Tuesday, April 30, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: CRY IT OUT at Yellow Tree Theatre

A long time fan of Yellow Tree Theatre and a new visitor to the theater saw their production of CRY IT OUT, and both loved it! Playing through May 19 at their charming Osseo theater, tickets selling fast!
http://yellowtreetheatre.com/cry-it-out
Cherry and Spoon:
http://bit.ly/cs_cryitout
"What I love about this play is that there's no resolution. It's just a slice of life during a very specific time in these women's lives as they're adjusting to this new life they're charged with. The play nicely illustrates how class and income can affect and limit our choices, and how not all women, not all mothers, want the same thing for themselves and their children. And that's OK."
Play off the Pagehttp://bit.ly/2GQj7JG
"This is a beautifully written play with heart and humor. The actors are brilliant, and the set feels like our own backyards. Angela Timberman has brought out all the emotions wrapped up in a baby bunting that we bring home without instructions and holds all our hopes and dreams."
Photo by Justin Cox.

Sunday, April 28, 2019

CLOSING TODAY: Wildwood Theatre's HANDLED at off-leash area art box

CLOSING TODAY!!
Our blogger Gina caught the super short run of The Wildwood Theatre's new original play HANDLED (their mission: "unravels stigma under the canopy of mental health"). She says: "This play was really enjoyable and deals with mental illness, social media, and who we are versus the perceptions people have of us/who others believe us to be in a really lively, energetic way... you should absolutely keep Wildwood on your radar and seek out their future productions (hint hint: they have one in July). I’m so excited to see this theater creating work and I really look forward to seeing what else they create."
TODAY AT 2PM AT off-leash area: contemporary performance works.

https://ginamusto.com/2019/04/28/handled/

Friday, April 26, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL at Old Log Theatre

Good Friday morning, theater friends! Have you been out to Old Log Theatrein Excelsior to see TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL yet? If not, you still have plenty of time - it continues through June 8. Two of our bloggers saw it and loved it (especially recommended for fans of Rosemary and her friends Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra). Now that spring has sprung, it's a great time to visit the charming lake town with its cute shops, delicious restaurants, and wonderful theater!
https://oldlog.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=18
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_tenderly
"With just a three-person cast and three-person band, we really get to know Rosie at one of the lowest times of her life - her 1968 hospitalization for addiction and mental illness. But we also get to experience the high points of her career, and how she persevered through the hard times and reinvented herself."
Play off the Pagehttps://bit.ly/2uUAceq
"Gracie Anderson plays Rosemary with grace and tenderness. She has the gorgeous vocals to emote the songs and an understanding for the person she was."

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: Minneapolis Musical Theatre's BE MORE CHILL at Illusion Theater

In today's edition of #TCTheater does it better than Broadway: Minneapolis Musical Theatre's BE MORE CHILL, playing through this weekend only at Illusion Theater. Read on for specifics, and then get your tickets for one of the last three shows. And if you know any teenagers, bring 'em!
http://www.aboutmmt.org/tickets/
Say Entirelyhttp://bit.ly/2UhkrsA
"As lighthearted and silly as BE MORE CHILL is, it's also wholehearted. Yes, it's a funny story set in a high school, but it's not only that. It strikes at deeper human themes like the need to belong, self-worth, and standing up for the people you love. The fact that it's all wrapped up and delivered with humor and memorable song lyrics just makes it that much better."
Minnesota Theater Lovehttps://bit.ly/2IIx0La
"Minneapolis Musical Theatre's production of BE MORE CHILLis a rare opportunity to see one of the hottest shows on Broadway right here in Minnesota. And let us tell you friends, we VASTLY preferred MMT's version to the Broadway version."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_bemorechill
"BE MORE CHILL is a whole lot of fun, for young people and grown-ups alike. It's a fresh and modern retelling of an age-old story, that despite the current references is relatable to anyone who has ever been a teenager in any decade."
Photo by Scott Pakudaitis.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: VICTOR/VICTORIA at Artistry

Our bloggers were impressed by Artistry MN's regional premiere of the 1995 Broadway musical VICTOR/VICTORIA, with Ann Michels beautifully playing the role that Dame Julie Andrews originated. Catch it at Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts through May 5.
https://artistrymn.org/victor
Play off the Pagehttp://bit.ly/2P5Zu2E
"It’s beautiful, thought-provoking, sexy, glitzy, and filled with marvelous jazz music (I mean, Henry Mancini, how can you go wrong)."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_victor
"Victor/Victoria happens to be very timely and relevant with its themes of gender fluidity and being free to be who you are and love who you want. The team at Artistry has delivered a gorgeous production of this big old-fashioned musical full of heart and humor."
Photo by Devon Cox.

Monday, April 22, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: "The Golden Record Project" at Sandbox Theatre

Sandbox Theatre's latest creation is part museum exhibit, part performance. Our bloggers highly recommend it, but they only allow 12 audience members per show in their intimate space in south Minneapolis. Select tickets remain through May 4.
Minnesota Theater Lovehttps://bit.ly/2vbbAOM
"We've never seen anything like The Golden Record Project at Sandbox Theatre (through May 4). An art installation and a performance piece set simultaneously in the past and the future, this truly immersive show is, frankly, mind-blowing."
Single White Fringe Geek: https://tinyurl.com/yyt5l4to
"It’s sort of part theater, part dance, part art exhibit, part audio visual trip down memory lane. All the artists involved in The Golden Record Project unabashedly geek out on the subject while also making it clear they understand (a little sheepishly) just how much they’re geeking out about it. Which just makes the whole thing seem that much more charming and sweet, and draws you in that much deeper."

Saturday, April 20, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: Umbrella Collective's VELVET SWING at Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater

Just four more performances remain of Umbrella Collective's new work VELVET SWING at Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater. Read on for what our bloggers thought, and click the link below for more info.
https://www.umbrellaco.org/velvet-swing-2019.html
Minnesota Theater Love:
https://bit.ly/2IoplSi
"Sometimes, after seeing a biographical or historical play, I think: "Well, that's all I need to know about that person or event." But not with this show. Umbrella Collective does such a beautiful job of retelling this story through a modern lens, it made me want to know more and think more about how women's stories have been told through the years. TL, DR: Go see this play."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_velvet
"I certainly know more about Evelyn Nesbit than I did before, and see her as more than just the glamorous "girl on the swing." Her story is not that different from other stories we've heard the last year or two in the #metoo movement, proving that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Thanks to Umbrella Collective for bringing us this story of a fascinating historical woman, told by women."
Photo by Kelly Huang.

Friday, April 19, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: Broadway tour of HELLO, DOLLY! at the Orpheum Theatre

photo by Julieta Cervantes
Several of our bloggers attending opening night of the National Tour of Hello, Dolly on Broadway  and were universally enthralled by this gorgeous revival of a musical theater classic, starring the legendary Betty Buckley. Read on for more, and visit the link below for more info and tickets (through April 28).
PhenoMNal Twin Citieshttp://bit.ly/2UqVPgV
"After the first few minutes of this production, I had been so entranced that I completely forgot about thinking 'critically.'"
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_dolly
"The luscious old-fashioned (in a good way) show fairly leaps off the stage in an explosion of music, romance, dance, color, and the hopeful life of springtime."
Play off the Pagehttp://bit.ly/2Uqr9MH
"Betty Buckley gives us full on Broadway stardom and charm. I’m still smiling from the experience. She put heart and style into the character of Dolly."
Compendium - Minneapolishttp://bit.ly/2PjATaL
"Dolly Levi is still meddling in her matchmaking ways, holding people hostage and steering them towards her preferred endings; there are still sexist old white dudes and a host of highly gendered lyrics. But it's all delivered here with a wink and a smile, and the sheer joy this cast brings to their parts got the audience deeply engaged from the very beginning."
Brett Talkhttps://bit.ly/2GvEdg1
"The choreography, which pays tribute to the original work of director and choreographer Gower Champion, is honestly one of my favorite things about the show. The stamina and athleticism of the performers is unmatched to a large majority of ensembles I’ve seen before."

Thursday, April 18, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: Four Humors' THE LAST DAYS OF COMMODUS at Strike Theater

CLOSING SATURDAY!
Cherry and Spoon recommends Four Humors' "thoughtfully ridiculous" THE LAST DAYS OF COMMODUS, based on the true story of Rome's worst emperor. Playing at Strike Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.
http://bit.ly/cs_commodus


Sunday, April 14, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: Closing Soon!

Below is a nice round up of some shows that are all closing this weekend that our reviewers saw!
"Sisters of Peace" at the History Theatre was seen by Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_sisters
"A Bright Room Called Day" at Red Bird Theatre was seen by Minnesota Theater Lovehttps://bit.ly/2U1ImMv

Thursday, April 11, 2019

TCTB Review Roundup: SPAMALOT tour at the Ordway

Did you go on the quest to find the grail with the touring production of "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. These bloggers did! Read their reviews below: