"In The Backroom" by Michael Torsch at the Southern Theater

The Minnesota Fringe Festival schedule was just announced, but if you want a preview of the sort of adventurous, inventive, outside-the-box art you will see in August, check out In the Backroom by Michael Torsh at the Southern Theater this weekend. A new show on a holiday weekend? That's right, and that's intentional. From the press release: "This performance considers the complicated nature of celebrating America's 250th anniversary, the effects of imperialism on the individual, and how we might eulogize all those killed during wartime. By constructing an environment to collectively meditate on our societal grief, In The Backroom is an antidote to the unrestricted hypernationalism propagated by the current administration." Since I will be off the grid at a lake this weekend, I attended the final run-through of the show before performances begin tonight, and it was all of those things and more. It's very meta and fourth-wall breaking, thoughtfully constructed to bring together many different ideas, cleverly uses recorded video and projections, and is incredibly thought-provoking without providing any easy answers. If you saw Michael's Fringe show last year, All Your Shimmering Gold, it's a similar vibe. If you're in town this weekend and feeling conflicted about America's 250th birthday and the way it's being celebrated, sold, and marketed, this is the show for you. There are 7pm performances Thurs-Sat, with a 4pm show on Sun, and it's only 70 minutes long so you can get back to your barbeques and fireworks.

2026 Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona

Last weekend I went on my favorite Minnesota theater vacay - Great River Shakespeare Festival in lovely riverside Winona! But my 8th visit to Minnesota's only Shakespeare festival is even more exciting this year. It's the first time I've attended opening weekend, and it's not just any opening weekend, it's the opening of their new space in the historic Masonic Temple, known as The ARC. After a couple of decades of performing in Winona State University's theater, they now have their own space with everything and everyone under one roof - office space, design and costume shop, rehearsal space, and the theater itself. My fellow Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (Minnesota Theater Love and The Stages of Minnesota) and I were thrilled to celebrate this milestone with them, and of course enjoy some great Shakespeare that is, as always at GRSF, clear, accessible, playful, inventive, and engaging. The festival continues through July 27, with performances Wednesdays through Sundays, typically with two shows on Fridays and Saturdays, so it's possible to drive down for the day (a lovely two-hour drive along the river) and see both shows. Or stay one night, or two, or extend your stay to enjoy the many recreational offerings in Winona (a fantastic art museum, incredible hiking in the river bluffs, great restaurants, cute shops). My favorite place to stay is Carriage House B&B, just down the street from The ARC and within walking distance of downtown. Or if you're looking for a luxury boutique hotel experience, check out the brand new Hotel 44 North right on the river. GRSF is a special place, and this is an exciting time for them as they embark on a new chapter in a new home that they can tailor to meet the needs of the company and the community, which includes both local residents and everyone who attends a show or event at GRSF.

"Adventures in Hostessville Presents 1967: The Summer of Love-in" at the Hive Collaborative

"Do you like fun?  Do you adore vintage style?  Do you love history, but also modern marvels like indoor plumbing and the right to vote? THEN WE ARE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE BEST FRIENDS." I think I have a new best friend. Last night I attended my first Adventure in Hostessville, and it's just my kind of thing. Created and hosted by #TCTheater artist Melanie Wehrmacher, Hostessville is great edutainment, combining music, comedy, history, pop culture, trivia, cocktails, and snacks, with a slide show! Melanie has been doing a series of these adventures at The Hive Collaborative (a perfect venue for its cozy vibes and ability to have cabaret table seating) this season. I missed 1943 and 1925, but when I heard that her new show would feature 1967, the best year (and also possibly the worst year), I was in! Visit the Adventures in Hostessville website, or follow Melanie on Instagram, to get notified of all of future adventures. But I'm not sure how she's going to top 1967, a year that is so rich in music, pop culture, history, and good vibes, so head out to the Hive this weekend, wearing your best hippie gear, to experience the fun of the Summer of Love (with indoor plumbing).

"Blithe Spirit" at Theatre in the Round

Noël Coward is the perfect frothy summer theatrical entertainment, with his clever dialogue, ridiculous characters, and silly situations ripe for comedy, all in a British accent. The Guthrie is doing Private Lives later this summer (which they last did in 2007), but first up is Blithe Spirit at Theatre in the Round to conclude their 74th season. This is the one that features a love triangle between a husband, his wife, and the spirit of his deceased wife whom he accidentally materializes. It's well done in the in-the-round space with a great cast and some fun special effects. Note that it is a three-act play, as was common in the last century, but Theatre in the Round sells coffee at concessions, with free refills during the two intermissions (but not allowed in the theater, so drink it in the lobby whilst admiring the art installation and save your cup). This Blithe Spirit will continue to haunt the oldest theater in Minneapolis through July 12. And then make plans for Theatre in the Round's 75th Anniversary season, featuring plays and musicals with a Minnesota connection, from The Great Gatsby to You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

"Two Gentleman of Verona" by Frosted Glass Creative at Rustic Roots Winery

Shakespeare in the Vines is back! One of the true pleasures of the short Minnesota summer is seeing theater outdoors. Particularly Shakespeare, which taps into a centuries-long tradition. This is Frosted Glass Creative's fourth year presenting Shakespeare in the Vines at Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia (about a 45-minute drive Northeast from the Twin Cities), but only my second year attending it. Rustic Roots is truly the most idyllic location for outdoor theater (even in the midst of some construction to expand their facilities). And Frosted Glass' production of the comedy Two Gentleman of Verona (believed to be the first play Shakespeare ever wrote) is fun and playful and accessible, as Shakespeare was meant to be. But hurry, there are only two more performances at Rustic Roots. Or you can head to Hastings or Chisago City next week to catch additional performances at wineries there (full details and schedule here).

Broadway tour of "SIX" at the Ordway Center

Last week the Ordway hosted the Broadway tour of the recent revival of the 2005 Tony-winner Spamalot, and a good time was had by all. This week they welcomed back the queens of SIX, the smash hit musical that began at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, then went to the West End, then toured the US (including at the Ordway in 2019) before making its pandemic-delayed Broadway debut in 2021. The next spring it won Tonys for best score and costume design, and is still playing on Broadway and touring around the country. This two-week run is the 4th time that the queens have visited the Ordway, for a total of 60-some performances in St. Paul. At this point, SIX is a well-oiled machine, a finely honed music-theater gem that is exactly what it wants and needs to be, nothing less and nothing more. Not veering far from its Fringe origins, it has a runtime of 75-ish minutes, and is practically perfect in its construction, telling the story of Henry VIII's six wives from their perspective as modern-day pop stars. This musical couldn't have come at a better time, when we're (still) hungry for women's stories, for women to tell their own stories instead of being defined by men, as history has defined these six women by their marriage to a king. This was my sixth time seeing SIX (all four touring productions at the Ordway, plus Broadway and Toronto), and I love it more each time. If you've never seen it before, you owe it to yourself to experience this truly unique and original piece of music-theater HERstory. And if you have seen it before, rest assured that it's as fantastically fun as ever, with a touring cast that is brilliantly talented. They're in town for two weeks; get your tickets only at the Ordway's official site here.

"Come From Away" at the Guthrie Theater

The documusical Come From Away, about the ordinary people of Gander, Newfoundland who showed us the best of humanity when they took in 7000 people diverted to their airport when the US airspace was closed on 9/11, opened on Broadway in 2017 and ran for five years (give or take a pandemic), and then continuously toured up until last year. Then it was released for regional productions, and it immediately became the most produced play in America. It's a story America needs, it's a story America is hungry for. I was fortunate to attend the meet and greet of the cast, crew, and design team at the Guthrie Theater where director Kent Gash talked about his vision for the show (which you can also read about in the program). He said that while Come From Away is about 9/11, it's about so much more than 9/11, it's about our shared humanity, and the power of storytelling to remind us of that. This production succeeds in that, in a big way. I've seen the Broadway/touring production five times, and can almost picture every scene in my mind. It's a thrill to see a fresh new take on the story with new direction, costumes, and staging, that is familiar to the original but with enough tweaks to make it a unique retelling of this story. Come From Away is a brilliantly written piece of music-theater, one that probably stands up to the many different iterations happening all over the country. But this version, at our own Guthrie Theater, lives up to the material and succeeds on so many levels. It's very funny, and thoroughly engaging, and utterly heart-wrenching. If you need your faith in humanity restored, go see Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater this summer.

"Gorgons" at Yellow Tree Theatre

Gorgons is a late addition to Yellow Tree Theatre's season, replacing the regional premiere of the Pearl Cleage play Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous which has been rescheduled to next season, but it's an inspired choice of play, with the perfect cast for this dark comedy two-hander. Playwright Don Nigro based the play on the infamous rivalry between actors Joan Crawford and Bette Davis and their movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, imagining what their relationship might have been like, and filling it with juicy drama and biting dark humor. Yellow Tree's Artistic Director Austene Van directs the piece and has cast a couple of powerhouse actors - Christina Baldwin and Jamie White Jachimiec - who appear to be having the most fun going toe-to-toe with this juicy script. The play also provides commentary on Hollywood's, and society's, expectations of women, particularly in relation to each other, particularly as we age. Joan and Bette, or Ruth and Mildred as they're known here, may not have worked together well, but clearly the women behind this play do. Gorgons continues at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo through June 21 only.

Broadway tour of "Spamalot" at the Ordway Center

I was fortunate enough to see the 2005 Tony-winning Best Musical Spamalot on Broadway, starring the likes of Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azaria, Christian Borle, and Sara Ramirez, who won the Tony for her role and to this day is my gold standard for comedic singing. It was (unsurprisingly) my first introduction to the world of Monty Python, the British comedy troupe on whose work the musical is based. Eric Idle, one of the members, wrote the book and lyrics, working with frequent collaborator John Du Prez on the music. Despite having no prior knowledge of the material, I loved the show, and am still perplexed that (to my knowledge) there have been no local professional productions of it. The show has toured several times, and was revived on Broadway in 2023. That production is currently touring the US, and has stopped in St. Paul at the Ordway Center for one week only, before it's replaced by the return of the Queens of SIX, which actually played the Ordway before its Broadway debut, where it won two Tonys and is still playing. But first, you have only a short time to experience the joyful silliness of Spamalot, a fourth-wall breaking show that doesn't try to be anything other than it is - brilliantly stupid comedy. 

"My Ántonia" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Back in 2010 (the birth year of Cherry and Spoon), Illusion Theater won two Ivey Awards (remember the Ivey Awards, Minnesota's own Tony Awards?) for their adaptation of Willa Cather's novel My Ántonia, one for playwright Allison Moore and one for Kate Guentzel, who played the title character. I didn't see it that year, but lucky for me Illusion continued to produce the show every few years, and even toured it around the Midwest and into Cather's Nebraska. I've seen it three times, most recently in 2019, and loved it more each time I saw it, calling the sparse 90-minute six-person play with music "a perfect adaptation, in that it captures the wistful and nostalgic tone of the novel as Willa describes the people and place she loved so much." I was excited and a little trepidatious when two years ago Theater Latte Da announced that a new musical adaptation of My Ántonia would be part of their NEXT new play development series. I saw the reading of the musical in development that summer and was reassured that the tone of the novel was maintained (unlike the recent musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby, which turned it into a romcom). And now after seeing the full production, even though I'll always have a special place in my heart for Illusion's play that made me fall in love with this story, I love seeing another version of it that fills out the story with more life and music. With a talented cast twice the size of the play, a lovely indie folk score that I wish I could download and listen to on repeat, and sparse design that evokes the achingly beautiful prairies that surround us, Theater Latte Da has brought us another beautiful adaptation of this classic American story (continuing through July 12).

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Modern Rep

I can't remember when I've had so much fun experiencing Shakespeare. #TCTheater artist Grant Sorenson's new company Modern Rep bills the experience thusly: "Shakespeare's most overdone comedy gets a radical new production that explodes Original Practice all-male casting into something messy, sexy, and very gay. Performed by six dynamic actors, this Midsummer Night's Dream embraces the dark, twisted, and unsettling aspects of Shakespeare's original text, served up in a flamboyant and unexpectedly queer way." Mission accomplished! When you think about it, Midsummer features fairies, ample romantic banter including double entendres, a character named Bottom, an ass, and lots of talk about a hole. It was just begging to be turned into a gay fantasia! And this production delivers in the most clever and joyful way. It's definitely the sexiest Shakespeare I've ever seen, and the gayest Shakespeare I've ever seen, in the best possible way. It's a joyful celebration to begin Pride month that flies in the face of anyone who dares to say that queer people don't deserve all of the fullness and legality of life as a citizen of this country, as a resident of this planet. And as a piece of theater, this Midsummer is so modern and forward-thinking. I don't worry about the state of theater as long as there are artists making inventive, outside-the-box, wholly engaging theater in sweaty little loading docks in the North Loop (continuing through June 20).

"A Trojan Woman" by Stop the Wind Theatricals at Mixed Blood Theatre

NYC-based company Stop the Wind Theatricals premiered their original one-act solo version of Euripides' The Trojan Women in 2023 in Athens, where the story originated a few millennia ago. The show is now embarking on a tour of US Sanctuary Cities, beginning right here in Minneapolis, where the opening scene which repeats the line "they don't kill civilians" is particularly affecting (because we know from recent experience that they do). Director Meghan Finn notes in the program that Euripides' play is "the first recorded ani-war play." Nearly two and a half centuries later, A Trojan Woman continues to be relevant and necessary. Wars, violence, and the killing of civilians hasn't stopped. I've recently been watching History Channel's excellent new WWII docuseries narrated by Tom Hanks, and during the deadliest war in history they most certainly did kill civilians. They killed civilians in Poland, Germany, London, China, the Soviet Union, not by accident, but as an intentional strategy to wear down the enemy, or to get rid of people they thought threatening. This play is about the survivors, particularly the women, of the Trojan War, but this version feels like it could be about any of the numerous wars playing out across the globe today. Despite the short 70-minute runtime, A Trojan Woman is a powerful and epic journey that feels devastating in its modernity. Mixed Blood Theatre is hosting the production in their firehouse theater through this Sunday only.

Broadway tour of "The Great Gatsby: A New Musical" at the Orpheum Theatre

A musical adaptation of the most well-known novel of one of Minneosta's favorite sons, F. Scott Fitzgerald, opened on Broadway two years ago and is still playing. The touring production of The Great Gatsby has landed in Fitzgerald's birthplace for one week only. Did this critically acclaimed classic novel need to be adapted into a musical? Probably not. Is this format, what is essentially a musical comedy for the first three-quarters of the show, the best way to tell this American tragedy, a brutal look at capitalism, classism, materialism, and the failure of the American dream? Definitely not. It doesn't really capture the essence of the novel (which just makes me want to read it again), but it is a gorgeous depiction of the roaring '20s in all its glitz and glamour, and it does use some of Fitzgerald's lyrical text. I actually found the brutal ending to be the best part of the show, after all of the deaths that are quite startling after the comedy tone of the majority of the show, when Nick states one of the most famous closing lines in all of literature: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." And we see those glitzy party goers, their words and movements now dark and hollow. We finally get the essence, the heart of the story, but it's too little, too late. Still, I enjoyed the show and I think it's worth seeing, if only for the stunning design, gorgeous costumes, fabulous dancing (continuing through June 7 - click here for the official ticketing site, including information about student, educator, and industry rush tickets).

"Perfect Arrangement" by Walking Shadow Theatre at the Crane Theater

The day after seeing Lyric Arts' regional premiere of the British comedy Home, I'm Darling, about a modern day couple living the facade of the perfect '50s lifestyle, I saw Walking Shadow Theatre's production of Perfect Arrangement, about two couples in the '50s living the facade of the perfect '50s lifestyle. But this time it's hiding the fact that the two women and the two men are the actual couples, and the facade is necessary for these State Department employees to survive the Lavender Scare during the era of McCarthyism. On a set that's a neat replica of I Love Lucy, the play has a sitcom feel, perfected by the direction and performances of the talented cast, that turns into something darker when the direness of the foursome's situation is revealed. June Pride Month is a perfect time to revisit this time in queer history, when people could be fired from government jobs based on the mere suspicion of homosexuality. Perfect Arrangement plays at the Crane Theater through June 21.

"Home, I'm Darling" at Lyric Arts

Lyric Arts in Anoka is bringing us another regional premiere, this time the 2018 British play Home, I'm Darling. It's about a couple living the traditional '50s lifestyle in the modern era, seemingly happy, but it's really just a pretty facade hiding two unhappy people. It seems like the '50s model of living wasn't so great after all. With the recent popularity of the "trad wife" trend, it's a great time to examine this topic. Can you really be a feminist if you meet your husband at the door at 5:15 with a cocktail and slippers, after spending the day "cleaning behind things" and preparing dinner? Maybe, if it's your choice and that's truly what makes everyone the happiest. But maybe not so much for our characters, so they search for a middle ground that works for them. With a fantastic six-person cast and darling '50s design, Lyric's production of Home, I'm Darling is a deliciously entertaining comedy, with substance (continuing through June 21).

"Joe Turner's Come and Gone" at Penumbra Theatre

When I was in New York City a few months ago, I saw signs for the Broadway revival of Joe Turner's Come and Gone, with some big names attached, but I'd rather see it at Penumbra Theatre right here in St. Paul. Joe Turner was the 4th play written by August Wilson in his Pittsburgh Cycle of ten plays, each taking place in a different decade, chronicling the Black American experience throughout the 20th Century. The second play chronologically, it takes place in Pittsburgh in the 1910s, but was written in the 1980s when August Wilson was living in St. Paul, working closely with Penumbra. This is the 4th of the ten plays I've seen, all at Penumbra, and there's nowhere better to see his work than at one of his artistic homes, directed by Penumbra founder Lou Bellamy who was his close collaborator, performed by actors who have spoken his words and inhabited his characters many times. Joe Turner's Come and Gone continues at Penumbra Theatre through June 21.

"Courting Harry" at History Theatre

Two plays featuring the constitution and the Supreme Court in one week? What better time than now, when both things seem more in danger than ever. Over in Bloomington, Artistry is doing a fantastic production of the smart, funny, devastatingly relevant What the Constitution Means to Me, about one woman's relationship with our founding document. She discusses many aspects of it, including the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, and the majority opinion written by Justice Harry Blackmun. How fortuitous, then, that right now in St. Paul you can see History Theatre's remount of their 2013 play Courting Harry, written by prolific local playwright Lee Blessing. In a funny, engaging, and inspiring 80 minutes, we get to know Harry and his lifelong friend Chief Justice Warren Burger. But the play is also depressing, when you think about how much has changed in our country in the 13 years since this play premiered, specifically the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, something Harry spent his life defending and assures us in the play (now ironically) will never fall, and the current state of the Court, partisan and political as it was never meant to be. This is a perfect time for History Theatre to bring back Courting Harry, which gives insight into the proceedings of the Supreme Court and the people, flawed humans like all of us, behind it (continuing through June 7).

"What the Constitution Means to Me" at Artistry

Continuing their programming of plays in the black box theater at Bloomington Center for the Arts this season, Artistry is bringing us the never more relevant play What the Constitution Means to Me. Until it becomes more relevant tomorrow, or next week, or whenever another one of our rights is stripped away by the current administration. Although it premiered nine years ago, this play feels like it was written specifically for this moment in our country, with the recent Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act, discussions of overturning birthright citizenship (guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, which features heavily in this play), and the gross violations of due process (also the 14th Amendment) in Minnesota earlier this year, just to name a few. It also feels a great time to really examine our founding document as America is about to celebrate its 250th birthday. This is such a brilliantly written play, in the way that it discusses the very foundation upon which our nation is built, but not in a dry textbook kind of way (although there are lots of facts and dates), but in the most personal way that makes me see just how much the constitution shapes our daily lives, and the unfair way it treats many American citizens.* It's also funny and relatable, chock full of pop culture references (especially for us Gen Xers), and thoroughly engaging for the 95-minute or so runtime. I highly recommend that you check out this smart and relevant new(ish) play that's not been done much since the original Broadway production and tour (continuing through June 7).

"Worm Teeth" by Melancholics Anonymous at the Phoenix Theater

Worm Teeth is a sweet and silly little play written by Scotland-based playwright Kelsey Sullivan, but it feels very much like a Melancholics Anonymous show. Meaning a little weird, a little dark, but with a lot of heart and a deeper message about finding oneself and loving who you find. The play itself is only about an hour long (and very Fringey), but it's preceded by a half hour or so of music by "The Buggy Band," joined by a guest musician at every performance. It's a great evening of music and laughter, continuing at Phoenix Theater through May 24.

"A Chorus Line" at Park Square Theatre

As part of Park Square Theatre's 50th Anniversary season, they're bringing us the quintessential musical about musicals, A Chorus Line, which is also celebrating its 50th Anniversary. I had the privilege and the pleasure of attending a rehearsal with my fellow Twin Cities Theater Bloggers less than one week before opening night, where Park Square's Artistic Director (and director of this piece) Stephen DiMenna told us that he chose this show not just for the serendipity of 50 years, but also to fit in the "behind the scenes" theme of the season, and because he has a personal connection to the show. As he notes in the program, the original production was the first Broadway show he saw, and Robert LuPone (original cast member, and Patti's brother, who passed away a few years ago), was a friend and mentor; he dedicates this show to him. To help recreate this iconic piece of music-theater-dance history on the Park Square stage, he enlisted Eddie Gutiérrez from the Michael Bennett Estate to serve as associate director and choreographer. What you will see in downtown St. Paul in 2026 is very similar to what audiences saw on Broadway in 1976, in terms of choreography, music, direction, and even lighting and costume design. That is not to say this is a cookie cutter reproduction; a lot of very talented (and mostly local) artists are bringing their own talents to the piece and making it sing in a way that makes this a unique production, or as one might say, a singular sensation. It's an outstanding show that is funny, moving, relatable (even to non-dancers), and danced with precision and heart (playing Wednesdays through Sundays until June 14).

"The Most Happy Fella" by Ten Thousand Things at Open Book

Frank Loesser's most popular and frequently produced musical Guys and Dolls is currently playing at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in a big, splashy, "fantastically fun" production, full of jaw-dropping dance numbers and catchy familiar songs. But for the next few weeks you also have a rare chance to see his lesser-known musical The Most Happy Fella receive the opposite treatment - meaning quiet and intimate and exquisitely lovely. As much as I love a big splashy musical, I have a special place in my heart for a Ten Thousand Things production of a musical, which like all of their worked is stripped down to reveal the truth and heart of the piece, but for musicals also features stripped down music that's unamplified in an intimate space, and gorgeously pure. This is my third experience with The Most Happy Fella, and my favorite to date. This version really touched me; it's such a sweet and hopeful story about love, friendship, community, and finding happiness in life, even if it looks different from what you expected. It's also incredibly timely and relevant in its centering of stories about "women, elders, immigrants, and the working class" (as noted by TTT Artistic Director Caitlin Lowans). But the word is already out - many performances have already sold out and others are close to it, so get your tickets now to experience this lovely classic musical the way that only TTT can do it! (Continuing at Open Book this weekend, Hennepin United Methodist Church next weekend, with best availability at the Capri Theater and 825 Arts the following weekends, through June 7).

"Swords & Sorcery" by the Bearded Company at Theatre in the Round

One of the most popular longtime Minnesota Fringe shows is playing at Theatre in the Round this season (and just announced - next season too). The Bearded Company's improv show Swords & Sorcery is always a fun time, even if you're not into D&D. In fact, everything I know about the game known as Dungeons and Dragons (which I still don't understand) I've learned from Bearded Co over the last nine years. This "campaign" (as they call it) runs in rep with The Hobbit this weekend only, with four shows of a continuing story that began last night. You definitely don't need to see all of the shows, or have any familiarity with this group or even D&D, to enjoy an episode of Swords & Sorcery, but you can also go back multiple times to continue the fun, and see a completely new story created before your eyes. And there are two opportunities to see both The Hobbit and Swords & Sorcery on the same day - Friday night back-to-back, and Sunday with a dinner break at one of the many nearby restaurants in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. So if you're visiting Middle Earth this weekend, stick around for more fantasy fun. And if you don't have tickets for the virtually sold-out The Hobbit, it's definitely worth going to TRP to enjoy a little improv (click here for info and tickets).

"Fefu and Her Friends" by Theatre Pro Rata at the Searle Mansion

It was just a year ago that Theatre Pro Rata introduced us to something called simultaneous theater, meaning they did two different plays, at the same time, in the same building, with the same cast! While Chekov's Three Sisters was playing out on the main stage at the Crane, the minor characters not on stage in that play were doing their own play out in the lobby. It was a brilliant creative and logistical feat, and something I've never seen before. This year they're returning to that concept, except that it's just one play, but with scenes happening simultaneously in different locations. The site-specific production of Fefu and Her Friends takes place in the gorgeous historic Searle Mansion near Lake of the Isles. We begin and end the play in the sitting room, and in between the audience is split into four groups and led to four different rooms in the house, where scenes play out simultaneously with different characters. It's a fascinating character study of a group of women in 1935, brought to such vivid life by this fantastic cast and setting that it feels like we're eavesdropping on these very realistic and unique women. I highly recommend spending a little time with Fefu and Her Friends, who will be in residence at the Searle Mansion through May 28. Since it's also an event space, performances are weeknights only. They also rent out a couple of bedrooms via Airbnb, so maybe you could even stay overnight at Fefu's house after the show - what fun!

"The Hobbit" at Theatre in the Round

In 2019, Children's Theatre Company commissioned Greg Banks to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit, and he did so using just five actors to play all of the many characters, and added original music. Unlike the bloated movie trilogy, it's a charming, playful, and succinct version of this classic hero story. Now Theatre in the Round is bringing us their version of this same script, but with ten actor/musicians, and a framing story. It's a clever and inventive take on this beloved tale of adventure, courage, and friendship. I've read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy countless times over the last 40 years, and have even visited New Zealand twice (not because of LOTR, but also not not because of it). This is a story and a world I love very much, and will take any opportunity to spend a little time in. I found TRP's version of The Hobbit to be fun, playful, inventive, and very satisfying. Check it out through the end of the month - if you can get tickets.

"Julius Caesar" by Minnesota Shakespeare Theater at the Crane Theater

There's a new theater company in town, and they have the boldness to call themselves Minnesota Shakespeare Theater. But it's true that we don't really have a theater company dedicated exclusively to Shakespeare. Classical Actors Ensemble mostly does Shakespeare (including their annual outdoor Shakespeare in local parks), but as their name implies they occasionally do other classics. Great River Shakespeare Festival has been doing great work by the river in Winona for over 20 years, but they're a summer festival and also do non-Shakespeare plays. So maybe it is time that #TCTheater had its own Shakespeare company, and judging by their first production, the historical tragedy Julius Caesar, Minnesota Shakespeare Theater (from the people behind Shakespearean Youth Theatre) is the one to fill that niche. The play is very well done, with impressive design, a talented cast of #TCTheater veterans and newer actors, and most importantly, a clear presentation of the dialogue and the story. This Julius Caesar is compelling and urgent, and like so many things these days, feels like an eerily prescient warning call about the dangers of unchecked power. But MST's inaugural production runs for two weekends only, with pretty full houses on opening weekend, so don't snooze if you want to check out the new Shakespeare game in town. I for one am impressed and intrigued, and can't wait to see what they'll do next.

"Big World" by TigerLion Arts at Theodore Wirth Regional Park

I love outdoor ambulatory theater. I'm not sure if there's anyone who does it besides TigerLion Arts. There's definitely no one who does it better. I first fell in love with their outdoor walking play Nature, about the life, work, and friendship of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in 2014, and have seen it every chance I get (5 times total, in different locations). Then in 2023 I saw the remount of the piece that predated Nature - The Buddha Prince, celebrating the life of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan culture. Now they're adding a new outdoor theatrical experience to their repertoire - Big World, with a workshop performance this weekend only at Theodore Wirth Regional Park on the West side of Minneapolis. This one has less of a throughline narrative story than the other two pieces, and is perhaps geared more towards children, although all of their work can truly be enjoyed by people of all ages. The theme of a group of scientists trying to save the world with love (what a concept!) is the loose structure that provides a framework and an excuse for being in Nature, being in community, and laughing at the things humans have laughed at since the beginning of time. If you're free tonight or tomorrow night, I highly recommend you head out to Theodore Wirth on this perfect spring weekend to experience the joy. And follow TigerLion Arts for updates on the future of this piece, as well as (hopefully) a return of Nature.

Musical Mondays at LUSH, May 2026

I hadn't been to Musical Mondays at LUSH in almost a year, but when they used a photo of the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture as the May show image, Cherry and Spoon had to go! And I'm so glad I did. I love this monthly cabaret series started by BFFs Max Wojtanowicz and Sheena Janson some 12 years ago, and would attend every month if I weren't so busy seeing 4-5 shows a week in this busy #TCTheater season. But take it from me, if you're ever free on the first Monday of the month, head to LUSH in Northeast Minneapolis for what is always an amazing display of talent and a fun community event. Max is always an amiable host (before and after cocktails), the bartenders always have a strong pour (food also available before and during the show), the band is always solid on a variety of music styles, and the cast of performers always blows me away, whether or not I've ever seen them before. It's so fun to see performers in this environment where they can sing whatever they want to, whatever means something to them, maybe from some show they'd never be cast in; we get to know the person behind the characters they play. Most of the songs are recognizable (to musical theater nerds), but also include some deep cuts, and the song list is always posted on Musical Monday's Facebook page after the show in case there were a few you didn't recognize. So make plans for the next Musical Mondays on June 1, bring a script or two you want to get rid of in the Script Swap, and get there before the doors open at 6:30 to get a seat in the always crowded room.

"Joan of Arc" at Open Window Theatre

Open Window Theatre's latest original play takes on the legendary figure of Joan of Arc, warrior saint of France. It's an epic and complicated story, and while there's a lot to like about this new play, at three and a half hours (including intermission), it's just too long. Written by Artistic Director Jeremy Stanbary in modern language that's easy to follow and understand, with even some lightness and humor, the characters are interesting and compelling. But there's just too much of it, and in particular the almost two-hour long second act feels like it, with a dragged out ending. The website lists the runtime as three hours, so maybe it'll tighten up throughout the run, but the script could also use some editing to condense characters, streamline (or cut out) some scenes, and focus the story more on Joan, who doesn't even show up until halfway through the first act. The cast is great, the design impressive, and I'd love to see a more condensed version of it someday. If you have three and a half hours to spare, check it out and see what you think. Grab a coffee or a nap, bring snacks, and head out to Inver Grove Heights for Joan of Arc through May 31. 

"Promise of America: A New Celebration of Jewish American Song" at Six Points Theater

Back in 2021, the Artistic Director of Six Points Theater (then called Minnesota Jewish Theatre) Barbara Brooks created a virtual musical revue called Promise of America: A Celebration of Jewish American Song as part of their "Theater Six Feet Apart" season (which also included outdoor programming). I watched it, but have no recollection of it; the COVID years are a blur at this point, five years removed. Barbara noted in the program that she's gotten many requests to bring this show back, live and in person. She decided to do it now, to conclude Six Points' 31st season, in honor of America's 250th birthday, as a celebration of the many contributions of Jewish Americans to this country, specifically in the area of songwriting. In this new, expanded, and LIVE version of Promise of America, four excellent singers perform songs from the early 20th Century through today by artists from Irving Berlin  and the Gershwin brothers, to Nissim Black and Regina Spektor. Jewish people and Jewish culture are an inextricable part of America, and this show beautifully highlights their contributions in the area of popular music. Join the musical celebration at Six Points Theater now through May 17.

"Terce: A Practical Breviary" at Theatre Elision

Once again, Theatre Elision is bringing us the regional premiere of a new piece of music-theater, just two years after it's NYC premiere, that most people have probably never heard of. And friends, this one is truly special. In Terce (pronounced ter-chay), NYC theater artist Heather Christian (who was raised Catholic, as I was) has reimagined a 9am mass as a celebration of the divine feminine and connection to nature. Something that has mostly been ignored for the last few millennia since the invention of male monotheism, but has always been with us. And this 60-minute piece of constant music invokes that beautifully. It's the most moving spiritual experience I've ever had at a mass (and I've sat through a lot of them!). A cast of performers too large to count (but around 20-ish) singing, dancing, moving, playing instruments, filling the intimate space at Elision Playhouse with music and wonder. If you're one of the many people who attended Elision's sold out run of Great Comet last fall, or one of the many people who couldn't get tickets, go see this show. You will see some of Great Comet in it, in the size of the cast and the intimate in-the-round setup of the black box space. If you're a fan of their annual Ghost Quartet, this piece is similar in its non-narrative song cycle structure. And if you loved In the Green, a musical about 12th Century nun Hildegard von Bingen, you're my people, and you will love Terce. Do yourself a favor and go see Terce weekends through May 17, with special Mother's Day pricing on May 10, and a 9am closing show on May 17.

Broadway tour of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" at the Orpheum Theatre

I'm not a huge Harry Potter Fan. I have read all the books and watched all the movies and enjoyed them, it's just not something I go back to, and have forgotten a lot of it. These days, consuming any Harry Potter content brings up the complicated issue of whether or not we can separate the artist from the art, or should. Since the last book of the Harry Potter series was published in 2011 and the script for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was published in book form in 2016, author J.K. Rowling has made increasingly concerning anti-trans statements, and funded anti-trans organizations and movements. Can we still love Harry Potter if we find her views on human rights egregious? I don't know the answer to that, but I went to see the Broadway tour of Cursed Child (playing at the Orpheum through May 17), which is the product of so very many artists. I received complementary tickets as a member of the press, but I donated the price of the tickets ($290 for two) to nonprofit organizations that support the trans community* in order to counteract any ill effects of my decision. And I'm glad I did see it; I loved the play and found it to be not only an incredible technical achievement in theater, but also such a beautiful message about friendship, family, community, and banding together to fight against evil and injustice. I cannot make it make sense that someone who created such a beautiful and inspirational universe can also spout such hateful things about trans women in the guise of feminism (BTW, it's not feminist to narrowly define "woman" and vilify anyone who doesn't meet that definition). In the interest of not throwing out the baby with the bathwater, maybe we can take in, admire, and emulate the words and actions of Harry, Hermione, Ron, and their kids (as this play features) instead of those of their creator. And use it to inspire us to continue to fight against the very real and scary evils in our world that are continually acting against the most vulnerable and most in need among us. That's what Harry would do!

Minnesota Fringe Festival: "Five-Fifths of 9 to 5" at the Ritz Theater

Five-Fifths of 9 to 5 was everything I wanted, and everything that's good about Minnesota Fringe. The annual fundraiser for the 11-day August festival takes a popular movie, divides it into five parts, and gives each part to a different Fringe artist or company, who then perform their fifth in chronological order for the weirdest and most wonderful Frankenstein version of the movie you've ever seen. It's truly astounding how you can give five artists the same inspiration, and they will do five completely different things. And that's the great thing about our beloved Fringe, now in its 33rd year - artists are supported in making and presenting their own unique kind of art, and we audience members can sample a little of everything! For this year's Five-Fifths, Artistic Director Dawn Bentley gently bullied her staff into choosing the 1980 Jane Fonda/ Dolly Parton/ Lily Tomlin revenge comedy 9 to 5, and it was the perfect choice for 2026. Each one of the five theater companies, all of whom have performed at the Fringe in the past and will do so again this year, did something that was so totally them. It was truly a delightful smorgasbord of theater performance. Keep reading for a brief summary of the companies and what they did, and mark your calendar for this year's festival August 6-16. You can even buy your passes now, and watch social media for announcements of shows and schedule. See you at the Fringe!

"Once Upon a Mattress" at Lakeshore Players Theatre

The only thing I know about the 1960 Tony-nominated musical Once Upon a Mattress is that it was Carol Burnett's Broadway debut. I've never seen a production of it... until last weekend at Lakeshore Players Theatre. It's a weird and wacky show for sure, but I found it to be a lot of fun. And maybe also ahead of its time in its depiction of a princess who isn't the typically demure and obedient type, but rather one who is brash and strong and decidedly unladylike. This production leans into the weird and wackiness, with a fantastic cast (that's mostly new-to-me) singing and dancing and performing their hearts out. Once Upon a Mattress continues at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center in White Bear Lake weekends through May 17.

"Shanty Boys of Pine County" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

A year and a half ago, Bucket Brigade brought us an original docu-musical about the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894, entitled Survivors of the Fire. It was a thoroughly gripping tale that shared the real stories and words of survivors, from books, journals, or articles of the time, combined with music of the period. I loved it so much I traveled to the Hinckley Fire Museum last Labor Day with some of my fellow Twin Cities Theater Bloggers to watch a shorter version of piece, tour the museum, and visit the burial site and memorial. During his research for Survivors, Bucket Brigade Co-Founder and playwright Jermiah Gamble, who lived in Hinckley as a child, ran across the story of one fire survivor who later published a collection of traditional songs of the North Woods, and was inspired to write another original musical filled with these songs. Shanty Boys of Pine County is a sort of companion piece to Survivors of the Fire, but without the death and trauma. Instead, it shares the music and culture of the 19th Century logging camps in the North Woods in 70 minutes of songs, stories, and laughter. Check it out through May 9 at the charming former church known as Art House North in St. Paul's 7th Street neighborhood, with free cookies and coffee in the cute basement lobby. Or visit the Hinckley Fire Museum this Memorial Day Weekend to watch a shorter version of the piece and tour the museum - for free!

"The Wizard of Oz" at Children's Theatre Company

Children's Theatre Company is returning to The Wizard of Oz, one of the classic adaptations in their repertoire, but one they haven't done in over ten years. This production features brand new design and direction, and a mostly new cast (with the exception of returning company members, because why mess with perfection?). For those of us who grew up with the 1939 Judy Garland movie version of Frank L. Baum's novel (the first in a series of 14 books), it feels nostalgic and familiar, like the beloved movie live and in 3D. From the display of the credits at the beginning of the show, to the tornado sequences, it feels very cinematic. This adaptation (by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company) hews very close to the original movie, and all of the songs are from the movie, with no attempts to make it anything different from the story we know and love, just brighter and more full of life. The Wizard of Oz continues at CTC through June 14, recommended for the young, the young at heart, and those who want to feel young again. Keep reading for highlights of this production.

"Little Women" at the Guthrie Theater

Lousia May Alcott's 1868 novel Little Women has been adapted into countless movies, plays, TV series, even a Broadway musical, and our own Collide Theatrical Dance Company recently turned it into an original dance musical. Now Lauren Gunderson, one of America's most produced playwrights of recent years, with a penchant for writing female-focused historical or literary-inspired plays that are fresh, funny, and feminist, has thrown her hat into the ring. And friends, this may be my favorite Little Women adaptation yet. Gunderson (who was in the house opening night) frames her play as a story within a story, placing Alcott and her real family on stage as they transform into the March family, which allows for context and commentary on this beloved tale. Now and in the past, women and girls are hungry for stories that center us in all our complexities and messiness, because for so long we've been marginalized in stories, in history, and in our own lives. In that respect, Lousia May Alcott and Lauren Gunderson are a match made in literary theatrical heaven. The Guthrie's production features a fantastic local cast and gorgeous design, and had me in tears multiple times throughout the story. Whether you're a fan of this story or not, don't miss this fresh new take on a classic that's still respectful of the source (continuing through June 21 - I'll be going back to see it again).

"The Bird Blind" by New Native Theatre at 825 Arts

Almost 20 years ago I joined an REI guided hiking trip in Northern Alaska. The trip began in Fairbanks and ended on the Arctic Ocean. We would drive North a few hundred miles, then stop, pitch our tents, and go hiking, repeating the cycle until we ran out of road. In addition to being immersed in nature, we also got to meet some locals, including a visit (via small airplane) to an Iñupiaq village. Northern Alaksa is a harsh place, but incredibly beautiful, and the people who live there are a hearty bunch, especially those who have lived there for countless generations. New Native Theatre's new play The Bird Blind tells the story of one such family living in a small village in Alaska. It's funny and sad, tragic and hopeful. Our Native communities are disproportionately plagued with alcoholism and violence due to a multitude of reasons dating back a few centuries, and this play does not shy away from that. But these sorts of family dynamics and difficulties, as well as the sense of community, are resonant through all communities. The Bird Blind officially opens this Friday and runs through May 10 at 825 Arts on University in St. Paul. It's a gripping story that's hard to watch at times, but rewarding as you get to know and love these characters and their community.

"HMong Futures: The Future of Us" by Theater Mu at Gremlin Theatre

Theater Mu's world premiere new play HMong Futures: The Future of Us tells the specific story of three generations of HMong women in rural Minnesota, that is universal in its depiction of a family with conflicts and misunderstandings, but great love and a sense of tradition that keeps them together, even when things get hard. Written by HMong American playwright Katie Ka Vang, whose work has frequently been seen on Mu and other stages around town (most recently Sixpack at the Jungle), it's a story that resonates in any time, but particularly now when our HMong community was one of those targeted by the recent ICE invasion. It's a sweet, funny, hopeful story about how we move forward into the future, featuring a fantastic five-person cast and a gorgeous design that's bursting with spring. HMong Futures: The Future of Us continues at Gremlin Theatre through May 3. Now that food truck season is upon us, come early to see what's parked outside Vandalia Tower (I had some great Thai food for lunch), or order OG Zaza Pizza and eat it at Lake Monster Brewing, King Coil Spirits, or on the lovely patio under the tower.

"The Jungle" at Mixed Blood Theatre

One of the best things that theater can do is put a human face on an abstract political issue. That's what The Jungle does for the refugee crisis. Commissioned by London's National Theatre from Good Chance Theatre and premiering at the Young Vic in 2017, it's an immersive experience that tells the story of a refugee camp in Calais, France in 2015 known as The Jungle. Mixed Blood Theatre's production is the first since that original production, which moved to the West End, then Off-Broadway, then a few other US locations. It's a nearly three-hour play that flies by in what feels like half that time, telling the stories of so many different characters that feel like real people. A cast of 18 actors and two musicians fill the historic firehouse that is Mixed Blood Theatre, with perhaps the best use of this space I've seen. It felt like I was inside the camp, and I didn't want it to end. This is a truly special one-of-a-kind piece of theater that we're so lucky Mixed Blood is bringing to us. It's playing Tuesday through Sunday for the next two weeks and I highly recommend you spend a little time in The Jungle. With Mixed Blood's "radical hospitality" program you can attend the show for free, but if you're able, please pay whatever amount you can for the ticket to support important work like this.

"The Boy Who Cried" at The Hive Collaborative

For their first solo show, #TCTheater artist Em Adam Rosenberg presents a new take on the fable of the boy who cried wolf, describing the show thusly: "When the boy cries 'wolf,' what if he is really crying for life itself? His voice feels less like a warning and more like a plea to be seen and to be believed. That cry feels familiar to me now, echoing as a demand for connection in a world that fosters isolation. To reshape the story as a space of empathy, I return to the boy to give him the affection he deserves." Em is a talented artist who over the past five years continues to show more colors in their palette. I first saw them in a number of Theatre Pro Rata shows, then a couple of musicals showcasing their gorgeous voice, culminating in a star turn in History Theatre's "Whoa, Nellie!" last year, and also directing and choreographing with Third Space Theater. And now Em shows us that they're also a talented writer/creator/performer who can hold an audience in the palm of their hand while putting a new, modern, relevant spin on a children's tale we thought we understood. The Boy Who Cried is as playful and fun as it is dark and deep, and just the kind of show The Hive Collaborative was made for. There are only three more performances on scattered dates through April 26 (the Hive has a full calendar), check it out if you're interested in up-and-coming talent and an original Fringey kind of show.

"Marie and Rosetta" at Yellow Tree Theatre

I first heard of Sister Rosetta Tharpe when I saw Park Square Theatre's regional premiere production of the play Marie and Rosetta in 2018. Known as the "godmother of rock and roll," she certainly should be more well known, and this play makes sure that she is. Yellow Tree Theatre was scheduled to do the play last season, but had to reschedule it to this season, and it was worth the wait. Written by Playwrights' Center affiliated writer George Brant, Marie and Rosetta imagines the night of the first performance of Rosetta and her protege/duet partner Marie Knight. A night in 1946 Mississippi when there was no room at the inn for two black women singers, so they rehearsed and slept in a funeral home with a kindly owner. This play with music paints a beautiful picture of these two very different women, their music, and their relationship, as well as the hardships both faced in their lives and careers, and brings these two musical legends to vivid life.* Unfortunately I caught the show at the end of the run - there are only four more performances before it closes this Sunday, so get out to Osseo soon to catch this great two-hander!