Every revolution starts with a rebellion. And you could say that the sound and style of musical theater in the 21st century was indelibly shaped by composer Stephen Sondheim’s rejection of the old order.

Although mentored by Oscar Hammerstein II — the lyricist half of the duo that last revolutionized the art form, Rodgers and Hammerstein — Sondheim took things in totally unexpected directions during the last few decades of the 1900s. He eschewed a devotion to earworm melodies and absorbing stories in favor of delving deeper into the psychological makeup of his characters, often going to darker places than Broadway ever had.

When he created “Passion” in 1994, Sondheim returned to terrain he’d seldom visited since he wrote the lyrics for “West Side Story” in 1957: focusing upon a single, central love story. But not like the almost mystical, magnetic bond between that show’s Tony and Maria. No, “Passion” is about the kind of obsessive love that can result in restraining orders. It looks at love as if it’s a kind of mental illness.

So “Passion” is troubling, but when done well, it can be an intense and ultimately rewarding work. And the production of it being presented by Theater Latte Da is, indeed, very well done.

The company’s new artistic director, Justin Lucero, closes his first season in the post by directing a show that’s never less than captivating throughout its intermission-less 100 minutes, one built upon exceptionally strong performances and a dream-like design scheme that makes the action seem as if wavering between reality and delusion, memory and bracing present.

Inspired by an Italian film and rooted in a 19th-century novel, “Passion” tells the story of an army captain engaged in a torrid affair who’s transferred to a remote outpost where he encounters his commanding officer’s cousin, a tortured woman who falls hard for him and casts propriety aside in passionately pursuing a relationship with him. Torn between the two women, we observe the captain growing increasingly vexed as he wrestles with his needs and what he wants from love.

The chief catalyst in the success of Latte Da’s production is the gripping performance of Erin Capello as Fosca, the obsessed woman. Capello demonstrated during the company’s 2023 production of “Next to Normal” that she can take a character with mental illness and make her extraordinarily sympathetic, but Fosca has no pretensions of passing as stable. She’s astoundingly vulnerable while also infuriatingly manipulative, and Capello makes it so you can’t take your eyes off her. Or your ears, for she has a magnificently expressive voice.

Far more guarded is Dylan Frederick’s portrayal of the captain, who could let us see more of the psychological processing that Sondheim so valued in his characters. Frederick’s at his most engaging in his exchanges with Isa Condo-Olvera as a mistress rooted in reality. And Bradley Greenwald does fine things with another conflicted character, the doctor who seems to drive the captain into Fosca’s arms.

Jason Hansen leads a five-piece onstage band that brings out all the tension in Sondheim’s songs. And Paul Whitaker’s simple yet fascinating set and mood-shaping lighting scheme add to the impression that Latte Da has triumphed again in its imaginative approach to the modern musical.

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Theater Latte Da’s ‘Passion’

When: Through July 13
Where: Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. N.E., Mpls.
Tickets: $75.75-$11.75, available at theaterlatteda.org
Capsule: A dark and discomfiting musical gets a passionate production.

By YESICA FISCH

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces stopped a Gaza-bound aid boat and detained Greta Thunberg and other activists who were on board early Monday, enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened during the war with Hamas.

The activists had set out to protest Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which is among the deadliest and most destructive since World War II, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, both of which have put the territory of some 2 million Palestinians at risk of famine.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organized the voyage, said the activists were “kidnapped by Israeli forces” while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the territory.

“The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated,” it said in a statement.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry cast the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a post on X that “the ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel.”

It said the passengers would return to their home countries and the aid would be delivered to Gaza through established channels. It later circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing orange life vests.

A weeklong voyage

Thunberg, a climate campaigner, was among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily a week ago. Along the way, it had stopped on Thursday to rescue four migrants who had jumped overboard to avoid being detained by the Libyan coast guard.

“I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible,” Thunberg said in a pre-recorded message released after the ship was halted.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, was also among the volunteers on board. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

After a 2½-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers and experts have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive.

An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.

An 18-year blockade

Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s Palestinian population.

Israel sealed Gaza off from all aid in the early days of the war ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, but later relented under U.S. pressure. In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the country again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medicine.

Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages, more than half of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas is still holding 55 hostages, more than half of them believed to be dead.

Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up most of the dead. It doesn’t say whether those killed are civilians or combatants.

The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the territory’s population, leaving people there almost completely dependent on international aid.

Efforts to broker another truce have been deadlocked for months. Hamas says it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has vowed to continue the war until all the captives are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and exiled.

___

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

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Watch and listen a little

It is unfortunate that we can’t have certain conversations. I have become very aware that some very left people (not all) don’t care to ever talk ideas with people on the right.

If a person on the right talks about what they may be thinking, many times the far left just puts their fingers in their ears and sings LA-LA-LA-LA-LA. They can’t have a conversation because it hurts.

I wish both groups could listen and watch some of the other’s ideas to see what they are thinking and saying, and then see how things end up.

Please watch and listen a little to the other side before total judgment.

Philip Hove, Cottage Grove

 

If the program is valuable …

The federal government is going broke, and that fact threatens the blessings of liberty we mean to leave to our posterity. To protect the federal government, it should return to serving the enumerated powers designated in the Constitution.

It is troubling that a federal job corps program, listing millions each year, should need to close, as is reported in in June 3 newspaper. Yet, this most certainly should not mean the end of the program if its effectiveness and value can be proven.

Labor unions, professionals, and others who benefit directly from the work of the Job Corps, should step forward, reorganize the program and fill the need. State education funding can be directed to provide some of that support.

If the program is valuable, then let Minnesotans step into this void.

Dave Racer, Woodbury

 

Didn’t get it done

So the traveling Tim Walz roadshow rocks on across America. Regarding the recent election debacle, he admits he “didn’t get it done.” Seems to be his normal operating mode. Didn’t send the National Guard in to quell the “peaceful protest” until the damage was done. Didn’t handle the $18 billion budget surplus. Didn’t even suspect the $250 million COVID food fraud. And as his state was deadlocked on the looming budget issue, he hit the road to protect the Dem Party image of the tough guy.

Lou Matis, Roseville

 

Meaner? How about smarter?

Based on the extensive travel and speaking engagements that Gov. Tim Walz has embarked upon, it would appear that he remains in a state of delusion, thinking that he could actually be the Dems’ presidential candidate in 2028.

However, the governor has done a great service to the State of Minnesota by being absent for many weeks. The DFL will continue to make a financial mess out of the state, but they lack the socialist leadership of Walz.

In his recent speeches, Walz has asked that Democrats become meaner; he perhaps should have suggested that they become smarter.

As he looks back on his efforts while teamed with Kamala Harris, he said that “I didn’t get it done.” It is not often that he is right about anything, but he clearly has that quite correct, both at home and nationally.

Jon Swenson, Eagan

 

Forget new ideas

Last Sunday’s Pioneer Press reported on Tim Walz’s plan for fellow Democrats. His plan is for Democrats to be “meaner,” and he called President Donald Trump a “cruel man.”

Forget new political ideas and moving the Democrats more to the center, the governor resorted to name-calling and a negative personal persona.

After reading this, I can see Walz abandoned “Minnesota Nice” and stomped it to the curb.

Thomas McMahon, White Bear Lake

 

Historically, cousins

In response to a recent Letter to the Editor asking to stop antisemitism, I have a question that I hope will be answered. I am a semite of Syrian-Lebanese origin, yet antisemitism does not pertain to me. Why was the term coined only for Jewish people? As my friends would tell me, you know that Biblically, the Jews and Arabs are cousins.

Ferial Abraham, St. Paul

 

Vindicate the rights of Indigenous people

Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissented May 27 from the decision of the Supreme Court to refuse a hearing on the appeal of Apache Stronghold against transfer of the land containing their ancestral sacred site, Oak Flat, to Resolution Copper. The justices have it right. The appeal ought to be heard.

Gorsuch based his dissent on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. He wrote that the court’s decision not to hear the appeal is a “grievous mistake — one with consequences that threaten to reverberate for generations.” Gorsuch further stated, “Just imagine if the government sought to demolish a historic cathedral on so questionable a chain of legal reasoning. I have no doubt that we would find that case worth our time.”

Wendsler Nosie Sr. of Apache Stronghold is in the process of submitting their appeal to President Donald Trump, asking him to vindicate the rights of Indigenous people to land so often violated in our history.

Richard W. Podvin, Roseville

 

Spring into summer by moving more

Too many Minnesotans are not getting enough physical activity. Low levels of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk for developing many health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, obesity and depression as well as the risk of premature death.

During the past several years, the “Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act” was introduced to the U.S. Congress on multiple occasions. This would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue physical-activity guidelines at least every 10 years based on the most current scientific and medical knowledge. Unfortunately, the bill has not received the support it needed to pass. As a professor who studies physical activity and its impact on health, society and quality of life, I cannot underscore enough the critical need for our elected officials to support physical activity legislation by reintroducing this bill and for all of us to do our part by being physically active.

Engaging in regular physical activity can help to prevent and treat many chronic health conditions, combat infection (such as from COVID-19), and improve mental health and well-being. Increasing your physical activity and fitness level, by even modest amounts, can translate to an average savings of $1,600 in annual healthcare costs. Simply put, physical activity is a “form of medicine” that is effective, safe, accessible and affordable.

Only 1 out of 4 adults currently meet the recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and performing two days of muscle strengthening activities each week. A nation that continues to be physically inactive will face grave consequences: Our healthcare costs will be even more astronomical than they are now, we may not have enough active young adults to serve in the military, and we will be more vulnerable and less resilient to other threats, including pandemics and natural disasters.

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At first 150 minutes may seem like a lot. It is a reachable goal though as it translates to just over 20 minutes a day. Any activity that facilitates movement, makes your heart beat faster, and increases your breathing will work. So yes, even things like walking your dog, doing yardwork and playing with your kids or grandkids all count. Any amount of activity is better than no activity for improving your health.

As we approach summer, now is the time to get outside and enjoy everything the Twin Cities and Minnesota have to offer, like their parks, trails, lakes and outdoor events.

Steven Elmer
The writer is an associate professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences at St. Catherine University.

 

ARLINGTON, Texas  — Napheesa Collier had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Kayla McBride made six 3-pointers and scored 21 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Dallas Wings 81-65 on Sunday to extend their season-opening winning streak to nine games.

The Lynx (9-0), who won a WNBA-record 13 consecutive games to open their season in 2016, are off to the fourth-best start in league history.

Collier made 10 of 19 from the field, 3 of 6 from 3-point range, and finished with four assists, four steals and three blocks.

McBride hit a deep 3-pointer about 2 1/2 minutes into the game to make it 5-2, and the Lynx led the rest of the way.

Arike Ogunbowale hit six 3-pointers and led Dallas (1-9) with 26 points and Maddy Siegrist scored 15.

Dallas rookie Paige Bueckers (illness) missed her fourth consecutive game. The No. 1 overall selection in April’s draft missed the previous three games due the WNBA’s concussion protocol but was cleared earlier Sunday.

Siegrist made a layup with a second left in the third quarter to cap a 17-4 run that trimmed Dallas’ deficit to 57-56, but Collier opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, followed with a mid-range jumper, and the Wings got no closer.

Natisha Hiedeman hit a 3 with 2:24 to play that pushed Minnesota’s lead to 77-62.

The Lynx hit 13 pointers, finished with 25 assists on 29 field goals, had 12 steals and committed just six turnovers.

The Wings have lost five games in a row.

The Lynx play the Storm in Seattle on Wednesday.