Wednesday, January 31, 2018

The Maids - TCTB Review Roundup

Dark & Stormy Productions intimate production of THE MAIDS by French absurdist existential playwright Jean Genet had some of our bloggers confused, but not necessarily in a bad way. Click the links below for more.
"This play got under my skin, I can't stop thinking about it... This weight, or lingering feeling stems from two things about the production, firstly the incredible performances by all involved, and secondly my confusion of what I just saw"
Twin Cities Stages:
http://bit.ly/2Bw8pBY
"This play is fascinating, if perplexing, and worth seeing for the performances of this three-person female cast [Emily Bridges, Jane Froiland, and Sara Marsh] alone."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_maids
More info and tickets: http://www.darkstormy.org/
Photo credit: Rick Ryan

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

The Last Five Years - TCTB Review Roundup

American composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST FIVE YEARS is a cult fave among musical theater nerds. Several of TCTB's theater nerds saw Artistry MN's new production, and you can read their differing opinions below. The show runs through February 11 but has been virtually sold out since before it opened, so call the box office soon to see what's left for tickets.
https://artistrymn.org/theater/lastfiveyears.html
Coffee Talk with Brett: http://bit.ly/2Bce8g9
"THE LAST FIVE YEARS is a simple but beautifully crafted story. Artistry produces this production in their Black Box space which adds even more intimacy to the production and is probably one of my favorite parts about it."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_l5y
"The Black Box space is small enough to provide the intimacy the piece needs, with just a sparse two-person band, and a truly fantastic young cast in Aly Westberg O'Keeffe and Ryan London Levin."
Minnesota Theater Lovehttp://bit.ly/2rpjuFj
"Though Ryan London Levin and Aly Westberg O'Keeffe have talent and charm as Jamie and Cathy, director Elena Giannetti doesn't trust the material to tell the story. The simplicity of the show is overshadowed by too much stage business, and the singing is overwrought, losing sight of the storytelling."
(photo by Devon Cox)

Monday, January 29, 2018

A Steady Ran and Ishmael - TCTB Review Roundup

Good Monday morning #TCTheater friends! Here are a couple of shows closing this weekend that you might want to check out while you still can.
Gremlin Theatre: A STEADY RAIN, closing Feb. 3
(photo by DreamFirstBorn Images)
"In what's basically a treatise on toxic masculinity and the damage it can do, playwright Keith Huff has created two complex characters in a brilliantly written play that's impeccably executed by the team at Gremlin. Two incredible acting performances, tight and clear direction, simple yet powerful design that heightens the storytelling, all in an intimate space that makes it feel all too real."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_steadyrain

The Jungle Theater: ISHMAEL, closing Feb. 4
(photo by Dan Norman)
"ISHMAEL feels like a Fringe show in its inventiveness, but raised to a new level with the addition of the music and top-notch design elements."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_ishmael
"Jack Weston's performance as Ishmael, along with multiple other characters, was fascinating to watch. I found it incredible how easily he seemed to be able to switch between characters by subtly changing the way that he spoke and the way that he carried himself."
Twin Cities Stageshttp://bit.ly/stages_ishmael

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Rhinoceros and Our House - Review Roundup

LAST CHANCE! Here are a couple more shows closing this weekend, brought to you by Cherry and Spoon:
Theatre in the Round: RHINOCEROS
"RHINOCEROS reminds us to be wary of large lumbering beasts running through our town and destroying everything we've worked so hard to build. Theatre in the Round's production makes great use of their in-the-round space and a wonderfully committed cast to entertain while also disturbing."
http://bit.ly/cs_rhino18
Wonderlust Productions at the Minnesota State Capitol: OUR HOUSE: THE CAPITOL PLAY PROJECT
(Note: the three remaining shows are sold out, but if you arrive early you can put your name on the waitlist beginning 30 minutes prior to showtime.)
"OUR HOUSE is unabashedly sincere and optimistic about the people who work in government, but it's also harshly realistic about the inefficiencies and corruption within the system. It should be required viewing for every citizen."
http://bit.ly/cs_capitol

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Superior Donuts - TCTB Review Roundup

Lyric Arts regional premiere of Tracy Letts' SUPERIOR DONUTS closes this weekend! Read what our bloggers thought about it, and then make plans to head north to Anoka this weekend!
Info and tickets:
http://www.lyricarts.org/superior-donuts
Coffee Talk with Brett: http://bit.ly/2mGgu1R
"The cast tells this story so well with each actor giving their given moment... Our two leads are both phenomenal."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_donuts
"SUPERIOR DONUTS is smart, funny, scary, poignant, and takes us through the highs and lows of life, finding joy in simple companionship. It's lovely to see a story about people of different races, cultures, generations, and opinions working together and being a community."
Say Entirelyhttp://bit.ly/2n9EZ7M
"Despite the difficulties faced by the characters, this is a story of hope at heart. The friendship that grows between Arthur and Franco is enough to give even the staunchest cynics a dose of optimism and a smile. These characters show that, maybe more than anything, it takes hope to make your way in the world. And hope is what the characters—and the audience–are left with."

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Ruthless! - TCTB Review Roundup

Friends, Theatre Elision's super short run of the super fun musical spoof RUTHLESS! has one last performance today! Read what our bloggers thought, and then get your tickets stat!
Info and tickets: 
"Darkly hilarious, gorgeously sung, cleverly written, campily performed, a spoof of the entertainment industry and shows we love, RUTHLESS! is a super fun 90 minutes that you should add to your weekend schedule."
Twin Cities Stageshttp://bit.ly/stages_ruthless
"The six women in the cast hit all the right notes and also have perfect comic timing. The show directed by Lindsay Redman was able to hit just the right level of absurdity to make the show hilarious without becoming eye-rolly."

Monday, January 15, 2018

2017 Twin Cities Theater Blogger Award Winners!

Drumroll please... the winners of the 3rd annual Twin Cities Theater Bloggers awards have been determined*! Thanks to all of the amazing #TCTheater companies for keeping us entertained, challenged, intrigued, and engaged in 2017. Here's to an even better 2018!

Friday, January 12, 2018

The Polarizing Express: Dysfunction Junction - TCTB Review Roundup

Haven't seen The Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre's holiday show THE POLARIZING EXPRESS: DYSFUNCTION JUNCTION yet? You're in luck - it continues through January 27. Check out what our bloggers had to say (er, write) about it:
PhenoMNal Twin Citieshttp://bit.ly/2CPD6qE
"There was an overall sense of intimacy in this latest production that hasn’t been there for a few shows. I felt like we were all one big family celebrating, laughing, cringing, and all in on the joke. There’s a lot about the show that is consistent from year to year, but rather than feeling tired, it felt comforting."
Compendium - Minneapolishttp://bit.ly/2BlvyeI
"BNW's current show The Polarizing Express blends the holidays and politics to provide an on-point critique and self-flagellation that will give you laughter therapy for days."

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

2017 TCTB Award Nominations

Announcing the Third Annual Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Awards! Ten bloggers* participated in the nomination process and will be voting on the winners this week. Winners will be announced on Monday January 15 on our Facebook page.