Jared Fessler - Page 6

What did our critic think of MARY POPPINS at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse? There’s magic in the air at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, where Mary Poppins has flown in for a charming and joy-filled run through September 6. This production, based on the beloved Disney film and the original books by P.L. Travers, delivers exactly what fans are hoping for—timeless songs, heart, humor, and a touch of stage magic.

There’s no way Hamluke should work. It’s Hamlet smashed into Star Wars, with puppets, live music, a dozen people playing thirty different roles, and a script that switches between iambic pentameter and lightsaber duels without warning. And yet—it does. Somehow, it does.

Today, we're sitting down with Steven Nicholas, the mind behind the show Mind Reader, currently playing at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. See more details here!

Steven Nicholas’ Mind Reader at the 2025 Minnesota Fringe is not just another magic show—it’s a full-on experience. From the moment the lights dim, Nicholas has you hooked.

Written and directed by Rajan Khatiwada, this magical production brings to life the story of Hetchhakuppa, a young boy who embarks on a journey through nature, learning from the wisdom of animals and other natural beings as he searches for his sisters.

Michael Rogers’ That Which Is Green is one of those shows that sticks with you. At its heart, it’s about two old friends reuniting on a hike to a special tree in the woods, only to find that it’s dying.

All Your Shimmering Gold is a striking and unexpected fusion of Richard Wagner's Das Rheingold and the modern-day corporate world, presented by four employees of defense contractor Northrop Grumman. The show brings a fresh, almost absurdist lens to Wagner’s opera, examining themes of power, greed, and ambition in the context of the high-stakes corporate environment these performers inhabit every day.

There’s something surreal about sitting in a packed Orpheum Theatre, surrounded by kids in Belle dresses and adults mouthing lyrics under their breath, watching a story you’ve known since forever unfold with so much earnestness it almost disarms you. This new touring production of Beauty and the Beast doesn’t try to rebrand the fairy tale or shake up the formula — and honestly, that might be its smartest move.

​​​​​​​Treasure Island will be playing at the Children's Theatre Company from September 9 to October 19, 2025. We spoke with Artistic Director Rick Dildine about the production and his connection to Minnesota.

There’s something Fringe audiences love more than a weird concept, and that’s a weird concept that commits. The Lasso Way: A Musical is exactly that kind of show. It’s chaotic, sincere, self-aware, and surprisingly emotional—a parody musical that doesn’t just coast on Ted Lasso references, but uses them as fuel for something stranger and more interesting.

Let’s get this out of the way: if you’re looking for a faithful adaptation of Wuthering Heights, keep walking. But if you’re into gothic chaos, bad romance, and a little light spiritual decay, Withering Lows might be your Fringe show of the year.

What did our critic think of THE PROFESSIONALS: A BROADCAST at The Southern Theatre?

What did our critic think of GUNS! THE MUSICAL at Theatre In The Round?

What did our critic think of JOAN OF ARC FOR MISS TEEN QUEEN USA at Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre?

It’s not every day that a Disney classic gets a fresh new life on stage, but that’s exactly what’s happening with the latest North American tour of Beauty and the Beast. For the first time in over 25 years, audiences are being treated to a reimagined production of this beloved tale — complete with stunning new sets, dazzling costumes, and all the magic you remember.

Greg Milliren is a Twin Cities–based flutist and musician. He performs with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Lake Area Music Festival, and he also offers private lessons.

Macy Gray Brings Soul, Sass, and Surprises to the Fillmore Minneapolis. By the time Macy Gray walked onto the Fillmore stage Sunday night—draped in a sparkling shawl and grinning like she owned the room—the crowd was already buzzing. It wasn’t just anticipation. It was admiration. After 25 years, she’s still got that weird, wild magic that first made us lean in when On How Life Is dropped back in ‘99.

Scott Lykins, co-founder and Executive Director of the Lakes Area Music Festival. Since its start in 2009, the Festival has grown from a small, homegrown idea into a nationally respected organization that brings top classical musicians from around the country to perform in the heart of central Minnesota.

Adam is a Minneapolis-based singer and songwriter with deep musical roots stretching across the country. Whether he's performing in New York City, Nashville, New Orleans, or on the road, he brings a blend of soul, jazz, funk, and R&B to every stage. His sound is shaped by legends like Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo, Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye.

Ashland Productions' rendition of Into the Woods is a captivating exploration of the complexity of wishes, consequences, and the intertwining fates of beloved fairy-tale characters.