"Gorgons" at Yellow Tree Theatre

Gorgons is a late addition to Yellow Tree Theatre's season, replacing the regional premiere of the Pearl Cleage play Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous which has been rescheduled to next season, but it's an inspired choice of play, with the perfect cast for this dark comedy two-hander. Playwright Don Nigro based the play on the infamous rivalry between actors Joan Crawford and Bette Davis and their movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, imagining what their relationship might have been like, and filling it with juicy drama and biting dark humor. Yellow Tree's Artistic Director Austene Van directs the piece and has cast a couple of powerhouse actors - Christina Baldwin and Jamie White Jachimiec - who appear to be having the most fun going toe-to-toe with this juicy script. The play also provides commentary on Hollywood's, and society's, expectations of women, particularly in relation to each other, particularly as we age. Joan and Bette, or Ruth and Mildred as they're known here, may not have worked together well, but clearly the women behind this play do. Gorgons continues at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo through June 21 only.

"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.

"Nobody, No Time" by Illusion Theater at Center for the Performing Arts

In History Theatre's new original musical Whoa, Nellie! this spring, I was introduced to the Black Vaudevillian Bert Williams, one of the most popular and successful performers of his time. And now he deservedly gets a show of his own, the new play with music Nobody, No Time (named after his most well-known song) written and directed by Illusion Theater's playwright-in-residence Carlyle Brown. It's a multi-layered story of a Black man from the Bahamas achieving huge success in early 20th Century America, while dealing with racism off-stage and leaning into racial stereotypes on-stage performing to White audiences. Set at the end of his life with flashback performances, the play gives us a full picture of the man and the artist. The talented cast brings Bert and his contemporaries to life, and perform over a dozen songs of the era. Head to Center for Performing Arts now through October 25 to experience this important part of entertainment history, of American history.

"Scarecrow on Fire" by Illusion Theater at Center for Performing Arts

Illusion Theater is closing out their 50th anniversary season with the most delightful show, Minnesota treasure Kevin Kling's Scarecrow on Fire. It's a sequel of sorts to The Wizard of Oz, presented as a radio play and featuring live music and archival footage from the 1925 silent film version of The Wizard of Oz (I know, I didn't know that existed either!). Kevin originally wrote this piece for Minnesota Public Ratio, recorded in front of a live audience and broadcast on the airwaves. They've maintained the radio play style for this production, and reunited the original team - actors Simone Perrin, Stephen Yoakam, and Dan Chouinard (who also plays piano and accordion), and musicians Michelle Kinney (cello) and the House of Mercy Band. The mix of all of these artists, with the source material that is so beloved to so many of us, creates something so unique and special. It's funny and silly and charming, but also really heart-warming and even a little profound. It may just bring tears to your eyes as it highlights the beauty and frailty of life. The bad news is it's a short run, with only six performances remaining, two of which are sold out. So act fast to catch this special event!

"A Walless Church" at Pillsbury House + Theatre

Certain religious traditions say that humans were created in god's image, but I've also heard it said that humans created god in their image. Which is often not a good thing. But this is a good thing: in Pillsbury House + Theatre's production of the world premiere new play A Walless Church (walless = wall-less = without walls), three Black women, "godlings," show us how to create god in just about 70 minutes (and they're not happy about the time constraint). You need a big emotion, a common intention, and a conduit (although this one isn't absolutely necessary). But they need our help. Join in this loving, playful, heart-warming ritual of a play happening four to five times a week through October 13 at Pillsbury House in South Minneapolis.

"The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington" at Mixed Blood Theatre

It's been almost two years since Mixed Blood Theatre produced a mainstage play; The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington is the first play since the departure of founding Artistic Director Jack Reuler, the first under new Artistic Director Mark Valdez. To which I say: welcome back Mixed Blood! This kind of risk-taking envelope-pushing social commentary, with a focus on accessibility and diversity of voices and stories, is much needed in our community. While their last play, an original called imagine a u.s. without racism, was an inspirational fairy tale that encouraged audiences to do just that, The Trial (as I'll refer to it) is a brutal look at the racism upon which this country was built. Specifically through "the mother of America," Martha Washington. Written by James Ijames, recent Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony nominee for his play Fat Ham, The Trial is an ingenious mix of storytelling styles, using fantasy, music, and pop culture in this wild exploration of history and present. The cast and creative team do an incredible job of navigating this tricky script and challenging themes, for a wholly successful, entertaining, and thought-provoking work. See it in the old brick firehouse that is Mixed Blood Theatre in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis now through the end of the month.