"The Taming" at Yellow Tree Theatre

When I first saw Lauren Gunderson's play The Taming, in a production by the dear departed Theatre Unbound, I remember not really getting it. But that was September of 2016, I was different then, the country was different then. That was before the 2016 election, before COVID, before George Floyd, before the 2020 election, before the 2021 insurrection, before the Epstein files, before the political violence that has affected our state so greatly, before the doubled-down horrors of Trump 2.0. Seeing Yellow Tree Theatre's new production of this play (that was surprisingly written in 2013), I get it now. The Taming (inspired by Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, but bearing little resemblance to it) is a hilarious and biting political satire that is sneakily brilliant; a play that was ahead of its time, and whose time has come. Very smart programming by Yellow Tree to open their 19th season with this play, as we celebrate 250 years of this grand experiment called the United States of America, and approach yet another election with a lot on the line. Head to Osseo to laugh, have a good time, and get inspired. And then vote.

"The Rainmaker" at Lyric Arts

The classic play The Rainmaker is like a mix of The Glass Menagerie and The Music Man, set in a rural area beset by drought during the Depression. There's the family daughter who's a bit different that everyone is trying to "marry off," and the charming con man who sweeps into town and brings new life and hope to the community. It's a beautiful and bittersweet story about a woman finding her confidence and self-worth through the eyes of a stranger. Experience the wonder of the long-awaited rain in Lyric Arts' new production, featuring a talented cast and lovely design, continuing through March 23.

"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.