A (mostly) local team has been in the process of adapting the 2005 Minnesota-made movie SWEET LAND into a musical for years, and their hard work is finally coming to fruition when SWEET LAND, THE MUSICAL opens at the History Theatre this weekend. I've seen several readings of the work in progress, and I've been so pleased how the creators have held true to the beautiful heart of the movie while adding music that feels organic to the story and only serves to enhance the storytelling. One of the creators, Twin Cities theater artist Laurie Flanigan-Hegge, answered a few of my questions about SWEET LAND, THE MUSICAL, the development process of a new work, and the importance of supporting women playwrights and composers.
Children's Theatre Company (CTC) will bring its production of Seedfolks to the prestigious ASSITEJ International World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Prior to this international touring stop, CTC will bring Seedfolks to Seattle Children's Theatre in the Unites States.
Children's Theatre Company has announced its 2017-2018 season, which includes four musicals, two world premieres, one preschool production and partnerships with other leading theatres such as The Old Vic (London, UK), The Civilians (New York, NY) and Penumbra Theatre (Saint Paul, MN). The season also celebrates Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius' 20th Anniversary with CTC.
Dancing their way from summer into fall, Joe Chvala and The Flying Foot Forum present a characteristically bold new production throughout downtown Saint Paul inspired by the city's history. Passing Through Pig's Eye, a roving performance of wildly entertaining and eclectic dance, music and comedy, will engage audiences of all ages. Playing August 25 - September 11, Passing Through Pig's Eye is collaboration by 16 of the Twin Cities' finest dancers, singers, actors, and musicians including: Rush Benson, Jeremy Bensussan, Joe Chvala, Annie Enneking, Brian Evans, Karla Grotting, Galen Higgins, Adam Kiesling, Kaleena Miller, Natalie Nowytski, Peter O'Gorman, and Darrius Strong.
Happy Holidays! It's the last week to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!
Time is running out to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!
Voting is fully underway for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 11. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.
Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.
Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.
Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present the extraordinary classic musical, THE WIZARD OF OZ, now through January 10, 2016 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Extended by one week due to popular demand, audiences can expect all the splendor, magic, and excitement of the classic story beautifully captured in this production starring CTC Acting Company member Traci Allen Shannon as Dorothy. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present the extraordinary classic musical, The Wizard of Oz, November 3, 2015 to January 10, 2016 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Extended by one week due to popular demand, audiences can expect all the splendor, magic, and excitement of the classic story beautifully captured in this production starring CTC Acting Company member Traci Allen Shannon as Dorothy.
The Guthrie Theater today announced the nine productions that will be included in the theater's 2015-2016 subscription season, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Pericles, Harvey and South Pacific on the Wurtele Thrust Stage and The Events, The Cocoanuts, The Real Inspector Hound/The Critic, Trouble in Mind and Disgraced on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.
?Being a grown-up is hard. You have to be concerned about things like bills, a job, a house, traffic, the deterioration of the environment, and violence and injustice in our backyards and around the world. It's really a drag - no wonder Peter Pan doesn't want to be one! And while we boring and worried grown-ups don't have the option of returning to a blissful childhood, we can go to the Children's Theatre Company and forget about all of our grown-up worries, remembering and reveling in the joy and freedom of youth. What better choice for CTC, then, than the musical adaptation of J.M. Barrie's iconic tale about the boy who won't grow up? Kids love it because they see themselves in Peter, and we grown-ups see an even deeper meaning in the story as we watch the children around us grow up in an increasingly dangerous world, and long for our own days of innocence. It's a perfect choice perfectly executed by the entire cast and creative and technical teams. This PETER PAN is something quite magical, and quite simply the best thing I've seen at CTC.
Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is thrilled to present Peter Pan the Musical for the first time on our stage, now through June 21, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Ivey Award-winner Peter Rothstein directs with choreography by Joe Chvala (Flying Foot Forum). Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is thrilled to present Peter Pan the Musical for the first time on our stage, April 21 through June 21, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Ivey Award-winner Peter Rothstein directs with choreography by Joe Chvala (Flying Foot Forum). The creative team of national theatre luminaries includes Set Designer Walt Spangler (Broadway credits include A Christmas Story the Musical, Scandalous, Desire Under the Elms), Costume Designer Linda Cho (Tony Award for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder) and Sound Designer Philip S. Rosenberg (Broadway credits include The Elephant Man and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder).
At first glance, the musicals THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES may not seem to have much in common. The settings couldn't be more different - the rural South in the early 20th century, a modern day high school, and a drag club in 1970s France. But since I happened to see them all on the same weekend, I couldn't help but draw parallels between them. All three musicals all speak to themes of beauty, identity, self-worth, and having the courage to be who you really are, despite what the world is telling you. In THE COLOR PURPLE, a young, poor, black woman is told that she's ugly and worthless, but after a lifelong journey she arrives at a place of strength and self-love. CALVIN BERGER sets the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac in a modern high school, where a young man feels that his large nose prevents him from getting what he wants in life and chooses to hide behind the handsome popular guy, both of whom eventually learn it's better to be loved for who you are. Finally, in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, a middle aged man who feels more comfortable dressed as a woman is asked by his own son to hide who he is, but confidently declares 'I am who I am!' Another thing these three musicals have in common is that they can all currently be seen on Twin Cities stages featuring talented local casts. Read on for more details on each, pick one that suits your fancy, and go see a local musical that just may inspire you to love you you really are!
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!
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!
