New Life, New Coast.

A Prairie Home Companion

I remember interviewing Ethan VanDrunen my junior year at Taylor University about his now-legendary rafting trip down the Mississippi River. He mentioned that he and his rafting buddies had a battery-operated radio on board, and they'd treat themselves by listening once a week to Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion." I had never heard of the show at the time -- we didn't listen to NPR growing up -- but knowing what I know now, I certainly understand it!

The Twin Cities were all abuzz last summer when Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Lindsey Lohan, John C. Reilly, etc, came to town to film the movie, and finally, at long last, it opened this past Friday. Now faithful "Prairie" listeners, we loved it. We love the way the movie and the radio show poke fun at the Midwest -- Minnesota most often. We love the Lake Wobegon stories, the constant references to Lutherans and cold Minnesota winters -- things we now consider inside jokes that we're lucky to be in on.

There were also a few fleeting scenes of St. Paul -- Mickey's Dining Car, the Fitzgerald Theatre -- that we were excited to see. While St. Paul may not boast the nightlife of Minneapolis, it's a city with a rich history, housing the state capitol and the St. Paul Cathedral, which lit up at night is a spectacular sight.

So to any Midwestern expats or NPR lovers like us -- go see "Prairie Home" to soothe any pangs of homesickness.

posted by Nikki @ 3:20 PM