First, allow me to express some negativity: why does the Guthrie Theater so often insist on bringing in New Yorkers to play parts that should, by rights, go to equally talented (and often even more gifted) Minnesotans? In the case of…
Author: John Olive
The Knight Of The Burning Pestle by Theatre Pro Rata, performing at Dreamland Arts
Ah, Dreamland Arts. Leslye Orr and Zaraawar Mistry’s wonderful performance space on leafy Hamline Avenue in St. Paul. Intimate – I’d be amazed if it seats more than 50 – comfortable, perfect. I adore it. Stomping its theatrical way into…
And So It Goes by Dark & Stormy Productions, perming at the Grain Belt Warehouse
What a cast! Dark & Stormy Productions features super-talented actors performing on a minimal set (the program for And So It Goes – D&S performing at the Grain Belt Warehouse, 77 13 Ave NE – doesn’t even list a set…
The Changelings at Ten Thousand Things Theater, performing at Bedlam Lowertown and at Open Book
By now you must know the Ten Thousand Things drill: no stage lights, no recorded sound effects, minimal set pieces, intricate music woven into the action (in this case created by the very busy, very talented Annie Enneking, guitarist and…
Complicated Fun at the History Theatre
For about 20 minutes in the early 1980s, Minneapolis created the best, the most influential, the most cutting edge music in the world. (Though no doubt there are many contemporary musicians who would happily drag you into the alley and…
Leap Of Faith by Minneapolis Musical Theatre performing at The New Century Theatre
Perusing the program for Leap Of Faith (Minneapolis Musical Theatre performing in The New Century Theatre, through May 22), I made an interesting discovery: that I was familiar with no one. The actors, the chorus, the director, the designers, the…
Theater: A Sacred Passage by Full Circle Theater Co., performing at Dreamland Arts
“It’s in our blood.” It’s as good an answer as any. Theater: A Sacred Passage (Full Circle Theater Co., performing in the lovely Dreamland Arts space, on leafy Hamline Ave., St. Paul) asks the apt question: why did we choose…
Lasso Of Truth by Workhaus Collective and Walking Shadow Theatre Co., performing at the Playwrights Center
“Have you accepted Wonder Woman into your heart?” the “Girl” (one of our fearless narrators) asks. The answer had better be Yes, because Lasso Of Truth is all about WW – how she was created, her place in American culture,…
C. by Theater Latté Da performing at the Ritz Theater
Cyrano’s nose is great. Super-long, warty, bent, broken (one imagines) numerous times, the nose provides a convincing reason for Cyrano’s suicidal self-loathing (“How can anyone love a face like this?”). His ugly honker drives him into increasingly arcane and abtruse…
The How And The Why by Theatre Unbound and the Hennepin Theatre Trust
Some outstanding stuff in this play, for sure, but it has to be said: The How And The Why (a co-production of Theatre Unbound and Hennepin Theatre Trust, at the New Century Theatre through March 20) is not for everyone.…