TCTB Review Roundup: Skylark Opera Theatre's COSI FAN TUTTE at the Historic Mounds Theater

Check out all the love for Cosi fan tutte Skylark Opera Theatre. Just three performances remain (March 29-31), so don't miss this utterly delightful reimagined version of the Mozart classic!

Cherry and Spoon writes: "Once again, Skylark Opera Theatre proves that even 230-year old operas with questionable plots can be fun, modern, and accessible." http://bit.ly/cs_cosi

Minnesota Theater Love raves: "Skylark Opera Theatre is a dang Minnesota treasure. Go see their delightful production of Cosi fan tutte, tell your friends, and support their innovative, beautiful work." https://bit.ly/2OkTy5y

From Twin Cities Stages: "'You have the most punchable face' is not how most operas start, but in Skylark Opera's Cosi fan tutte it is a fantastic introduction to their take on Mozart's comic classic." https://bit.ly/2CQfxwP

TCTB Review Roundup: The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company's THE MIKADO

It's spring! What better time for a little The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company and Rick Shiomi's The Mikado. Our bloggers were out in force to catch this show (through April 7th only).

From Cherry and Spoon: " I love G&S's fast, witty, joyful operas, and GSVLOC does them well with a huge cast and orchestra." http://bit.ly/cs_mikado

Play off the Page writes: "Cast with exuberant and talented performers, and choreographed in fun, even joyful, moves, and of course, the skilled musicians bring it to life." https://bit.ly/2TUO0DX

Say Entirely: "The Mikado is light, enjoyable, and full of universal, timeless humor." https://bit.ly/2Tl7gpT

Compendium - Minneapolis gets deep into Rick Shiomi's work and says: "By bringing in a visionary like Rick Shiomi to move The Mikado into the modern era, GSVLOC has found a way to have their cake and eat it too. " https://bit.ly/2TRoro5

PhenoMNenal Twin Cities: "In all, it was quite an enjoyable evening. The actors are well-cast; everyone sang and danced together seamlessly." https://bit.ly/2FxpgZr

TCTB Review Roundup: Pangea World Theater's MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN at the Lab Theatre

Mother Courage and Her Children at Pangea World Theater runs only through March 31. Read what our bloggers had to say:

Compendium - Minneapolis: "This is the second Pangea show I've had the pleasure of seeing, and let me say: they are really a delightful bunch doing incredible work under the radar. Despite the heavy material, Mother Courage still has a lot of heart, hope and entertainment wrapped within it." https://bit.ly/2TTNtDf

Cherry and Spoon: "The overall effect of the piece is the futility, senselessness, and absolute destruction of war. That's something that never changes, and a lesson that humans still have not learned after centuries of death and violence." http://bit.ly/cs_courage

Minnesota Theater Love: "Mother Courage and Her Children will stay with us for a long time as well. Director Dipanka Mukherjee's production reveals more complexity and layers the more we consider it." https://bit.ly/2Cp00DH

TCTB Review Roundup: ROE at Mixed Blood

Roe at Mixed Blood Theatre Company is STAGGERINGLY good. By Lisa Loomer, Roe is "a theatrical survey of the complicated and fiery underpinnings of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established a womxn’s right to an abortion."

Through March 31 only! Please go see it. Let our bloggers convince you in their posts below:

Cherry and Spoon calls it "the best thing I've seen this year." http://bit.ly/cs_roe

From Compendium - Minneapolis: "my first MUST SEE production of 2019." https://bit.ly/2W9AVE8

Minnesota Theater Love: "If you see one play this year, go see Roe at Mixed Blood Theatre. DO IT. GO. BYE." https://bit.ly/2Wg9mcn

TCTB Review Roundup: Closing Soon!

Closing soon! Don't miss these shows recommended by our bloggers!

She Persists at Pillsbury House Theatre (through March 24 only):

Cherry and Spoon: "Some of these plays are funny, some sobering, some inspirational, and are all smart, thought-provoking, well-written, well-directed, and beautifully performed by this four-woman cast." http://bit.ly/cs_shepersists

Minnesota Theater Love: "This is an entertaining and thought-provoking evening of plays by and about women, brilliantly brought to life by an incredible ensemble. Don't miss it!" https://bit.ly/2W39JqK

Cherry and Spoon on: When We Were Young and Unafraid by Persistent Theatre Productions at Fallout Urban Arts Center:
"The untold story it tells is that of domestic violence, always an important story to tell and to hear. Persistent tells it with a strong cast in an intimate setting that leaves nowhere to hide from the sometimes difficult emotions." http://bit.ly/cs_whenwe

Minnesota Theater Love saw Mother Courage and Her Children at Pangea World Theater: "A fascinating work with a rich and complex history, and it's exciting to see Pangea's take on the play." https://bit.ly/2Cp00DH

This is an amazing time for theater by and about women. Stay tuned for massive gushing about Mixed Blood Theatre Company's Roe ....

TCTB Review Roundup: MAMMA MIA! at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Mamma Mia at the Chan. Our bloggers love a good op'ning at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres ...

Play off the Page raves that The Chan "knows how to give their guests an outstanding experience from the food, (order off the menu not just one set dish for everyone) attentive wait staff, beautiful setting, and of course outstanding productions. I always feel happy when I’m there." https://bit.ly/2EQLuVA

While the Ordway's recent production "still holds a special place in my heart," Cherry and Spoon says "There's room for two big, beautiful, fantastically fun Mamma Mia!s in this town." http://bit.ly/cs_mammamia19

From Say Entirely: "After Minnesota's cold (and seemingly endless) winter, the show is a breath of fresh, summery air." https://bit.ly/2TIb4WA

Compendium - Minneapolis writes about the Chan: "They put their trademark style on this show, and the talented musical cast and sunny dispositions of their portrayals are just what I needed to brighten my winter blues." https://bit.ly/2Fbv6Rc

TCTB Review Roundup: Ten Thousand Things' INTO THE WOODS and MY ANTONIA at Illusion Theater

Our bloggers recommend two lovely shows (both closing March 24): Into the Woods at Ten Thousand Things and My Antonia Illusion Theater.

Play off the Page: "I am 100% on board with the mission of TTT Theater to bring the experience of healing and storytelling to people, and their brilliance in getting to the heart of a story. I knew they’d show me what Into the Woods is really about." https://bit.ly/2H3rcf6

Cherry and Spoon: "If you're a fan of Sondheim or fairy tales or brilliantly executed bare bones theater, go see this show." http://bit.ly/cs_woodsttt

Of My Antonia, Cherry and Spoon writes: "I hope that Illusion Theater continues to bring back My Ántonia every few years, and I will continue to go see it. Beginning with the evocative language of the novel, and adding the beautifully sparse elements of production, it creates a picture so beautiful that it continues to bring tears to my eyes, no matter how many times I see it." http://bit.ly/cs_antonia

TCTB Review Roundup: AS YOU LIKE IT at the Guthrie Theater

Friends, you still have one week to catch As You Like It at Guthrie Theater(through 3/17). Our TCTB bloggers said:

Play off the Page calls AYLI worth the long drive home in the dark: "It is light and lively filled with romance and gender swapping. Its playful forest scenes make you smile." https://bit.ly/2GKxP5b

PhenoMNenal raves: "With four weddings, a wrestling match, multiple disguises, hapless shepherds, and all sorts of romantic mischief, there is plenty of merriment and gaiety to lighten the coldest, winter-hardened heart." https://bit.ly/2UwuwT5

Brett Talk says The Guthrie's "commitment to not only producing this play but making it so diverse and inclusive makes it easily one of the best Shakespeare productions I’ve ever seen." https://bit.ly/2T4m297

Cherry and Spoon rounds it all up with: "it's still super fun, charming, with a fantastically talented and diverse cast, and just an all around pleasant evening." http://bit.ly/cs_aylig

TCTB Review Roundup: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Broadway Tour at the Orpheum Theatre

Check out our TCTB reviews of the tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Hennepin Theatre Trust (through 3/17) and get YOUR golden ticket. Or not ... It's a mixed bag of reviews!

Cherry and Spoon went with not very high expectations and was "pleasantly surprised at what is a charming and delightful musical." http://bit.ly/cs_charlie

Compendium - Minneapolis has mixed feelings about Roald Dahl's work for children and found that "while the overall effect was successful, it didn't have that magical, lush quality that I was looking for." https://bit.ly/2TGo4vW

Although Brett Talk pointed out a few highlights, "0verall, this adaptation was a miss when it could have been such a confectionery of sweetness and delight with it’s original story line."

TCTB Review Roundup: Closing This Weekend!

Go see some theater this weekend! Our bloggers recommend these shows (through this weekend only!):

Brett Talk recommends Potted Potter at the Pantages: "it’s really adorable, charming and absolutely hilarious." https://bit.ly/2EjdqT2

Cherry and Spoon gives a variety of options for the theatergoer:

Actually at MN Jewish Theatre Company, which tackles the issue of consent: "Actually is a powerful and incredibly timely play that will hopefully get audiences thinking and talking about this important issue." http://bit.ly/cs_actually

Line of Sight at Uprising Theatre Company handles gun violence and bullying: "Line of Sight is a fantastical story, but grounded in reality, about both of these problems that threaten the health and safety of our young people, performed by an appealing young cast." http://bit.ly/cs_sight

Iphegenia and Other Daughters by Theatre Unbound at the Gremlin: "Iphigenia and Other Daughters tells ancient women's stories in a fresh and modern way that's relatable today, making it obvious why these stories have survived for so long." http://bit.ly/cs_iphigenia