Could Kevin Kling be the next Garrison Keillor?
Kevin Kling, that other, far less famous Minnesota storyteller, humorist, and author will be taking up a 3-year residency at Minnesota Public Radio, according to a press release from MPR. What does this mean, exactly? This means he’ll be on stage at the American Public Media-owned Fitzgerald Theater—the same stage Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion calls home—where he’ll perform original shows, assumably written by him. The first is set for Dec. 16-18, and will feature music performed by Haley Bonar and James Diers of Halloween, Alaska. Called Of Mirth And Mischief, it’s a skewed holiday tale featuring “inner-city elves, broken fairies and holiday collisions,” and hopefully a potty-mouthed Santa. In addition to performances on stage, Kling will also commit to storytelling workshops, where fans will have the chance to learn from one of Minnesota’s most preeminent taletellers.
The arrangement seems like a convenient way to vet Kling for Keillor’s position. After announcing he would retire in 2012, there’s been talk about who would be able to replace the multi-talented radio legend. This new set-up with Kling, who already provides commentary for NPR’s All Things Considered, now features Kling on Minnesota radio more frequently, as part of the residency involves some very Garrison-esque duties: “On the air, Kling will deliver exclusive commentaries that feature his personal stories with a timely take on current events.”
It’s true, Kling is no spring chicken, but, if college graduation years provide any clue at age, he appears to be around 10 years younger than the 69-year-old Keillor—so who knows?
Do you think Kevin Kling would be able to take over for Keillor? If not him, then who?
