REVIEW: Dislocation and Danger in Refugia (The Moving Company/Guthrie Theater) Arts Theatre by Dan Reiva - May 30, 2017June 1, 2017 Steven Epp and Jamal Abdunnasir in The Moving Company's production of Refugia. Photo by Dan Norman. Hang around the Twin Cities theatre scene long enough and the name Theatre de la Jeune Lune is sure to come up. Since that ensemble dissolved in 2008, its performing space became Aria at the Jeune
REVIEW: Arguing Aesthetics in Amy’s View (Park Square Theatre) Arts Theatre by Bev Wolfe - May 26, 2017May 27, 2017 Photo by Petronella J. Ytsma. Yes, we speak of things that matter With words that must be said: “Can analysis be worthwhile?” “Is the theater really dead?” These words from Paul Simon’s song “The Dangling Conversation” kept running through my mind as I attended Amy’s View at Park Square Theatre. Yes, the play is talky.
INTERVIEW: Theatre Pro Rata on Up: The Man in the Air Arts Theatre by Kit Bix - May 26, 2017May 27, 2017 John Middleton, Shanan Custer, Carin Bratlie Wethern, and Mark Benzel at Park Square Theatre. Photo by Kit Bix. Theatre Pro-Rata’s latest offering, Up: The Man in the Air, opens Friday, May 26 at Park Square Theatre's Andy Boss Thrust Stage. This "fantastical biography" was inspired by the true story of Larry Walters, an amateur inventor
INTERVIEW: Sharpening La Rondine: Boston Opera Collaborative and the Swallow’s Diet Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - May 18, 2017May 18, 2017 Reworking or remixing opera classics is one of the hot current trends in American opera circles. Skylark Opera Theatre's production of The Tragedy of Carmen certainly caught local opera fans' attention with a heavily streamlined, 90-minute version of the classic opera by Bizet, with packed houses and fans clamoring to see this up-close-and-personal treatment. Transforming
REVIEW: Jiving Sisters of Swing (History Theatre) Arts Dance Music Theatre by Bev Wolfe - May 17, 2017May 17, 2017 Cat Brindisi, Katie Hahn, and Jen Burleigh-Bentz in the History Theatre’s production of Sisters of Swing. The Andrew Sisters were the sweethearts of the World War II generation. When my mother was in nursing school during the war, the students in the girls’ dorm would congregate around the dorm piano and
REVIEW: Patchy La Bohème Shines Through (Minnesota Opera) Arts Dance Music Opera Theatre Visual Arts by Basil Considine - May 10, 2017June 24, 2018 Scott Quinn (Rodolfo) and Nicole Cabell (Mimì) in Minnesota Opera's production of La Bohème. Photo by Dan Norman. Minnesota Opera's new production of La Bohème is uneven. There are parts that are exceedingly beautiful and engaging, and there are some that are noticeably not on the same level as the others. Call it
REVIEW: TU Dance – TU Be…or Not (Ordway) Arts Dance by Dan Reiva - May 7, 2017May 7, 2017 Saturday night’s performance by TU Dance at the Ordway in St. Paul showcased the company’s classical styling mixed with an edgy modern urban aesthetic. One goal of TU’s choreographers and dancers is to create original dance works that raise audience awareness of significant cultural issues and take on important social
NEWS: Chameleon Theatre Circle Creeps Towards Twin Cities Arts Dance Music Theatre by Basil Considine - May 5, 2017July 11, 2017 Julia Ennen as Daisy and Anna Larranaga as Violet in The Chameleon Theatre Circle's 2017 production of Side Show, which opened to packed houses at the Ames Center for the Performing Arts shortly after a future booking controversy became public. Photo by Daniel K. McDermott for Sinséar Video + Photography. The Chameleon Theatre Circle
REVIEW: No Warts on Frog and Toad‘s Return (Children’s Theatre Company) Arts Dance Music Theatre by Bev Wolfe - May 2, 2017May 2, 2017 Autumn Ness, Matthew Rubbelke, Traci Allen Shannon, Reed Sigmund, and Bradley Greenwald try their hands at flying kites in A Year with Frog and Toad. Photo by Dan Norman. A most splendid year with Mr. Frog and Toad is offered to all who attend A Year with Frog and Toad at Children’s Theatre