One of the pleasures of reviewing theater in the Twin Cities is discovering another brave, small theater company tackling a challenging play and nailing it. The company is Nightpath Theatre, the play is “Old Times,†a modern classic by Nobel…
Author: Janet Preus
How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Children’s Theatre
The holiday season approaches, so it must be time once again for that lovable grouch called “Grinch†to attempt to steal Christmas from us. He can’t succeed, as we know, but it’s oh, so much fun watching him try. The…
In the Next Room at the Jungle Theater
The Jungle Theater has just opened Sarah Ruhl’s Tony-nominated play, “In the Next Room, or the vibrator play.†It’s created quite a buzz, and with good reason. It’s a thoroughly satisfying experience, if I may say, and certainly put the…
King Lear at Park Square Theatre
On a dark set, only minimally embellished with Art Deco flair, men in tuxes and tails, and women in slinky gowns with trains sip from martini glasses while a jolly entertainer croons a jazz standard. So begins our experience as…
Embers at the Guthrie Theater’s Dowling Studio
The Guthrie Theater has opened the third in its series of plays by Christopher Hampton: the American premier of Embers, based on the novel by Sándor Márai as translated by Carol Brown Janeway and directed by Joe Dowling. Beautiful, sad…
“Measure for Measure” by Ten Thousand Things Theater Company at Open Book
Ten Thousand Things Theater Company (TTT) has just opened a wonderfully tantalizing offering that is likely to invite discussion—once again—about Shakespeare’s “problem play,†his dark comedy, Measure for Measure. The plot turns on sinister questions. After learning that he jilted…
The 2012 Ivey Awards
The 2012 Ivey Awards celebration did it up right again last night with sparkly gowns, tearful winners and lively entertainment. This year the Iveys chose to feature the work of theater sound and lighting professionals, and any self-respecting theater…
Tales from Hollywood at the Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater’s 50th season begins with “A Celebration of Christopher Hampton†and Hampton’s play, Tales from Hollywood, a canny “what if†that follows the fortunes of  writers forced out of Europe prior to WW II by the Nazi’s mounting violence and…
Buccaneers at the Children’s Theatre Company
The Children’s Theatre Company sets sail this fall with Buccaneers by Liz Duffy Adams (book) and Ellen Maddow (music). Billed as a “swashbuckling pirate musical,†the show for children delivers on all the appurtenances you’d expect, with scrappy pirates (in…
King Idomeneo, Mixed Precipitation’s Picnic Operetta
Mixed Precipitation returns for a fourth season with opera outdoors, paired with snacks and set in a community garden. It’s about music, theater, community, sustainable food production and eating locally—and simply delightful entertainment. The annual production is masterminded by one…