"Head Over Heels" by Minneapolis Musical Theatre at LUSH

Rare musicals. Well done. Minneapolis Musical Theatre lives by these words, and we benefit from it. They're only doing two shows this season, but both are regional premieres that you're unlikely to see anywhere else. They'll be doing the musical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice next spring, but first up is the 2018 Broadway musical Head over Heels. I didn't see it on Broadway, but after seeing MMT's production it feels like the kind of thing that is better suited to smaller stages. In particular, it seems perfectly suited to the stage at LUSH Lounge & Theater, where it feels more like a raucous concert than a civilized night at the theater. And that's a good thing in this case. I'm not sure why anyone would think to set a 16th Century work of literature to the music of the 1980s all-female rock band The Go-Go's, but there have been worse ideas in this history of music-theater. The show is pure joy and silliness and fun, with a sweet ending that imagines a world beyond gender conventions, where everyone is free to be who they are and love who they love. And what's not to love about that? Only six performances remain on specific dates and times through October 10, click here to see the schedule and purchase tickets.

This Renaissance story features a king, a queen, and their two daughters. Everyone wants to marry the beautiful eldest daughter Pamela (a hilarious Bridget Benson), but she isn't satisfied by any of her suitors. Sweet and plain younger daughter Philoclea (an earnest Ellie Turk) is in love with the shepherd boy Musidorus (a charming Jake Mathey), but she may not marry beneath her station. The King (a strong Riley Webster) receives a prophesy from the oracle Pythio (a fabulous Zae Copeland), which involves him losing his crown, so he goes to extreme measures and takes the family on the road to avoid it coming true. The troupe eventually finds out what every scholar of Greek mythology knows - you cannot outrun a prophesy, they all come true eventually. But it turns out they do have a choice in how they react to it, and in a fun twist the King makes good, with the help of his good Queen (the powerhouse Andréa Gregori in her #TCTheater debut), and the beat goes on, even better than before.

photo by Molly Jay

I love a show that knows what it is, and doesn't try to be anything more, and this is such a show. Kari Steinbach directs with a great sense of joy and play, and the 13-person cast (also including Christian Unser and Erin Grams and as father-daughter servants, who go on a journey of their own, and hard-working ensemble members Elyssa Bickford, Mallory Harrington, Lydia Lee, William McIntyre, and Jack Moorman) fully commits to the almost campy tone of big feelings and big voices (this show is loud, so bring ear plugs if you're sensitive to that). LUSH has brought out their catwalk (which isn't usually there for Musical Mondays, although maybe they'll keep it for their upcoming show on October 5), and this cast makes great use of it, as well as dancing and singing their way through the audience throughout the show. 

Speaking of dancing, Michael Terrell Brown's choreography is so fun and clever, and puts a smile on your face. The costumes (designed by Eleanor Schanilec) could be described as a mix of '80s fashion and Renn Fest gear, like a colorful explosion of taffeta, bustiers, and tunics. The dialogue is also a mix of old English, with a modern flair, which is delightful. The few set pieces include colorful suitcases, but most of the location work is done by adorably cartoonish projections (designed by Christian Unser).

I wasn't sure if I knew any Go-Go's songs (and I certainly don't know why there's an apostrophe in their name, it's not possessive), but it turns out I do know a couple, primarily the opening number "We Got the Beat" and "Heaven Is a Place on Earth." But even if you don't know it, the music is really fun and upbeat. Does it fit the story? Sort of, but that's not really the point. It sounds great, thanks to this fearless cast and the fabulous five-piece band led by music director Mary Cay Stone. I just wish they were in the room so we could watch them play, instead of hidden backstage somewhere.

Head Over Heels is a super fun show, and another great choice by MMT for their brand of rare musicals, well done, fully leaning into the tone of the show.