"Indecent" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Theater Latte Da is known for their musicals, but about once a season they do a play, with music added. They open their new season with a play that already has music as an important part of it, the 2017 Broadway play Indecent, which received its first post-Broadway production at the Guthrie Theater in 2018. Ingeniously written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, the play tells the story of a play, the history of the world around it, and the interaction of the two. It's about so many things, among them the depiction of a lesbian romance on stage in the early 20th Century, the role of theater in the world, the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust, and the resulting decline of a language and a culture because of it.* These themes are even more relevant today than when the play premiered, with censorship, anti-Semitism, discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, and anti-immigrant sentiment on the rise. In just under two hours of uninterrupted music-theater, Indecent so beautifully tells this story and evokes a range of emotions. It's so affecting, and devastating, and inspiring, the kind of thoughtful, thought-provoking, insightful, and entertaining music-theater we have come to expect from Theater Latte Da (continuing through October 18).

"My Ántonia" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Back in 2010 (the birth year of Cherry and Spoon), Illusion Theater won two Ivey Awards (remember the Ivey Awards, Minnesota's own Tony Awards?) for their adaptation of Willa Cather's novel My Ántonia, one for playwright Allison Moore and one for Kate Guentzel, who played the title character. I didn't see it that year, but lucky for me Illusion continued to produce the show every few years, and even toured it around the Midwest and into Cather's Nebraska. I've seen it three times, most recently in 2019, and loved it more each time I saw it, calling the sparse 90-minute six-person play with music "a perfect adaptation, in that it captures the wistful and nostalgic tone of the novel as Willa describes the people and place she loved so much." I was excited and a little trepidatious when two years ago Theater Latte Da announced that a new musical adaptation of My Ántonia would be part of their NEXT new play development series. I saw the reading of the musical in development that summer and was reassured that the tone of the novel was maintained (unlike the recent musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby, which turned it into a romcom). And now after seeing the full production, even though I'll always have a special place in my heart for Illusion's play that made me fall in love with this story, I love seeing another version of it that fills out the story with more life and music. With a talented cast twice the size of the play, a lovely indie folk score that I wish I could download and listen to on repeat, and sparse design that evokes the achingly beautiful prairies that surround us, Theater Latte Da has brought us another beautiful adaptation of this classic American story (continuing through July 12).

"Gutenberg! The Musical!" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Broadway buddies Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad, who originated the roles of Elder Price and Cunningham, respectively, in The Book of Mormon 15 years ago (which I was lucky enough to see), recently reunited on Broadway in a two-person musical comedy called Gutenberg! The Musical!, receiving its Broadway premiere almost 20 years after it debuted. The buddy comedy was the perfect vehicle for these two individual talents with undeniable chemistry, and now, two years after that short Broadway run closed, Theater Latte Da is bringing us, if not the regional premiere, the first #TCTheater production since this Broadway hit. It's the kind of thing I expect from Theater Latte Da - something new and inventive that you just can't see anywhere else. Artistic Director Justin Lucero saw Gutenberg on Broadway shortly after he was hired by Theater Latte Da, and immediately decided that they were going to do the show someday (proving once again that he was the perfect choice to replace founding Artistic Director Peter Rothstein). They have done just that, and also made the smart decision to hire Tyler Michaels King to direct, and cast the perfect physical comedy duo. Gutenberg! The Musical! is a super silly and hilarious ode to the musical theater form that we love so much, and that Theater Latte Da does so well. It's playing through May 3, so if you need a laugh (and who doesn't these days?), head to the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.

"The Glass Menagerie" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Every now and then, Theater Latte Da ("we don't do musical theater we do theater musically") tries their hand to a play (e.g., their 2024 production of Stones in His Pockets). This season, Artistic Director Justin Lucero has chosen Tennessee Williams' tragically beautiful and beautifully tragic play The Glass Menagerie (which happens to be one of my favorite plays). Thankfully, Latte Da has not turned The Glass Menagerie into a musical, but they have subtly infused it with music via live underscoring, as well as live video projections from onstage cameras. The result is perhaps the best realization of Williams' quintessential (and semi-autobiographical) memory play that I've seen. It's dreamy, and cinematic, and intimate, and nostalgic, and heartachingly beautiful. The innovative and risk-taking concept is gorgeously executed by the entire team, with a cast that is simply perfection. Pay a call to the Wingfields now through March 1; you won't be disappointed, but you may feel pleasantly melancholic after the visit.
UPDATE: extended through March 8!

"My Fair Lady" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

My Fair Lady is a classic musical that stands the test of time, and doesn't feel dated due to its evergreen themes of class and gender dynamics, especially with more attention given to Eliza's perspective in recent years. It may seem like an odd choice for Theater Latte Da, that usually choses more rare or edgy works. But like last year's Cinderella, they put their own unique spin on a beloved classic that isn't drastically different, but makes it feel fresh and modern. Everything about this production is perfectly loverly - a superstar local cast, luscious costumes, ingenious set design, and a gorgeous rendering of the beloved score with just two pianos and 11 human voices. It's playing through the end of the year so you really have no excuse not to see this yummy production of a classic that deserves the title.

Cherry and Spoon 15th Anniversary Fundraiser for #TCTheater!

This summer marked 15 years of being a Twin Cities Theater blogger. My very first post on July 27, 2010, titled Origins, is very nerdy and idealistic. (Go ahead and read it; I'll wait here with my hands covering my eyes.) I've changed since then, my writing has improved (I hope), my worldview has broadened, and most importantly my experiences with #TCTheater have increased by leaps and bounds. When I started this blog in the summer of 2010, it was for the purpose of recording my experiences as a theater-going, and sharing them with others who might be interested (hear more of Cherry and Spoon's origin story on this episode of The Stages of MN YouTube show). I never imagined that 15 years later I would be at the theater 3-5 nights a week, receiving press comps to every theater in town, meeting my favorite artists, and being part of a theater blogging community (follow the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers here). I would like to celebrate this milestone by giving back to the #TCTheater community that's given me so much, and I need your help.

"Journey On: A 100th Show Cabaret Celebration" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

To begin their 28th season of doing theater musically, Theater Latte Da is celebrating their 100th show with a wonderful cabaret that highlights many of the previous 99 shows. They did not offer tickets to review this production since it's such a short run, but I've loved Theater Latte Da for nearly 20 years and I wasn't going to not see this show. I bought a ticket for myself, and I'm writing this for myself. Checking my show spreadsheet, I have seen over 100 performances by Theater Latte Da, but that includes readings, concerts in the park, and repeat performances (it's rare for me to go back and see a show a second time, but it happens more often with this company than any other). And I'm not sure how they're counting their shows, e.g., is All is Calm, which they've done many productions of, counted as one show or eleven? But I think it's safe to say I've seen three-quarters of Theater Latte Da's 100 shows. There's something truly special about this company and the way that they tell stories, and the stories they choose to tell. Nothing cracks the hard shell I've built around myself like the intersection of music and theater, and Latte Da has cracked me open countless times, as well as made me laugh, surprised me, made me think about the world differently, and moved me (literally and figuratively). I had a smile on my face and tears in my eyes throughout the Journey On cabaret, filled with lovely memories and exciting plans for the future (continuing through October 19). If you'd like to enter for a chance to win two tickets to any Theater Latte Da show this season (or the Guthrie Theater), all you need to do is donate $15 to your favorite theater and fill out this form.

"Passion" by Theatre Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Updating my Sondheim spreadsheet this morning (because of course I have a Sondheim spreadsheet), I have now seen ten of the 17 musicals for which he wrote music and lyrics, in a total of 31 productions (most of which you can read about here). Can you guess which theater company I've seen do Sondheim the most? Theater Latte Da of course, whom I've seen do seven different shows (they've done more, but a few were before I "discovered" them). I was able to check Sondheim show #10 off my list* this morning thanks to their new production of the rarely done Passion, which Latte Da's Artistic Director and director of this piece Justin Lucero calls "one of the most divisive works in the American musical canon." I can see why it's not done as often as, say, Into the Woods (the Sondheim musical I've seen the most productions of). It's a messy love triangle with not very likable or even at times understandable characters. As Justin notes, it's "not a traditional love story - it's a meditation on obsession, vulnerability, and the aching rawness of human need." It's not a pretty love story, but the score is very pretty, the characters are fascinating and compelling, and Latte Da's production is all-around gorgeous. It's an unusual musical for sure, but that's not a bad thing, in fact in this case it's a very good thing, and I'm grateful to Theater Latte Da for the chance to experience yet another intricate creation by arguably the best musical theater creator of the 20th Century. The messy, tragic, gorgeous Passion continues through July 13 at the Ritz Theater.

"Fun Home" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

The long-awaited #TCTheater premiere of the 2015 Tony winning best musical Fun Home is finally happening! I was lucky enough to see this brilliant and moving musical on Broadway and have loved it ever since, even driving to Duluth for the Minnesota premiere by an intrepid theater company known as Renegade in 2019. I'm thrilled to finally see a production in the Twin Cities, and no one better to do it than Theater Latte Da. The smartly and succinctly written 90-minute musical is perfectly cast, perfectly staged, and perfectly designed, for an emotionally satisfying and epic journey through one person's story of coming of age, coming out, and coming to terms with her parents' flaws and humanity; a specific story that feels so real and relatable. Apparently I am not alone in this opinion; some performances are already selling out and they've extended it a week. Don't wait - get your tickets now to see this modern musical theater masterpiece (through April 11 at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis).

"School Pictures" by Theatre Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Although their new production School Pictures wasn't developed at or created by Theater Latte Da, it fights right in with the kind of music-theater they're known for: forward-thinking boundary-pushing work that explores and expands the idea of what music-theater can be and do. In a note in the program, Artistic Director Justin Lucero wrote, "I knew that my very first season of programming needed to include something that didn't fit neatly in the traditional musical theater mold. Or ideally, blow the mold right open." Mission accomplished. Playwright/ composer/ lyricist/ performer Milo Cramer recently performed School Pictures Off-Broadway to rave reviews (and an Obie Award), and we're so fortunate that Latte Da brought him here to do the show at the Ritz Theater in this cold, snowy February. It's something so smart, so funny, so original, so tragic, and so very relevant. If you're interested in a different kind of musical that'll make you laugh, think, and feel, that's engaging and entertaining and surprising, that's only 75 minutes long - do not miss this show (continuing through March 2).

"Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

This year, Theater Latte Da is forgoing their usual holiday fare (the long-running and always moving All is Calm, now streaming on PBS.org, and the more recent balm to the soul Christmas at the Local) for a show that is a series of firsts. The regional premiere of the 2013 update of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which was the first (and only) musical they wrote exclusively for television, Theater Latte Da's first ever production of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, and new Artistic Director Justin Lucero's directing debut with the company. The result is a fun, magical, and heart-warming show that feels both classic and modern, with a fantastic local cast and simply gorgeous design. See it at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis now through January 5.

"Scotland, PA" by Theatre Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Theater Latte Da is opening their 27th season (the first programmed by new Artistic Director Justin Lucero) with a wild one. It's technically a movie adaptation, but it's based on the obscure 2001 movie Scotland, PA, not a blockbuster sure-fire hit, so somebody must have been inspired by this darkly comedic 1970s-fast-food-set take on Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's bloodiest tragedies (although all of his tragedies are pretty bloody). The musical premiered Off-Broadway in 2019 and was further developed as part of Theater Latte Da's NEXT program in 2022. It starts off as this really fun rock musical about working folks trying to get ahead, and ends, well, bloody. It's brought to life by a creative team with many Broadway credits, and a brilliant cast full of home-grown talent. So grab a burger, head to the Ritz, and buckle up for a wild ride of a musical, continuing through October 20.

"Johnny Skeeky; or, The Remedy for Everything" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

I'm not sure what I expected from the new work of music-theater Johnny Skeeky; or, The Remedy for Everything, based on Puccini's one-act comic opera Gianni Schicchi, but it wasn't... that. #TCTheater legends Bradley Greenwald and Steven Epp have adapted the story about a wealthy man's family fighting over his will (with additional inspiration from Succession and Arrested Development) and written new English lyrics for the music. The result is the most ridiculous and delightful opera I've ever seen. If it can even be called an opera anymore; there's much more dialogue than operas typically contain. But whatever you call it, it's simply a joy to watch this outrageously talented cast sing this gorgeous music with modern, silly, and even sometimes crude words. It's a 100-minute wild romp of an opera. You have plenty of time to get to the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis and see it before it closes in early July. And if you like music, comedy, and creativity - you definitely should.

"The Color Purple" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Alice Walker's beloved 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple is such an inspiring story, and one I've loved for a long time. It's had many successful adaptations - the 1985 Steven Spielberg movie, the 2005 stage musical adaptation, the 2015 Broadway revival, the recent movie musical (which is how I spent my Christmas Day last year). And now we have Theater Latte Da's version of the Broadway musical, a co-production with Geva Theatre in Rochester, NY. The visually stunning production features many fantastic performances, and all of the emotional highs and lows of this epic American story. See it at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis now through May 5, and #bringtissues.

"Stones in His Pockets" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Every once in a while, Theater Latte Da throws a play on their season schedule and I think - what is this going to be? At one time their tagline was "we don't do musical theater, we do theater musically," and their new production of Stones in His Pockets is a prime example of this. They haven't turned it into a musical (like they did with the classic play Twelve Angry Men, which sounds weird but turned out to be brilliant), but they have turned it into theater musically. Jason Hansen (Twin Cities Theater Bloggers' favorite Music Director for three years running - watch for our interview with him on an episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat coming soon!) has written original music to fill in the spaces and add color and emotion to the story, like a film score played live. I'd never seen this play before, and now that I've seen this production, I can't imagine it without music. Music is so much a part of Irish culture and everyday life, that it seems fitting that there is music in this funny, wistful, tragic, heart-warming, and very Irish little story. See this wholly original Stones in His Pockets (featuring a brilliant comedy duo) at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis through February 25. (Recommended dinner-and-a-show pairing: enjoy the food, atmosphere, and Guinness at The Anchor Fish & Chips just down the street.)

"Christmas at the Local" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Now in their 26th season, Theater Latte Da has a knack for creating original holiday shows that become annual traditions. First A Christmas Carole Petersen, #TCTheater artist Tod Petersen's funny and poignant tribute to his mom and growing up in small town Minnesota, which debuted in their third season and has been produced numerous times over the years (including six shows at Crooners this year, December 16-20). Then came All is Calm, a documusical about the WWI Christmas Truce that premiered in 2007 and has gone through a few different iterations over the years, settling into a nearly perfect 70 minutes of theater that has toured all over the country including Off-Broadway, and was filmed in 2019 for a PBS special. And now we have Christmas at the Local, a "double feature" of Dylan Thomas' story A Child's Christmas in Wales and Maya Angelou's poem Amazing Peace, both set to music and tied together with other holiday songs performed by a group of friends hanging out at their local pub. It debuted last year, at which time I wrote, "it creates such a warm, cozy feeling of community, nostalgia, and hope that I want to visit every year (or every night)." If you didn't see it last year, it's a must-see in the tradition of Latte Da's lovely original holiday pieces. And if you did see it last year, then you know that it always feels warm, welcoming, and wonderful to return to The Local (continuing through December 31).

"Falsettos" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

I fell in love with the musical Falsettos, which premiered on Broadway in 1992, when I saw a filmed version of the 2016 revival at a movie theater. The gorgeous and complex score, along with this love story about a messy and complex family, really appealed to me. The national tour came to the Ordway in 2019, and I loved it even more live (natch). At the time I wrote, "I'm hoping that the success of this revival leads to a local production or two in the coming years; I'd love to see some of my #TCTheater faves tackle these rich roles, perhaps with a staging of this intimate story that's more intimate." I didn't have to wait too long for my wish to come true, and there's no theater I'd rather see take on this gem of a musical than Theater Latte Da (although the NE Minneapolis community theater Morris Park Players beat them to it with a lovely and heartfelt production a year and a half ago). This is the first Latte Da show since the departure of founding Artistic Director Peter Rothstein (who likely had a hand in planning the season before beginning his new job at Asolo Rep*), and the first under the reign of new Artistic Director Justin Lucero. I'm happy to report that this production of Falsettos is every bit the Theater Latte Da we know and love - beautiful and relevant storytelling wrapped up in gorgeous music, a brilliant and mostly local cast, with impeccable attention to detail in every facet of design and creation. Falsettos runs through November 5, but don't snooze on getting tickets.

"Next to Normal" at Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

Twenty-five years of Peter Rothstein as Artistic Director of Theater Latte Da culminate in his final directing role, for the brilliant musical Next to Normal. Peter told us on the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers' new podcast "Twin Cities Theater Chat" that he's been wanting to direct this piece since he saw the Off-Broadway production prior to its 2009 Broadway debut, and the timing fortuitously worked out to be his last show with Latte Da. I've seen the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical seven times previously (the Broadway production three times plus four local productions) and this is as good of a production as I've ever seen. With Peter's usual clear eye for the emotional truth of the piece, this production hits every note, both musically and thematically. The local six-person cast is endlessly talented, and pours their hearts and souls out so fully, I'm not sure how they can continue to do it six times a week for a month and a half. Watching it is an emotionally exhausting but also fulfilling experience; it's a truly phenomenal production of one of the best musicals of this century. The show runs through July 16 but I highly recommend you get your tickets now before it sells out.

"We Shall Someday" by Theater Latte Da at the Ritz Theater

The world premiere new musical We Shall Someday is unlike any musical I've seen. Theater Latte Da continues to expand and redefine the artform of music-theater. This new musical written by prolific and talented #TCTheater playwright Harrison David Rivers and composer Ted Shen is a series of "musical monologues" (as Director of New Work Elissa Adams says in a note in the program). Three characters each tell their story in one act of the piece through a monologue that is both spoken and sung. The three generations of one family tell the story of violence against Black Americans, as well as resistance against injustice and moving towards a better future for all. It's an epic story told in an intimate, moving, and lovely way. See the innovative We Shall Someday at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis now through May 14.

"Hello Dolly!" at the Ritz Theater by Theater Latte Da

Put on your Sunday clothes and head to the Ritz Theater for Theater Latte Da's absolutely joyous production of Hello Dolly! They've set the classic musical in a racially diverse world, which is not untrue to the world of late 19th Century New York, it's just one we don't often see. They've also stripped the typically huge cast and orchestra down to about a third of the size. Though the costumes are scrumptious and the design is charming, there are no trains or trolleys driving across the stage, as seen in the recent Broadway revival and tour. But what this show lacks in size it makes up for in heart and gumption. It's a wonderful new take on a classic that lets the original story and beloved score shine. Hello Dolly! plays Wednesdays through Sundays until March 19, but don't wait too long to get tickets - this one will sell out.