My Ántonia at Ritz Theater

Theater Latté Da presents the world premiere musical My Ántonia at the historic Ritz Theater in Minneapolis, based on Willa Cather's classic novel. Conceived by Jessie Austrian, Noah Brody, Kate Kilbane, and Dan Moses, the production features music and lyrics by The Kilbanes and a book by Noah Brody. The story traces the immigrant experience on the Great Plains at the turn of the 20th century through the lifelong friendship between orphan boy Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda, daughter of a Bohemian immigrant family. Rooted in memory and the land, the production celebrates the contributions of immigrants to America's identity as the country marks its 250th anniversary.

Performances begin on June 3, 2026 and will continue through July 12, 2026 at the historic Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis. Opening night is Saturday, June 6, 2026.

“For a company rooted in the Midwest, My Ántonia feels almost inevitable,” said Latté Da’s Artistic Director, Justin Lucero. “Willa Cather’s great American novel carries the sweep of the prairie, the intimacy of memory, and a profound reverence for the immigrant imagination that helped shape this country. To re-encounter that through musical theater is thrilling. At a moment when the contributions of immigrants to America deserves renewed recognition, this work feels not only beautiful, but urgently resonant.”

In this Latté Da-commissioned world premiere, Willa Cather’s beloved novel is envisioned as a celebration of resilience and the enduring strength of women. Featuring a sweeping indie folk score by The Kilbanes and an imaginative libretto by Noah Brody, this poignant adaptation traces the immigrant experience on the Great Plains at the turn of the 20th century through the eyes of the lifelong friendship between orphan boy Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda, daughter of a Bohemian immigrant family. My Ántonia offers a timely celebration of the contributions of immigrants to the nation’s identity and spirit as America marks its 250th anniversary. Rooted in the land and shaped by memory, this powerful work invites us to consider how we remember our past, and whose stories we choose to tell.

Furthering a tradition of developing bold new work, this highly anticipated world premiere concludes the 2025-26 season. “Bringing My Ántonia to its world premiere feels like a profound expression of who we are and what we’ve been building toward,” states Lucero. “This musical stands as part of the successful culmination of our NEXT 25 x 25 initiative—a commissioned work nurtured through years of drafts, workshops, and developmental steps, now arriving fully realized on our stage. There is something deeply meaningful about seeing a project we have believed in over time take its place in the world, especially in the hands of creators whose voices are among the most adventurous and compelling in music-theater today.”