"Blithe Spirit" at Theatre in the Round

Noël Coward is the perfect frothy summer theatrical entertainment, with his clever dialogue, ridiculous characters, and silly situations ripe for comedy, all in a British accent. The Guthrie is doing Private Lives later this summer (which they last did in 2007), but first up is Blithe Spirit at Theatre in the Round to conclude their 74th season. This is the one that features a love triangle between a husband, his wife, and the spirit of his deceased wife whom he accidentally materializes. It's well done in the in-the-round space with a great cast and some fun special effects. Note that it is a three-act play, as was common in the last century, but Theatre in the Round sells coffee at concessions, with free refills during the two intermissions (but not allowed in the theater, so drink it in the lobby whilst admiring the art installation and save your cup). This Blithe Spirit will continue to haunt the oldest theater in Minneapolis through July 12. And then make plans for Theatre in the Round's 75th Anniversary season, featuring plays and musicals with a Minnesota connection, from The Great Gatsby to You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

"The Murder on the Links" at Theatre in the Round

For this year's Agatha Christie play, Theatre in the Round has commissioned an adaptation of her third novel The Murder on the Links, the second featuring famed detective Hercule Poirot. This is essentially a sequel to their 2022 Christie play, a new adaptation of her first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, with the same playwright Kate Danley, director Linda Paulsen, and two leads. Everything about this production is so delightful, I would be happy if they continued with this team to adapt all of the Poirot/Hastings stories. But for now we can enjoy this fictional murder (or murders?) on the links at the oldest theater in Minneapolis. The show continues weekends through December 21, and Christie plays are always popular at TRP, so don't wait too long to get your tickets to this counter-holiday programming.

"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.