Seal as a Seal Makes Me Happy

and how to make the grossest cookies in the world đŸȘ

Hello!

Welcome to The Flying P, a weekly newsletter covering your Phipps Center for the Arts and anything else I might want to throw your way.

Super Bowl Snl GIF by Saturday Night Live

I could not have cared less about the Super Bowl this past Sunday, but that didn’t stop me from tuning in and eating a metric ton of Doritos.

The game was an absolute snoozer, so let’s chat commercials! I was a big fan of the two below. Nike always seems to nail it, and Seal as an actual seal was apparently something I badly needed in my life.
Hit reply and let me know what your favorites were.

This issue has


  • 🎭 A Mpls Recommendation
    take a trip to the G

  • 🐜 A Tiny JHP
    these gents can saaaang

  • 🙃 Your Weird Responses
    weird in a good way

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PROJECTS

A center for ants

a JHP model by Al Weitkamp

As Derek Zoolander would say, “What is this? A center for ants?”

Nope. It’s a model of the John H. Potter theater created by Al Weitkamp in the 1980s. It’s been sitting in our archives room for a while, but Phipps friend (and board member) Tom Dahle will be refurbishing it so we can proudly display it somewhere more fun than the archives room. I’ll keep you updated on the progress.

Send me a reply if you can guess which show is currently on the model’s stage.

our curtains are in slightly better shape

PHIPPS TOP 9
best-selling upcoming events this season by tickets sold


1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (previously: 1)
2. Silent Sky (previously: 2)
3. Underneath the Lintel, or: The Mystery of the Abandoned Trousers (previously: 3)
4. The SpongeBob Musical (previously: 4)
5. Phipps Dance Company (previously: 5)
6. Cabaret Night at the Phipps - winter (previously: 6)
7. A Wurlitzer Red White and Blue Spectacular (previously: 7)
8. Cabaret Night at the Phipps - spring (previously: 8)
9. Stand-Up Junior (previously: 9)

BETTER HURRY LIST
best-selling upcoming events this season by percent sold
(i.e., closest to being sold out)


1. Cabaret Night at the Phipps - winter (previously: 2)
2. Underneath the Lintel, or: The Mystery of the Abandoned Trousers (previously: 1)
3. Cabaret Night at the Phipps - spring (previously: 3)
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (previously: 4)
5. A Wurlitzer Red White and Blue Spectacular (previously: 5)

as of 2/10/25
COMMUNITY

An unexpected loss

Michael Brindisi

If you’re a subscriber to this newsletter, chances are very good that you’ve attended at least one show at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Last week, its longtime director and owner, Michael Brindisi, passed away. More info here.

The Chan is one of those places (along with the Guthrie, CTC, a few others) that makes the TC theatre scene — which I consider the Phipps a part of — what it is. It’s an institution. I’m sure it’ll be a tough time for those at CDT but I hope they land on their feet, and I wish them the best as they try to replace him.

❀

No gallery pieces this week, as the galleries are closed for maintenance.
🛠

FEEDBACK

Y’all are weird in the best way

no souls inside

Last week I asked you for your worst ideas for what to keep inside this lovely little piece by Dani Latz that I have in my office
and you did not disappoint.

“You should keep toenail clippings in that beautiful artsy cookie jar. Or cookies. Whatever.”

Jennifer

Remind me never to eat your cookies, Jennifer.

“Use that jar to hold the souls of your defeated enemies.”

Rod

Yikes, Rod.
Obviously, I keep those in the River Room kitchen.

“Candy corn!”

Addie

That’s a no for me, dawg. Candy corn is a forever NO.

Guthrie’s Midsummer

I had the pleasure of seeing A Midsummer Night’s Dream over at the Guthrie this past weekend, and it’s fabulous. Even if you’re not a fan of Shakespeare, this one is so much fun. I definitely recommend
as long as you already have your Diary of a Wimpy Kid tickets (opens this Friday!), your Silent Sky tickets, and Cabaret Night at the Phipps tickets. 😁 

Are you the smartest PCA person in town?
Prove it by completing The Flying C(rossword).
👇

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Talk to you next week!

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