Musical theater is my favorite art form, and new original musicals are my favorite things in the world. I love seeing how music and theater can combine to tell a story in interesting forward-thinking ways. After re-imagining a couple of classic musicals (and one play), newish theater company 7th House Theater has turned to producing new original musicals. THE PASSAGE, OR WHAT COMES OF SEARCHING IN THE DARK, is the third such creation to be presented in the Guthrie Theater Studio. I've loved all of their work, but this one feels more personal and more modern and forward-thinking than what they've done before. THE PASSAGE feels like it's continuing along the trajectory of modern musicals like NEXT TO NORMAL and FUN HOME - an intimate family story told with a small cast and modern inventive staging. And the result is truly something special.
2016 is the fourth year of Broadway Reimagined, the partnership that combines the resources of Hennepin Theatre Trust with the innovation of Theater Latte Da to create a new interpretation of a familiar Broadway musical. This year's selection is a beloved classic of the American musical theater canon, the 1959 Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim/Arthur Laurents creation GYPSY, based on the memoir of burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. Theater Latte Da did this musical almost ten years ago in their old home The Loring Playhouse. Even though two actors reprise their roles, as do the director, music director, and choreographer, this is a different show in a bigger venue. And I'm convinced there is no better venue for this show in the Twin Cities than the beautifully restored Vaudeville theater that is the Pantages, where the historical characters in the play very likely performed nearly 100 years ago. There's a sense of history in this show which, along with Theater Latte Da's usual attention to detail in every aspect of the production, creates a beautiful, realistic, moving look into the world of show business and the quintessential stage mother/daughter relationship. As the song says, let Theater Latte Da entertain you, you will have a real good time, yes sir!
GYPSY, often lauded by critics as the greatest American musical, is the latest in the award-winning Broadway Re-Imagined series produced collaboratively by Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latte Da.
Cat Brindisi has a familiar name but not just because of her parentage. You've seen her on many area stages and will soon see more from this busy actor who appears in the Guthrie's STAGE KISS. Learn more about her in 6 Questions & a Plug.
It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!
Friends, the future of Minnesota theater, and perhaps American theater, is here. It can currently be seen in the Guthrie Theater's 9th floor Dowling Studio, where a group of smart, talented, ambitious, dedicated, hard-working young music-theater artists have created a beautiful new original musical, based on the biblical story of Jonah. It's everything I want theater to be - fresh, innovative, delightful, heart-breaking, inspiring, genuine, and epic. This is 7th House Theater's fourth production in less than two years, and they continue to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of what theater can be. They've proven themselves with three low-budget but high-quality productions, and now have the resources of the Guthrie behind them to expand even further in this production. The result is beautiful and breath-taking. If 7th House is the future of theater, we're in good hands.
Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!
The Guthrie Theater presents the 7th House Theater production of Jonah and the Whale: A New Musical, a reimagining of the familiar Old Testament tale, set to original bluegrass and folk music.
Michelle Barber may have played more than 60 roles in her Chanhassen Dinner Theatre career but this role may be the one she's meant to play. BWW Minneapolis got to know this local theatre legend a little better.
The Guthrie Theater presents My Fair Lady, the hummable, quotable, utterly enjoyable musical for the whole family. Playing for the first time at the Guthrie, under the direction of Joe Dowling, My Fair Lady will feature Helen Anker as Eliza Doolittle, Tony Sheldon as Colonel Pickering, Donald Corren as Alfred P. Doolittle - all in their Guthrie debuts - and Jeff McCarthy as Professor Henry Higgins. BroadwayWorld has a first look below!
The Guthrie Theater presents My Fair Lady, the hummable, quotable, utterly enjoyable musical for the whole family. Playing for the first time at the Guthrie, under the direction of Joe Dowling, My Fair Lady will feature Helen Anker as Eliza Doolittle, Tony Sheldon as Colonel Pickering, Donald Corren as Alfred P. Doolittle - all in their Guthrie debuts - and Jeff McCarthy as Professor Henry Higgins. Performances began on the Wurtele Thrust Stage on Saturday, June 28, with an opening slated for tonight, July 4, 2014.
The Guthrie Theater today announced casting for the production of My Fair Lady, the hummable, quotable, utterly enjoyable musical for the whole family. Playing for the first time at the Guthrie, under the direction of Joe Dowling, My Fair Lady will feature Helen Anker as Eliza Doolittle, Tony Sheldon as Colonel Pickering, Donald Corren as Alfred P. Doolittle - all in their Guthrie debuts - and Jeff McCarthy as Professor Henry Higgins. Performances begin on the Wurtele Thrust Stage on Saturday, June 28. Single tickets start at $28 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.
Mixed Blood Theatre's 2013-14 Season kicks off with Aditi Brennan Kapil's DISPLACED HINDU GODS, an epic festival of three world premieres based on the trinity of Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reconjured as contemporary inhabitants of the Western world. While each play stands alone and takes on a different genre - stand-up comedy routine, girl-gang thriller, post-colonial fantasy - they coexist in a common universe where dislocation, identity, immigration and puberty are explored through the lenses of creation, survival and destruction. Seven actors, five designers, three directors and one playwright comprise the creative team of this ambitious extravaganza!
The 9th Annual Ivey Awards honoring the 'Heroes of Twin Cities Theater' are set for Monday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. This year, the talented, versatile Randy Reyes joins the delightful Shanan Custer to co-host the show at the Historic State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Tickets ($35-$125) for the extravaganza - featuring a VIP reception, red carpet fashion, live entertainment, awards and after-party - are on sale now. Check out fun promo photos for the awards ceremony below!
Fresh Ink, Illusion's annual summer series focusing on new plays, gives space for artists to develop their creative pieces and try their works-in-progress in front of audiences. For three weekends in July, emerging and established playwrights explore new ground, with a different play on stage each weekend. Now in its 26th year, Fresh Ink has presented more than 120 plays, with many going on to become full-length productions.
The Twin Cities is second only to New York City in live theater per capita and is the third-largest theater market in the U.S. For smaller and newer theatres it is easy to get lost in the long list of theatre options patrons have. This is something 7th House Theater Collective, a new Twin Cities theatre company is hoping to avoid. Founded by a young group of professional theater artists the collective is dedicated to offering low-cost, high quality musical theatre to the Twin Cities. HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical will be the collective's first production.
Fresh Ink, Illusion's annual summer series focusing on new plays, gives space for artists to develop their creative pieces and try their works-in-progress in front of audiences. For three weekends in July, emerging and established playwrights explore new ground, with a different play on stage each weekend. Now in its 26th year, Fresh Ink has presented more than 120 plays, with many going on to become full-length productions.
Theater Latté Da announced that a season of fourmusicals and the launch of a major new work development program will comprise its 15th Anniversary Season.
