"Guys and Dolls" at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

When the Guthrie did Guys and Dolls as their summer musical in 2019, I wrote that the Guthrie should not be doing a dated musical like this. The Guthrie should be doing the Sondheim masterpiece Sunday in the Park with George (as they did in 2017), a stunningly relevant Cabaret (last summer), and regional premiere musicals like Come From Away (coming this summer). But Guys and Dolls, which is a beloved, well-known, and comforting classic, is exactly the kind of show that Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, the comfort food of #TCTheater, should be doing. I still think the show is dated and misogynist and chock full of gender stereotypes from the title to the characters to the lyrics, but as summer escapist entertainment, it's fantastically fun. It wasn't that long ago that the Chan did three regional premiere musicals in a row (The Prom, Jersey Boys, and Beautiful), so I hope that they continue to mix in some newer shows, but a return to this classic that they first did in 1969, just the second year of the theater, and last did in 1989, is not a bad choice. And Tamara Kangas Erickson, in her main stage directing debut, has assembled an incredibly talented cast of Chan favorites and also newcomers to the Chan. The highlight of the show is the outstanding choreography and this infectious score full of endlessly singable songs that are just delightful, as long as you don't pay too close attention to the lyrics. Guys and Dolls plays all spring and summer and into September, so you have plenty of time to head West and see a really great production of a classic; the Chan really can't be beat for group dinner-and-a-show outings.

"Irving Berlin's White Christmas" at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

It may still feel like summer outside, but winter has arrived at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres! The #TCTheater holiday* season begins early this year with their production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, a nostalgic and heartwarming charmer. And demand for it is high - the show is already virtually sold out in the months of November and December (more availability in October and January). Audiences will be rewarded will a ridiculously talented cast, familiar and beloved Berlin tunes (more than we hear in the movie), thrilling dance numbers, and an overall warm glow that'll prepare us for holiday celebrations and (hopefully) a snowy winter to come.

"Jersey Boys" at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Jersey Boys is my musical theater guilty pleasure, and the exception that proves the rule about jukebox musicals. Meaning, I'm not usually a fan of taking popular hit songs and creating a musical around them; I much prefer new original musical theater. Except for Jersey Boys, which I can't help but love and see nearly every time the Broadway tour came to town (four, although I missed last year's tour). After running for over 11 years, the Tony-winning musical closed on Broadway in 2017, but continued to tour the country for several more years. The reason I love it is not just because of the fantastically catchy music of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the sharp choreography, and the retro fashions. But also because all of this is put together very smartly in the true story of the group, dealing with the good and the bad of fame and living in the music industry.* Leave it to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre's Artistic Director Michael Brindisi to snap up the rights to the show as soon as it became available for regional productions, making this their second regional premiere this year, after the super fun and heart-warming The Prom (which closed just a week before Jersey Boys began performances). It's great fun to see a different take on this show that I love and am so familiar with. As always, the Chan delivers a top-notch production of this musical that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser (but one with substance) for the next eight months (click here for info and tickets).

"Dance 'Til You Drop" at History Theatre, a Co-Production with COLLIDE Theatrical Dance Company

What do you get when you combine COLLIDE Theatrical Dance Company, known for creating original dance musicals, with the History Theatre, dedicated to creating new work based on or inspired by true events in Minnesota history? You get Dance 'Til You Drop, a dance musical about a Minnesota dance team who competed and set a record in a dance marathon in the 1930s. Let's call it an original historical dance musical! Like all COLLIDE productions, it features exquisite storytelling through dance, and like all History Theatre shows, it's an informative and compelling look at history and how it relates to today. It's fun, inspirational, nostalgic, and over in a quick two hours that will leave you wanting more.

"La Petit Moulin" by COLLIDE Theatrical Dance Company at the Ritz Theater

In my biannual excuse to watch dance (which I love, but just don't have time for with all the theater I see), I attended opening night of COLLIDE Theatrical Dance Company's latest "original jazz dance musical" La Petit Moulin last weekend. COLLIDE's shows are always great fun - gorgeous dancing, incredible live music, short and sweet so you're outa there in under two hours. For someone who sees a ton of theater, it's a nice palate cleanser to watch a story unfold with nary a word said. Now in their 5th season, the COLLIDE team (choreographer Regina Peluso, Director Josh Campbell, and Music Director Doug Rohde), the musicians, and the dance company are experts at telling a story solely through music and dance.