REVIEW: One Man Star Wars Trilogy = Extended In-Joke (Ordway) Arts Theatre by Basil Considine - June 24, 2017July 5, 2017 Charles Ross is the creator and star of One Man Star Wars Trilogy. With One Man Star Wars Trilogy, the title is more or less what you get. This solo show by Charles Ross is an extended set of in-jokes and references spanning the original Star Wars trilogy. It's nostalgic, at times very
REVIEW: Meandering Yet Compelling Fly by Night (Jungle Theater) Arts Music Theatre by Kit Bix - June 24, 2017June 25, 2017 Chris Koza (top) and (L-R) James Detmar, Joy Dolo, Jim Lichtscheidl, Royer Bockus and Joshua James Campbell. Photo by Dan Norman. It is always interesting to observe theatrical forms mutating and evolving. Fly by Night, now playing at the Jungle Theater, is advertised as a rock musical – a term that has
NEWS: Minnesota Opera Announces Additional Shows Arts Music Opera Theatre by Twin Cities Arts Reader - June 22, 2017June 24, 2018 A photo of the Arizona Opera production of Don Pasquale, from which the design of Minnesota Opera's upcoming production is taken. Photo by Ed Flores. Minnesota Opera announced today that it was adding a sixth opera and three concerts to its previously announced 2017-2018 season. The season, which normally ends in May, will
REVIEW: Dazzling American in Paris (Ordway/National Tour) Arts Dance Music Theatre by Bev Wolfe - June 16, 2017June 16, 2017 The touring company of An American in Paris. Photo by Matthew Murphy. A musical and visual feast awaits those attending the national tour of An American in Paris at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. The musical is based on the 1951 movie musical of the same name starring Gene Kelly,
REVIEW: Fine Dining, Rough Talk at Don Giovanni (Skylark Opera Theatre) Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - June 16, 2017June 17, 2017 Gabriel Preisser as Don Giovanni. Photo by Vera Mariner. At its best, Skylark Opera Theatre's Don Giovanni is an extraordinary way to experience a beloved Mozart opera. The site-specific performance at the Women's Club of Minneapolis provides ample opportunities for shaking up the traditional opera-going experience, which are ably exploited with a talented
INTERVIEW: Dan Norman on Photographing Theatre Magic Arts Dance Music Opera Theatre Visual Arts by Basil Considine - June 16, 2017June 16, 2017 A collage of theatrical photos by Dan Norman. Larger and uncropped versions are available below. Page through theatre reviews and websites in the Twin Cities and you'll see Dan Norman's name coming up again and again. In the past 12 years, Norman has become one of the most distinguished theatre photographers
INTERVIEW: Bob Neu on Skylark Opera Theatre’s Immersive Donny G. Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 Photo by Vera Mariner. This week, Skylark Opera Theatre opens a site-specific production of Don Giovanni at the Women's Club in Minneapolis. This performance, which will snake through different rooms in the venue, is the company's second outing since its financial and artistic reorganization last year. The Arts Reader's Basil Considine
NEWS: The 2017 Tony Award Winners Arts Dance Music Theatre Visual Arts by Twin Cities Arts Reader - June 11, 2017June 12, 2017 The cast of Come From Away performing “Welcome to the Rock” at the 2017 Tony Awards. Here are the 2017 Tony Award Winners. In a surprise upset, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 received only two wins in design categories (best sound and best lighting design). Best Play: Oslo (Book: J.T. Rogers) Best Musical: Dear Evan
REVIEW: RENT Keeps on Rocking Hard (Hennepin Theatre Trust) Arts Dance Music Theatre by Basil Considine - June 7, 2017June 7, 2017 The company for the RENT 20th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Carol Rosegg. As the last notes of RENT sounded, the audience burst from their seats en masse in a standing ovation. After that response, much of the writing of this review seems superfluous. For a show on its 20th anniversary tour, RENT has weathered the years very well. Jonathan
DC REVIEW: Delectable Appetizers in Les Indes Galantes (Opera Lafayette) Arts Music Opera Theatre by Basil Considine - June 2, 2017July 5, 2017 The Opera Lafayette Orchestra. Ryan Brown leads with his violin (standing, center). Sketch by Basil Considine. The Twin Cities opera scene is blessed with several opera companies whose specialties range from the popular canon to new repertoire to site-specific and unusual spectacle. If your tastes run to Baroque operas, however, your odds of