Brave New Workshop veteran Linda Wallem hasn't written for TV since leaving her hit series "Nurse Jackie" in 2013, but she could be lured back with the right project for her and her wife. That would be Melissa Etheridge, whom she met 15 years ago when she tried to snag her for the short-lived sitcom "That '80s Show." That didn't work out, but the two hit it off and were married three years ago. Wallem has been busy raising the couple's twins, but confesses she's working on a secret project that would bring the Grammy winner to the small screen. "We've been dying to work together for so long," Wallem said backstage last weekend at Treasure Island Casino, where Etheridge was performing. One thing Wallem hasn't found time for is watching the three seasons of "Jackie" since she and writing partner Liz Brixius, a fellow University of Minnesota alumna, left the show — even though her brother, Stephen Wallem, remains a cast member opposite Emmy winner Edie Falco. One reason: The producer decided to quit using Prince's Revolution bandmates Wendy & Lisa for the score. "I understand he wanted his own sound, but I can't watch without their music. It was my baby," said Wallem, who appears with Etheridge on an upcoming episode of "Long Island Medium." NEAL JUSTIN
Kindler on Keillor
Comedian Andy Kindler has made a respectable career out of disrespect, mercilessly roasting pop-culture figures to a burnt crisp. His first of five nights at Acme Comedy Co. was no exception as he tore into Dane Cook, Jimmy Fallon and Billy Joel. But the stand-up veteran elicited the biggest howls Tuesday when he went after Garrison Keillor, starting with his regrets that the "Prairie Home Companion" host left the show — because he had given Kindler a good reason to test the scan option on his car radio on Saturday evenings. Kindler was just getting started, diving deep into material that skewered the local icon's ego and musical abilities. Few in the crowd roared harder than his opening act, Erica Rhodes — who happens to be Keillor's niece. "I always forget that until I hear her laugh," Kindler said after the show. Rhodes, who shares a manager with Kindler, confirmed that she found the material hilarious and suspected Uncle Garrison would feel the same way if he was there himself. It's unlikely that theory will be tested. Although both comics are at Acme through Saturday night, Keillor is on the road, with a State Fair Grandstand gig next Friday.
N.J.
'Hamilton'-endorsed
Dates for the highly anticipated 2018 Twin Cities engagement of "Hamilton" at the Orpheum in Minneapolis still haven't been announced, but Twin Cities audiences can see a star of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning juggernaut next month. Miguel Cervantes, who plays revolutionary hero Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago production, is playing a fundraising concert Sept. 10 at the 318 Café in Excelsior for an old friend, congressional candidate Brian Santa Maria. Both were struggling actors in New York. Now Santa Maria lives in Eden Prairie and is vying for the DFL endorsement to take on Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn. "We'll be talking about theater, political art and coloring up the history of America," Santa Maria said. Only 60 tickets are being offered, at $100 apiece. Info at VoteSantaMaria.com.
ROHAN PRESTON
A Sally for Yazzie
Hump day offered a double shot of adrenaline for Twin Cities playwright/director Rhiana Yazzie. As she launched the second annual National Native American Ten Minute Play Festival, it was announced that Yazzie had won a Sally Ordway Irvine Award, named for the founder of the Ordway Center. She's one of five winners of the Sallys, honoring those who "enrich the state through their commitment to the arts." The others: poet and performer J. Otis Powell!; the quirky Twin Cities-based troupe Z Puppets Rosenschnoz; Hmong song poet Bee Yang, and Hunter Gullickson, who has led the Guthrie Theater's efforts to open itself to blind and deaf theatergoers. The Sallys will be presented Oct. 16 at the Ordway.R.P.
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