"'Til Death" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

Bucket Brigade's original "marriage musical" 'Til Death returns for its 13th season! This was my 5th time seeing the show (counting a virtual version during the pandemic), and I was happy to spend a little time with old friends. Written by Bucket Brigade's married co-founders Vanessa and Jeremiah Gamble, and starring them and another married couple of #TCTheater artists (Anna and Damian Leverett whom I saw, alternating with Stephanie and Nathan Cousins) it's silly and sweet, over-the-top yet grounded in the reality of relationships. And while it would be (and has been) a perfect 90-minute-no-intermission show if not for the intermission, when they give me a cupcake and host a mini-concert* during said intermission, I'll allow it. 'Til Death plays Fridays and Saturdays through February 15 (plus one Monday night pay-as-you're-able performance featuring the full cast) at the charming and cozy Art House North in St. Paul's West 7th neighborhood, with two great restaurants within walking distance - Mucci's Italian and A-Side Public House (tip: make reservations).

"'Til Death" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

For over ten years, Bucket Brigade has been presenting their original "marriage musical" 'Til Death around this time of the year (including a virtual version during the pandemic). It's an endearing little show about love, life, and relationships, both the challenges and the rewards. With the added feature that the two married couples in the show are played by two real-life married couples, adding a level of realism. Creators Vanessa and Jeremiah Gamble play the long-married couple, and two couples take turns playing the young newlyweds - Anna and Damian Leverett, and Stephanie and Nathan Cousins (I saw the Leveretts, with Anna's pregnancy adding a fun twist). They've brought in a new director this year, Craig Johnson, for a fresh eye, but the show remains largely unchanged, except for one improvement - they've removed the intermission, which makes it a perfect 90-minute show. Get there early to find street parking on the icy St. Paul streets, to eat a delicious cupcake from local bakery Bake Bread (included in the price of admission), and to enjoy a pre-show concert of love songs.

"‘Til Death: A Marriage Musical: The Livestream!" by Bucket Brigade Theater

Bucket Brigade Theater premiered their new original musical 'Til Death, written by and starring co-founders Jeremiah and Vanessa Gamble, in 2012. They've presented it at Art House North in St. Paul's West 7th neighborhood since 2015 for Valentine's Day. This year, they've turned it into a concert version, streamed live from Art House North into your house! I've seen the musical twice in the past before watching the premiere of the livestream last night, and I'm truly impressed at how the charm, silliness, and heart of the piece has translated into the virtual space. And it's about as close to live theater as we can get these day. Only four more performances remain - one tonight and three next weekend (click here for more details).

"'Til Death" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

In 2012, Bucket Brigade premiered their new original musical 'Til Death. The funny yet poignant examination of marriage has become an annual event, with creators Vanessa and Jeremiah Gamble playing a separated couple on their 15th anniversary, and a #TCTheater married couple playing the honeymooners they encounter at a secluded cabin in the mountains. This is my second time seeing the show in the charming renovated church known as Art House North in St. Paul's 7th Street neighborhood. It's very funny (a little more over the top than I remember), and relatable even if you're not among the good and crazy married people. And even though it would play nicely as an intermissionless 90-minute musical, the delicious cupcakes and coffee served at intermission (included in the price of admission) in the cute church basement lobby, accompanied by live music, makes for a festive evening.

"'Til Death" by Bucket Brigade at Art House North

On the heels of seeing a new original locally created musical about dating, I went to see a new original locally created musical about marriage. It must be (almost) February. But even though 'Til Death is written by a married couple, stars two married couples, and is directed/music directed by a married couple, you don't have to be married to enjoy it. It's a charming, silly, funny, and at times poignant musical comedy about life and relationships.

Vanessa and Jeremiah Gamble are co-Artistic Directors of Bucket Brigade, and co-wrote 'Til Death as a way to "take an inward look at our own struggles of trying to practice forgiveness and live out a committed relationship."