The pre-show publicity for Mixed Blood Theatre‘s production of Lauren Yee‘s clutch-popper The Song Of Summer (running through Nov 24) makes the point explicitly: Lauren Yee = God. Beshowered with grant money, with dozens of productions amounting to a national…
Review | A New Brain: breezy, sweet, tuneful, long
Artistry, through Nov 9I’ll say it again: Artistry offers one of the most pleasant and approachable play-going experiences around. Ticket prices are reasonable. The lobby is huge (and contains a very nice art gallery). The Schneider Theatre is comfortable and perfectly sized –…
Review | Journey’s End: long, but worthwhile
Gremlin Theatre, through Nov 10One of the first things to say about Gremlin Theatre‘s production of R.C. Sherriff‘s powerful Journey’s End (playing though Nov 10) is that it’s long: two hours and forty five minutes. Audiences back in the olden days (the play premiered…
Review | A Winter’s Tale: something reeks of tyranny
Ten Thousand Things, through Nov 17; various venues (see note at end of review)This is an exciting time to be attending the theatre in the Twin Cities. With so many of our theatre companies changing their artistic directors—due mostly to retirements—a trip to the theatre becomes a journey of great expectations to see…
Review | The Glass Menagerie: the play dazzles if, at times, a bit dully
The Guthrie, through Oct 27For the fifth time, the Guthrie has brought The Glass Menagerie to its stage one of Tennessee Williams most popular and oft-performed plays. Director Joseph Haj has helmed this latest production. With a small cast and simple set, the strength of Williams’ semi-autobiographical play lies in its characters…
Review | Chicago: loud, brassy, charming — and a great story
Theater Latté Da, through November 3Veteran HWTS reviewers Janet Preus and John Olive attended the opening of Chicago (Theater Latté Da, performing in the old Ritz Theater, through Nov 3). They then went down the street for cold beverages and a discussion, which is excerpted…
Review | Ride The Cyclone: step right up for a rip-roaring good time
The Jungle Theater, through Oct 20Every roller coaster worth its ride has thrills, suspense and a brief glimpse of your own mortality as you loop, flip, and zoom around the track. Ride the Cyclone, the mad-cap musical dramedy playing at Jungle Theater through October 20th doesn’t…
Review | Hot Asian Doctor Husband: a hoot and a half
Mu Performing Arts, performing at Mixed Blood Theater, through Sept 1Leah Nanako Winkler‘s delicious Hot Asian Doctor Husband (Mu Performing Arts, performing at Mixed Blood Theater, through Sept 1) is a prime example of the hoary theatrical truism: when the actors have a good time, so does the audience. And…
Review | Rent: makes the Orpheum rock
Hennepin Center For The ArtsIs this a Tony Award-winning musical or a rock concert? For those lucky enough to catch Rent playing at the Orpheum through August 18th, get ready to cheer, clap, hoot and even moo right along with the show-stopping musical numbers.…