"Grumpy Old Men: The Musical" by Minneapolis Musical Theatre at the Conn Theater

If Grumpy Old Men had to be turned into a musical (and I would argue it didn't), it definitely needs to be performed in Minnesota (where the 1993 film was set and filmed), and no company is a better choice to do it than Minneapolis Musical Theatre, whose motto is "rare musicals, well done." They specialize in this campy spoofy fun genre of musical, and always make the most out of the material. That's definitely the case here. The show is fun with lots of Minnesota references and doesn't take itself too seriously. But for a musical that premiered in 2018, it's disappointingly sexist in the way women are treated and talked about, with (relatively) young, smart, beautiful women dating and even marrying literal grumpy old men decades older than them. But MMT has assembled a winning cast that makes the most of it, with clever staging and choreography, for what is overall a fun time at the theater. Grumpy Old Men: The Musical continues at the Conn Theater in South Minneapolis through April 19 only.

If I've seen the movie, it was so long ago I don't remember it, so I can't speak to how closely the musical follows the movie. Set in Wabasha, Minnesota, it focuses on two neighbors, John and Max, who are lifelong enemies due to a long ago argument over a woman. When a new woman moves into the house across the street, they both fight for her attention (even though she's much younger than them and should have much better options than these two grumpy old men). There are also a couple of subplots related to John's daughter and Max's son, who have long carried a torch for each other, and the IRS agent who informs John that he owes big money in back taxes. In the end a health scare forces these two frenemies to appreciate each other.

Jim Ahrens, Michael Fischetti, Ward Eames,
and Quintin Michael (photo courtesy of MMT)

Jim Ahrens and Ward Eames are well-cast as the titular grumpy old men, both are charmingly grumpy, but also let us see the vulnerability beneath the grumpiness of these two widowers who maybe are just lonely. Jillian Bader and James Ward play their kids as the sort of straight men trying to reel in the craziness of their dads, wanting more than this small town can offer, with a sweet and awkward love story that was the only romance I was invested in. Caitlin Burns is great in the Ann-Margaret role (if a bit too young for the role), with a gorgeous voice and a charisma that makes it obvious why all the grumpy old men fall for her. Other highlights in the strong ensemble include Quintin Michael as the owner of the bait and apothecary shop Chuck, Lisa Denninger as his delightfully ditzy cousin Punky, Kayla Hambeck as the buttoned up IRS agent who loves her job, Brandon Osero as the comically accident-prone mail carrier, and Michael Fischetti who is absolute perfection as Grandpa and gets the biggest laughs, even if the character is a gross old men spouting lines that aren't cute in 2026.

With direction by Kari Steinback and choreography by Jenny Morris Eisenbraun, the show is fast-paced and full of energy, with some really fun and clever movement and dancing. Mary Cay Stone conducts the eight-piece backstage orchestra. The versatile set is comprised of the two doorways of the neighboring houses, that are rotated to be an ice house and the bait shop, with furniture rolled on and off quickly to show the inside of the houses. Cute and clever pieces show a coffee cart, fishing holes, and other local spots, against the backdrop of a snowy landscape, with a charming DIY feel. The costumes feel very familiar to a Minnesota winter - lots of plaid and puffy vests, boots and stocking hats. (Scenic design by Maggie Mae Sulentic, costume design by Colleen O'Dell.)

Grumpy Old Men: The Musical is exactly what you would expect it to be, and Minneapolis Musical Theatre makes the most of it in this regional premiere production, bringing the story home where it belongs. It's a fun and entertaining show, even if the story hasn't really stood the test of time.