The cast of the Guthrie Theater's production of Familiar by Danai Gurira. Photo by Dan Norman. An unexpectedly uproarious drama by Danai Gurira – one of the stars of the blockbuster movie Black Panther – opened last week at the Guthrie Theatre. The play weaves together various themes concerning assimilation, immigration, and family. In
Author: Bev Wolfe
Bev Wolfe is a Staff Reviewer at the Twin Cities Arts Reader. She is an attorney and avid theatre fan who has written theatre reviews for local publications since 2008. She is also an Ivey Awards evaluator.
REVIEW: Kids Rock Out in School of Rock (Orpheum/Hennepin Theatre Trust)
The cast of the national tour of School of Rock. Photo by Matthew Murphy. Andrew Lloyd Webber made much of his name and reputation with original – and now classic – rock operas like Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Returning to the genre in 2013, however, Andrew Lloyd Webber surprisingly chose something quite
REVIEW: New Twist on The Pirates of Penzance (Park Square Theatre)
Christina Baldwin (center) as the Major General in Park Square Theatre's The Pirates of Penzance. Photo by Petronella J. Ytsma. Park Square Theatre's current production of The Pirates of Penzance is a refreshing spin on the classic comic opera. This comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and lyrics by W.S. Gilbert premiered in New York City in
REVIEW: Terrifying Assassins (Theater Latté Da)
Dieter Bierbrauer as John Wilkes Booth in Theater Latté Da's production of the Sondheim musical Assassins. Photo by Dan Norman. “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life.” Oscar Wilde's words haunted me as I was finishing this review and learned the horrific news of the shooting in Broward County,
REVIEW: The Royale Knockout (Yellow Tree Theatre)
Santino Craven and David Murray in Yellow Tree Theatre's production of The Royale. Photo by Justin Cox. "BAM", "POW", "KAPOW" – A Knockout Bam goes the fist. Pow – another punch and someone’s seeing double. Kapow – the countdown is on and the play begins. Such is the flow of The Royale, an experiential telling of the
REVIEW: Stunning Sights and Dancing in The Wiz (Children’s Theatre Company)
Aimee Bryant as Addaperle in the Children's Theatre Company production of The Wiz. Photo by Dan Norman The Children’s Theatre Company and Penumbra Theatre co-production of The Wiz is an engaging endeavor that makes you wish these two theatre companies had teamed up earlier. Director Lou Bellamy and choreographer Patdro Harris have created
REVIEW: Ishmael Chases a White Whale (Jungle Theater)
A promotional image for the Jungle Theater's Ishmael. The Jungle Theater's new season – its last before it moves to a traditional fall-summer format – casts off with a hunt for a great white whale. Ishmael, now playing at the Jungle, is an adaptation of the classic Herman Melville novel Moby Dick. Director-playwright Leo
TOP 10: Bev Wolfe’s 10 Best Plays and Musicals of 2017
REVIEW: The Tech and Design Sides of Annie (Ordway)
The presidential cabinet: Kersten Rodau, Adam Qualls, Randy Schmeling, Bill Scharpen, Carl Schoenborn, and Charles Fraser in Annie. Photo by Rich Ryan. A locally produced holiday production of Annie is ending is its run at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Since its original opening on Broadway in 1977, Annie
REVIEW: A Christmas Carole Petersen Strikes Back (Latté Da)
Tod Petersen stars in Theater Latté Da's A Christmas Carole Petersen. Theater Latté Da is currently reprising its holiday staple, the oft-talked-about A Christmas Carole Petersen. The show was first presented in 2000, was an annual Latté Da tradition for 10 years, and returned last year after a 7-year absence. The show