Across a dim stage, out of the (hypoallergenic) mist, a crystal-clear voice rings out, singing the old Scottish tune “Will ye go to Flanders.” The voice takes shape in a young soldier, flanked on either side by a small chorus…
Review | Miss Bennet, Christmas At Pemberley: a delight once again
Jungle Theater, through December 29Oh, the trials and tribulations of the middle child! Less accomplished (theoretically) than the eldest, less adorable than the youngest, her voice is often ignored, if it’s heard at all. But Mary Bennet, the enonymous hero of Miss Bennet, Christmas…
Review | Fast Company: enjoyably confusing
Theater Mu performing at the Guthrie, through Nov 24Fast Company (Theater Mu performing at the Guthrie, through Nov 24) wants to be good. All the production elements are in place: a zippy pace, muscular direction (by whip smart Brian Balcom), excellent acting. The play has some tasty design (sets…
Review | Steel Magnolias: a warm respite from the winter cold
Guthrie Theater, through Dec 15When you settle into your seat in the McGuire Proscenium to watch Robert Harling‘s Steel Magnolias, playing at the Guthrie through December 15th, you’ll feel instantly soothed by the pre-show announcements, read in a fitting southern drawl. Set in a beauty…
Review | The Song Of Summer: a trifle confusing, but great fun
Mixed Blood Theatre, through Nov 24The 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…