In last year's Legends series at the Capri Theater, Greta Oglesby brought the audience to its feet halfway through the concert with her performance of Lot's Wife. Oglesby returns in a rare solo concert that will be half gospel, half Broadway, at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9 and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10 at the Capri. "I love a little bit of pressure," says Oglesby.
The first half of Oglesby's concert will focus on gospel songs, including On Holy Ground, with an arrangement recorded by Barbra Streisand, and Deep River, a classic gospel number that was included in the 1929 film version of Showboat.
In the second half of the program, featuring Broadway show tunes, Oglesby will reprise Lot's Wife, from Caroline, or Change. Oglesby played the title role at the Guthrie Theater in 2009, and City Pages called her performance a "brilliant confluence of thought, feeling and performance." Oglesby says the piece is challenging "musically, physically and emotionally. I say a little prayer every time I perform it."
Performing in the Legends series is just one facet of Oglesby's commitment to the Capri Theater. "It's such a gem-not just in the North Minneapolis community, but in our whole city," she says. "It's this wonderful jewel emerging on the Northside-a beautiful, intimate space where artists can feel at home."
Oglesby is also involved with Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC) as a teaching artist. "The Capri is a great training ground for emerging artists," Oglesby says. "They not only can do concerts and theater productions, they can also get behind the scenes, learning sound and lighting design."
By serving both established and emerging artists, Oglesby says, the Capri is well on its way to becoming "our Apollo."
Tickets are $25; order at thecapritheater.org. The Capri Theater is owned and operated by PCYC, a non-profit human services organization that serves North Minneapolis children and families through education, community programs and community development. Visit www.pcyc-mpls.org.