Minneapolis Newsroom BWW Review: The Moving Company is Back with an Original, Profound, Silly, Thoughtful, Delightful, Sweet, and Surprising New Work THE 4 SEASONS
by Jill Schafer on November 17, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul The Moving Company (which grew out of the ashes of the Tony-winning Theatre de la Jeune Lune) is back this fall with a very Moving Company kind of show. Which is to say original, profound, silly, thoughtful, delightful, sweet, surprising, and a little odd. Conceived by co-Artistic Directors Steven Epp, Nathan Keepers, and Dominique Serrand, THE 4 SEASONS was inspired by the idea of the four seasons, including Vivaldi's famous composition FOUR SEASONS and Piazzolla's less famous composition FOUR SEASONS. They also drew inspiration from Chekhov, and this quote from the Russian playwright about his work could also describe MoCo's work, and this piece in particular: 'What happens onstage should be just as complicated and just as simple as things are in real life. People are sitting at a table having dinner, that's all, but at the same time their happiness is being created, or their lives are being torn apart.' (more...)  Photo Flash: First Look at Collide Theatrical's THE GREAT GATSBY
by BWW News Desk on November 17, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul The cast for COLLIDE'S upcoming world premiere dance musical, The Great Gatsby, has been announced. Created by Regina Peluso and Josh Campbell (the creative team that produced COLLIDE's hit production of 'Dracula'), The Great Gatsby features Patrick Jeffrey as Jay Gatsby, Caleb Michael as Nick Carraway, Katie Gearty as Jordan Baker, Chelsea Rose as Myrtle Wilson, Jarod Boltjes as Tom Buchanan, Erik Hunder as George Wilson, and Grace Janiszewski as Daisy Buchanan. (more...)  VIDEO: Inside Rehearsal For Collide Theatrical's THE GREAT GATSBY
by Stage Tube on November 17, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul The cast for COLLIDE'S upcoming world premiere dance musical, The Great Gatsby, has been announced. Created by Regina Peluso and Josh Campbell (the creative team that produced COLLIDE's hit production of 'Dracula'), The Great Gatsby features Patrick Jeffrey as Jay Gatsby, Caleb Michael as Nick Carraway, Katie Gearty as Jordan Baker, Chelsea Rose as Myrtle Wilson, Jarod Boltjes as Tom Buchanan, Erik Hunder as George Wilson, and Grace Janiszewski as Daisy Buchanan. (more...)  VIDEO: Check Out Clips From Collide Theatrical's THE GREAT GATSBY
by Stage Tube on November 17, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul The cast for COLLIDE'S upcoming world premiere dance musical, The Great Gatsby, has been announced. Created by Regina Peluso and Josh Campbell (the creative team that produced COLLIDE's hit production of 'Dracula'), The Great Gatsby features Patrick Jeffrey as Jay Gatsby, Caleb Michael as Nick Carraway, Katie Gearty as Jordan Baker, Chelsea Rose as Myrtle Wilson, Jarod Boltjes as Tom Buchanan, Erik Hunder as George Wilson, and Grace Janiszewski as Daisy Buchanan. (more...)  VIDEO: First Look At Stages Theatre's Disney And Cameron Mackintosh's MARY POPPINS JR.
by BWW News Desk on November 16, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Mary Poppins is set to fly over the rooftops of London and onto the stage at Stages Theatre Company this holiday season! Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins JR., based on the classic P.L. Travers stories and the Walt Disney film, is playing at Stages Theatre from November 16 through December 27, 2018. (more...)  BWW Review: Collide Theatrical Dance Company's Latest Original Broadway-Style Jazz Dance Musical tells the Tragically Beautiful Story of THE GREAT GATSBY
by Jill Schafer on November 16, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul In the past five seasons, Collide Theatrical Dance Company has brought us original stories from various historical eras, as well as adaptations of classics like ROMEO AND JULIET. Their new show is an adaptation of the most well-known novel by Minnesota's own F. Scott Fitzgerald, THE GREAT GATSBY. What makes Collide unique is that they tell their stories entirely through movement and music, with few or no words. Their 'original Broadway-style jazz dance musicals' are a collision of music, dance, and theater. In other words, an excuse for this busy theater blogger to watch pretty people dance prettily, while telling a theatrical story. Combining perfectly chosen pop songs performed by a live band and singers with thrilling dances performed by the talented company of dancers, they're able to convey all of the emotion of the story (with plot summary printed in the program if you care about the plot). THE GREAT GATSBY is a great example of this as they tell the story of these beautifully tragic and tragically beautiful people. (more...)  THE CHANUKAH GUEST Returns to MJTC to Delight Audiences Again this Holiday Season
by BWW News Desk on November 15, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) continues its 24th season with The Chanukah Guest by Jenna Zark, based off the book by Eric A. Kimmel- a play commissioned by MJTC. (more...)  BWW Review: Marvelous Memories Arrive with CTC's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
by Peggy Sue Dunigan on November 14, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Where will a holiday memory be made this season? Somewhere near Whoville staged at Children's Theatre Company (CTC)? The illustrious CTC opened their musical extravaganza' 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' penned by the iconic Dr. Seuss beginning in 1994, and reprises the production from last season. While Theo Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, created the story in 1957, CTC envisioned a production to touch any young heart despite the actual chronological age. The production's book and lyrics by Timothy Mason together with music by Mel Marvin continue to delight audiences these past 20 years since the musical's inception--and all the memories the production has created in that span of time through the years. (more...)  Children's Theatre Company Presents THE HOBBIT
by BWW News Desk on November 14, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Children's Theatre Company (CTC) presents its production of The Hobbit, based on the beloved novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, running from March 12 through April 14, 2019, adapted for the stage and directed by Greg Banks, with music by Thomas Johnson. The cast for this new, nimble ensemble play includes Stephanie Bertumen (Balin, Troll, Bard, Ensemble), Joy Dolo (Gandalf, Bombur, Troll, Gollum, Elven King, Ensemble), H. Adam Harris (Kili, Troll, Smaug, Ensemble), Acting Company member Dean Holt (Bilbo Baggins), and Acting Company Member Reed Sigmund (Dwalin, Thorin, Spider, Ensemble) with Victor Zupanc as the musician. Single tickets and subscription packages are now on sale. Learn about their favorite fantasy stories and adventures here. (more...)  BWW Reviews: Minnesota Opera's Pulitzer Prize SILENT NIGHT Profoundly Speaks to Peace on Earth
by Peggy Sue Dunigan on November 13, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul On opening night for the Minnesota Opera (MNOP), the audience in attendance became curiously quieter and quieter, silent, when the curtain rose at the Ordway Center on the company's contemporary award winning opera 'Silent Night.' Commissioned by MNOP in 2011, the music by Kevin Putts combined with a libretto by Mark Campbell transported the opera house to Christmas, 1914, the beginning of World War I, Based on Christian Carlson's screenplay for the film 'Joyeux Noel,' the opera travels to a small, bloodied war zone in a tiny Belgium village along the French boarder, which centers the attention while profoundly affecting those in the audience. (more...)  BWW Review: The National Tour of the Foul Mouthed and Big Hearted THE BOOK OF MORMON Returns to Minneapolis for its 4th Engagement
by Jill Schafer on November 13, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul If theater is my religion, THE BOOK OF MORMON is my most sacred text. Not the actual book of course, rather the wildly irreverent musical written by the creators of SOUTH PARK (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) along with EGOT winner Robert Lopez. It is a nearly perfect musical, and definitely one of most joyous musicals I've ever seen. One of the brilliant things about THE BOOK OF MORMON is that it allows us to laugh at institutionalized religion (and let's face it, there are plenty of ridiculous things to laugh at) while still espousing the value of faith in oneself and one's friends and community, and 'working together to make this our paradise planet!' It truly is a feel-good musical that has the hugest heart, despite its unbelievably foul mouth. Back when it premiered in 2011, THE BOOK OF MORMON was what HAMILTON is today - a smash hit musical that swept the Tonys and was an impossible ticket to get. Fortunately seven years later tickets are a little easier to come by; tickets are still available (including rush and lottery, click here for details). If you're a fan of musical theater (who isn't offended by profanity and poking fun at religion), THE BOOK OF MORMON is definitely a must-see. And since it's still running on Broadway and touring the country, it likely won't be available for regional productions for many years, so this tour may be your only chance to see it for a while. Don't miss it! (more...)  Cast Announced For Collide Theatrical's World Premiere Dance Musical THE GREAT GATSBY
by BWW News Desk on November 10, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul The cast for COLLIDE'S upcoming world premiere dance musical, The Great Gatsby, has been announced. Created by Regina Peluso and Josh Campbell (the creative team that produced COLLIDE's hit production of 'Dracula' ), The Great Gatsby features Patrick Jeffrey as Gatsby, Caleb Michael as Nick, Katie Gearty as Jordan, Chelsea Rose as Myrtle and Grace Janiszewski as Daisy. (more...)  Voting Now Open For The 2018 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Awards!
by BWW News Desk on November 09, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Voting is now open for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites. (more...)  Photo Flash: First Look at Children's Theatre Company's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
by BWW News Desk on November 09, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Children's Theatre Company (CTC) presents Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, running November 6, 2018 through January 6, 2019, based on the book How The Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, music by Mel Marvin, choreographed by Linda Talcott Lee, and directed by Peter C. Brosius. Single tickets are now on sale and subscription packages are also available on our website. (more...)  BWW Review: Support Cultural Improvisation at Interact's Sensational HOT FUNKY BUTT JAZZ
by Peggy Sue Dunigan on November 08, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul In a spectacular evening celebrating the performing arts and jazz, Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts premiered their annual musical "Hot Funky Butt Jazz" in the Guthrie Theater's Dowling Studio The no intermission production carries three wishes for cultural improvisation on the magic of the show's narrator, a voodoo mama, Marie LaVeau. In the process of performing, Interact fulfilled their mission to present the capabilities of artists with disabilities, mental and physical challenges, to participate in every art form, including theater. This mission impacts the 50 plus cast members included in "Hot Funky Butt Jazz," a tribute to the dance hall where jazz originated in the mercurial city of New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century. (more...) Cast Announced For Collide Theatrical's World Premiere Dance Musical THE GREAT GATSBY
by BWW News Desk on November 08, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul The cast for COLLIDE'S upcoming world premiere dance musical, The Great Gatsby, has been announced. Created by Regina Peluso and Josh Campbell (the creative team that produced COLLIDE's hit production of 'Dracula' ), The Great Gatsby features Patrick Jeffrey as Gatsby, Caleb Michael as Nick, Katie Gearty as Jordan, Chelsea Rose as Myrtle and Grace Janiszewski as Daisy. (more...)  BWW Review: Guthrie Theater Premieres Laughter and Mayhem in Rousing NOISES OFF
by Peggy Sue Dunigan on November 07, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul For the Guthrie Theater's final hurrah on the McGuire Proscenium Stage in 2019, the company presents a hilarious tribute to plates of sardines and humor in the farcical 'Noises Off.' English playwright' Michael Frayn's award winning 1982 play presents an alternative perspective to the theatrical process and everyone who participates in a production's success. Produced for the first time at the Guthrie, the farce features multiple doors, opening and closing, swinging axes, hurdling down steps and fanciful love triangles along with the iconic plate of sardines through this play within a play format. (more...)  BWW Review: Twenty Years After the Hate Crime Murder of Matthew Shepard, Uprising Theatre Company Tells His Story in THE LARAMIE CYCLE
by Jill Schafer on November 07, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Twenty years ago last month in a small college town in Wyoming, a young gay man was brutally beaten and tied to a fence post, left to die. The name Matthew Shepard has become synonymous with gay rights and in particular with the national hate crime legislation that bears his name, passed into law 11 years after his murder. Unfortunately Matthew's story is not unique, but for some reason it capture the nation, and he became a symbol for a larger movement toward equality and justice. Much has changed for the better in the last 20 years, including the hate crime legislation and the repeal of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' and the Defense of Marriage Act. But hate crimes still happen, against members of the LGBTQ community, against Jews, against people of color, against immigrants. As demonstrated by this sad fact, along with the current White House resident's threat against the very existence of our transgender citizens, the good work being done in Matthew's name is far from over. This Tuesday offers a great opportunity to continue that work by voting for equality, for compassion, for humanity, for the environment, for justice. Thanks to Uprising Theatre Company for sharing the spirit of Matthew Shepard by presenting THE LARAMIE CYCLE at this moment in time. (more...)  The SPCO's Liquid Music Series Presents Third Coast Percussion
by BWW News Desk on November 06, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Recent Grammy Award-winners Third Coast Percussion return to Liquid Music with new works by two incredible musical minds: the iconic American composer Philip Glass and the pop polymath Devonte Hynes, a.k.a. Blood Orange. Glass's new work, written for Third Coast Percussion and co-commissioned by Liquid Music, is his first ever for percussion ensemble. Hynes, who has also become a Glass collaborator in recent years, brings his "dense modern pop with roots in hip-hop, R&B and NYC culture" (The Guardian) to an entirely new sound world in his piece for Third Coast Percussion. (more...)  Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre With The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Comes to Northrop
by BWW News Desk on November 06, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul The music of Mozart and the movement of one of America's most exciting dance companies will come alive at Northrop when Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre pairs up with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra for Mozart in Motion on Thu, Nov 8. A mix of classical, contemporary, and comic ballets, the program promises to be a "can't miss" feast for the senses. (more...)  New Native Theatre Produces Navajo Play Of Hope And Resilience
by BWW News Desk on November 07, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul New Native Theatre kicks-off its tenth anniversary season with the world premier of Red Running into Water. Written by Navajo playwright, Blossom Johnson and directed by Navajo director, Rhiana Yazzie, the Artistic Director and founder of New Native Theatre. Red Running into Water is the English translation of the Navajo clan, Tachii'nii. (more...)  Jungle Theater Joins With Fallon To Create A New Relevancy
by BWW News Desk on November 06, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Fallon and Jungle Theater have joined together to give the theater a fresh new facelift. Throughout the next year, the theater will update its presence in the digital and physical world, representing the growth that has been happening on the stage (more...)  Twelve Ways To Celebrate The Holidays At Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
by BWW News Desk on November 05, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) is decked for the holidays and offers twelve ways to celebrate the season in 2018. On the Main Stage is IRVING BERLIN'S HOLIDAY INN. This Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' 50th anniversary hit is a new staging that was reimagined for the Broadway stage in 2016 and is based on the classic 1942 film of the same title starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It celebrates seven holidays from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July and is the quintessential season showstopper. With over 20 Irving Berlin classic tunes and 13 celebratory production numbers, guests will be delighted with this entertainment spectacular for all ages. (more...)  ROCK OF AGES On Sale At Hennepin Theatre Trust This Friday
by BWW News Desk on November 05, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul Fifth Estate Entertainment is proud to announce the mind-blowing, face melting, nothin' but a good time, audience favorite ROCK OF AGES will return to the stage with a tenth anniversary tour beginning this fall. Nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Musical, the all new production will play the historic Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave.) when Hennepin Theatre Trust presents ROCK OF AGES Friday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 as part of the Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin series in Minneapolis. (more...) New Native Theatre Produces Navajo Play Of Hope And Resilience
by BWW News Desk on November 05, 2018 in Minneapolis / St. Paul New Native Theatre kicks-off its tenth anniversary season with the world premier of Red Running into Water. Written by Navajo playwright, Blossom Johnson and directed by Navajo director, Rhiana Yazzie, the Artistic Director and founder of New Native Theatre. Red Running into Water is the English translation of the Navajo clan, Tachii'nii. (more...) |
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