Dan Norman News

Yesterday I sat on the famous thrust stage of the Guthrie Theater and watched a bunch of soldiers, lovers, and fairies dance, sing, fly, converse, love, hate, and generally cavort around in a bare circular space. Or was it all a dream? Such is the Guthrie's latest production of perhaps Shakespeare's best loved romantic comedy, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, that after three hours of spellbinding theater, you're not quite sure if what you saw just happened, or perhaps, as Puck suggests in his epilogue, it was all just a dream. Artistic Director Joe Dowling has returned to an old favorite in his final season at the Guthrie, assembling a gorgeous and talented cast of local favorites with a few national talents thrown in. It's no wonder that he returned to this show; this MIDSUMMER is a dream of a production, with plenty of spectacle in the form of dancing, flying, singing fairies, humor in the form of typical Shakesperean hijinks, and heart in this sweet romance that ends with a neat happily ever after. Everything about it is truly a delight.

Charles Dickens' novella A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a staple of holiday traditions. It shouldn't be surprising, then, that this classic story can currently be seen on multiple stages in the Twin Cities. The biggest of these is the Guthrie Theater; this is the 40th year that the Guthrie has produced A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I think it's safe to say this is one of their most popular shows every year, with many families incorporating it into their annual traditions. Lyric Arts is also producing the show on their Main Street Stage in Anoka. I was lucky enough to see these two different interpretations of this classic story on back-to-back nights. And while I do have a clear favorite between the two, it's really unfair to compare them too closely. Both are entertaining and creative interpretations of Charles Dickens' heartwarming story about the rich-in-money poor-in-friends businessman who learns through the visitation of four ghosts that it's better to be kind than rich.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) remounts the holiday classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, on stage tonight, November 11, 2014 to January 4, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) remounts the holiday classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, on stage November 11, 2014 to January 4, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.' This Margaret Mead quote greeted me upon exiting the theater after seeing Children's Theatre Company's SEEDFOLKS. I don't know if this quote is always in their lobby, or if it's specific to this show, but it is the perfect summation of this beautiful play. Paul Fleischman's 1997 novel tells the story of a vacant lot in Cleveland being transformed into a community garden from the perspective of multiple different characters. In CTC's adaptation, all of these characters and more are portrayed by one woman - Sonja Parks. She brilliantly transforms from a young Vietnamese girl, to an elderly Romanian woman, to a Guatemalan boy, and everything in between in the course of just over an hour. It's an epic journey of a neighborhood that transforms from one of fear and distrust to one that, while it might still have those things, is more deeply connected and supportive, all due to the growing of plants. A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens change the world, or at least their small corner of it.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present Seedfolks, a world premiere developed by CTC through the new play development lab. Based on the Newbery Medal-winning book by Paul Fleischman, Seedfolks is about an immigrant neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio that is transformed by a community garden. Actor Sonja Parks embodies the eleven distinct voices of Gibb Street in this enthralling, one-woman production, directed by Peter C. Brosius. Seedfolks runs now through November 16, 2014 on the Cargill Stage. Below, BroadwayWorld has a first look at Parks onstage!

As I left the theater yesterday afternoon, I clutched my sweater close around me to ward off the chill. Not the chill in the crisp fall air, but the chill from the play I had just seen - Walking Shadow's GABRIEL. This story about a little known facet of WWII history is so captivating, horrifying, chilling, and completely engaging that it hangs with you well after you leave the theater. The excellent cast and realistic set make you feel like you're right there, as this family fights for survival on a Nazi-occupied British island. It's only playing for one more weekend, but it's well worth it if you can make it. You won't soon forget this beautifully done, powerful play.

The Twin Cities Horror Festival (TCHF) has organized as part of the newly formed United Festival Group, LLC. Ryan Lear will serve as the TCHF's executive director. The 2014Twin Cities Horror Festival III will be presented, Oct. 23-Nov. 2, at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC), in its second year of summer programming following 2013's Ivey Award-winning production If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, remounts Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat beginning May 22 and now extended through July 27. During its run at CTC in 2012, the show, directed by 2013 Ivey Award- winner Jason Ballweber, was a smashing success and subsequently toured to Manitoba, Canada. The Cat in the Hat remains a favorite in the Dr. Seuss canon, and its theatrical reincarnation is high-octane and colorful, brimming with physical humor. Check out a first look below!

Children's Theatre Company recently opened its production of SHREK THE MUSICAL and Shrek himself, Reed Sigmund, shared his insights on all things green, smelly and loving his life as an actor in Minneapolis.

Acclaimed director Peter Rothstein (Cabaret, Theatre Latte? Da) will bring a magnetic Shrek the Musical to life on CTC's UnitedHealth Group Stage beginning today, April 22. With a seasoned cast including Reed Sigmund, Autumn Ness and Ansa Akyea, incredible scenic and costume designs, choreography by Michael Matthew Ferrell and Tony-nominated music, Shrek is an ogre-sized musical with an equally big soul, sure to delight everyone from the very young to the young at heart.

Acclaimed director Peter Rothstein (Cabaret, Theatre Latte? Da) will bring a magnetic Shrek the Musical to life on CTC's UnitedHealth Group Stage beginning April 22. With a seasoned cast including Reed Sigmund, Autumn Ness and Ansa Akyea, incredible scenic and costume designs, choreography by Michael Matthew Ferrell and Tony-nominated music, Shrek is an ogre-sized musical with an equally big soul, sure to delight everyone from the very young to the young at heart.

Overwhelming early popularity and a Twin Cities All-Star cast has led to strong ticket sales for Shrek the Musical, prompting a one-week extension to the run. Shrek the Musical is based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Peter Rothstein directs the production, which runs for all ages April 22 through June 15.

I'm not one to talk numbers. I never have been nor will I ever be willing to discuss the number of conquests and how it relates to overall sexual prowess. I only mention this because it's a typically cold, Minnesota evening when I see Walking Theatre Company's production of THE SEXUAL LIFE OF SAVAGES, and the two-hour production begins with the very question, 'what's your number?'

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) recently launched their 2013-2014 season which includes the world premiere of The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! by Lloyd Suh. The play is co-produced by the Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning, Ma-Yi Theater Company after four years of collaboration. The process demanded a commitment by two theatres to produce a wildly inventive interplanetary odyssey complete with space creatures and levitating rocks. Ma-Yi's Artistic Director Ralph Pena directs the production this October on CTC's Cargill Stage before taking the show to New York. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Everyone knows the tale of Fern, Wilbur and Charlotte from the beloved classic children's book Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and now for the first time you can see them come to life on the Children's Theatre Company stage. Brilliantly directed by Greg Banks, this production is fun and entertaining whether you have kids or not. He did an amazing job bringing our favorite barnyard story to life...from the acting, scenery, lighting and costumes this show shines as a whole.

CHARLOTTE'S WEB by Joseph Robinette, based on the book by E.B. White, is directed by Greg Banks on the Children's Theatre Company's UnitedHealth Group Stage, running now through October 27, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

Children's Theatre Company presents Alice in Wonderland, now through June 15, 2013. The production celebrates Lewis Carroll as an original modern absurdist, featuring innovative scenic elements while honoring the parade of beloved characters at their illogical best. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Based on the popular book series by Dan Gutman, Jackie and Me by Steven Dietz magically transports audiences back to Jackie Robinson's rookie year at the dawn of the Civil Rights movement. Tony- nominated director Marion McClinton will direct Jackie and Me on the UnitedHealth Group Stage now through April 14. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Ansa Akyea, the actor slated to play Jackie Robinson in Children's Theatre Company's upcoming production of Jackie and Me, will make an appearance at CTC's booth in the Metrodome. This will be an opportunity to educate families about the legacy of Jackie Robinson and for fans to take photos, get Ansa's autograph and win tickets.