"The Hired Man" by Theatre Pro Rata at the Crane Theater

This fall, Theatre Pro Rata is bringing us a new play by local playwright/ actor/ improvisor Heather Meyer that feels like a modern Sam Shepard play, with some Greek tragedy and a little bit of soap opera mixed in. It's gorgeously designed to evoke that Western feel, well directed and acted, and cleverly scripted. It's the kind of play I wish I had time to see again, because all of the clues for the big twist are right there, if you know what you're looking for. The Hired Man continues through October 10 at the Crane Theater in NE Minneapolis, which has recently taken possession of the gorgeous red velvet seats from our dear departed Jungle Theater, for extra comfort and nostalgia.

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2026: "Watership Down"

Day: 7

Show: 24

Title: Watership Down

Category: Drama / Musical Theater / Original Music / Physical Theater / Puppetry / Storytelling / Kid friendly / Literary adaptation

By: Melancholics Anonymous

Written by: Richard Adams, adapted for the stage by Melancholics Anonymous

Location: Rarig Stoll Thrust

Summary: An original folk musical adaptation of the 1972 adventure novel Watership Down about a group of rabbits who go in search of a new home.

Highlights: I'm only about 2/3 through my Fringe, but I'm ready to declare this my favorite of the festival, and my favorite work ever by Fringe darlings Melancholics Anonymous. This is one of the shows I was most looking forward to, and it exceeded my expectations. I read Watership Down for a class my first year in college (probably before most of these artists were born), and still have the book, so I've been rereading it (and didn't quite finish #spoileralert). I read it for a class with the theme "everyone needs a hero," in which we studied the Joseph Campbell hero cycle, read Lord of the Rings (confession: this is why I chose this class, I'd already read it multiple times #nerdalert), and watched Star Wars (to date the only time I've seen it #notthatkindofnerd). And Watership Down fits perfectly into the hero cycle, with an unlikely hero (a rabbit), impossible tasks, guidance along the way, and triumphing through hard work, determination, and togetherness. The novel is nearly 500 pages long, and adapters Rachel Ropella and Timothy Kelly have done a really great job condensing it into a 60-minute play, omitting or condensing a few episodes or characters. They use a narrative style, with the characters trading off the narration, which really helps set the scene, provide exposition, and move the plot along. And they've beautifully and smoothly taken out my least favorite part of the novel in a simple and effective way (all the hero rabbits in the novel are male, and a major plot point is "we need some does" in order for the warren to reproduce and survive, but in this adaptation they're all genders, and they just need "more rabbits" for the warren to flourish). Bee Davis has written about a half dozen or so original songs that further the plot, provide more emotional depth for the characters, and are just great songs I'd like to listen to again (played by musicians Hawken Paul and Mason Tacke on various folky instruments). In fact, this is a rare Fringe show that feels like it's more than just a Fringe show, it deserves more than five (nearly sold out) performances, and I'd love to see the Melancholics expand it to 90-100 minutes and have a longer run sometime/somewhere outside of Fringe. It's such a successful adaptation of this beloved (and kind of odd) novel (full disclosure: I've seen neither the movie nor the recent mini-series), with a beautiful and sincere story of a community that overcomes great odds by working together, and a leader that comes into their own by being brave and strong and listening to those around them. By the end of the 60 engrossing minutes, it feels like we've gone on an epic journey with these rabbits, who feel like unique and specific people we know and love (played by Aerin O'Malley, Meredith Enersen, Samantha Miller, Anneliese Garner, Bee Davis, Claire Chenoweth, Laura Marie, and Timothy Kelly, with Hawken Paul as their bird friend). I want to go back to Watership Down! Final performances Friday at 530 and Saturday at 4.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here. 

"Worm Teeth" by Melancholics Anonymous at the Phoenix Theater

Worm Teeth is a sweet and silly little play written by Scotland-based playwright Kelsey Sullivan, but it feels very much like a Melancholics Anonymous show. Meaning a little weird, a little dark, but with a lot of heart and a deeper message about finding oneself and loving who you find. The play itself is only about an hour long (and very Fringey), but it's preceded by a half hour or so of music by "The Buggy Band," joined by a guest musician at every performance. It's a great evening of music and laughter, continuing at Phoenix Theater through May 24.

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2025: "Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA"

Day: 2

Show: 6

Title: Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA

Category: Comedy / Drama / Original Music / Puppetry / Historical content / LGBTQIA+ Content / Political content / Religious content

By: Melancholics Anonymous

Created by: Rachel Ropella and Timothy Kelly

Location: Rarig Thrust

Summary: The teenage warrior saint Joan of Arc comes back to life to enter a beauty pageant in South Dakota.

Highlights: After selling out shows in smaller venues for the last few years, the Melancholics have graduated to the big stage of the Rarig Thrust, and they fill the space well with this really fun (and a little bit sweet) story of female friendship. What starts out as a stereotypically vicious and competitive beauty pageant, with a hilarious Timothy Kelly as the host, goes a little deeper as we find out each young woman's motivations (played to perfection by Anneliese Garner, Kate Cosgrove, Bee Davis, Meredith Enersen, and Claire Chenoweth in gorgeous gowns, a full face of makeup, and impressive hairdos). The entry of Joan (played by Samantha Miller) throws a wrench into the whole thing, as Saint Michael (Carson Uthe, who also plays the evil pageant "mom") tells her she has to win the crown. But of course, that's not why she's really there, and it turns into a sweet story of female friendship and community (with some minor violence, because this is Melancholics Anonymous, but no blood). I think this may be my favorite Melancholics entry in the fringe (with the possible exception of 2023's A Girl Scout's Guide to Exorcism). It's well written, directed, designed, and acted, and is a lot of fun to watch.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here. 

"Bart and Arnie" by Melancholics Anonymous at The Hive Collaborative

Adam Szymkowicz's play Bart and Arnie is a sweet, odd, funny, and relatable little play about friendship and existential angst. Using familiar characters from most of our childhoods, he explores ideas of mental health, relationships, careers, and just the difficulties of getting through the day. Melancholics Anonymous' production, now playing at The Hive Collaborative, is super sweet and genuine, and will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Their work is sometimes a little dark, a little weird (they're making their debut at Twin Cities Horror Festival this fall, which seems like it's a long time coming), but this one is dark only in the sense of dark thoughts that we all have, and weird in the most charming way. It's playing through May 18 only, so head to The Hive for some nostalgic fun.

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2024: "Beanie Baby Divorce Play"

Day: 6

Show: 19

Title: Beanie Baby Divorce Play

Category: Comedy / Drama / Horror / Original Music / Puppetry / Storytelling / Historical content / LGBTQIA+ Content

By: Melancholics Anonymous

Created by: Rachel Ropella and Timothy Kelly

Location: Open Eye Theatre

Summary: The story of a couple fighting over their beanie babies during their divorce and ignoring their actual children, who resort to desperate measures to get their parents' attention.

Highlights: This is bizarre in Melancholics Anonymous' trademark style. The story is told by the Beanie Babies CEO in a smoking jacket ala Masterpiece Theater, reading out of a children's book. We meet the family in court, the kids bored and ignored, the parents angry and selfish. While playing, the kids make a wish that turns ugly with the appearance of a mystical evil creature. One of the kids is kidnapped, and the other fights to get her back, with the help of Princess Diana (or not). The performances by the eight-person cast (Timothy Kelly, Aerin O’Malley, Anneliese Garner, Bee Davis, Meredith Enersen, Nick Willcocks, Samantha Miller, and Claire Chenoweth in a creepily physical performance as the Beanie monster) are great and really committed to this absurdity, and the use of Beanie Babies as props, set, and costumes is truly impressive, particularly what I can only describe as a Beanie Baby tower (set and prop design by Mady Smith). It's a really weird and fun show about the dangers of consumerism and obsession, and if I wasn't emotionally invested, maybe that's OK.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here. 

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2023: "A Girl Scout’s Guide to Exorcism"

Day: 10

Show: 41

Title: A Girl Scout’s Guide to Exorcism

Category: COMEDY / DRAMA / HORROR / PUPPETRY / STORYTELLING / HISTORICAL CONTENT / LGBTQIA+ CONTENT

By: Melancholics Anonymous

Created by: Rachel Ropella and Timothy Kelly

Location: Rarig Arena

Summary: It's the summer of 2008, and five Girl Scouts accidentally conjure up the spirit of a famous, and a little angry, environmentalist.

Highlights: This was one of the most frequently sold out shows of the Fringe, winning the venue award for most tickets sold at the Arena. I did not intentionally save it for the very last time slot of the festival, but it was a great end to a wonderful run of theater. It's so funny, and sweet, and real, and weird, and a little bit scary, and overall just so much fun. Five Jonas brothers obsessed tweens (charmingly portrayed by Claire Chenoweth, Anneliese Garner, Meredith Enersen, Samantha Miller, and Aerin O'Malley, giving each a distinct personality) gather for their annual sleepaway summer camp, with a friendly new counselor (Bee Davis), but things are changing. They're growing up, like it or not, causing new tension in the group. Using a ouija board, they accidentally cause one of them to become possessed with an environmentalist who advocates for the hawk, and she gets mad, wreaking havoc on the girls, until they can figure out a way to band together to save their friend, and each other. One of the girls occasionally steps out of the story and narrates it as the chain-smoking present version of the character, which is surprising and funny. This would all be wonderful enough, but as an added bonus Jeffrey Nolan plays the hawk who does the environmentalist's bidding, swooping a puppet on a stick around the theater, facial expressions so telling of the attitude of this creature. I first discovered Melancholics Anonymous during the virtual 2020 Minnesota Fringe Festival, and in a few short years they've become a reliable source of theater that is inventive and delightful and a little bit dark. They perform outside of the Fringe too, so keep your eye out for them.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.

"Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche" by Melancholics Anonymous at Center for Performing Arts

The title says it all: Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche. Well, maybe not all. There's also an apocalyptic event, romance, tragedies, and secrets revealed, not to mention the fact that it's the 1950s, a time when it wasn't safe or acceptable for women to call themselves lesbians. Melancholics Anonymous' production of this funny, subversive, and a little bit gruesome play is a good way to spend 70 minutes on a summer evening. But hurry, there are only three shows left! (Click here for all the deets.)

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2022: "A Day with the Newhearts"

Day: 3

Show: 7

Title: A Day with the Newhearts

Category: COMEDY / HORROR / ORIGINAL MUSIC / HISTORICAL CONTENT / LGBTQIA+ CONTENT

By: Melancholics Anonymous

Created by: Rachel Ropella and Timothy Kelly

Location: Mixed Blood Theatre

Summary: A mock 1960s sitcom set in Minnesota that turns very dark when the Newhearts try to force their new neighbors into their "Minnesota nice" way of life.

Highlights: Complete with a theme song, laugh track, and ads, A Day with the Newhearts feels very much like a sitcom about a happy family in the early '60s (there's a reference to "that new baseball team the Twins," so around 1961 or so). Mom, Pop, and daughter prepare for a barbecue with their new neighbors, a single mom (horror) and her clingy and socially awkward son. Daughter tortures son with news of a recently escaped serial killer, Pop shames single mom for her independence and plans to open a business, but Mom admires her for the same reason, feeling stifled in her Stepford/Minnesota nice life. Things go from odd to deadly very quickly, as we see the dark side of Minnesota nice (which definitely exists, although hopefully not to this extent). The cast (Claire Chenoweth, Bee Davis, and Matthew Humason along with the creators) fully commits to the dark and campy sitcommy tone; costumes, set, and props are charmingly period appropriate (including some Tupperware pieces I recognized from my childhood); and the Minnesota references (scotcheroos, hot dish, and snicker salad) are plenty. It's a darkly funny and disturbing show, consistent in tone, and perhaps a morality tale about how not to welcome new people into the community.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.