"Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical" at History Theatre

The new original musical Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical celebrates the one holiday* that unites us all here in the Northland - winter itself! And specifically, it celebrates the way that we celebrate winter, namely the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Like all of History Theatre's original work, it's educational, shedding light on a little known aspect of local history, and it's also entertaining in the way it tells that history. But I don't think I've seen a History Theatre musical quite like this before, that wraps its historical lesson up in a bright fantastical world. It's an odd mix of real world facts and people, and a fantasy realm full of magical creatures, but somehow it works. Rollicking! is a yummy confection of a winter musical that celebrates everything we love about Minnesota, its people, and its traditions. Join the celebration at History Theatre in downtown St. Paul through December 21.

2024 Twin Cities Horror Festival at The Crane Theater

The weather is (finally) turning cooler, the brightly colored leaves are falling from the trees, which means it must be time for the 13th annual Twin Cities Horror Festival. Unlike my friends at Minnesota Theater Love and The Stages of Minnesota (follow them for full coverage), I am not in general a fan of horror. But I am a fan of this mini Fringe festival that features many of my favorite Fringe artists. So I'm seeing a handful of shows this year (October also happens to be the busiest theater month of the year in general, and this year in particular). I was at the first show of the festival on last Thursday evening before continuing my stretch of five non-TCHF shows in five days, and then returned a few times to see a few more. I saw 7 of the 11 shows this year, read about them below, and visit the TCHF website for details and tickets (warning: there are sellouts already, particularly in the smaller studio space). Shows continue daily through November 3 at The Crane Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.