Friday, July 29, 2016

Under the Gaslight at the Minnesota Centennial Showboat: TCTB Review Roundup

More fab plays to keep you cool in this blistering heat wave we've been having! First up: UNDER THE GASLIGHT, a lively new show at the University of Minnesota Showboat (!) that runs through August 27. Reviewers said "The creative team includes some of the top talent in town, and the cast is chock-full of talented young people that are the future of theater," and "The traditional painted backdrops are richly evocative and the costumes are so lush and elegant that you want to try them on yourself (the "Downton Abbey" effect!)."
The TCTC bloggers are also gearing up for the annual FRINGE FESTIVAL (as you may have noticed from our events page!). Check out our previews below, and let us know - what are you going to see? The festival begins on August 4.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Talley's Folley at Artistry: TCTB Review Roundup

If you want to see something new and elegant, make sure to check out TALLEY'S FOLLEY, now showing at Artistry (previously known as Bloomington Civic) through July 24. Our bloggers enjoyed it, saying "it is an intriguing idyll for a summer theater night" and "Joel Sass has designed a beautifully detailed and realistic set (as he often does)." To read the full reviews check them out below:
And thanks to the embarrassment of riches in our local theater scene, we've seen a bunch of assorted shows that we encourage you to learn more about at our REVIEW SPEED DATE below:
PhenoMNal Twin Cities: The Lady and the Trump (Brave New Workshop):http://bit.ly/29XZQpk
Play off the Page : Pinocchio (Children's Theatre): http://bit.ly/2adKX4b
Cherry and Spoon : A Midsummer Night's Dream (Classical Actors Ensemble):http://bit.ly/29L6VqU
Compendium : Million Dollar Quartet (Old Log Theatre):http://bit.ly/2adMW8I

Friday, July 15, 2016

Disney's The Lion King at Orpheum Theatre: TCTB Review Roundup

We just can't quit it can we? This week we saw THE LION KING (through August 7) and what a beauty it was! Bloggers absolutely love this family friendly show, and connected the story to current events. A selection of quotes includes:

"What was powerful about seeing The Lion King when I did is that it is simultaneously escapist and making a commentary on the world around us. It is a beautiful, spectacular show."

"The parallels between the story were also almost eerily contemporary, in a way I haven't appreciated in past viewings of the movie or the play...It goes without saying that this is a truly beautiful show, but if you haven't seen it before please do yourself a favor and revel in the spectacle."

"The message is one of hope and that we must be confident in who we are, not run but stand together for all that is good."

"The beauty in the production, from the writing to the costumes and special effects, provided me an opportunity to fully immerse myself in the emotional, yet positive vibes resonating through the theater."

"The Lion King is a feat of theatrical design."

Monday, July 11, 2016

South Pacific at the Guthrie: TCTB Review Roundup

Another TCTB REVIEW ROUNDUP coming your way: Few shows evoke sultry summer temperatures better than SOUTH PACIFIC, currently showing at the Guthrie Theater (through August 28). Our reviewers enjoyed the show and found its major themes, particularly those of racism and the morals we pass down to our children, to be contemporary and powerful.
Click the links below to see our thoughts and reasons to see the show, such as: "I can confirm that it definitely is a must-see summer experience;" "In the night, when all goes dark, the stars shone brightly through. South Pacific at the Guthrie Theater is a visually stunning piece;" "La vie est belle, life is beautiful, on the set of South Pacific;" and "There was something more genuine in this production than most musicals. South Pacific became a reality on stage instead of a dream."

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Calendar Girls at Park Square Theatre: TCTB Review Roundup

The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers recently partnered with Park Square Theatre to host an event before, during, and after a performance of CALENDAR GIRLS (playing through July 26). We all loved this feel-good, woman-power play, and enjoyed chatting with other theater goers and with cast members after the show. We look forward to continuing to partner with Park Square and other theater around town to host similar community-building events. (Send us a message if you're interested in hosting or participating in such an event.)
Click the links below to read about the play from a multitude of perspectives, and find such highlights as: "the joy of the play is spending time getting to know these realistic women and seeing their friendships develop and deepen;" "you'll laugh, you'll squirm in your seat, you'll shed a few (or many) tears, and you'll fall in love with these women;" "Calendar Girls is one of those rare stories that really does the female experience justice;" "rare is the script that provides multiple rolls for women over 40 who can play characters with such emotional depth and complexity."