"Much Ado About Nothing" by Frosted Glass Creative at Rustic Roots Winery

On my way home from St. Croix Festival Theatre to see their super fun production of Kate Hamill's Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B last weekend, I stopped at the gorgeous Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia to catch the final performance of Frosted Glass Creative's production of Much Ado About Nothing. It turned out to be a lovely theater road trip day. Outdoors really is my favorite way to experience Shakespeare; it's so much more fun, playful, and accessible. Frosted Glass Creative has performed at Yellow Tree and other locations around town and along the St. Croix River, but this was my first experience with them. And hopefully not my last; their next show is my sentimental favorite The Sound of Music, performed outdoors in Stillwater for one weekend in August. They seem to have taken up the mantle of "Broadway on the St. Croix" after Zephyr Theatre dropped it, and I'm glad they're continuing this fun tradition of outdoor musicals in beautiful Stillwater.

"Joyful Noise" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

The play with music Joyful Noise tells the story of the creation of Handel's Messiah, "one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music." Who knew there was so much scandal and controversy in the creation of this beloved work which, even if you don't think you know it, you will recognize. Affairs, censorship, rivalries, disagreements between the creators, all threatened to derail this project. Playwright Tim Slover has compiled these stories into some funny and entertaining historical fiction, brought to life but a great cast at Bucket Brigade, even if it does feel a bit too long (the free coffee at intermission helps). See it at the charming and intimate Art House North through May 10.

"The Gin Game" at Park Square Theatre

After a couple of big shows (the world premiere mystery Holmes/Poirot and the joyously chaotic The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!), Park Square Theatre's return season continues with something a little smaller and more intimate, but no less affecting. The two-hander The Gin Game won the Pulitzer Prize in 1978 and has starred some legendary pairs (including original Guthrie company members Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, and Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones). It's being brought to life on Park Square's Andy Boss Stage by some local legends. It's a sweet and salty little play (that would make a great 90-minute-no-intermission show if not for the intermission) with masterful performances by Greta Oglesby and Terry Hempleman that are a joy to watch. The Gin Game plays Thursdays through Sundays until February 23 at Park Square Theatre, with James Rocco's Songbook Series: Broadway in Love happening upstairs in the main theater on Valentine's weekend.

"Misery" at Lakeshore Players Theatre

Lakeshore Players Theatre's 72nd season is taking a sharp turn from a lovely new adaptation of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol to another classic, this one of the dark thriller variety. So buckle up for a deliciously creepy and suspenseful ride through Misery. Stephen King's 1987 novel about an obsessive fan was adapted into the popular 1990 movie, for which Kathy Bates won an Oscar. It was adapted into a play (by original screenwriter William Goldman) just ten years ago or so. I wasn't that familiar with the details of the story when I saw Yellow Tree Theatre's production a couple years ago* so it was chock full of surprise moments. But even now being a little more familiar with it, I found Lakeshore Players Theatre's production to be thoroughly enjoyable. The set is really cool, and the whole package of the design elements creates a suspenseful tension-filled atmosphere that makes the great work of this trio of actors even better. Head to beautiful downtown White Bear Lake for a production of the classic Misery that is anything but.

"Steel Magnolias" at Yellow Tree Theatre

The first time I saw Steel Magnolias on stage (because of course the popular 1989 movie was a play first) was at Yellow Tree Theatre 13 years ago. Enough time has passed for them to revisit this funny and heart-warming story of female friendship. The last time I saw it was the at the Guthrie five years ago, in which Yellow Tree's Artistic Director Austene Van played Truvy. She moves to the director's chair for this production, leading a fantastic cast in this lovely production. I brought a group of female friends (as is my tradition at Yellow Tree, since I used to work at a nearby office), none of whom had seen the play (some not even the movie), and a good time was had by all. Well, a good time, and also a few tears. But as Truvy says, "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!" Spend a couple of hours with these Steel Magnolias at Yellow Tree in Osseo now through December 22.

"The McAdo" by The Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company at the Conn Theater

If you can't wait for new episodes of Outlander to begin on November 22, maybe you should go see The Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company's Scottish take on The Mikado. Granted, there aren't a whole lot of similarities between G&S and our favorite time-traveling romance, but there are plenty of kilts and questionable Scottish accents! There is also a bit of romance and danger and fighting, although in a much less dramatic way. Using an adaptation form Gilbert & Sullivan Austin, this McAdo (which is an actual Scottish name) very cleverly changes the setting from Japan to Scotland, with some modern references as well (additional "tinkering" by stage director Joe Andrews). And as always with GSVLOC, the huge cast and orchestra sound amazing bringing to life another G&S classic in a fun and fresh way. The McAdo continues through November 24 at The Conn Theater in Plymouth Congregational Church in South Minneapolis.

"The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

My favorite kind of play is a two-hander - just two people sitting in a room talking. The awkwardly titled The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord one-ups that model - it's just three people sitting in a room talking. Specifically, three historical figures, great writers and thinkers, who are discussing deeply philosophical issues. But despite the deep issues discussed, it's actually a very funny and light-hearted play. Deep thoughts, humor, great performances, 95 minutes no intermission, a cozy and intimate space, and free cookies and coffee before the show - what more could you ask for? See Bucket Brigade's production of this smart, funny, thought-provoking, and engaging play now through October 14 at Art House North in St. Paul's West 7th neighborhood.