Wednesday, December 12, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: MARIE AND ROSETTA at Park Square Theatre

Read what our bloggers thought about Park Square Theatre's regional premiere of MARIE AND ROSETTA, about real life gospel and rock&roll legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe. (Spoiler alert: they loved it!)
Compendium - Minneapolishttps://bit.ly/2AEP9DZ
"The linchpin of the whole thing rests with Jamecia Bennett, who is superb as Sister Rosetta (and may be my favorite performance all year). Bennett has the look, the swag, the dialogue, and especially the pipes - her voice bellows throughout the theater like a sound tsunami, enveloping each and every audience member in a tight, warm, rich embrace. If you're not in tears by her second number or so, I'm not sure you have a soul."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_marieros
"This play with music paints a beautiful picture of these two very different women, their music, and their relationship, as well as the hardships both faced in their lives and careers, and brings these two musical legends to vivid life"
Photo by Petronella J. Ytsma

Sunday, December 9, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at the Jungle Theater

Our bloggers were smitten by The Jungle Theater's second foray into the world of Jane Austen PRIDE AND PREJUDICE fan fiction. Read on for their thoughts on the world premiere play THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY.
Twin Cities Stageshttp://bit.ly/2EaNObh
"THE WICKHAMS is a lovely show for Christmas and for the days we are living in. It is a show about compassion, gender equality and finding your own voice. For those who find joy in theater around the holidays as I do, The Wickhams is a must see."
Compendium - Minneapolishttps://bit.ly/2Q6B9NQ
"The standout elements of this show were the impeccable comedic timing, directed to perfection by Christina Baldwin. This ship is run as tightly as a British naval frigate and the cast whips through jokes with casual ease. That cast is small but smart, by the way, and everyone serves their roles perfectly."
Play off the Pagehttps://bit.ly/2QgCwd2
"The writers confess that they take a few liberties with the characters and the rules of society of the times, but what they create is entertaining, thought-provoking, and just what we need as we examine the roles and rules of men and women in any society/relationship."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_wickhams
"THE WICKHAMS feels like Jane Austen for the #metoo era. George Wickham represents that charming scoundrel who appears so often in novels (and in real life), and turns that idea on its head, revealing that it's actually not charming to deceive and mistreat women, and women both real and fictional are no longer going to put up with that kind of behavior. Hooray!"
Twin Cities Arts Reader: 
https://twincitiesarts.com/2018/12/11/review-listening-to-lydia-in-the-wickhams-christmas-at-pemberley-jungle-theater/
Photo credit:
Mrs. Reynolds (Angela Timberman) does not approve of The Wickhams (Nate Cheeseman and Kelsey Didion, photo by Rich Ryan)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: Black Nativity at Penumbra Theatre

A couple of our bloggers attended this year's production of Penumbra Theatre Company's 30+ year tradition, BLACK NATIVITY - the nativity story as expressed through black culture. Needless to say we were inspired. Read on for more, and click here for info and tickets:
https://penumbratheatre.org/event/black-nativity-3/
Cherry and Spoon:
"There truly is no better place to experience the "joyful noise" of the holiday* season than at Penumbra Theatre's annual production of Black Nativity."
http://bit.ly/cs_bnativity
Minnesota Theater Love:
"No matter how many times I see this show, it always manages to lift my spirits and recharge my holiday spirit. It has that effect on the rest of the audience as well, judging by the clapping and cheering. I heartily recommend it for everyone, whether you are excited for Christmas or a Scrooge in the making."
https://bit.ly/2Qyq8nY
Greta Oglesby and Dennis Spears with the choir from last year's production (photo by Allen Weeks)

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Children's Theatre Company

A few of our bloggers recently visited Children's Theatre Company for the holiday favorite HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, and some of us even met him! Click the links below to read about it, and look closely for a special 20% discount ticket offer!
THE GRINCH continues through January 6, 2019. Click here for more info (including parent guides) and tickets:
https://www.childrenstheatre.org/…/dr-seuss-s-how-the-grinc…
Pictured: Jill from Cherry and Spoon, the Grinch, and Tracy from Soul Photography & Media.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story at History Theatre

Tyler Michaels as Bobby Vee
(photo by Scott Pakudaitis)
"The entire cast brings such joy and energy to the show that the audience can't help but have fun along with them." ~Cherry and Spoon
History Theatre's Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story runs through December 16!

Friday, November 30, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: Go Back for Murder at Theatre in the Round

"With Christie’s master hand at creating complicated characters... we are treated once again to a mystery that is fun to watch and try to solve." ~Play off the Page
Catch GO BACK FOR MURDER at Theatre in the Round through December 16!

Monday, November 26, 2018

Friday, November 23, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: Prescient Harbingers at Mixed Blood Theatre

HOODED (photo by Rich Ryan)
"Young black men are dying at an alarming rate, and these are voices we need to listen to if we ever hope to understand the problem so that we can stop it from happening."

Cherry and Spoon urges you to see Mixed Blood Theatre Company's Prescient Harbingers, a trio of plays written by black men: Idris Goodwin, Tearrance Arvell Chisholm, and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

http://www.cherryandspoon.com/2018/11/prescient-harbingers-hype-man-hooded.html

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: Noises Off at the Guthrie Theater

photo by Dan Norman
"This is a show that includes non stop laughs with misunderstandings, meta moments and also amazing talent and timing."
Brett Talk: https://bit.ly/2OrnkUo
"I could watch this play a million times and it would feel like a fresh experience."
"The production... is very funny, well-cast, and features several sensational performances and a marvelous rotating set."
Twin Cities Arts Readerhttp://bit.ly/2Qaiv6X
"...a hilarious comedy that will make your face hurt from laughing so much."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_noisesg
Catch NOISES OFF at Guthrie Theater through Dec. 16.

Friday, November 16, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: I Come from Arizona at Children's Theatre Company


"This production makes what for some of us may be abstract immigration policy ideas seem very real, and very human."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_arizona
"It's the boldest show I've seen from this company yet, beautifully executed, and full of important subtext that isn't dumbed down but is still accessible to children. It provides kids with a framework to understand the issue of immigration and what it means to them, while still leaving the space to form their own perspectives."
Compendium - Minneapolishttps://bit.ly/2OJMNha
Don't miss Children's Theatre Company's I COME FROM ARIZONA playing through November 25!

TCTB Review Roundup: The Clean House by Theatre Unbound

"You couldn’t ask for a better theatrical gift in dark times. Give yourself a treat and go see it. I dare you not to smile."
Theatre Unbound's THE CLEAN HOUSE closes this weekend!

Thursday, November 15, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: The Great Gatsby by Collide Theatrical Dance Company


"I'm a theater blogger who doesn't know how to write about dance. Except that it's fantastic."Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_gatsby
"This is truly a mesmerizing theatrical experience."
Play off the Pagehttps://bit.ly/2OEEDS9
Catch Collide Theatrical's THE GREAT GATSBY through November 18!

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

TCTB Review Roundup: The Book of Mormon Broadway Tour


"It's a huge spectacle with shock value, but my theory on why it's such a huge and lasting success is that underneath all this is a really beautiful message of hope, friendship, and community." Cherry and Spoon
Read the full review: http://bit.ly/cs_mormon18
THE BOOK OF MORMON runs through Sunday! Check out what else our bloggers had to say...

TCTB Review Roundup: Present at Illusion Theater


"T. Mychael shares his heart, his stories, and his musical gift in a way that will warm your heart, entertain you, and leave you wanting more."
Read Cherry and Spoon's full review: http://bit.ly/cs_present
Catch PRESENT at Illusion Theater through November 17!