"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).

"Newsies" at Artistry

Artistry's production of Newsies has done so well in its first two weekends, selling out several performances, that they extended it for a week. I saw it the second weekend, and it's easy to see why it's so popular. The musical adaptation of the 1992 cult hit Disney movie appeals to kids as well as their parents, with an inspiring and relevant story about young people standing up for their rights. Artistry has assembled a young, talented, and energetic cast, with some fabulous high-kicking choreography. Catch it at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, now through August 18.

"Blended Harmony" at the History Theatre, a co-production with Theater Mu

Wrapping up an excellent season of world premieres, the History Theatre is bringing us another gem of a local story - Blended Harmony: The Kim Loo Sisters, a co-production with Theater Mu. If you've never heard of this Chinese-Polish-American family of singers from Minneapolis, well, you have now! Referred to at the time as "the Chinese Andrews Sisters," they toured the Vaudeville circuit before making their Broadway debut in the late '30s. That's where this story picks up, and we follow them through the next several years, through conflicts, touring, and reunion. It's a heart-warming story of family and identity, told with a fabulous swing era score, with touches of Chinese and Polish sounds as well. See this original, historical, feel-good musical now through May 26.

"Some Enchanted Evening" at Artistry

From Oklahoma! to The Sound of Music, composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II collaborated on nine musicals written for the stage, plus one for TV and one for film. A few of them were forgettable flops, but among them are some of the most enduring musicals of the 20th Century. In their less than 20 years of writing musicals together, they reinvented the form. This holiday* season, Artistry is paying tribute to their work with the lovely musical revue show Some Enchanted Evening. With no spoken dialogue, five talented performers tell the story of a group of people stranded at a cozy bar during a snowstorm, entertaining each other (and us) by singing songs. It is, indeed, an enchanting 70 minutes or so, and a great way to close out 2023, with five final performances this Thursday through Sunday.