"Ghost Quartet" by Theatre Elision at the Overlook at Fort Snelling

Minnesota Fringe may be over, but adventurous art continues! For their 8th production of the Dave Malloy song cycle Ghost Quartet, Theatre Elision is moving outdoors, telling this fun and sometimes spooky ghost story under the sky and stars. This is my 5th time seeing this show (including last year's all-star cast reunion), and I like it better every time. Rather than one straight-forward narrative, the songs weave together four stories that intersect and overlap in what could be confusing ways if you think about it too much. But it's such a great example of storytelling and world-building through song, and adding the element of Nature only makes it better. But they only have 4 more performances, and all are free (although they request that you register, and happily accept donations). Head to the historic Fort Snelling, a site that has plenty dark history and ghosts (as music director Harrison Ford noted in his pre-show speech), for some music-theater magic. And make plans to continue on the Dave Malloy journey with Theatre Elision - they've got three more of his shows on the schedule, including a remount of the sold out Great Comet, and two regional premieres!

"Ghost Quartet" at Theatre Elision

This fall, Theatre Elision will bring us the regional premiere of the 12-time Tony nominated 2017 Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. But that's the time of the year they typically do composer/ lyricist/ playwright Dave Malloy's lesser known work Ghost Quartet. Not wanting to miss a year, they're presenting their 7th production for three nights only, featuring many past cast members, in what they're calling "the reunion." I've seen three of the six previous iterations, and I think this is the best one yet. Maybe it's because this non-linear song cycle interweaving many related stories and characters gets better with repeated viewings, maybe it's because the supersized cast makes the score sound even more gorgeous, maybe after seven productions Elision and these artists know this piece better and better. Or likely a combination of all of the above. If you've seen Ghost Quartet before, I recommend this reunion version as a way to deepen your experience. And if you've never seen it, this is a great introduction because it's really well done and feels like a welcoming and communal experience. But hurry, here are only two shows left - tonight (Friday) and tomorrow night! Click here for info and tickets.