"The Lamentable Tragedie of Titus Andronicus" by The Birth Play Project at The Black Forest Inn

The Birth Play Project's latest Shakespearean adaptation in their mission to "place reproductive stories in public memory" is his bloodiest and most brutal play, The Lamentable Tragedie of Titus Andronicus, believed to be the first tragedy he wrote. This play is so rarely done that this theater blogger, who tries to see everything that #TCTheater has to offer, has only seen it once, and that was a one-hour Fringe version. So to my knowledge this is the first full production of Titus Adronicus in at least the last 15 years of #TCTheater. Why did they choose this play, and what does it have to do with birth? It all makes sense when you see it. Like in their production of Measure for Measure, they bring the off-stage birth on stage, in this story that is at least in part about a mother's search for vengeance for her murdered child(ren). But as director Zillah Glory Langsjøen said in her pre-show speech, this production of Titus Andronicus is not a revenge play, but a grief and a grievance play. A play about the potential for healing after tragedy, trauma, and violence, something that resonates deeply with this community in this space, mere feet from where Alex Pretti was murdered six months ago. It's playing through August 1 only, and space is limited, so don't wait too long to get tickets.

"How to Catch Creation" at Theatre in the Round

The oldest theater in Minneapolis (Theatre in the Round, now in their 74th season) is known for classics like their annual Agatha Christie play, but they're not afraid to champion new work (like last year's world premiere musical Endometriosis: The Musical) and challenge their audience with lesser known titles, like How to Catch Creation, currently playing on their unique stage through February 8. Written by playwright Christina Anderson (Tony nominee for co-writing the book of the ambitious new original historical musical Paradise Square), How to Catch Creation premiered at Chicago's Goodman Theater in 2019 and has not previously been seen in #TCTheater. After cancelling a couple of shows last weekend in response to protest and continued violence on our streets perpetrated by federal agents, they only have five performance left. Last night, after another day of protest, the audience was much smaller than this excellent play deserves. It's a funny and relatable play, well written in a naturalistic style while combining multiple timelines, with a terrific all Black cast that brings these complex and messy characters to life. This story of Black artists, specifically Black female queer artists, is an important one to tell in this current era that attempts to silence voices such as these. Telling these stories, and consuming them, is part of the continued resistance against an administration that's trying to take away our humanity. Thanks to Theatre in the Round and this talented cast and creative team for telling this story now.

"The Revolutionists" at Park Square Theatre

"Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?" This quote from Hamilton (coming to Minneapolis next week) could also describe Park Square Theatre and Prime Productions' co-production of The Revolutionists. Both pieces are a more inclusive retelling of history, both take place in the late 18th century, both feature citizens staging a revolution to make their country a better place. The Revolutionists is the story of four historical women in the French Revolution, so "who dies" is most of them (Madame Guillotine comes for us all in the end), and "who tells your story" is Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in the country and one of my favorites. She has a knack for writing historical women as if they were alive today, with modern language and experiences that relate directly to today's world. Her dialogue sparkles with wit and meaning, her characters are real and fully rounded people, and this fantastic four-person cast brings them to vivid life on Park Square's stage. Sadly, this will be the last play on that stage for the foreseeable future; Park Square has cancelled the remainder of their season to regroup and recover from a couple of tough years, and hopefully come back stronger next season. So don't miss this chance to see their always great work, this time made better by collaboration with Prime Productions, a company that focuses on telling stories by about women in their prime. The Revolutionists is another in a series of smart, successful, entertaining collaborations this #TCTheater season (continuing through April 16 only).

"The Laramie Project" and "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later" by Uprising Theatre Company at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center

Twenty years ago last month in a small college town in Wyoming, a young gay man was brutally beaten and tied to a fence post, left to die. The name Matthew Shepard has become synonymous with gay rights and in particular with the national hate crime legislation that bears his name, passed into law 11 years after his murder. Unfortunately Matthew's story is not unique, but for some reason it capture the nation, and he became a symbol for a larger movement toward equality and justice. Much has changed for the better in the last 20 years, including the hate crime legislation and the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act. But hate crimes still happen, against members of the LGBTQ community, against Jews, against people of color, against immigrants. As demonstrated by this sad fact, along with the current White House resident's threat against the very existence of our transgender citizens, the good work being done in Matthew's name is far from over. This Tuesday offers a great opportunity to continue that work by voting for equality, for compassion, for humanity, for the environment, for justice. Thanks to Uprising Theatre Company for sharing the spirit of Matthew Shepard by presenting The Laramie Cycle at this moment in time.