The Guthrie Theater has faithfully delivered on our secret holiday wish: a fresh, new version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this one adapted by Crispin Whittell and directed by Artistic Director Joe Dowling. This script has a decidedly lighter…
“A Christmas Story” at The Children’s Theatre Company
The Children’s Theatre Company is among the first to roll out this year’s holiday offering with an adaptation by Philip Grecian A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd. Grecian, with director Peter Broshius (also CTC’s artistic director) steeps us in the…
The Suburbs and the Suicide Commandos at First Avenue
Cowboy Versus Samurai by Mu Performing Arts at the Guthrie’s Dowling Studio
Michael Golamco‘s amiable Cowboy Versus Samurai (Mu Performing Arts performing in the Guthrie‘s Dowling Studio, through Nov 28) is loosely based on Edmond Rostand‘s 1897 classic, Cyrano de Bergerac. Ah, but with one crucial distinction: Golamco’s letter composer, Travis, lacks…
Table 12 and An Adult Evening Of Shel Silverstein by Freshwater Theatre at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage
For its premiere production, Freshwater Theatre remounts two (successful) comedies from the Fringe Festival: Table 12, A Play At A Wedding and An Adult Evening Of Shel Silverstein (Freshwater Theatre performing at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage, Franklin and Lyndale, through…
Dawes at First Avenue
There is something about the sincerity of a Dawes performance that hits you like a punch to the gut and leaves you a little shell-shocked. Frontman Taylor Goldsmith spits out lyrics like he’s been bottling them up for years—and maybe…
“Fully Committed” at The Jungle Theater
If you’ve ever “worked the phones,†been in the service industry, or brushed up against the sometimes silly arrogance of the rich and/or famous, you will so understand this play. However, Fully Committed, by Becky Mode, directed by Casey Stangl…
Spring Awakening at The Orpheum Theatre
In Spring Awakening (Hennepin Theatre Trust performing at the Orpheum, tonight — Nov 7 – only) the musical creators have made a magical discovery: that the flowery 19th century text can be combined with 21st century rock music and the…
The Crowd You’re In With
Walking Shadow Theatre Company’s fifth season begins with the local premier of a play by Rebecca Gilman, The Crowd You’re In With. Set in present day Chicago, and played entirely on the patio behind a small apartment building, the private…
The 39 Steps at The Guthrie Theater
In The 39 Steps (on the Guthrie‘s McGuire Stage, through December 19) everything is played for yuks. Character transitions are made onstage, often with actors simply donning a new hat or coat (four performers divvy up every character in the…
“The House of the Spirits” at Mixed Blood Theatre
Mixed Blood Theatre once again takes us someplace we haven’t been before with The House of Spirits, a bilingual adaptation by Caridad Svich of Isabel Allende’s acclaimed novel. Using the tragedy of Chile’s 20th century politics as a backdrop for…
Black Prairie and Canasta at the 400 Bar
Wednesday’s bill at the 400 Bar featuring Portland, Oregon’s Black Prairie (members of the Decemberists and friends) and Chicago’s Canasta was more than enough to bring me out of music writer retirement. And I wasn’t disappointed. It turned out to…