Christina Baldwin News

For their annual summer festival, Skylark Opera is presenting the Leonard Bernstein classic operetta Candide and the musical revue Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill.

It's hard to believe with the weather we've had, but summer is just around the corner. And if you're a musical theater fan like I am, it's going to be a great one! Here are a few summer musicals I'm looking forward to this year.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres will host VOICES FOR HOPE: A Musical Benefit for the Carl Lee Family on its Fireside Stage this evening, July 29th.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres will host VOICES FOR HOPE: A Musical Benefit for the Carl Lee Family on its Fireside Stage on Monday evening, July 29th.

On Saturday night, BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, took place on the theater's Wurtele Thrust Stage before a packed house. The performance featured a glittering array of contributors including actors and artists linked to all aspects of the Guthrie's past and its vision for the future. BEHOLD, the centerpiece of a weekend that captivated the Twin Cities and marked the long and vital relationship between the Guthrie and the community that it calls home, marked the half-century milestone for the flagship of the American regional theater movement that first opened its doors in 1963.

The Guthrie welcomes 17 accomplished local actors and vocalists who have all appeared on the Guthrie's stages during their careers to complete the artist line-up as the vocal ensemble for BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, tonight, June 22, 2013. Accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra helmed by Musical Director Andrew Cooke, the ensemble will perform songs from some of the greatest musicals of all time, in unexpected ways.

The Guthrie today announced that 17 accomplished local actors and vocalists who have all appeared on the Guthrie's stages during their careers will complete the artist line-up as the vocal ensemble for BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra helmed by Musical Director Andrew Cooke, the ensemble will perform songs from some of the greatest musicals of all time, in unexpected ways.

The Ordway will say farewell to the McKnight Theatre in grand style tonight, April 28 at 7:30 pm, in a special performance called, 'The Night of a Million Stars.' The concert production will highlight area artists and feature musical pieces from productions previously held in the McKnight Theatre.

James Rocco is the vice president of programming and producing artistic director of the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minn. He is also the director, host and a performer in the Ordway's latest edition of BROADWAY SONGBOOK, this time, focusing on American musical theatre master, Cole Porter. I recently sat down to learn about James, the BROADWAY SONGBOOK: Cole Porter and what's next for the theatre.

The Ordway will say farewell to the McKnight Theatre in grand style on Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 pm, in a special performance called, "The Night of a Million Stars." The concert production will highlight area artists and feature musical pieces from productions previously held in the McKnight Theatre.

In 1960, the front lines of the struggle for Civil Rights ran right up to the front steps of an elementary school in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges, who was only six years old, was ready to start first grade. Suddenly, she was in all the papers, and it seemed like half the world wanted to stop her from going to school. But Ruby faced the dangers, went to school day after day. This true story of courage and family is as inspirational today as it was 50 years ago.

In 1960, the front lines of the struggle for Civil Rights ran right up to the front steps of an elementary school in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges, who was only six years old, was ready to start first grade. Suddenly, she was in all the papers, and it seemed like half the world wanted to stop her from going to school. But Ruby faced the dangers, went to school day after day. This true story of courage and family is as inspirational today as it was 50 years ago.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer plays tonight, Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 2012 at SteppingStone Theatre. Written by Mark Jensen and based on the book by Mark Twain, this world premiere features music by Gary Rue.

For its 2012 season closer, the Jungle Theater presents the regional premiere of IN THE NEXT ROOM (or The Vibrator Play), one of Broadway's latest mega-hits. This 2010 Tony-nominated comedy about marriage, intimacy and electricity is directed by Sarah Rasmussen, who worked with playwright Sarah Ruhl (The Clean House, Eurydice) on the original Broadway production. Set in the Victorian era, just before corseted women shed their inhibitions, this funny, smart and provocative play concerns the early history of the vibrator, when doctors used it as a clinical device to treat women for "hysteria." In the Next Room opens November 2 and runs through December 16 at the Lyn-Lake theater at 2951 Lyndale Avenue S., in Minneapolis.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer plays Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 2012 at SteppingStone Theatre. Written by Mark Jensen and based on the book by Mark Twain, this world premiere features music by Gary Rue.

Roman Holiday is now playing on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater, and we have a new promo spot featured on the video below. Click below to watch!

On June 9th The Guthrie Theater premiered ROMAN HOLIDAY, a musical rendition of the classic Audrey Hepburn film. The plot features a frustrated and bored Princess Anne escaping her regimented advisors for some fun on the town during an international diplomatic tour. The princess meets a dashing silver fox of a newspaperman who takes her out in the city of love. However, the kindly Joe Bradley is also covertly planning to print a newspaper exclusive on their shenanigans. Of course, dastardly conflict arises the two realize that they've actually taken a liking to one another. If only real love were so dependable.

Roman Holiday opens tonight and continues through August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater. Single tickets start at $29 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. We have a first look at scenes from the show below!

Currently onstage at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis is the period musical spectacular Roman Holiday. Based on the iconic film, the show features the music of Cole Porter, including hits like 'Easy to Love,' 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye' and 'Riding High', in addition to rarely heard gems that fit perfectly into the story. The production began preview performances on June 9 and opens tonight, June 15. The run is scheduled to continue through August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage. Guthrie Artistic Producing Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany helms.

Stephanie Rothenberg leads the cast of Roman Holiday as Princess Anne-a radiant young woman in Rome on a widely publicized European tour who sneaks away from her royal duties to explore the city. Rothenberg recently made her Broadway debut stepping into the role of Rosemary in the Tony-nominated revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Edward Watts plays Joe Bradley-a handsome, crafty American newspaper reporter who charms the princess. Watts most recently appeared in the long-running production of The Fantasticks in New York City. Check out photos of the cast in action below!