"The Bird Blind" by New Native Theatre at 825 Arts

Almost 20 years ago I joined an REI guided hiking trip in Northern Alaska. The trip began in Fairbanks and ended on the Arctic Ocean. We would drive North a few hundred miles, then stop, pitch our tents, and go hiking, repeating the cycle until we ran out of road. In addition to being immersed in nature, we also got to meet some locals, including a visit (via small airplane) to an Iñupiaq village. Northern Alaksa is a harsh place, but incredibly beautiful, and the people who live there are a hearty bunch, especially those who have lived there for countless generations. New Native Theatre's new play The Bird Blind tells the story of one such family living in a small village in Alaska. It's funny and sad, tragic and hopeful. Our Native communities are disproportionately plagued with alcoholism and violence due to a multitude of reasons dating back a few centuries, and this play does not shy away from that. But these sorts of family dynamics and difficulties, as well as the sense of community, are resonant through all communities. The Bird Blind officially opens this Friday and runs through May 10 at 825 Arts on University in St. Paul. It's a gripping story that's hard to watch at times, but rewarding as you get to know and love these characters and their community.

"A Christmas in Ochopee" by New Native Theatre at 825 Arts

There's a new #TCTheater holiday* tradition in town - New Native Theatre's A Christmas in Ochopee. They're remounting their 2023 production (with some returnees and some new cast members) to see if it might become an annual tradition. This was my first time seeing the show, and I found it to be fun take on the awkward family holiday dinner. This specific story of a Native family in the Ochopee community in the Everglades of Florida tells universal truths about family - the weird uncle and his new girlfriend, the newcomer that doesn't quite fit in, family members who make mistakes in an attempt to help the family and are welcomed back in, and just being together on special occasions, whether you like it or not! Playwright Montana Cypress is from the Everglades and writes about his lived experience, brought to vivid life by the nine-person all-Native mostly local cast. Check out this new holiday tradition at 825 Arts on University in St. Paul through December 21.

"For the People" at the Guthrie Theater

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal for a world premiere new comedy at the Guthrie. To watch the creation process at one of my favorite theaters, where I have been a subscriber for twenty years, is an opportunity I would jump at no matter what! But as I learned more about this piece, and finally had the chance to see it last night, I realized just how special this opportunity was. For the People is a special kind of play, one like I've never seen before. It was written by Native playwrights, stars an almost all-Native cast, and features stories of our own Native community, which sadly is a rare thing. Too long Native voices have been stifled, even though they've been around on this land for the longest. But happily, there seems to be a renewed focus on telling Native stories lately, from TV shows like Reservation Dogs and Rutherford Falls, to plays like For the People. Much like those series, this play shows modern Native people in all their complex humanity, just going about the business of living their lives. It's a wonderful opportunity to support Native artists and our local Native community, and it's also a really funny and engaging play featuring some great performances and thrilling technical effects. See it in the Guthrie's proscenium theater now through November 12.

"Naive. Super" at Norway House

Last night I saw a play that was unlike anything I've ever seen before. That's an unusual occurrence for someone who's been writing about theater for 13 years. #TCTheater artist Kurt Engh's adaptation of the 1996 Norwegian novel Naive. Super is unique not just in the fact that it's a solo play in which a different actor performs the piece each night of the run, but also in its use of technology. Because a dozen people are not going to memorize a 90-minute solo play for a one-night-only performance, the entire script of the play is on stage in some form, either in video projections, or on transparancies on an overhead projector (remember those?), or in notecards or physical pages on the set. It's a fascinating, trippy, thought-provoking story told in a fascinating, trippy, thought-provoking way; I can think of no better way to adapt this work. Whenever you go to the theater, you're going to experience something different every night, but that's never been more true than here, where you have a different actor bringing their own perspective and background to the work for something truly unique every time. What's more exciting than that?! Naive. Super continues at Norway House* through September 17 (click here for a list of performances and performers and to purchase tickets).