"The Tin Woman" by 100 Percent Human Theatre at the Historic Mounds Theatre

The topic of organ donation is one that sounds simple in theory - who wouldn't want to donate viable organs to save someone's life (or lives)? But to be faced with the decision in reality is unimaginable. Such is the subject of The Tin Woman, about a woman facing an existential crisis after receiving a donor heart and the family of the man who donated it grieving their loss. It's a personal story for director Joy Donley of 100 Percent Human Theatre, whose son died at age 16. They donated his organs to over 60 recipients, which is a truly remarkable gift. As good artists do, she's taken her tragedy and turned it into art, partnering with the local organization LifeSource to produce this play and raise awareness about organ donation. The Tin Woman is a funny, poignant, and relatable story about the messiness of grief, loss, family, and life. The super short run closes this weekend with just a few performances remaining at the Historic Mounds Theatre in St. Paul.

"Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors" by Nocturnal Giraffe Theatre at the Center for Performing Arts

It's come to the point where the Halloween holiday theater season almost rivals the Christmas holiday theater season. It's not just Twin Cities Horror Festival (currently running through November 3), spooky theater abounds everywhere! A fantastic entry into this theater sub-genre is Nocturnal Giraffe's regional premiere of the new horror-comedy play about one of our most famous creepy characters: Dracula. Written by NYC-based playwrights Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen and premiering Off-Broadway earlier this year, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is more funny than scary, unless we're talking scary good. The five-person cast is a definite contender for the Twin Cities Theater Blogger Award for favorite comedic cast; they're all ridiculous. At about 90 minutes no intermission, it's the perfect treat for the season. See it at Center for Performing Arts now through November 2 (including a Halloween night performance).

"Survivors of the Fire" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

I love a new original historical musical, and Bucket Brigade's Survivors of the Fire is a good one. The stories of the survivors of the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894 are told in a compelling way using songs (mostly hymns and traditional songs), physical theater, and storytelling. It's only 75 minutes long but it feels epic, like we've gone on this journey from booming lumber town, to the unimaginable terror of a firestorm with a four-mile high wall of fire and temperatures of 2000 degrees, to the grief of loss and hope of rebuilding that came after. The seven-person cast embodies the real people who survived the fire, and their acts of humanity and heroism. Their performances, along with a four-person band playing well-chosen songs, and the spot-on sound and lighting design, combine to create a visceral experience of the fire and the people who lived through it. A musical brings the story to life in a way a museum or book never could (although I will now be visiting the museum and reading a book to learn more). Experience it yourself at the charming Art House North in St. Paul's West 7th neighborhood, weekends through October 12 (pro tip: make a reservation if you want to go to one of the trendy nearby restaurants).

"Wit" by Hypnic Jerk Theatre at Theatre in the Round

I first saw the Pulitzer Prize winning play Wit six years ago, when I called it "simply devastating," "also funny, and smart, and philosophical, and enlightening," and "brilliantly written." Hypnic Jerk Theatre, a newish #TCTheater company in their first post-pan show, is currently presenting a new production at Theatre in the Round, and it's excellent. Joy Donley gives a strong, funny, and heart-breaking performance in "one of the juiciest roles in theater - a smart, educated, independent, confident woman who experiences life in a whole new way while approaching death from cancer." But this isn't a one-woman show, and the ensemble gives great support. The staging and design in the in-the-round space are effective in telling the story of this woman's journey, in a thoroughly compelling and moving 100 minutes of theater. This is another short run show with only six performances, so act quickly to see this fine execution of a new classic (click here for info and tickets).

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2022: "Piñata"

Day: 3

Show: 9

Title: Piñata

Category: COMEDY

By: Nocturnal Giraffe

Directed by: Joy Donley

Location: Rarig Center Xperimental

Summary: A very funny comedy about moms on a birthday party circuit that sounds a little bit culty.

Highlights: The comedy trio of Greta Grosch, Katie Consamus, and Stephanie Cousins (with a cameo by Elizabeth Efteland as more than just a clown) are a joy to watch as three very different moms relegated to the penalty zone at a child's birthday party because of bad behavior. The pressure to impress and conform amongst this circle of well-to-do mothers of children at an exclusive school makes it sound very much like a cult, but somehow these women are able to move beyond that and recognize the humanity in each other (after a lot of fighting), bonding over the reasons that each of them doesn't quite fit in. Rarely moving from a small square of turf marked off by pool noodles, the cast expertly delivers the tight and funny script, employing physical comedy and perfect timing in this polished and professional show. A momedy even those with no offspring can enjoy, as it tackles themes of "keeping up with the Joneses," the pressure to conform and fit in, and realizing that sometimes you need to break the rules because the rules are stupid.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.

"'Til Death" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

On the heels of seeing a new original locally created musical about dating, I went to see a new original locally created musical about marriage. It must be (almost) February. But even though 'Til Death is written by a married couple, stars two married couples, and is directed/music directed by a married couple, you don't have to be married to enjoy it. It's a charming, silly, funny, and at times poignant musical comedy about life and relationships.

Vanessa and Jeremiah Gamble are co-Artistic Directors of Bucket Brigade, and co-wrote 'Til Death as a way to "take an inward look at our own struggles of trying to practice forgiveness and live out a committed relationship."