Friday, March 31, 2017

Matilda (National Tour) - TCTB Review Roundup

The National Tour of Matilda is in town through the weekend playing at the Orpheum Theater, part of Hennepin Theatre Trust. All the bloggers who attended the show agree that it is a delightful fun show that is filled with talented kids and adults a like. 
Check out the TCTB Review roundup below:
Twin Cities Stages says, "Matilda is a high energy and hopeful show that is sure to be enjoyed by the whole family." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nrRZV6
Cherry and Spoon says it is "Great fun for grown-ups and mature little ones alike" Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nIy6f7
Compendium - Minneapolis writes, "Matilda is a story that feels fresher than ever despite it's age" Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2okgOq3
Minnesota Theater Love calls the show "a delight from start to finish" Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2oiAuuf

Thursday, March 30, 2017

The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin - TCTB Review Roundup

The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin is currently playing at the History Theatre until April 9th. It is play that explores an often forgotten part of American history, the Chinese exclusion Act, through a Minnesotan lens. Multiple bloggers went and saw the show, and all gave it positive reviews. Check out the review roundup below:

The Room Where It Happens says, " The cast is marvelous and captures the humor, heartbreak and the haunting of this tale wonderfully." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2omOAaY

Cherry and Spoon writes, "But the storytelling is clear and effective, thanks to the direction by Mei Ann Teo and this wonderful cast." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2omJxr1

Play off the Page says, "I applaud Jessica Huang for writing this wonderful script, and Mei Ann Teo for her expert direction." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mU1tMA

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Twisted Apples - TCTB Review Roundup

"Twisted Apples: Stories from Winesburg Ohio" is a new work by Nautilus Music-Theater and can be seen at their studio until April 2nd. A couple Twin Cities Theater Bloggers saw the show and enjoyed the experience, check out the roundup below:
Cherry and Spoon says, "This is very much what the opera is - stories of every day life, of people dealing with love, loss, longing, regret, hope, dreams. It's really more of a character study than a plot-driven piece, with complex characters beautifully drawn by Jim Payne's adaptation of the novel and Robert Elhai's gorgeous and evocative music, brought to vivid life by this talented cast." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nN2mG5
Twin Cities Stages writes, "In all Nautilus has put together a beautiful story that is familiar and new all in one. " Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nhmsVV

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Urinetown - TCTB Review Roundup

Urinetown is playing at Lyric Arts until April 2nd. This darkly fun yet time appropriate show was loved by all the bloggers who saw it. 
Check out the TCTB Review roundup below:
Cherry and Spoon says, " Director Matt McNabb leads the cast in a highly stylized, exaggerated movement, campy style that is super fun to watch." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2n9vM0k
Play off the Page writes, "Lyric Arts Main Street Stage brings out all the best of this twisted and absurd tale of drought, potty lines, division, and decline of society." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nwrhOc
Twin Cities Stages says, "Urinetown is a show that has it all, a great cast, a beautiful set, creative choreography with a story that seems as if it were written for our current times." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nqZM5Z
Say Entirely writes, "With satirical humor, toe-tapping songs, over-the-top characters, and even star-crossed lovers, Urinetown has everything you could ask for from a show….and Lyric’s production—from cast to set to music—is wonderful." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nGg7ae

Monday, March 20, 2017

Citizen: An American Lyric - TCTB Review Roundup

Citizen: An American Lyric, a stage adaptation of Claudia Rankine's book of the same name, presented by Frank Theatre at Intermedia Arts is playing until April 2nd. It explores race in America in a very powerful way. All the bloggers who saw it urge everyone to go see it.

Checkout the TCTB roundup below: 

Single White Fringe Geek writes, "Just go. See it. It’s easily the most important piece of theater I’ve seen so far this year. It’s also the nicest thing you can do for yourself and your self-awareness." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mHyNS9
The Room Where It Happens says, "I cannot stress the importance of the show enough or the brilliance that is Rankine’s work. Read it, see it, and talk about it." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2n0mL8i
Say Entirely writes, "Citizen covers the heavy and the difficult, but it’s necessary." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nJX9w5

Sunday, March 19, 2017

The Red Shoes - TCTB Review Roundup

The Red Shoes by Open Eye Figure Theatre has been extended until March 25th. Which is great news! It means you still have a week to see a show that the Twin Cities theater bloggers agree was a fantastic and completely different theater experience. 
Check out the Twin Cities Theater Blogger round up below. 
Cherry and Spoon says, "The Red Shoes is something so curious and unique, odd and chilling, inventive and charming, it's thoroughly captivating from start to finish." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mj91YX
Say Entirely writes, "The Red Shoes will make you laugh and tilt your head with uncertainty in almost equal measure. Lovers of neat conclusions tied up a presented with a bow: beware. Those of you that appreciate gray area and conjecture, get your tickets now." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nTGDc8

Friday, March 17, 2017

The Sneetches: The Musical - TCTB Review Roundup

The Sneetches: The Musical is playing at Children's Theatre Company until March 26th. Many bloggers went to see this show and all agreed that is a very timely show and is sure to be both entertaining and educational for the whole family. 
Checkout the TCTB Review Roundup Below. 
One Girl, Two Cities wrote about a backstage tour that some of the bloggers were able to go on. Check out the full write up here: http://bit.ly/2nzr4Hm
Play off the Page writes, "The Sneetches at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis is fantasical, satirical, relevant, and bright!" Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2m9ZK5G
Cherry and Spoon says, "The Sneetches may be a children's story, but I think us grown-ups need it even more than our children." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nMGZS2
Compendium - Minneapolis writes, "The Sneetches: The Musical is a gift offered at the perfect time, helping us navigate difficult issues with a smile." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2kzJQAK
Say Entirely says, "Old, young, star bellied or plain: give a gift to yourself and your loved ones and go see this show." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nMUgtL
Twin Cities Stages writes, "The Sneetches: the Musical is a fun show that has been assembled with great talent." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2n66kZX

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

King Lear - TCTB Review Roundup

King Lear is running at the Guthrie Theater until April 2nd. This highly acclaimed Shakespeare work is quite heavy and has a lot going on. The bloggers who saw this show were all mostly positive. Hear more about their thoughts in the TCTB Review roundup below:
Play off the Page says, "It’s all there on stage at the Guthrie. I have never experienced a performance that was so powerful and gruesome." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nEpEuj
PhenoMNal Twin Cities writes, "King Lear is probably my favorite of Shakespeare’s works and, despite its flaws, the Guthrie’s production is still worth seeing." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2na2OOV
Compendium - Minneapolis says, "This is marvelously staged production and beautifully performed Shakespeare." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2kUkMEC
Cherry and Spoon writes, "this is a beautiful and top-notch production of one of Shakespeare's greatest plays." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2ns6g4t

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

The Awakening - TCTB Review Roundup



The Awakening, an adaptation of Kate Chopin's novel is currently playing at The Southern Theater until March 18th and is part of ARTShare. All the bloggers who saw this show agreed that it left them thinking, and that it was a great story for Women's History Month. Check out the TCTB Review Roundup below:
Cherry and Spoon says, "The Awakening is a truly lovely and moving story of a woman's struggles to find her place in a world that doesn't accept her." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nCTdMW
Single White Fringe Geek writes, "the look, the mood, and the atmosphere of The Awakening, as well as the central performances, make it well worth seeing." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mLRmYp
The Room Where It Happens says, "In the middle of women’s history month and in discussions of current events, a play like this has never felt more important." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2nlUVGv

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Mere Trifles - TCTB Review Roundup

Happy International Women's Day. In celebration today's TCTB review roundup is of Mere Trifles, a collection a short plays by women presented byTheatre Unbound playing at SteppingStone Theatre until March 12th. 
Check out what a couple of our bloggers said about it below. 
Single White Fringe Geek says, "But there’s nothing mere or trifling about it. It’s another solid outing in Unbound’s tradition of past presentations of short works old and new" Read the full review:http://bit.ly/2mnG6S2
Cherry and Spoon writes, "the connecting thread of these plays is women making sometimes difficult decisions to better their lives and control their own destiny. " Read the full review:http://bit.ly/2mlsyVC

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

The Royal Family - TCTB Review Roundup



The Royal Family currently playing at the Guthrie Theater until March 19th is a story about a theatrical family. Our Twin CIties Theater Bloggers had mixed feelings about this show but agree that it is a lavish production. Check out the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Roundup below.
Cherry and Spoon says, "The Royal Family is a gorgeous production with a gorgeously talented cast, a hilarious play about a wacky family and that thing we all love best - theater." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2lYum5E
Compendium - Minneapolis writes, "If you're looking for a gorgeous period staging and are a fan of the reality show life, this will probably catch you. If you're looking for something totally abstracted from today's woes, or with a little teeth to it, you won't find it here." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2kci7Wz
Talkin Broadway says, " Cast to perfection, this gem of a production, directed by (Broadway toast) Rachel Chavkin, is as rich in wit as it is in humanity." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mx7w8o

Sunday, March 5, 2017

We Are Proud To Present - TCTB Review Roundup

We Are Proud to Present is running in the Dowling Studio of the Guthrie Theater until March 12th. It has gotten rave reviews from the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers who have attended. 
Check out the TCTB Review Roundup below: 
Compendium - Minneapolis says, "We are all living, breathing products of those who came before us, and we carry the legacies of our ancestors with us. It is only when we can confront those legacies head on and tear them down, brick by brick, that we can begin to rebuild a better, fairer world for us all. We Are Proud to Present is a powerful call to self-examination, and it's one we need now more than ever." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mWcqJl
Cherry and Spoon says, "It's such a powerful and important piece, forcing us to look at the long-lasting effects of colonialism around the world, its parallels with slavery in America, and how difficult it is to talk about racism." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2lLo3lc
PhenoMNal Twin Cities writes, "an incredibly profound, provocative, masterful exploration of race, gender, culture, and history in America." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mH6c3F

Friday, March 3, 2017

The King and I (National Tour) - TCTB Review Roundup



The King and I national tour is currently in Minneapolis at the Orpheum Theater until March 5th. Many bloggers saw the show opening night and enjoyed the lavish production while taking note of the problematic themes and values shown in this 1950s musical.
Check out the Twin Cities Theater Blogger Round Up Below:
PhenoMNal Twin Cities says, "So if you love this musical, be assured you will appreciate this production. This performance was mostly what you would expect from this caliber of production, in terms of top-notch acting, singing, and all the rest." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mCqueO
Cherry and Spoon says the show is a "beautifully done classic musical" Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mPuGEN
Play off the Page writes, "It’s a 1950’s musical. It has romance, gorgeous music, elaborate set, darling costumes, and a bit of racism." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mo9Wqv
Compendium - Minneapolis says, "the cast is wonderful, the sets and costumes are spectacular, and it's a true glimpse into what might have been if we had only taken the time to observe other cultures rather than destroy them." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2m6bJPN
Talkin Broadway says, "If you sideline the questionable facets of the show that remain, you'll probably be swept away, as I was, by the magnificence of Rodgers' score, masterfully performed by a live orchestra. Throw in a superb cast, Tony Award-winning costumes by Catherine Zuber, and a dozen so really outstanding dancers, and you've got ... something wonderful." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mokCFt

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Anna in the Tropics - TCTB Review Roundup

photo: l to r: Juan Rivera Lebron (Juan Julian), Al Clemente Saks
(Santiago) and Adlyn Carreras (Ofelia) in Jungle Theater’s production
of Anna In The Tropics; photographer: Dan Norman)
We are having unseasonably warm weather in Minnesota this winter, but things are really heating up The Jungle Theater in Anna in the Tropics, playing until March 12th. Many Twin Cities Theater Bloggers saw the show, and although the reception was somewhat mixed, one sentiment is clear throughout, Anna in the Tropics is a great reminder of the power of great story telling. 
Check out the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers roundup for Anna in the Tropics below. 
Single White Fringe Geek says, "This production takes the sensuality of the words in the script and brings them to full life onstage in a way that easily swept the audience right along with it. Anna In The Tropics is the kind of play you enjoy surrendering to." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2m0wVGS
Say Entirely writes, "It makes you think about just how much impact the stories we hear and the stories we tell enact upon our lives." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2myNhbv
Twin Cities Stages says, "Anna in the Tropics will transport you to steamy Tampa, Florida and will remind you of the importance of stories and their transformative properties." Read he full review:
http://bit.ly/2lzB5lH
Talkin Broadway writes, "while saturated with sensual imagery, poetry, and richly evocative metaphors drawn from nature, is largely realistic. Where fantasy exists, it is largely confined to people's thoughts. And yet, like many narratives about American immigrants past and present, the play has a mythical, timeless feel to it." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2lzypV7
Cherry and Spoon says, "The writing of this play, and the Jungle's beautiful production that brings it to life, have a very dreamlike quality that prove his point. Storytelling is magical, it allows us to escape into other worlds, to imagine how other people feel." Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2mM8cVe