"Fifty Boxes of Earth" by Theater Mu at Park Square Theatre

The world premiere new play Fifty Boxes of Earth tells the story of a nonbinary immigrant who moves into a community and begins to plant a magical garden to establish literal and figurative roots. Theater Mu could not have known just how timely and important this story would be when they planned it as part of their season, with Trans Rights being threatened and immigrants being deported seemingly with no cause. This story puts a very human face on the immigrant or outsider experience, using magical realism, dance, puppetry, and some theater magic to evoke emotion. See it at Park Square Theatre in downtown St. Paul through March 16 only.

"What / Washed Ashore / Astray" at Pillsbury House Theatre

In just 80 minutes, playwright Benjamin Benne succinctly writes about the experience of the death of a beloved family member with raw honesty and simple beauty. Despite the odd structure of the title, What / Washed Ashore / Astray is a very human story, with a little room for play and magic. Having recently gone through this experience, this play hit very close to home for me, and I was wiping away tears throughout the show. But it's quite lovely to see one of the most fundamental human experiences depicted on stage in such a beautiful way. Combined with wonderful performances from three of #TCTheater's best actors, an incredibly detailed set design that places us right there in the seaside cottage, and some delightfully inventive shadow puppetry, What / Washed Ashore / Astray is a must see for anyone interested in thoughtful human dramas (continuing through April 16 at Pillsbury House Theatre in South Minneapolis).