By: JACOB FROELICH It seems to me there has been a theme on Broadway as of late. Showstopper blockbusters in lieu of substance. One jukebox musical after another jukebox musical reliving the life and times of chart-topping celebrities. There have been a number of musical remakes after popular movies including Step Up, Legally Blonde, Mean…
by CHRISTINE SARKES The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley at the Jungle Theater through December answers the age-old Jane Austen fandom questions; “Does Wickham ever get his just deserts?” and “Who is the real Lord of Pemberley?” I won’t spoil the former, but the latter is a resounding Mrs. Reynolds the housekeeper! In this clever, delightful and…
by CHRISTINE SARKES The Book of Mormon at the Orpheum Theatre is a seriously funny satire that pokes fun of organized religion, groupthink and know-it-all white boys. The musical is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score and Best Direction from the creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and…
Farce / Play / Uncategorized
A frenzied, colorful, “play within a play.”
By Sarah Petrea Schultz At first glance, the Carol King jukebox musical is an upbeat romp through iconic tunes. The show certainly delivers on this front- as well as diving into deeper and more nuanced subject matter. The warm colors of the set draw audience members into a different era, where they meet young Carol.…
by CHRISTINE SARKES Understood, presented by Trademark Theater, is a superbly acted exploration of young marriage, political tribalism and what it means to truly comprehend a different point of view. This two-person play written by Tyler Mills and directed by Tyler Michaels aims to tap into the deep political divisions among friends and family under…
BY SARAH SCHULTZ I would like to give Bucket Brigade Theater and the cast of Life Goes On one note: stock the seats with tissue boxes. My sister and I didn’t even make it to the second song before tears were streaming, but don’t let that deter you! This new musical did evoke deep sorrow,…
by Christine Sarkes Little Women at the Jungle Theater is a delightfully reverent new adaptation of the beloved Louisa May Alcott classic novel and perfect for a family night out at the theater. The casting is pitch-perfect, particularly C. Michael Menge (Jo March) and Megan Burns (Amy March) who infuse their characters with energy and passion. A special…
In 2009 Lin-Manuel Miranda performed a new piece at a White House Poetry Jam for the newly elected President Barack Obama. He nervously told the audience that he had been working on a hip-hop concept album based on the life of a man whom he believed “embodied hip-hop.” That man was an immigrant, a Founding Father, a Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton (played on the tour by Joseph Morales). In the end, he created a musical that blended hip-hop, R&B, rap, blues, jazz, and the broadway sound and went on to win 11 Tony Awards. Now on its second national tour, Hamilton will be playing at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis through October 7th.
by MICHAEL J. OPPERMAN When I heard oohs and ahs from my nine year old daughter sitting next to me, I knew that Circus Juventas had mounted yet another wonderful production. The entire experience is compelling, and it starts before one even enters the Big Top. The grounds are beautifully manicured and foster a feeling…
By ERIKA SASSEVILLE and JACOB FROELICH In The Legend of Georgia McBride Playing now through August 26th at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Casey (Jayson Speters) is a failing Elvis impersonator in Panama City, Florida trying to support himself, his wife Jo (Chaz Hodges), and a baby on the way. Casey’s boss at Cleo’s Bar, Eddie…
Even when the curtain closes, the party never really stops. Now through August 5th, watch for singing and dancing theatergoers spilling into the streets!
