NEWS: Jerome Foundation Announces Inaugural Organization Grant Recipients

by Basil Considine - June 15, 2018June 15, 2018

A photo collage of artists and art funded by the Jerome Foundation. The Jerome Foundation today announced $4,159,500 in grants to 84 arts organizations in Minnesota and New York City. These grants to nonprofit arts organizations comprise inaugural offering of the foundation's new Organization Grants Program. The two-stage application process attracted 254

REVIEW: Cell Block Tangos Still Kicking in Chicago (Orpheum/Hennepin Theatre Trust)

by Bev Wolfe - June 10, 2018June 11, 2018

The cast of the Broadway tour of Chicago. Photo by Catherine Ashmore. Having worked as an attorney in the criminal justice system for fifteen years, I am always eager to see shows with a legal theme. Chicago is a fast-moving, lively legal-themed musical that gives a satiric portrayal of a decadent

REVIEW: Rapid Laughs in Lord Gordon Gordon (History Theatre)

by Bev Wolfe - May 21, 2018May 21, 2018

The cast of the History Theatre's Lord Gordon Gordon. Photo by Scott Pakudaitis. A fast moving evening of comedy and song awaits all who attend Lord Gordon Gordon (the name repetition is not a typo) at the History Theatre. It is the third collaboration between Jeffrey Hatcher (who wrote the book)

PREVIEW: Cirque Goes to the Movies (MN Orchestra)

by Twin Cities Arts Reader - May 16, 2018May 21, 2018

A photo collage of Cirque de la Symphonie in action. Love a live orchestra, wish there was more to look at? Then the Minnesota Orchestra's upcoming weekend concerts are just what the doctor ordered. The program Cirque Goes to the Movies mixes two great things: the orchestra's popular film music series and

FEATURE: On the Sweet, Seductive Decadence in Minnesota Opera’s Thaïs

by Basil Considine - May 11, 2018May 12, 2018

A scene from Jules Massenet and Anatole France's classic opera Thaïs, opening tomorrow at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN. Photo by Cory Weaver. Thaïs opens tomorrow at Minnesota Opera. The opera features some of the most beautiful music ever written, notably the famous Meditation (see below)

REVIEW: Flawed Script, Earnest Performance in Still Dance the Stars (Yellow Tree Theatre

by Bev Wolfe - May 2, 2018May 2, 2018

A scene from Yellow Tree Theatre's play with dance Still Dance the Stars. Photo by Justin Cox. A disintegrating marriage following the loss of a child. That is the central theme of Still Dance the Stars, currently playing at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo, MN and bringing the company's 10th season to

PREVIEW: Five Fifths of the Matrix Runs Down the Rabbit Hole (Minnesota Fringe)

by Basil Considine - April 29, 2018April 29, 2018

A promotional image for Five Fifths of The Matrix. On Monday, May 7, the Minnesota Fringe Festival rings in its approaching silver anniversary with the latest installment of its annual Five Fifths fundraiser. Each year, the festival selects a new movie to parody and riff on; this year, executive director Dawn Bentley

REVIEW: The Lorax‘s Striking Cautionary Tale (Children’s Theatre Company)

by Bev Wolfe - April 28, 2018April 28, 2018

The ensemble of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, now playing at the Children's Theatre Company. Photo by Dan Norman. “[U]nless someone likes you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” These words sum up the essence of the Children’s Theatre Company’s current musical production of the Dr.

REVIEW: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Are Back in Jersey Boys (Orpheum/HTT)

by Bev Wolfe - April 27, 2018April 27, 2018

Chris Stevens, Corey Greenan, Jonny Wexler, and Tommaso Antico as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons in the national tour of Jersey Boys. Photo by Joan Marcus. The excitement of the Broadway touring company playing this week at the Orpheum Theatre demonstrates why Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli &

REVIEW: Rough Five Points Has Its Moments (Theater Latté Da)

by Bev Wolfe - April 18, 2018April 18, 2018

Alejandro Vega as John Diamond Junior with the cast of Theater Latté Da's world premiere of the musical Five Points. Photo by Dan Norman. The musical Five Points had its world premiere at Theater Latté Da last week. It is the latest milestone in Theater Latté Da's NEXT 20/20 initiative to develop