Kim Kivens News

Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) continues its 23rd season with Church & State by Jason Odell Williams.

Even if you are not glued to the boob tube watching the latest exploits of the Real Housewives of wherever, you'll find much to laugh at and with in this local parody of the popular TV series.

On Monday night I attended my 9th Ivey Awards. Yes, even before I started Cherry and Spoon in 2010 and started getting press tickets to the event in 2013, I was still a theater geek (read all the words I've written about the Iveys here). The Ivey Awards are my favorite theater night of the year, not so much for the awards themselves, but because it's a celebration of another year of amazing local theater that gathers all of my favorite theater artists in one room. Even though I've met many of them, I still get starstruck when I walk through the crowd and every other face I see is someone I've enjoyed watching on stage. I love to watch awards shows on TV so it's a thrill to get all glammed up and actually attend one in person. I even painted my toenails with a glittery green called 'One Short Day' - appropriate because of its musical theater geekiness and and because this event that I look forward to all year goes by in a whirlwind of people and honorees and loud music and conversations. And now it's over for another year, but more great theater is still to come which we will be celebrating next year!

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today the full cast The Realish Housewives of Edina: A Parody. The brand new comedy, filled with heavy doses of brawls, booze and botox, is coming to the Trust's New Century Theatre September 24-November 15 with oodles of hometown reality in this totally original-and outlandish-parody performance. Tickets are on sale now. To purchase and for more information, call 612.455.9501, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org, or buy in person (no service fees) at the New Century Theatre (615 Hennepin Ave., street level, City Center) in downtown Minneapolis.

Helly my Broadway World Minneapolis friends. I know it's been a while since I've shared anything with you, but that's because I've been all-consumed by the 174-show 11-day festival that is the Minnesota Fringe. If you have not yet sampled from this glorious smorgasbord, don't worry, the fest continues through August 9 with 4-7 shows offered each day at 15 venues in Minneapolis, plus 9 site-specific shows. Believe me, I understand that this can be overwhelming, but I'm here to help. Read on to see a list of my 10 favorite shows of the Fringe so far. Now get out there, open your eyes and your heart and your mind, and see some of the beautiful, challenging, hilarious, disturbing, silly, profound, amazing theater that this festival has to offer.

The princesses of DISENCHANTED will cast their spell on you in a whole different way than their Disney predecessors. While Disney portrays such fairy tale princesses and historical figures as Snow White, the Little Mermaid, and Pocahontas as sweet, mild-mannered, passive ladies waiting for a prince to come along and save them, the salty, sassy princess of DISENCHANTED are smart, strong, and unwilling to put up with crap from anyone! This new musical comedy by Dennis C. Giancino is currently in its second production here in the Twin Cities. Casting Spells Productions has brought back three of the princesses from last year's fantastic production at the Ritz Theater, added a few new and equally fabulous princesses, spiffed up the costumes, and included a few tweaks by the creator. It's still a super fun show for anyone who loves and/or hates Disney princesses. These are the kind of princesses little (and not so little) girls should emulate!

The Doyle & Debbie Show, the spot-on, critically acclaimed country music parody that simultaneously lampoons and pays homage to the genre's tradition of iconic duos, makes its Minneapolis debut February 22-March 30, 2014 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre. Created by veteran Country Music Television writer Bruce Arntson, The Doyle & Debbie Show is a clever tribute inspired by the stories, banter and music of famous pairs like Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and June Carter, and Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. The production is a freewheeling joyride with a wickedly funny script and sidesplitting original songs like 'Whine Whine Twang Twang,' 'Stock Car Love' and 'Blue Stretch Pants.' Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 20. To purchase and for more information, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org, call 612.455.9501 or buy in person (no service fees) at the New Century Theatre (615 Hennepin Ave.).

Theater Latte Da announced today the cast for C., book and lyrics by Bradley Greenwald, music by Robert Elhai. This musical adaptation of the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand is being developed as part of NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, a major new work program to develop new musical theater in the Twin Cities.

Park Square Theatre presents the regional premiere of Johnny Baseball, a touching new musical that deals with baseball, love, and the "Curse of the Bambino"-on stage tonight, January 18-February 10, 2013. With a lively score, and a grand finale that features a curse-busting home run, Johnny Baseball delivers a whole lot entertainment.

Park Square Theatre presents the regional premiere of Johnny Baseball, a touching new musical that deals with baseball, love, and the "Curse of the Bambino"-on stage January 18-February 10, 2013. With a lively score, and a grand finale that features a curse-busting home run, Johnny Baseball delivers a whole lot entertainment.

Tyrol Hills Music is presenting the world premiere of the original production of Deal! The Musical, which will debut April 20 and run through May 6 at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis.

Tyrol Hills Music is presenting the world premiere of the original production of Deal! The Musical, which will debut April 20 and run through May 6 at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis.

Theater Latté Da's production of the Tony Award-winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will close at the Ordway Center's McKnight Theatre on October 30, 2011.

Theater Latté Da announced today casting for the Tony Award-winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which it will present at the Ordway Center's McKnight Theatre October 6-30, 2011.

Mu Performing Arts' YELLOW FACE Closes 2/21 at the Guthrie Theatre.

Mu Performing Arts' production of YELLOW FACE opens February 6 and continues through February 21 in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie. Single tickets range from $18 to $30, and are available from the Guthrie box office at 612-377-2224 or online at www.guthrietheater.org.

The Guthrie and Mu Performing Arts today announced that actor Randy Reyes will star in the Mu production of the Obie Award-winning play YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang, directed by Rick Shiomi. The production, proudly presented by the Guthrie, marks the second of three works by Hwang - all of which feature Reyes in leading roles - to be presented in the Twin Cities during the 2009-10 season. Reyes' performance as DHH, Hwang's alter-ego in YELLOW FACE, is bookended by his appearance in Mu's recent production of Hwang's new adaptation of FLOWER DRUM SONG, and his upcoming appearance as Song Liling in the Guthrie's production of M. BUTTERFLY.

The Guthrie and Mu Performing Arts today announced that actor Randy Reyes will star in the Mu production of the Obie Award-winning play YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang, directed by Rick Shiomi. The production, proudly presented by the Guthrie, marks the second of three works by Hwang - all of which feature Reyes in leading roles - to be presented in the Twin Cities during the 2009-10 season. Reyes' performance as DHH, Hwang's alter-ego in YELLOW FACE, is bookended by his appearance in Mu's recent production of Hwang's new adaptation of FLOWER DRUM SONG, and his upcoming appearance as Song Liling in the Guthrie's production of M. BUTTERFLY.

The Guthrie and Mu Performing Arts today announced that actor Randy Reyes will star in the Mu production of the Obie Award-winning play YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang, directed by Rick Shiomi. The production, proudly presented by the Guthrie, marks the second of three works by Hwang - all of which feature Reyes in leading roles - to be presented in the Twin Cities during the 2009-10 season. Reyes' performance as DHH, Hwang's alter-ego in YELLOW FACE, is bookended by his appearance in Mu's recent production of Hwang's new adaptation of FLOWER DRUM SONG, and his upcoming appearance as Song Liling in the Guthrie's production of M. BUTTERFLY.

Minneapolis Musical Theatre today announced the full cast and crew for its area premiere of The Great American Trailer Park Musical, the first production in its 'Great, Big, Surprising 10th Anniversary Season.'