Brett Burger - Page 2

What is described to some as crude humor to others is the best kind of humor. I was delighted to see that the touring production of Monty Python's Spamalot was touring and would be making a stop in St. Paul at the Ordway. Adapted from the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this production moved to Broadway in 2005 and stars a lot of well-known names. The Broadway production was even nominated for 14 Tony awards and won three including Best Musical. The Broadway run even starred some now very big names including Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Christian Borle and Sara Ramirez (Greys Anatomy).

While I love all forms of theater, it's apparent that typically I gravitate towards musicals more than plays. However there is one theatre in town that still somehow manages to pull me in with every play they produce and that is the Jungle Theater. Whether it's thrilling, drama or a comedy I always leave there thankful that I attended. That feeling was reassured, once again, as I walked down Lyndale in Uptown this past weekend after seeing the media preview for School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh.

In just over a week, Lyric Arts will open their newest production, Evita, on March 22. This show has been the show I have been most excited for since it was announced last year. Full disclosure, I used to work at Lyric Arts and immediately called Laura, their Artistic and Executive Director, to both congratulate her and beg her to let me play Eva. Of course, we laughed about it and I still let her know, almost monthly, that I'm ready to jump into the role if anything happens.

'This is a season that is full of heart. My biggest goal in programming this season was selecting shows with interesting stories and memorable characters that will entertain and engage our audiences while also inspiring authentic emotion-whether it be joy or sadness or simple delight' said Artistic & Executive Director Laura Tahja Johnson who recently celebrated her 15th year with Lyric Arts.

It could not be a better time for the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres to be opening their run of ABBA's famous jukebox musical, Mamma Mia. Just as the sun is finally starting to peek out from this awful winter we've had, many of us got transported to a beautiful island in Greece with some incredible songs and a cast that sparkles just like a sequin disco jumpsuit. 

It was a week full of candy and sweets for me personally. First my work life was full of a sugar high with the grand opening of Candytopia at Mall of America - shameless plug but it's incredible so you should go check it out - and then it was the opening night of a new musical. The adaptation of Roald Dahl's story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has arrived in Minneapolis and will be here for nearly two weeks.

When I hear the word "magic" I automatically think of two things. There is the magic of theatre and of course one of my favorite stories from when I was a little kid and that is the magical world of Harry Potter. Audiences in the Twin Cities can now be treated to two of my favorite magical things...at the same time! The show Potted Potter - An Unauthorized Harry Experience is now playing at the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.

Being the theatre fan that I am, was beyond ecstatic when I read that the Eden Espinosa would be in the production. If I had a dollar for every time I watched the various performances of her belting in shows like Evita and Wicked then I could pay off my student loans. Imagine how thrilled I was when I had the opportunity to interview her as well on her experience in this show, what she hopes audiences take away and also some fun rapid fire questions.

Last year there were soft growls across the Twin Cities theatre scene. The rumors and whispering of a phenomenal show that had just opened at the Jungle Theater were sweeping across social media and various critics sites. The show dealt with gender roles, breaking the norm and also standing out in a crowd. It was led by nine incredible young women and was critically acclaimed. It was announced last year that this show would have a remount with the same cast and team and that show is The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe and produced by the Jungle Theater.

It is bound to happen every once in awhile that various theatres in the Twin Cities all decide to produce the same musical within the same season. The positive thing is that the other two productions of She Loves Me (one at Daleko and one at Lyric Arts) were absolutely fabulous and the most recent production by Artistry was too. I don't mind seeing this for a third time within the same year because it's so ridiculously charming.

Last year I posted an article on my website about the top 10 shows I was the most excited for that would be in the Twin Cities across the 2018-2019 season. Some of them premiered in 2018 like Mamma Mia at the Ordway and, of course, the traveling production of Hamilton. However, as I look back at the least, a large majority of them are in 2019 and I'm still just as excited to see these productions as I was last year when I posted about them. Below are 9 shows that I can't wait to see in 2019!

As 2018 wrapped up, I was able to sneak in one final show. That show was my 55th show that I saw this year and it was at the lovely Old Log Theatre. This show is one that I've heard of many many times but had never gotten the chance to read or even see produced. I was beyond thrilled to finally see the farcical comedy Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig.