Unless you are an NPR listener (usually on the classical stations or public radio news stations) you most likely don't know a thing about "A Prairie Home Companion", or as they like to say APHC. Maybe you have come across it from time to time. Like when you were board with what was on the radio and were flipping through the low numbers on the radio dial. I started listening to it when I was in Portland, and was very frustrated with the radio stations (not very inspirational radio, Seattle on the other hand...). So I focused my listening on OPB (Oregon Public Radio). I always loved "Car Talk" and I would listen to this as I started my drive to church on Sundays (I rarely drove in Portland, except for church, as I lived on "Pill Hill" right next to OHSU). Right after "Car Talk" APHC would come on. At first it seemed very strange, as I did not grow up in the world of variety shows (not like the new Rosey O'Donald show). So the changes from topic to topic, act to act were foreign to me. However, over time I began to love the show in all its oddity. Moving forward to the topic. As you all know, Bryn and I moved to the Twin-Cities for my residency program. At the time I didn't think APHC was recorded here, but after we moved here I heard on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) that tickets were for sale. Bryn wanted to get tickets for my birthday, but my ever-changing schedule prohibited us from being able to make long term plans. So one day after finishing up at the Region's ICU (in St. Paul) I heard there were rush tickets for that day's show. "Rush tickets" came to the rescue. A cheep seat for APHC costs about $48. Our budget is doesn't allow for such an experience (our budget is very tight). However a rush ticket is only
$15. Our tickets landed us on the main floor, with a great view of the stage (as depicted by the cartoon picture above, scanned from the program. (And yes, the stage is that cramped). Bryn and I stood outside the Fitzgerald theater in St. Paul in 25 degree weather to get to see the show. It was well worth the wait. Garrison Keillor (not the most attractive man in the world) was in great form. He led the show for 2 hours, telling jokes, moving the show along, telling stories from Lake Wobegon. The guest performances were also outstanding. We had the privilege of seeing folk artist Kristin Andreassen. Overall it was a great, relatively cheep evening, that I spent with my lovely wife by my side.
