Friday, January 31, 2020

TCTB Review: Artistry's THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

Our bloggers are swooning over Artistry MN's regional premiere of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, featuring a gorgeous Tony winning score by Jason Robert Brown and a top notch local cast. Click the links to see what we had to say, then make your plans to get out to Bloomington before it closes on February 16!
https://artistrymn.org/bridges

Thursday, January 30, 2020

TCTB Review Roundup: Theater Latte Da's BERNARDA ALBA

Our bloggers were quite impressed by Theater Latté Da's regional premiere of BERNARDA ALBA, a musical adaptation of Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca's play THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA. Read on for their thoughts, then visit TLD's website for more info and tickets.
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_bernarda
"Just when it seems like there are no new musicals, and companies keep producing the same ones ever and over again, something like Bernarda Alba comes along. Not only has this specific show never been produced in #TCTheater before, but it's a truly unique creation. It's no surprise that it's Theater Latte Da, masters of doing theater musically, who bring it to us. It's simply stunning. "
The Stages of MNhttp://bit.ly/30ErYGn
"Theater Latté Da’s production of Bernarda Alba is an Aesthetic triumph. Scenic Design, Costuming, Sound Design and lighting are is such accordance that the sense of oppression becomes a character itself."
Compendium - Minneapolishttp://bit.ly/3avRRNb
"Bernarda Alba benefits from a truly rock star cast, beginning with the HBIC herself Regina Marie Williams as Bernarda. Williams has long been a favorite local star of mine, with the queenly carriage of Angela Basset and the fearsome talent of Viola Davis. Her performance here is deliciously severe, and the whole audience shivered every time she struck the stage floor with her cane."
Play off the Pagehttp://bit.ly/37xJi2J
"This production is stunning, in every sense of the word. Stunning for its beauty and haunting music. Stunning for its portrayal of women. And, stunning, like a blow to the head that leaves you reeling. How could our world be so unfair and unkind to women? So much so that women extend that cruelty towards one another. "
photo by Dan Norman

TCTB Review Roundup: A DOLL'S HOUSE PART 2 at the Jungle Theater

Several of our bloggers saw and enjoyed The Jungle Theater’s regional premiere of the 2017 Tony nominated play A DOLL'S HOUSE PART 2, a sequel to Ibsen's classic.
The Stages of MNhttp://bit.ly/2ud1wYn
"This is a play that while not as revolutionary as the original, how could it be, is perhaps a more inclusive examination of gender roles and societies attitudes towards relationships."
Single White Fringe Geek: https://tinyurl.com/u5g4b93
"The scenes between Nora and Torvald are the best material, in a script full of good material, and both Baldwin and Epp just nail it, moment after moment together."
Twin Cities Stageshttps://bit.ly/30LhKo1
"The show is at its heart a character piece, and each character is fully fleshed out, no one is the villain, everyone is just living their own life with their own motivations and understanding of the world, all just trying to do the right thing. For me this was so refreshing because it feels more honest to how the world actually is."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_dollshouse2
"It feels both of its time and of our time. A Doll's House, Part 2 furthers the conversation that Ibsen began around marriage and women's role in society."
Play off the Pagehttp://bit.ly/2uCWcha
"The Jungle Theater has assembled an incredible team with four of the finest actors in the Twin Cities. Under the direction of Joanie Schultz, they bring out the complex relationships and emotions of each character. I felt an emotional connection with each of them."
Compendium - Minneapolishttp://bit.ly/31eb2H0
"To be honest, despite my Norwegian heritage and general love of this kind of subject matter, A Doll's House has never been among my favorite plays. Productions of it have always felt a little too staid and precious; most have left me in a snooze. A Doll's House Part 2, however, was just the lightning rod I needed to reconnect with this material."
photo by Lauren B. Photography

Monday, January 27, 2020

TCTB Review Roundup: NOURA at the Guthrie Theater

Our bloggers recommend NOURA, playing on Guthrie Theater's proscenium stage through February 16.
https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-an…/2019-2020-season/…/
Read on for why, and click the link below for more info and tickets.
Millennial in the Mezzaninehttp://bit.ly/30PU9lO
"Obviously, this story is super topical, but it is never political or divisive. It’s simply the story of a family finding their place and attempting to reconcile with all that they’ve lost."
Play off the Pagehttp://bit.ly/37hj8AT
"So much of life happens around the kitchen table. Our culture and customs show up in food prep, special dishes during holidays and celebrations, and the conversations with the people who gather with us. It’s where we tell our stories, share our hopes and dreams, laugh, cry, criticize, and come together. This is first and foremost what Noura is all about, people, and their relationship with one another. "
The Stages of MNhttp://bit.ly/2tys4n7
"Noura written by Heather Raffo is inspired by A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, but stands on it’s own as a dynamic and moving work that explores the question of identity. The Guthrie Theater has assembled a brilliant cast that brings a complex and dramatic script to life."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_noura
"This is a devastating play, that brings to light issues of worldwide refugees, the destruction of war, cultures lost, individualism vs. community, and personal identity. It's incredibly current and relevant, and beautifully presented by the cast and creative team."
Compendium - Minneapolishttp://bit.ly/37yROhV
"Crises like refugee migration, terrorist attacks and invasion of nations are not problems with easy solutions, and you won't leave this play filled with answers. Instead, Noura asks all of us to come with closed mouths and open ears, simply to receive a story of grief and heartache, and to try not to repeat the mistakes of our past."
photo by Dan Norman

Sunday, January 26, 2020

TCTB Review Roundup: The 50th anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

The 50th anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ends its run at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre today. Some of our bloggers enjoyed it, some not so much. Click through to find out more.
https://hennepintheatretrust.org/…/jesus-christ-superstar-…/
The Stages of MNhttp://bit.ly/37queng
"The last time I saw a production of JCS was in a church in South Minneapolis and I’m sorry to say this production for all it’s money and production values falls short of that production."
Twin Cities Stageshttps://bit.ly/36intTi
"...feels much more like a concept album performed on stage than the previous theatrical productions that I have seen. The production also has more glitter than any production I have seen. This rock concert feel suits the large size of the Orpheum, filling the space up completely in a way that other shows struggle to do."

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Friday, January 24, 2020

TCTB Review Roundup: Theatre Elision's A FLIGHT OF SHORT MUSICALS

TCTB wants you to know about Theatre Elision super short run of six super short musicals, served up with a flight of drinks. Only two shows remain tonight and tomorrow, so read our bloggers's* thoughts and head to Elision Playhouse for A FLIGHT OF SHORT MUSICALS if it looks like something you might like.
https://www.elisionproductions.com/short-musicals
Millennial in the Mezzaninehttp://bit.ly/30Pk7WC
"Singing and acting and drinking, oh my! Is there anything better than enjoying a delicious cocktail (or two or three) and watching talented people perform? The answer is no. No there is not."
Twin Cities Stageshttps://bit.ly/2vkSqcJ
"The variety in works performed guarantees that there will be something for everyone to enjoy. And if there is a piece that you find doesn't capture you much, you will soon have a new theatrical piece to experience."
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_flight
"They're all truly delightful and unexpected, at least one locally written, and performed by a talented local cast. If that weren't enough, your admission also includes a flight of three drinks (wine, or alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails), delivered to your seat during short intermissions."
The Stages of MNhttp://bit.ly/2RLsH4E
"The entire cast of this production are good singers and even though it’s basically staged as a reading they all know how to perform the parts just enough to add humor and emotion when required."
*I always thought it was bloggers' but based on one of the musicals I now think it should be bloggers's. Or bloggerses's? No that can't be right...

Monday, January 20, 2020

TCTB Review Roundup: BLACK COMEDY at Theatre in the Round

Head to Theatre in the Round - the oldest theater in Minneapolis, now in their 68th season - for the hilarious British one-act farce BLACK COMEDY.
http://www.theatreintheround.org/new-homepa…/on-stage/black/
The Stages of MNhttp://bit.ly/2tPwCVY
"Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer is the sort of play Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) does best. It’s fun, fast paced and the action takes place in one setting"
Cherry and Spoonhttp://bit.ly/cs_blackcomedy
"The entire cast is fantastic in what is a classic British '60s farce of a play, with detailed and clever design to make this comedy in the dark really shine."