basement. Church Basement Ladies gives you heartfelt, hilarious insights into the lives of those who prepared and served at weddings, anniversaries, funerals ... ... moreCD
Church Basement Ladies, the first show in the series, is a humorous reflection about growing up in an era before women wore pants to church, and before men served in the church basement. Church Basement Ladies gives you heartfelt, hilarious insights into the lives of those who prepared and served at weddings, anniversaries, funerals and farm auctions. The songs on this CD reflect these insights. This CD was recorded in August 2005, just prior to the opening of the first play. Vocals are by original cast members: Greta Grosch, Janet Paone, Dorian Chalmers, Ruthie Baker, and Tim Drake. Keyboards, for this CD, are performed by Drew Jansen who is also musical director of the show. Kyle Nelson was the organist for live productions performed at the Plymouth Playhouse. Songs on this CD include: Closer to Heaven, The Pale Food Polka, Get Down to Business, Song for Willie, My Own Personal Island, Dead Spread, The Cities, This is Most Certainly True, Sing a New Song, Mother of the Bride, and For Good. Based on Norwegian-Lutheran humor books written by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson Script by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen Directed by Curt Wollan -
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Mark Brodin, producer/director Videotape "Way to make me bawl out loud--all alone--on a Saturday night! When something evokes emotion in this old Norwegian Lutheran body, you know you have something that hits close to the heart. This is an absolutely beautiful, touching documentary." An email from Suzann Nelson to the producer of the video. It is apparent ... ... more
Mark Brodin, producer/director Videotape "Way to make me bawl out loud--all alone--on a Saturday night! When something evokes emotion in this old Norwegian Lutheran body, you know you have something that hits close to the heart. This is an absolutely beautiful, touching documentary." An email from Suzann Nelson to the producer of the video. It is apparent that this video was not made by someone simply assigned a job. . . and it wasn't. Mark Brodin, producer and director, is a former member of the Delafield Evangelical Lutheran Church (and current sound engineer for Church Basement Ladies.) Brodin's concern and love for the people of the area come through clearly in this wonderful, but sad, story that centers on the parallel between the changing farm economy and the decline of the Delafield Church's population. Founded in the 1870s by Norwegian immigrant farmers who were seeking to raise crops, families and community, they placed their most loved building in their most loved spot--a church in the middle of a cornfield. For the next 125 years, Delafield provided spiritual and social sustenance and continuity to subsequent generations. That continuity was broken in 1998 when the small congregation decided to disband and give away their beloved building. Although this story takes place in southwestern Minnesota, it is relevant to rural areas throughout the Midwest, and viewers unfamiliar with this geographic region will recognize the pain and struggle of the dwindling membership as the people face the hard reality of change. This video, which aired on many public television stations in 2002, would be a great gift for anyone who grew up in rural areas, and a wonderful donation to church libraries. -
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Arna Rennan and Nordic Angst
CD
Storebror og Lillebror, which translates as "Big Brother and Little Brother", is Arna's second CD, but she has now formalized a backup band called Nordic Angst — a term used by Americans to describe the perceived darkness of the Nordic culture, the kind of darkness found in Ingmar Bergman ... ... moreArna Rennan and Nordic Angst
CD
Storebror og Lillebror, which translates as "Big Brother and Little Brother", is Arna's second CD, but she has now formalized a backup band called Nordic Angst — a term used by Americans to describe the perceived darkness of the Nordic culture, the kind of darkness found in Ingmar Bergman films. Arna says the name was chosen because the band "represents both the perspective of traditional folk music interpreted through an American sensibility" and a "love and understanding of Nordic folk traditions." Nordic Angst uses an eclectic blend of traditional and nontraditional instruments such as the nyckelharpa, ocatave mandolin, electric guitar, accordion, overtone flute, acoustic guitar, and bass, and the songs on this recording include ballads from the Middle Ages, dance tunes such as the halling and pols, drinking songs, and, as Arna states, "a wayward tango or two with a contemporary sound that bridges time and cultures." In summary, this CD blends traditional Norwegian folk music with a contemporary sound.