Park Square has a new program to foster the work of local artists, and I'm here for it: "The Park Square LAB Series provides Minnesota-based theater artists, companies, and early- to mid-career creators the opportunity to stage their work at Park Square Theatre - without the barrier of rental fees. The LAB Series program offers theatre makers of all backgrounds the chance to take artistic risks. Whether artists choose to develop ambitious new work, restage and/or reimagine a previous production, or a bit of both, Park Square aims to provide the space and encouragement for artists to flourish." I love the idea of an artist lab, where they get to experiment, try new things, and see what works and what doesn't. And I have experienced the depth and breadth of our local artist community, so I love that Park Square is supporting them in this way. They will be presenting the work of four artists over two weekends, two this weekend and two next weekend (three performances each), and the artists they have lined up for their inaugural lab are an impressive list! Read a little more about the shows and artists below and check back for my thoughts after I see the shows this weekend and next. You can find more information and purchase tickets to one or both shows on Park Square's website.
Performance Weekend 1: March 20-22, 2026
RED HERRING
By Pedro Juan Fonseca | Directed by Alex Galick
When a body is found in the woods, Evelyn Berry is sent to Duluth to decide if it was an accident or murder. Her review becomes an interrogation of a sloppy police detective and a grieving mother looking for a payout, while a figure from Evelyn’s past threatens to get inside her head again. Follow insurance investigator Evelyn Berry in the first chapter of this new psychological crime series.
Pre-show thoughts: A murder mystery set in Duluth? Say less. I've enjoyed Pedro and Alex's work as actors around town, and if the teaser they created for the series (see below) is anything like the show, it's going to be clever and fun.
Post-show thoughts: I was right that this show is clever and fun, but I didn't know that it would also be deliciously dark! It follows college friends Evelyn (Marci Lucht) and Graham (Adam Moxness) who head to the Northland to investigate an insurance claim by local dog-breeder Millie (Carolyn Pool) when her son dies of mysterious circumstances (did he die of exposure in the woods, or was his arm ripped off by a bear, or was he murdered?!). Millie and local cop Theo (Thomas Matthes) are not thrilled with the "citiots" digging into their business and are not very cooperative. If that weren't enough, Evelyn and Graham are dealing with PTSD from their former friend/lover who is serving time for a mass shooting event at the U of M a decade or so ago, coincidentally at the prison where they're conducting the interviews (a sort of Lake Superior Alcatraz). Everyone in the cast gives a fantastic and layered performance (so fun to watch 2 Sugars Carolyn go so dark and dramatic!), no set is needed to bring us right there (just a couple of chairs and some projections). This new play is very well-written, a concise and gripping 50 minutes or so, but I would also love to see it expanded to 90 minutes or more, there's so much good stuff to explore. And a series you say? Yes, please! Follow and support Asterisk Productions for more.
SAY WHEN...
By Mark Benzel and Matt Spring | Directed by Mark Benzel
Say When… is inspired by Evander Berry Wall; the man who had everything and chose to spend it all on 5,000 ties and 500 pairs of pants to become fashion’s “King of All Dudes.” Through comedy and frivolousness with feeling, Say When... examines wealth, social responsibility, and excess, connecting historical opulence to contemporary conversations about status and privilege.
Pre-show thoughts: I know Mark from his work with the Improv Movement Project and Transatlantic Love Affair, and Matt as one of the Four Humors. Combining the physical theater style with the serious silliness sounds like a match made in heaven (and they have a fantastic cast to help them tell the story).
Post-show thoughts: This show is pure delight! So silly and ridiculous, a complete 180 in tone from the previous play which makes for a great pairing. Evander Berry Wall was a real person who really did claim to be “King of All Dudes," and kudos to the team at Simple Machines for finding this real-life oddity and bringing it to life in such a clever and meta way. Jeffrey Nolan is perfection as the carefree dandy Evander, who's life goal is to wear clothes and have people see him wearing clothes, and Elora Riley is his perfect match as wife Salome (named after that character in the Bible who did something). They're the epitome of a wealthy and shallow couple, although not totally heartless. But this story would not work, or be half as fun, without the couple's dogs Toi-Toi and Chi-Chi as the narrators (hilariously played by Amber Bjork and Matt Spring), who are so excited to tell us this story, and also play other characters (while still in their fuzzy pot-bellied dog costumes). And for a show about a man who loves to wear clothes, the clothes are an important part, and these costumes (designed by Mandi Johnson) are stunning, and especially impressive for a new work with only three performances. Evander wears a dizzying array of flashy suits with ever taller top hats, but he may be outshone by Salome's colorful bustled garments added over a simply gorgeous white gown, with extravagant hats. This show also needs to live on - follow and support Simple Machines to help make that happen!
Performance Week 2: March 27-29, 2026
THE CARMEN FILES
Arranged by Gary Ruschman | Written by Elena Stabile | Choreography by Colette Illarde
The Mixed Precipitation team is developing a bold new adaptation of Georges Bizet’s 1875 French opera Carmen, where classical music and crime drama collide. In this reimagined tale, Internal Affairs investigator Micaëla takes on a smuggling ring and opera’s most famous femme fatale - forces that lure her boyfriend, Donnie, an undercover cop drawn to his dark side, down a dangerous path.
Pre-show thoughts: I've been a fan of Mixed Precipitation's summer picnic operetta / pickup truck opera, in which they mash up a classic opera with pop music in a modern and relatable story, for over a decade. I look forward to seeing their uniquely great work in a climate-controlled environment, with a new take on a classic.
WILLOW STORM AND THE LIGHTNING BOLTS
Written and Composed by Stephanie Henry | Directed by Denzel Belin
Set against a backdrop of big hair, screaming guitars, and neon-lit dreams, the story follows Aaron, a gifted but restless young artist searching for his place in the world. When he discovers his inner rock goddess Willow Storm, everything changes. With the help of his fiercely loyal friend Tiffany, Aaron forms a band and begins the journey from self-doubt to self-definition. Willow Storm is an electrifying 80s glam rock musical about identity, transformation, and the courage to step fully into your power.
Pre-show thoughts: I don't know Stephanie but I do know Denzel as a regular performer at Brave New Workshop and improvisor around town, and the description sounds great and like just the show we need right now.
