Kris L. Nelson

Friends, something exciting is going on at the Guthrie Theater. In the wake of (not unjustified) criticism about their lack of diversity onstage and backstage, they are currently presenting a 60-year-old play written by Alice Childress, one of the most important female African-American playwrights of the 20th Century, and directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, the first African-American woman to ever direct on a Guthrie mainstage. And I'm happy to report that TROUBLE IN MIND succeeds on so many levels. First of all, it's hilarious, engaging, and entertaining, and offers a behind the scenes look at the theater world we love so well. But more importantly, it talks about racism, sexism, classism, ageism in a smart and nuanced way that has as much resonance in today's world as it did in the 1950s NYC theater world depicted in the play. I was fortunate enough to attend on a night when there was a post-show discussion with the cast, which just made the experience that much richer. The best and most important work of theater is to start conversations about the world we live in, give voice to everyone's stories, and in doing so help us to better understand our fellow human beings. Trouble in Mind, and the conversations it will hopefully spark amongst its audience, is a fantastic example of that.

Dark & Stormy Productions today announces the producers, venue, and partners for its upcoming production of Extremities by William Mastrosimone. Previously, Dark & Stormy has presented Outside Providence by Edward Allan Baker, Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet, The Receptionist by Adam Bock, The Drunken City by Adam Bock, and The Hothouse by Harold Pinter. Extremities will be the first production of Dark & Stormy's 2015 season.

Dark & Stormy Productions today announces the producers, venue, and partners for its upcoming production of Extremities by William Mastrosimone. Previously, Dark & Stormy has presented Outside Providence by Edward Allan Baker, Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet, The Receptionist by Adam Bock, The Drunken City by Adam Bock, and The Hothouse by Harold Pinter. Extremities will be the first production of Dark & Stormy's 2015 season.

Charles Dickens' novella A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a staple of holiday traditions. It shouldn't be surprising, then, that this classic story can currently be seen on multiple stages in the Twin Cities. The biggest of these is the Guthrie Theater; this is the 40th year that the Guthrie has produced A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I think it's safe to say this is one of their most popular shows every year, with many families incorporating it into their annual traditions. Lyric Arts is also producing the show on their Main Street Stage in Anoka. I was lucky enough to see these two different interpretations of this classic story on back-to-back nights. And while I do have a clear favorite between the two, it's really unfair to compare them too closely. Both are entertaining and creative interpretations of Charles Dickens' heartwarming story about the rich-in-money poor-in-friends businessman who learns through the visitation of four ghosts that it's better to be kind than rich.

Dark & Stormy Productions presents the regional premiere of the Outer Critics Award-nominated play The Drunken City by Adam Bock. Previously, Dark & Stormy presented Outside Providence by Edward Allan Baker, Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet, and The Receptionist by Adam Bock.

Dark & Stormy Productions today announces the six actors and director for its upcoming regional premiere of the Outer Critics Award-nominated play The Drunken City by Adam Bock. Previously, Dark & Stormy presented Outside Providence by Edward Allan Baker, Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet, and The Receptionist by Adam Bock.

It's two minutes to curtain on a Wednesday's opening night performance of the Guthrie's annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and I'm running through a parking garage. Who gets invited to see A CHRISTMAS CAROL and says, no? Nobody, that's who.

Tuesday, October 22 marks the first day of rehearsal for the Guthrie Theater's 2013 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank. The perennial holiday favorite, now in its 39th year at the Guthrie, features a script by British playwright Crispin Whittell and is directed by Joe Chvala. Chvala is the founder and artistic director of the Flying Foot Forum and has previously served as both director and movement director for the production. Longtime Guthrie actor J.C. Cutler will reprise the role of grubby miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Cutler has been involved in 30 productions at the Guthrie since 1993, including five productions of A Christmas Carol - appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge (2011), Bob Cratchit (1995, 1997), Banker (1996) and Young Scrooge (1993, 1994) - and was last seen on a Guthrie stage in this past summer's original romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Tuesday, October 22 marks the first day of rehearsal for the Guthrie Theater's 2013 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank. The perennial holiday favorite, now in its 39th year at the Guthrie, features a script by British playwright Crispin Whittell and is directed by Joe Chvala. Chvala is the founder and artistic director of the Flying Foot Forum and has previously served as both director and movement director for the production. Longtime Guthrie actor J.C. Cutler will reprise the role of grubby miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Cutler has been involved in 30 productions at the Guthrie since 1993, including five productions of A Christmas Carol - appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge (2011), Bob Cratchit (1995, 1997), Banker (1996) and Young Scrooge (1993, 1994) - and was last seen on a Guthrie stage in this past summer's original romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice. Check out a first look below!

Friday night, July 12, saw the opening of the Guthrie Theater's romantic summer comedy Pride and Prejudice helmed by Guthrie director Joe Dowling. The production is the Simon Reade adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel and features Ashley Rose Montondo (Guthrie: Charley's Aunt, University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program) as Miss Elizabeth Bennet along with Vincent Kartheiser (Guthrie:A Christmas Carol, Henry V, Henry IV; Regional theater: Death of the Novel; Film: Untamed Heart, In Time; Television: 'Mad Men') as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Scroll down for photos from the curtain call and opening night party!

Friday night, July 12, saw the opening of the Guthrie Theater's romantic summer comedy Pride and Prejudice helmed by Guthrie director Joe Dowling. The production is the Simon Reade adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel and features Ashley Rose Montondo (Guthrie: Charley's Aunt, University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program) as Miss Elizabeth Bennet along with Vincent Kartheiser (Guthrie:A Christmas Carol, Henry V, Henry IV; Regional theater: Death of the Novel; Film: Untamed Heart, In Time; Television: "Mad Men") as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for its summertime romance Pride and Prejudice adapted for the stage by Simon Reade based on the novel by Jane Austen in the 200th anniversary of its publication. The production will be directed by Joe Dowling and will feature Erin Krakow (Guthrie: The Importance of Being Earnest; Off-Broadway: The Shanghai Gesture, Prometheus Bound; Television: "Army Wives") as Miss Elizabeth Bennet along with previously announced Vincent Kartheiser (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, Henry V, Henry IV; Regional theater: Death of the Novel; Film: Untamed Heart, In Time; Television: "Mad Men") as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Dark & Stormy Productions today announces its agreement with Actors' Equity Association to become an Equity theater, and announces the three actors and director for its upcoming production of Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet. Previously, Dark & Stormy presented the Equity Showcase, Outside Providence.

The Guthrie Theater today announced the full cast and creative team for the Theater's 2012 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank. The perennial holiday favorite, now in its 38th year at the Guthrie, will feature a script by British playwright Crispin Whittell and be directed by Joe Chvala. Chvala is the founder and artistic director of the Flying Foot Forum and has previously served as movement director for the production. Longtime Guthrie actor J.C. Cutler will take on the role of grubby miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Cutler has been involved in 30 productions at the Guthrie since 1993, including five productions of A Christmas Carol - appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge (2011), Bob Cratchit (1995, 1997), Banker (1996) and Young Scrooge (1993, 1994) - and was last seen on a Guthrie stage in this past spring's American premiere of Conor McPherson's The Birds.

The Guthrie Theater today announced the full casts, comprising 39 actors, for the three plays of the Christopher Hampton Celebration. The previously announced celebration of the multi-faceted writer's work will occupy all three of the Guthrie's stages in an immersive and illuminating theatrical experience, with diverse casts tackling dynamic roles torn from the pages of world history.

The Guthrie Theater last week opened its six-week run of Crispin Whittell's adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the 37th year the play has been presented at the Guthrie but only the second year under Artistic Director Joe Dowling's direction.

The full cast has been announced for the Guthrie's A CHRISTMAS CAROL.The full cast has been announced for the Guthrie's A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Scrooge will be played by J.C. Cutler; alphabetically, the rest of the cast will also include Sam Bardwell, Robert O. Berdahl, Virginia S. Burke, John Catron, Bob Davis, Zach Fineblum, Nathaniel Fuller, Stuart Gates, Emily Gunyou Halaas, Summer Hagen, Kathryn Lawrey, Tracey Maloney, Kris L. Nelson, Lee Mark Nelson, Isabell Monk O'Connor, Anna Reichert, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Angela Timberman and Suzanne Warmanen.

The Guthrie Theater will present Arsenic and Old Lace, Joseph Kesselring's classic comedy that kills with kindness. As previously announced, the incomparable Sally Wingert returns to the Guthrie stage for the first time since last season's Faith Healer, joining acclaimed comedienne and Broadway veteran Kristine Nielsen to play the pair of well-meaning sisters, Martha and Abby Brewster, respectively. The production, which marks the 70th anniversary of a play The New York Times called 'so funny that none of us will ever forget it,' will be directed by Joe Dowling and presented at the Guthrie for the first time since 1975

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for Arsenic and Old Lace, Joseph Kesselring's classic comedy that kills with kindness.