"In the Heights" at Artistry

This summer, Artistry is doing just the second #TCTheater production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's first musical, In the Heights (the first was the Ordway in 2017). While his most well-known musical Hamilton (currently the 16th longest running musical on Broadway, closing in on #15) is an epic story about famous people - the founding fathers - In the Heights is an intimate story about everyday people - a Latin American immigrant community in NYC's Washington Heights neighborhood. But it's epic in its own way, telling stories of home, family, community, identity, growing up, that are relatable to anyone with a home or a family or a community. Artistry's production features a fantastic local cast, and is full of energy, joy, and heart. And it's particularly wonderful to celebrate a community of immigrants right now, when our own immigrant communities are in danger. In the Heights is a love letter to the hard-working, close-knit neighborhood communities that make up NYC, that make up America. Don't miss this rare chance to see the 2008 Tony-winning best musical In the Heights - head to Bloomington between now and August 30 (extended!).

"My Fair Lady" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

My Fair Lady is a classic musical that stands the test of time, and doesn't feel dated due to its evergreen themes of class and gender dynamics, especially with more attention given to Eliza's perspective in recent years. It may seem like an odd choice for Theater Latte Da, that usually choses more rare or edgy works. But like last year's Cinderella, they put their own unique spin on a beloved classic that isn't drastically different, but makes it feel fresh and modern. Everything about this production is perfectly loverly - a superstar local cast, luscious costumes, ingenious set design, and a gorgeous rendering of the beloved score with just two pianos and 11 human voices. It's playing through the end of the year so you really have no excuse not to see this yummy production of a classic that deserves the title.

"Lizzie: The Rock Musical" at Open Eye Theatre

A rock musical about the infamous Lizzie Borden, who was charged with and acquitted of killing her parents with an ax in 1892, why not?! It premiered in 2009, and Open Eye Theatre is finally bringing this super fun girl power rock musical to #TCTheater (Minneapolis Musical Theatre was planning to do it in 2020, but we know how that story goes). It's really more of a song cycle than a musical, it's almost entirely sung-through in 90 minutes or so (with an intermission, because these actors are singing their faces off and deserve a break). It feels more like a rock concert, like a visceral experience that you feel in your bones. If you sit in the front row (like I did because that's where you sit when you see a show with The Stages of MN) you'll experience fog, smoke, bright lights flashing and shining directly into your eyes, and blaring music (ear plugs available at the box office). The design, direction, and performances are just spot on for what this show should be - wild and feminist and bright and loud. But underneath all that the show deals with some serious issues of women's rights, incest, abuse, sisterhood, complex family dynamics, and love. Opening weekend is already entirely sold out, so don't wait to long too get your tickets to this show that is sure to become a phenomenon (continuing through November 8 - extended!).

"Sweet Charity" at Artistry

Artistry is beginning their 2025 season in a similar fashion as their fantastic 2024 season: a classic musical staged almost like a concert with a full orchestra on stage, and fabulous dancing in front of it. The 1966 Broadway musical Sweet Charity, adapted into a movie in 1969 starring Shirley MacLaine, is an excellent choice for this type of treatment; it almost feels like a series of vignettes about a NYC dance hall hostess in the '60s, rather than one continuous story with beginning, middle, and end. The strengths of this Bob Fosse show truly are the music and dancing, with a story about a "dance hall girl" looking for love in all the wrong places and continually being rejected that feels a little dated. So why not put the focus on the music, dancing, and performances of this terrific cast? The result is an absolutely smashing production that soars with one big music-and-dance number after another. Sweet Charity continues at the Bloomington Center for the Arts through February 16.

"Still Dance the Stars" at Yellow Tree Theatre

Last night in the cozy intimate space of Yellow Tree Theatre, in a strip mall in Osseo, I saw a world premiere new play that's unlike anything I've seen before. As someone who sees a lot of theater (and I mean a lot), that's a rare occurrence. While playwright Jayme McGhan's Still Dance the Stars reminds me a little of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next to Normal, in that it deals with parents grieving the loss of a child in different (and sometimes hallucinatory) ways, the storytelling is completely unique, combining very real and natural dialogue, fantastical dream sequences in which stuffed animals come to life, dance, and music to tell a heart-wrenching and heart-warming story of grief, love, and family. It's a great choice of play for Yellow Tree, my favorite theater in the 'burbs, and the cast and creative team do a beautiful job of bringing the play to life with all of its humor, grace, silliness, and beauty.