Eric Knutson

History Theatre will present the world premiere of Diesel Heart by Brian Grandison. Inspired by Melvin Carter Jr.'s 'graphic, honest, no-holds-barred' autobiography DIESEL HEART, the adaptation to the stage will have you crying and laughing with joy.

Anoka's Lyric Arts in the Main Stage Theater reprises a 200 year old tradition when the company stages Jane Austen's famous bestselling novel Sense & Sensibility--For the company's recent production, which opened on a February weekend, Director Natalie Novacek choose an adaptation by actor/playwright Kate Hamill, whom the Wall Street Journal awarded  Playwright of the Year in 2017. Known for her contemporary takes on classical novels, Hamill channels Austin's spirit by incorporating forty percent of her original text, and invokes sixty percent of Hamill's innovation to create the hybrid script. This method abridges the lengthy literary novel  and allows for immense interpretation where audiences will ultimately benefit and enjoy.

IDIOT'S DELIGHT is one of those deceptive plays that makes you think it's a light and fun romp through the past, until you begin to see the seriousness behind the beautiful clothes and pretty music. WWI vet Robert E. Sherwood's play premiered in 1936 and is eerily prescient about the impending war in Europe. Or maybe not; maybe it was obvious at the time that the world was heading to another Great War, only 20 years after the first one. But even now, 80 years after it was written, the themes of nationalism, loyalty, changing borders, and a great sadness at the cost of war on all sides ring true. This one left me feeling a little depressed, but with much to contemplate, and also thoroughly entertained, as always, by Girl Friday Productions' biennial contribution to the #TCTheater world. Girl Friday specializes in 'larger scale American plays of exceptional literary merit that are less frequently produced today,' and IDIOT'S DELIGHT is indeed a delight, but one that is most certainly not for idiots.

A romantic commentary on idealism, greed and the realities of war, Robert E. Sherwood's IDIOT'S DELIGHT, produced by Girl Friday Productions and directed by Craig Johnson, opens June 30, 2017 on the Andy Boss Thrust Stage at Park Square Theatre. Girl Friday Productions brings its signature large ensemble cast to this dramatic comedy with musical accents, set in a world on the brink.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

History Theatre presents the regional premiere of a new musical about the lives and works of St. Paul's original "it" couple, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. As glittering emblems of the Jazz Age, their romance reflected the era during which they lived: highs and lows, boom and bust, a thrilling rise and a devastating crash. This Side of Paradise, which premiered off-Broadway in 2010, is seen from the point of view of Zelda at the age of 39, looking back on her life with Scott using music and dance to capture both the joy of their romance and their struggles for artistic identity and fame. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

History Theatre returns to the crime-ridden streets of St. Paul in the early 1930s with the return of a play written by David Hawley with music and lyrics by Drew Jansen, Capital Crimes: The St. Paul Gangster Musical. The show opens tonight and runs through May 20. See photos from the production below!

This holiday season History Theatre will bring back the heart-warming musical about a German-American shipping captain and his crew who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbäume (Christmas trees) to the immigrant families of Chicago.

This holiday season History Theatre will bring back the heart-warming musical about a German-American shipping captain and his crew who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbäume (Christmas trees) to the immigrant families of Chicago.

This holiday season History Theatre will bring back the heart-warming musical about a German-American shipping captain and his crew who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbäume (Christmas trees) to the immigrant families of Chicago.

The Christmas Schooner is the heart-warming musical about a German-American shipping captain and his crew who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbäume (Christmas trees) to the immigrant families of Chicago. Heartfelt storytelling - with wonderful music and dance - captures the true spirit of the holidays, celebrating the joy of giving and the importance of sharing traditions between generations and between neighbors. 'In a world of ‘me first' mentalities, this story of an immigrant family is one of love and sharing; a generosity of spirit that drives people to use the skills and resources at their disposal to reach out to those who are less fortunate,' says History Theatre artistic director Ron Peluso. 'That is why The Christmas Schooner is so popular; it reflects the best of what our nation and community can be, at the holidays and throughout the year.'

The Christmas Schooner is the heart-warming musical about a German-American shipping captain and his crew who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbäume (Christmas trees) to the immigrant families of Chicago. Heartfelt storytelling - with wonderful music and dance - captures the true spirit of the holidays, celebrating the joy of giving and the importance of sharing traditions between generations and between neighbors. 'In a world of ‘me first' mentalities, this story of an immigrant family is one of love and sharing; a generosity of spirit that drives people to use the skills and resources at their disposal to reach out to those who are less fortunate,' says History Theatre artistic director Ron Peluso. 'That is why The Christmas Schooner is so popular; it reflects the best of what our nation and community can be, at the holidays and throughout the year.'

This holiday season History Theatre will bring back the heart-warming musical about a German-American shipping captain and his crew who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbäume (Christmas trees) to the immigrant families of Chicago.

This holiday season History Theatre will bring back the heart-warming musical about a German-American shipping captain and his crew who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbäume (Christmas trees) to the immigrant families of Chicago.