I think I’m going to stick with the theme of upended expectations while reviewing this year’s “Out There†Series at The Walker. Last night’s production, Kuro Tanino’s “Nikwa Gekidan Penino†(The Room Nobody Knows) was the poster boys (boys?) for that…
Author: Dominic Orlando
WONDERBAUM & LAPD at The Walker’s Out There 2014
Almost a decade ago, I learned my lesson about walking into a theatre space and rolling my eyes at the set. I was at the Walker Art Center’s annual “Out There†series. Back then I was going through my first…
“The Veterans Project” from Footprints Collective & Mixed Blood
First, let’s get the obvious out the way: you should go see The Veterans Project. It’s been developed and staged with great care by Leah Cooper at a fantastic space that was completely new to me (the Fort Snelling Base Camp)—and it…
“Kung Fu Zombies vs. Cannibals” at Mu Performing Arts
Randy Reyes has made a bold choice for his first production as Artistic Director of Theater Mu. Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement. Reyes is not only producing but directing his inaugural show—which is a world premiere—by a first-time…
“Uncle Vanya” at The Guthrie
One of the strangest things to happen in the last season of “Breaking Badâ€, AMC’s meth-fueled drama, is the role-switch (or apparent role-switch) of the two main characters. Walter White, desperate and stricken with cancer, goes from high-school chemistry teacher…
Nature Theatre Of Oklahoma, At The Walker Art Center
Alternately exhilarating and tedious, Nature Theatre of Oklahoma’s “Life and Times: Episode One†is, without a doubt, a one-of-a-kind experience. “Life and Times†is a sung-thru music-theatre piece, using as its libretto 16 hours of recorded audio—company member Kristin Worrall…
Wicked at the Orpheum Theater
Is there any point, really, in reviewing “Wickedâ€? By now, everyone’s seen it, loved it, hated it, or made up their minds after simply hearing about it and/or reading someone else’s review. Why write another one? The children—you say. Think…
Ivey 2013, At The Historic State Theatre
Good morning, Minneapolis! Â Dominic couldn’t make the awards Monday Night, so he sent me, Cousin Donny! Â All the way from Los Angeles, but I’m always happy to spend a weekend away from that glittering ratrap! Sorry to file so late,…
“Pride & Prejudice” At The Guthrie
For almost the entirety of the first act (despite its flaws) The Guthrie Theater’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” (written by Simon Reade, directed by Joe Dowling) is delightful. Â The swirl of scenery, the familiar faces in period costumes, the…
URINETOWN at The Jungle Theater
The Jungle Theater‘s delightful, exuberant production of Urinetown is occasionally hoisted on its own humorous petard. The show first premiered in New York over a decade ago—its brand of insider humor—commenting on the cheesy musical even as it presents us…