For the next three years, if you want to go hear Kevin Kling tell stories--and you should really want to do this, because he's terrific and engaging and mesmerizing--you will almost certainly head to the Fitz.

Minnesota Public Radio announced today that Kling will do a three-year residency with the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, writing pieces that will he'll perform there exclusively, writing commentaries for MPR and conducting workshops in Duluth and St. Paul on storytelling.

Kling is a nationally renowned storyteller, who for many years has performed all over the country, as well as locally -- at the Guthrie, Open Eye Theater (where he has a show going right now--get there, quick!), the Cedar Cultural Center, and elsewhere around the Twin Cities.

He's the author of "The Dog Says How" and "Holiday Inn" --both collections of memoiristic essays (poignant, funny)--and a children's book, to be published in November. "Big Little Brother" is a collaboration with Duluth artist Chris ("Monkey With a Tool Belt") Monroe. All three books are with Borealis Books, an imprint of the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Kling was the subject of a Star Tribune Minnesota Profile a few years back, which you can read here. If you've never seen him tell a story, it's time to find your way to St. Paul.