the 7-shot symphony, a.k.a. the kickass cowboy show

premiered AT THE loring theater (music box), Minneapolis
march 11, 2011 
(2011-2013 tour dates below)

About the show

Welcome to Deus County. Winning a 2011 Ivey Award for "Best Overall Performance," The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) is an explosive mix of performing arts, live music, and unbridled imagination. Completely tipping the scales of creative ingenuity, this mash-up of epic myths and gritty cowboys has wowed audiences from Minneapolis to Miami. 7 actors play 47+ characters with the ferocity of a Spaghetti Western film come-to-life and is scored by bluegrass band Tree Party in whose live soundtrack puts a fresh twist on ol' timey chug-a-chugs.

Performed without a complicated set or props, The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) places focus on the actors' bare ability to illuminate a world of richly filled images "in such the way that Quentin Tarantino would decide to stage a play." Hailed as "avant-garde for the masses," The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) intertwines seven classic myths from around the world against the backdrop of America's epic Old West, a setting of superhuman strength, heroism, and comeuppance. Mayor "Gil" (-gamesh) oversees the territory, Sheriff Odin enforces the peace, and Fenrir the Outlaw, known only as "the Wolf," wreaks havoc. Other locals include Orpheus the Saloon Piano Player, Masamune the Gunsmith, Anansi (a.k.a. Spider the Gambler), and Hades, owner of the infamous outlaw hangout, "The Underworld Saloon." As epic themes feed mythic tales, The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) swells with stories fueled by fate, duty, love, legend, and corruption that stems from power, revealing their relevance today. Creating visually entertaining and emotionally insightful storytelling, Live Action Set builds upon its roots in dance, continues its tradition of physical theater, and infuses elements borrowed from cinematography, Italy's Commedia dell'Arte, and France's trateau traditions, and Saturday morning cartoons.

"The love child of Quentin Tarantino and Cirque du Soleil..."

tour performances

2013:
BUFORD, GA 
JANUARY 14 - 21
RESIDENCY AND PERFORMANCE WITH THE GAINSVILLE THEATER ALLIANCE

2012:
st. cloud, MN 
october 13th
RESIDENCY AND PERFORMANCe at the college of saint benedict and saint john's university

ST. paul, mn 
SEPTEMBER 28TH
AT THE o'shaughnessy auditorium

ST. CROIX FALLS, WI 
SEPTEMBER 20TH, 21ST, AND 23RD 
AT THE ST CROIX FESTIVAL THEATER

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 
JULY 2
AT THE SOUTHERN THEATER

PLAINVIEW, MN 
APRIL 28TH - MAY 20TH 
At the jon hassler theater

MEMPHIS, TN 
JANUARY 25TH 
AT RHODES COLLEGE 

LOUISVILLE, KY 
JANUARY 20TH - 22ND 
At bard's town theatre 

FT. MYERS, FL 
JANUARY 12TH - 14TH
AT THE SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER

NAPLES, FL 
JANUARY 11TH 
 AT THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL'S G&L THEATER

MIAMI, FL 
JANUARY 9TH
AT THE DEERING ESTATE'S STONE HOUSE BALLROOM

SANIBEL, FL
JANUARY 7TH AND 8TH
AT SANIBEL COMMUNITY HOUSE 

2011:
CHICAGO, IL 
JULY 15TH - JULY 23RD
PRESENTED BY VINTAGE THEATER COLLECTIVE at strawdog theater

RED WING, MN
JULY 6TH 
presented by the red wing arts association in central park

ON STAGE

Mark Benzel ........................ performer
Travis Bolton ....................... musician
Andy Carroll ....................... musician
Joey Ford ............................. performer, musician
Damian Johnson ................ performer
Emily King .......................... performer
Dustin Suggs ....................... performer
Derek Trost .......................... musician
Jenna Wyse ......................... performer, musician

creatives OFF STAGe

Ryan Underbakke .............. director and co-writer
Matt Spring ......................... co-writer
Mandi Johnson .................... costume designer
Debbie Tallen ....................... lighting designer
Amelia English ..................... stage manager, haberdasher

Noah Bremer ........................ producer, creative guide
Joanna Harmon ................... producer, creative guide

Team off stage

Lisa Bol .................................. marketing assistant
Marc Bohn ............................. standy-by musician
Anne Blessing ........................ seamstress
Lydia Bolder ......................... seamstress
Kristina Fjellman .................. seamstress
William Harmon .................. admin. and tech. assistant
Joanna Harmon ................... marketing designer
Eric Melzer ............................. photographer
Tyler Olsen ............................ administrative assistant

TOUR team off stage

Noan Bremer ......................... manager
Joanna Harmon .................... manager, marketing design
William Harmon ................... lighting designer

reviews and write ups

Arts Louisville
Cherry and Spoon
Chicago Reader 
Chicago Stage Review
Lavender Magazine
MinnPost
MN City Pages
MPR
Naples Daily News
TC Daily Planet
TC Theater Connection
Time Out Chicago
Theatre Louisville

Awards

Overall Excellence
Ivey Awards, 2011
Outstanding Achievement in Stage Movement
Lavender Magazine, 2011