IDIOT'S DELIGHT is one of those deceptive plays that makes you think it's a light and fun romp through the past, until you begin to see the seriousness behind the beautiful clothes and pretty music. WWI vet Robert E. Sherwood's play premiered in 1936 and is eerily prescient about the impending war in Europe. Or maybe not; maybe it was obvious at the time that the world was heading to another Great War, only 20 years after the first one. But even now, 80 years after it was written, the themes of nationalism, loyalty, changing borders, and a great sadness at the cost of war on all sides ring true. This one left me feeling a little depressed, but with much to contemplate, and also thoroughly entertained, as always, by Girl Friday Productions' biennial contribution to the #TCTheater world. Girl Friday specializes in 'larger scale American plays of exceptional literary merit that are less frequently produced today,' and IDIOT'S DELIGHT is indeed a delight, but one that is most certainly not for idiots.
A romantic commentary on idealism, greed and the realities of war, Robert E. Sherwood's IDIOT'S DELIGHT, produced by Girl Friday Productions and directed by Craig Johnson, opens June 30, 2017 on the Andy Boss Thrust Stage at Park Square Theatre. Girl Friday Productions brings its signature large ensemble cast to this dramatic comedy with musical accents, set in a world on the brink.
The ending of WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT, now playing in the Guthrie's Dowling Studio, is unlike anything I've ever seen in theater. It left me shocked, confused, and a little traumatized, but mostly it left me incredibly moved. It's such a powerful and important piece, forcing us to look at the long-lasting effects of colonialism around the world, its parallels with slavery in America, and how difficult it is to talk about racism. But even though the show leaves on a heavy and intense note, it's also really funny and innovative and theater-y too. It fools you into thinking it's a fun look at actors in rehearsal and then sneaks in some serious issues that soon become almost more than one can bear. Fortunately the Guthrie's Level Nine initiative includes what they call Community Engagement Activities, which often means a post-show discussion with the cast or creative team or experts on the subject. Take advantage of this - it's a wonderful opportunity to decompress and process what you've just seen, and begin a conversation.
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) is pleased to announce the opening of Iris Bahr's DAI (enough), directed by Warren C. Bowles and featuring a striking performance by Miriam Schwartz, who led a sold-out run at MJTC in 2015 with her solo performance of Becoming Dr. Ruth. This production runs from August 17th - 31st, 2016 at the Highland Park Community Center Theater, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116. Individual tickets go on sale August 1st and are $34. Student and group discounts are available. To order, visit www.mnjewishtheatre.org or call (651) 647-4315. Press passes are available for performances on Wednesday, August 17th at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, August 18th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 20th at 8:00 p.m.
Park Square concludes its 2016-2017 season with the area premiere of Tim Firth's hilarious and heartfelt comedy Calendar Girls. Based on the hit 2003 film, the play explores loss, friendship, and baring it all as a group of women pose in the buff to benefit a local charity. The ensuing media firestorm puts the women's friendship to the test and reveals the love shared by an extraordinary group of women.
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) is pleased to announce the opening of Joshua Harmon's Bad Jews, directed by Hayley Finn. This production runs from April 30th - May 22nd, 2016 at the Highland Park Community Center Theater, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116. Individual tickets go on sale March 25th and range in price from $20 - $32. Student and group discounts are available. To order, call (651) 647-4315 or visit www.mnjewishtheatre.org. Press passes are available for performances on Saturday, April 30th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 1st at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
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!
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) is pleased to announce the opening of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, directed by Warren Bowles and starring Sally Wingert. This production runs from February 13th - March 6th, 2015 at the Highland Park Community Center Theater, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116. Individual tickets go on sale January 8th and range in price from $20 - $32. Student and group discounts are available. To order, call (651) 647-4315 or visit www.mnjewishtheatre.org. Press passes are available for performances on Saturday, February 13th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 14th at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) is pleased to announce the opening of The Twenty-Seventh Man, a new work by Nathan Englander. This regional premiere runs from tonight, October 17, through November 8 at MJTC's theater home in the Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116.
AN OCTOROON, which the New York Times proclaimed to be "this decade's most eloquent theatrical statement on race in America today," is a shrewdly awkward riff on The Octoroon, a 19th-century melodrama about illicit interracial love. A funny, disturbing, whirlwind of a play, AN OCTOROON riffs on the antebellum South as well as our present-day American selves, delves into the complexity of American identities and their unresolvable connection to our legacy of slavery and genocide, and perpetrates a full-blooded investigation of race and cultural politics. At the same time it is so theatrically mind-bending, funny, energetic, and demented, that it's impossible to look away.
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) is pleased to announce the opening of The Twenty-Seventh Man, a new work by Nathan Englander. This regional premiere runs from October 17 - November 8 at MJTC's theater home in the Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116.
AN OCTOROON, which the New York Times proclaimed to be "this decade's most eloquent theatrical statement on race in America today," is a shrewdly awkward riff on The Octoroon, a 19th-century melodrama about illicit interracial love. A funny, disturbing, whirlwind of a play, AN OCTOROON riffs on the antebellum South as well as our present-day American selves, delves into the complexity of American identities and their unresolvable connection to our legacy of slavery and genocide, and perpetrates a full-blooded investigation of race and cultural politics. At the same time it is so theatrically mind-bending, funny, energetic, and demented, that it's impossible to look away.
Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) presents the area premiere of Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention to open its 64th season in weekend performances September 11 through October 4.
What do you get when you combine a talented young playwright, an excellent cast that includes five up-and-coming actors and two beloved veterans of local stages, stirring a capella gospel music arranged by a local musical legend, and the Twin Cities' best director of 'theater musically?' You get CHOIR BOY, a lovely and affecting play about a young gay man coming of age in an African American boarding school. The playwright is Tarell Alvin McCraney of the excellent Brother/Sister trilogy that Pillsbury House Theatre has produced in its entirety in the last several years. While those plays have an epic, mythical quality, CHOIR BOY is more grounded in reality, but just as beautifully written. Add in musical direction and arrangement by Sanford Moore and direction by Peter Rothstein, an expert at using music in the best possibly way to enhance the theatrical storytelling, and you have something quite special going on in the Guthrie's Dowling Studio.
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) has announced the opening of a new work by Jack Canfora, Jericho. This regional premiere runs from tonight, April 18 - May 10 at the Highland Park Center Theater, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116. Tickets range in price from $19 - $28. Student and group discounts are available. To order, call (651)647-4315 or visit mnjewishtheatre.org. Press passes are available for the performances today, April 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) has announced the opening of a new work by Jack Canfora, Jericho. This regional premiere runs from April 18 - May 10 at the Highland Park Center Theater, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116. Tickets range in price from $19 - $28. Student and group discounts are available. To order, call (651)647-4315 or visit mnjewishtheatre.org. Press passes are available for the performances on Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Park Square opens its season this month with Michele Riml's delightful comedy, SEXY LAUNDRY tonight, September 12 through September 28. A critically acclaimed playwright from Vancouver, British Columbia, Riml turns the rom com on its head and paints a moving and hilarious portrait of a marriage on the rocks. Twin Cities favorites Charity Jones* and John Middleton return to Park Square as the married couple in crisis.
Park Square opens its season next month with Michele Riml's delightful comedy, SEXY LAUNDRY September 12-28 (with previews: September 5-11). A critically acclaimed playwright from Vancouver, British Columbia, Riml turns the rom com on its head and paints a moving and hilarious portrait of a marriage on the rocks.
Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
