"Rough Cuts" at Nautilus Music-Theater: "The Parts I Admire" and "Norman!"

Nautilus Music-Theater's primary focus is developing new works of music-theater. They'll have a full production of a new or reinvented piece every year or two, but their regular work is monthly showcases of new works of music-theater, some developed in their Composer-Librettist Studio. This is their 26th season of "Rough Cuts," during which they'll be presenting their 200th showcase of new work. That's a lot of new music-theater, and a lot of support provided to creators of new music-theater. Read on for what they're presenting this month, with one show last night at their Lowertown St. Paul studio space, and another show tonight at Augsburg University (730pm at Sateren Hall). There's a $5 suggested donation, that comes with free cookies and milk!

"Sunrise at Midnight" by Taous Claire Khazem at Dreamland Arts

One of the things I most appreciate about theater is the opportunity to learn about cultures different from my own. Where else am I going to experience Algerian folktales? #TCTheater artist Taous Claire Khazem* has brought the folktales of her father's native land right here to St. Paul, and recruited some of her fellow artists to tell the stories in an inventive, engaging, and movement-filled way. Sunrise at Midnight can be seen for eight performances only at the charming and intimate Dreamland Arts, and the performance I attended was sold out (or very nearly), so act fast to catch this unique theater offering (info and tickets here).

"What Fools These Mortals Be" by Interact Theater at the Lab Theater

Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts is celebrating 20 years of "creating art that challenges perceptions of disability." In one of the finest examples of inclusivity in theater, Interact provides opportunities for artists with disabilities to share their work, which allows the audience to see beyond the disability to the artist and the art that they create. I attended a performance by Interact Theater for the first time this weekend, a mish-mash of Shakespeare plays called What Fools These Mortals Be, written by and starring beloved local storyteller extraordinaire Kevin Kling. I was completely charmed by the performance. It's such a beautiful thing to see people of various abilities working together to create art. What Fools is filled with much humor and heart, and a spirit of playfulness often lacking in Shakespeare. Ten Thousand Things shows us that "theater is better when everyone is in the audience," and Interact shows us that theater is better when everyone is on the stage.

"End of September" by Theater Latte Da at the Lab Theater

There's something pretty rare and special happening at the Lab Theater this month. In a time when new original musical theater is becoming an endangered species on Broadway (as it's taken over by jukebox musicals, revivals, and movie adaptations), Minnesota's own Theater Latte Da is investing in the future of musical theater with their second annual new works series NEXT. Each of three new works is workshopped over a week or so and has three public performances, often with changes in between. Audiences are invited to participate in a discussion with the creators after the show to help them continue with the development process. It's a really fun opportunity for the audience to get a peek into the process of creating a new original musical.

The first of this year's new works is The End of September by Aaron Gabriel. This very Minnesotan story focuses on a woman in small-town Minnesota who experiences a crisis of faith in regards to her religion, friends, family, community, and the native people she thinks she understands. She's the kind of character that is so set in her beliefs and confident in her world view that you know something is going to come along and shatter it. That something is a devastating revelation about her friend and preacher, and comes fairly late in the second act. Things are not neatly wrapped up, but rather left as a new beginning of sorts for this woman and her family.

The End of September features new music ranging from beautiful harmonic hymns to Ojibwe chants to songs influenced by mid-Century composers (or so Aaron said, I'm not that knowledgeable). These are not easy songs to sing, with complex rhythms and melodies. I find that interesting because you can't predict what note or phrase is coming next (similar to Sondheim's complex scores). The work is read and sung by a fantastic cast of local musical theater actors, and in fact is not just read but beautifully and emotionally performed, with direction by Latte Da's Artistic Director Peter Rothstein and musical direction and accompaniment by Barbara Brooks.

I think this piece has great potential, and as a native Minnesotan I recognize the characters from my own life and family. I look forward to seeing it in its next carnation.

The next new work featured in NEXT is Some Assembly Required, a completely improvised musical by local comedy improv actors. The series ends with Horizon, featuring "southern rock and bluegrass" music. For more information and to purchase tickets, see Theater Latte Da's website.