"Bone Mother" by Sandbox Theatre at the Museum of Russian Art

Combine Russian folk tales, aerialists, music, theater, and a unique space and what do you get? Sandbox Theatre's latest uniquely beautiful creation, Bone Mother. The devised theater company recently started an offshoot called Swingset for aerial works, which takes their ensemble driven, innovative, physical theater style and lifts it up in the air. Literally. This piece about Russian folk tales is appropriately staged in the Museum of Russian Art in South Minneapolis (I didn't know it existed either), conveniently located just off 35W. The museum is in what used to be an church designed to look like the Alamo, and I hope to go back and visit it again, because the performance doesn't really allow for much viewing of art. But in the meantime, go and enjoy this entirely new and unique way of telling these ancient and familiar tales.

"Spring Awakening" by The Chameleon Theatre Circle at Gremlin Theatre

At last night's 2019 Tony Awards, Hadestown won eight Tonys (including best musical, notably the first best musical written and directed by women). Twelve years ago, Spring Awakening won eight Tonys, including best musical. Like Hadestown, Spring Awakening is based on an old story (not as old as the myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, rather a late 19th Century German play), retold in a way that feels new utterly relevant to today's world. Sadly, the issues of suicide, teen pregnancy, abortion, child abuse, and the general difficulties of being a teenager are never not relevant. The new production by The Chameleon Theatre Circle features a talented young cast, many of whom also play instruments, and brings these issues to the forefront of 2019.

"Iphigenia and Other Daughters" by Theatre Unbound at Gremlin Theatre

Playwright Ellen McLaughlin's play Iphigenia and Other Daughters, an adaptation of several ancient Greek plays about the tragic lives of the children of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, premiered in the mid-'90s. But looking at the production history, there's been a spike in productions in the last few years, mostly at colleges. Perhaps we've recently become more hungry for these stories of women who take revenge on those who've wronged them. Theatre Unbound is bringing us the regional premiere of this modern retelling of an ancient women's story. In just a brisk 75 minutes, thanks to strong performances from the mostly female cast, we really get to know and empathize with these women.

"Words Do Move" by Sandbox Theatre at the Crane Theater

Words Do Move. Or in this case, words, music, movement, images, and the combination thereof move. Sandbox Theatre's latest ensemble-created work is a series of poems, stories, songs, and dances about relationships, identity, grief, joy, and life. It is, indeed, moving, as the five-person ensemble and one-person band share their stories and their souls with the audience. Words Do Move is unique and lovely and just over an hour long, all good things, and plays through November 17 at the Crane Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.

Fringe Festival 2017: "What You Will"

Day: 3

Show: 11

Title: What You Will

Category: Drama

By: Jammed Desk Productions

Created by: Henry Ellen Sansone, Sam Bates Norum, Kiaran Hartnett, Danylo Loutchko, and Laura Torgeson

Location: Phoenix Theatre

Summary: An adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night focusing on Viola's transition to becoming Cesario.

Highlights: Examples of cross-dressing abound in Shakespeare's plays (maybe because all parts were played by men in his day), but what if it's not simple disguise but rather an individual exploring their gender identity and searching for their more authentic self? This talented group of young artists ask that question of Twelfth Night. They've created a short version of the play that still makes sense by cutting out all the stuff about Olivia's relatives and servants and focusing on the separated twins (Viola/Cesario and Sebastian) and those that love them, the Duke Orsino and the Lady Olivia. The five creator/actors (Danylo Loutchko, Henry Ellen Sansone, Kiaran Hartnett, Laura Torgeson, Sam Bates Norum) are clear and compelling as they recite Shakespeare's words, using lovely and haunting music to help set the tone (composed by Kiaran). The story plays out as usual until the end, when Cesario is supposed to transform back into Viola, but this time he decides to remain Cesario. Even though Cesario does seem to love Orsino, he chooses to leave and remain his authentic self rather than be forced to return to the life he left behind. This is a fascinating look at a classic and a new but legitimate interpretation. If music be the food of love, play on!

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.