By JACOB FROELICH Nothing stops a show quite like magic. That is, besides spectacle beyond compare and a dazzling tap dance number. You can find all of the aforementioned delights in Disney’s Aladdin, playing now through October 8 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Relive the classic rags to riches tale in all its…
by CHRISTINE SARKES Romeo and Juliet at the Guthrie Theater through October 28 is fresh, sexy and brilliantly directed by Guthrie’s artistic director Joseph Haj. I especially loved the humor and vibrancy of the staging and the modern cadence of Shakespeare’s words. The play sizzles with energy and will absolutely appeal to younger middle and…
By ERIKA SASSEVILLE Lin-Manuel Miranda, son of Puerto Rican immigrants Luz Towns and Luis A. Miranda, Jr. first made a splash when In The Heights (book by Quiara Alegría Hudes) debuted on Broadway in 2008, combining his childhood loves of musical theatre, hip-hop and salsa. Since then, he has won a Pulitzer Prize, three Tony Awards,…
by LISSI CORBETT The Guthrie Theater’s production of Native Gardens, a topical and often hilarious new play written by Karen Zacarías and directed by Blake Robison, is “not about flowers,” as one of its characters asserts, “it’s about principles.” In a mere 90 minutes, Native Gardens confronts some of the most salient and complex sociopolitical…
by JACOB FROELICH The lesser-known story behind the founder of one of the most influential record labels in history makes for quite the Broadway musical. Motown the Musical is captivating and enthralling from the opening number through the tribute mini-concert finale. The show is a sing-along for many and the music appeals to a broad…
Anyone who has ever seen the 2001 Dreamworks animated movie Shrek will find themselves right at home at the Stages Theatre Company production of Shrek the Musical.
by CHRISTINE SARKES What does it mean to be a misunderstood, visionary artist and how does suffering for your art impact those you love? These are the themes of Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, et al.) and James Lapine’s…
In this musical based off of the hit movie, young couple, Sam and Molly, have just moved into an apartment in Brooklyn with help from their friend – and Sam’s business partner – Carl. Everything seems to be going well, if only Sam would say three little words. Everything changes when Sam is shot and killed. He becomes a ghost, unable to communicate with Molly except through a formerly fraudulent psychic, Oda Mae Brown. Together they work to solve Sam’s murder and bring the two lovers peace after death.
by CHRISTINE SARKES Aethem Theatre Company’s world premiere adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, June 15-18, is a superbly acted delight. The company’s founding member Kayla Hambek has accomplished a nearly herculean task in adapting the book to stage given that much of Austen’s exposition is the protagonist’s inner monologue. Hambek cleverly uses Anne Elliot’s (Audrey…
by CHRISTINE SARKES Refugia at the Guthrie Theater explores transition–as life stages, border crossings, displacement of people as refugees and immigrants–using an avant-garde and innovative mix of movement, music, poetry and comedy. Through interconnected chapters, the piece is formed from “devised theater,” differing from traditional theater in that the rehearsal process does not begin with…
When offered the chance to see Collide Theatrical‘s latest production, Le Petit Moulin, I didn’t even check my calendar before saying yes (side note: always check your calendar first; I had to reschedule a family dinner. Worth it.). I love all things French and particularly early 20th century history, but more to the point, Collide has always impressed me…
by CHRISTINE SARKES Wicked is so good on so many levels, there really is no need to write a review – just go see it, if you can. The lyrics and music are achingly beautiful, the underlying messages touchingly resonant and topical, and the costumes and sets are simply fabulous. I love this show with…
