A collage of show images from the 2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival. There are many different ways to approach to the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Twin Cities' annual performing arts binge extravaganza. Mine has two rules. The first? Park once, move never. The second? Variety. Rule 1 means that, once I've parked my
Arts
NEWS: Judge Rules Against Guthrie Theater in Retaliation Complaint
The cover of a July 5, 2019 decision by the National Labor Relations Board against the Minneapolis-based Guthrie Theater. Yelled arguments bleeding through walls. Complaints answered with retaliation. Unanswered requests for Human Resources to assist and intervene. These are a small selection of the details that emerged in a recent case
Fringe File #1: INTERVIEW: Andrew Erskine Wheeler on Becoming Booth’s Ghost
A promotional photo for Booth's Ghost. Photo by Nathan Kornelis. He's played a Disneyland Genie, a Green Bay Packers Super Fan, Hubert H. Humphrey (twice), and assorted police officers over the years – so it's natural that Andrew Erskine Wheeler should eventually come around to playing a ghost. This ghost's beef?
REVIEW: Spectacular Summer Spectacular Take on Guys and Dolls (Guthrie Theater)
The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s summer musical production of Guys and Dolls, which opened Friday. Photo by T Charles Erickson. A robust and hilarious production of Guys and Dolls awaits audiences at the Guthrie Theater. This musical made its Broadway debut in 1950, adapting tales and characters from stories by
2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival – Coverage Round-up
BREAKING NEWS: Rose Ensemble Aborts Planned Closure
The Rose Ensemble announced last June that the much-decorated vocal ensemble would fade away at the end of the present season, citing declining revenues. Today, the Rose Ensemble delighted fans by announcing that its planned sunset would not actually take place. Thanks to an outpouring of fundraising and audience support,
REVIEW: Jefferson Township Sparkling Junior Talent Pageant Kills It (Park Square Theatre)
The cast of Jefferson Township Sparkling Junior Talent Pageant, opening Friday at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul, MN. Photo by Petronella J. Ytsma. A new musical with a very wordy title opened in St. Paul last night. The show? The Jefferson Township Sparkling Junior Talent Pageant by Keith Hovis. The
REVIEW: Bad Education on Trial in Spring Awakening (Chameleon Theatre Circle)
Schoolboys in Chameleon Theatre Circle's production of Spring Awakening. Photo by Kari Elizabeth Godfrey Photography LLC. It's surprising how well Spring Awakening has aged. For a show based on an 1891 stage drama by Frank Widekind, the musical's indictment of harmful education systems and nonexistent sex ed play very well in
REVIEW: Drizzle in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Ordway)
Kristin Stokes, Chris McCarrell, and Jorrel Javier in the national tour of The Lightning Thief. Photo by Jeremy Daniel. There might be a good children's show lurking inside The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. If there is, however, it's buried pretty deep. The show's great moment of wonder is when
BREAKING NEWS: Stephen Lord Resigns From Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Following last night's publication of an investigative feature on Stephen Lord, the American conductor has resigned from his positions at Michigan Opera Theatre and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Statements from both organizations follow. MOT's complete statement reads: Michigan Opera Theatre announced today that its Principal Conductor Stephen Lord has resigned from