St. Paul's Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is returning to its tradition of an original and (mostly) locally cast production during holidays, rather than the touring productions that often come through. In fact, the last Ordway Original holiday production was 2011's CINDERELLA. This year's production of the new musical based on the cult holiday movie A CHRISTMAS STORY is worth the wait. I am usually skeptical of movies turned into musicals, because often it doesn't work or it just simply isn't necessary. But I saw a preview of A Christmas Story (which officially opens on Friday and runs through December 28) last night and was pleasantly surprised; I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. In fact I loved pretty much every minute of it. The creators did a wonderful job of retaining the movie's unique tone of humor, silliness, and nostalgia while creating something new that stands on its own merits, whether you're a fan of the movie or not. And best of all, director James Rocco and his team have created a wonderful production that showcases some of the Twin Cities' finest talent, as well as giving a chance for talented local youngsters to play and shine on stage. The Ordway's A CHRISTMAS STORY is a wonderful, fun, extravagant, poignant, top-notch production of a new musical based on a beloved classic.
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long have announced that following strong reviews Pitbulls, written by Keith Josef Adkins and directed by Leah Gardiner, will extend one week through Saturday, December 20, at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, west of Seventh Avenue South. (Pitbulls had originally been scheduled to close on December 13.)
Allen D. Cornell, Riverside Theatre's producing Artistic Director, and Ken Clifton, Riverside's Musical Director, have teamed up to create a special theatrical event based upon the music of legendary Broadway icons Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. The Music of Lerner & Loewe takes place on the Stark Stage at 8 p.m. tonight, November 20 and Saturday, November 22, 2014.
Readers of Broadway World Minneapolis are familiar with the big splashy Broadway tours that come through Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre and St. Paul's Ordway Center for the Arts, as well as what's happening at our own big theaters like the Guthrie. But my goal as a Broadway World contributor is to make you aware of the great work that some of the smaller companies around town are doing. Two great examples right now are nimbus theatre, which does consistently good work as well as hosts other small companies at their Northeast Minneapolis home, and Candid Theatre Company, which recently won an Ivey for their new play DOGWOOD. nimbus' production of August Strindberg's GHOST SONATA combines original music, ingenious set design, and video projections to enhance the deeply layered 100 year old play. Candid's production of the historical true-crime drama HAUPTMANN presents a compelling story with the barest of sets and costumes. Both are worth your time and deserve a bigger audience than the ones I was a part of. Keep reading for more details on both shows. Moral of the story: don't be afraid to venture off the beaten path and give a new theater a try. You might discover something pretty great.
After a nearly yearlong closure for renovations, the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway) box office re-opens on Monday, November 3, for tickets to The Illusionists - Witness The Impossible.
Allen D. Cornell, Riverside Theatre's producing Artistic Director, and Ken Clifton, Riverside's Musical Director, have teamed up to create a special theatrical event based upon the music of legendary Broadway icons Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. The Music of Lerner & Loewe takes place on the Stark Stage at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 20 and Saturday, November 22, 2014.
Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its new production of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel directed by Doug Varone and conducted by Anne Manson. The opera features mezzo-soprano Stephanie Lauricella and soprano Angela Mortellaro in the title roles, accompanied by the Zenon Dance Company.
What: Hansel and Gretel by composer Engelbert Humperdinck. Sung in German with English translations projected above the stage. A new Minnesota Opera production.
Where: Music Theater at Ordway, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102.
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is excited to present its 2014 holiday show, A Christmas Story, the Musical. The Ordway-produced musical comedy will run Nov. 29-Dec. 28, 2014, for a total of 36 performances. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office.
Rehearsals begin today for A Christmas Story, The Musical - the sensational hit Seattle can't stop talking about. After premiering at The 5th Avenue Theatre in 2010, A Christmas Story, The Musical spent two wildly successful holiday seasons in New York City and spurred a national tour.
The Minnesota Opera Board of Directors approves the fiscal year 2014 financial audit which posts a $173,000 deficit over a $9.8 million budget. We face this current deficit with a renewed commitment to producing award-winning operatic works in ways that lead to excellent financial standing.
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that it will welcome the first national tour of Nice Work If You Can Get It to the St. Paul stage today, Oct. 14-19, 2014.
Unless you happened to make the run on Broadway last year, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT will feel familiar just due to the classic songs they built the show around. Actor Mariah MacFarlane leads the first national tour to the stage in Saint Paul and we got to chat a little about her experience.
Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its new production of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel directed by Doug Varone and conducted by Anne Manson. The opera features mezzo-soprano Stephanie Lauricella and soprano Angela Mortellaro in the title roles, accompanied by the Zenon Dance Company.
Soho Rep. and The Play Company, in association with John Adrian Selzer, announce casting and the creative team for the U.S. premiere of debbie tucker green's generations. The production, today, September 30-October 26, reunites the playwright with director Leah C. Gardiner, who worked together on the OBIE Award-winning 2011 production of born bad. generations features a 12-person community chorus led by music director Bongi Duma (The Lion King). The cast includes Shyko Amos (An Octoroon), Mamoudou Athie, Khail Toi Bryant (The Lion King), Ntombikhona Dlamini (Sarafina!), Thuli Dumakude (The Lion King, Poppie Nongena), Jonathan Peck (The Lion in Winter) and Michael Rogers (born bad, Breakfast With Mugabe).
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long have announced that Pitbulls, written by Keith Josef Adkinsand directed by Leah Gardiner, will begin previews Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 8pm at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, west of Seventh Avenue South. Opening night is set for Thursday, November 20 at 8pm. Pitbulls plays through Saturday, December 13.
Puccini's La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West), opera's first 'Spaghetti Western,' opens Minnesota Opera's 2014-2015 season tonight, September 20, led by Music Director Michael Christie and a powerful trio: Claire Rutter, Rafael Davila, and Greer Grimsley. The drama and excitement of opening night inside Ordway will extend outdoors that evening with a free, live video simulcast under the stars in Rice Park.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Joseph Kaiser will no longer be participating in the Sunday, September 21st performance of Voce: Rising Opera Stars in Recital. Paul Appleby (tenor) and Andrew Garland (baritone) will be joining Julia Bullock (soprano) and pianist, Steven Blier for the afternoon featuring French and American repertories.
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that it will welcome the first national tour of Nice Work If You Can Get It to the St. Paul stage Oct. 14-19, 2014. Tickets start at $36 and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office.
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that it will kick off its 2014-2015 World Music and Dance Series in October with two special one-night-only performances. The season will open with A Night in Havana with Nachito Herrera and his Cuban Orchestra on Oct. 5, followed by the Creole Choir of Cuba on Oct. 22. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office
