TCTB REVIEW ROUNDUP! "Locomotion" and "Corduroy" at Children's Theatre Company

TCTB REVIEW ROUNDUP!

There are two shows happening at Children's Theatre Company right now, one for the younger set and one for a bit older. Our (grown-up) bloggers have seen them both - read their reviews below.

https://childrenstheatre.org/

Three of our bloggers saw LOCOMOTION (recommended for age 9 and up, continuing through March 5 on the Cargill Stage):

The Stages of MN: https://bit.ly/CTCLocomotion

"It’s a show that contains a lot of flashbacks and poetry which I think lost some of the younger members of the audience. Paradoxically, that’s probably what makes it a more interesting narrative for those of us on the other end of the age spectrum. I appreciated the way information was revealed slowly, filling in the missing pieces of the plot. I also enjoyed the way poetry was used as a way for the characters to connect with their emotions."

Life in Revue: bit.ly/3JWIiv9

"There were a mishmash of important topics brought up - foster care, loss of family, sickle cell anemia - which made it a bit difficult to figure if there was one core message. Then I realized that it is like life - throwing you all sorts of curveballs and how you deal with them, how you respond is the important thing. Lonnie learns to respond through writing and his poetry."

Lettered in Theatre: https://bit.ly/LIT_Locomotion

"Adult Cast: Charla Marie Bailey (Mama/Ms. Edna/Ms. Marcus) and Darrick Mosley (Daddy/Agency Man) are incredible to watch as they fill the roles of all the adults in Lonnie’s life, I caught myself at times forgetting they were playing all the roles as they transformed into each new character presented on stage."

Life in Revue also saw CORDUROY (recommended for age 4 and up, continuing through April 12 in the main theater) based on the beloved book and wrote: "This play is an incredibly fun romp! ... There is so much visual and physical comedy in this play! So much action for young eyes to take in, a story that is fairly simple to follow - even if you don't understand all the words, and at the same time plenty of wordplay, and tomfoolery for older kids as well."

Read full review here: https://bit.ly/CTCCorduroy

Streaming #TCTheater

Hi friends! We miss you, and we want you to know that we're still collecting virtual theater events for your home theater needs. Just click on the EVENTS tab on our Facebook page to see the list and find details of each. There are quite a few exciting virtual offerings happening now or soon, including events from Children's Theatre Company, The Jungle Theater, Pillsbury House Theatre, Full Circle Theater Company, Strike Theater, Theater Latté Da, and Great River Shakespeare Festival.

Stay home, stay safe, and stream some theater!

Streaming #TCTheater

Hello friends! Post-Labor Day typically marks the beginning of a new #TCTheater season, but as we all know, this is not a typical year. Some companies have announced seasons that incorporate virtual events, some are on a sort of wait-and-see plan. We are continuing to collect virtual performance art events on our events page, so just go to our Facebook page and click on "Events" to see a list of upcoming virtual shows, which this week include:

Frank Theatre

's new conversation series "Frankly Speaking," the first episode about whiteness in theater

Mixed Blood Theatre Company

's "Zealous Hellions" featuring Kenny Leon

Children's Theatre Company

's virtual fundraiser "Curtain Call Ball"

TCTB Review Roundup: THREE LITTLE BIRDS at Children's Theatre Company

Children's Theatre Company is celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth  with a presentation of the reggae-based musical Bob Marley's Three Little Birds. This sunny show brought our bloggers straight from Minnesota's snowy banks to the balmy shores of Jamaica. Read their thoughts below:

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_3birds

"In just over an hour, this sweet and fantastical story plays out, about a scared and isolated boy who learns to be brave with the help of his friends, both human and bird. I must confess, I know very little about Bob Marley or his native Jamaica, and I'm not familiar with more than a few of his songs. This show is a great introduction to his music and his message, and it makes me want to board the next flight to Jamaica!"

Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/38MVXig

"That embrace of complexity is at the heart of Three Little Birds and a good reason to go. It's short but packed with content; visually bright with a deceptively deep plot; filled with entertaining music and educational history that we could all stand to know a little more about. Popular culture tends to associate Bob Marley (and by extension all reggae) with marijuana and little else, which is such a shame because he stood for so much more. And in an age where black children are (incomprehensibly) still being told how to wear (and most often to cut) their hair, there is immense power and grace in seeing a positive depiction of protective styles told through a proudly black lens."

PhenoMNal Twin Cities: http://bit.ly/38BliMr

"Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds is the fun new reggae musical at the Children’s Theater Company, just when you need it the most. Set in sunny Jamaica, the adaptation of Cedella Marley’s book of the same name, has you feeling the tropical rhythms so deep, you’ll forget that it’s 10 below outside!"

TCTB Review Roundup: February shows

The flurry of February #tctheater shows continues despite the wintry weather! Our bloggers have been busy trying to cover a wide swath of shows. Make sure to catch some of these before they close in the next week or two!

Compendium - Minneapolis on Mr. Popper's Penguins at the Children's Theatre Company: https://bit.ly/2TFd3r7

Cherry and Spoon on Hair by Theatre 55 at Mixed Blood Theatre Company: https://bit.ly/2WRTSfU

Cherry and Spoon on Isaac's Eye by Theatre Pro Rata at Gremlin Theatre: https://bit.ly/2SD55Sp

Cherry and Spoon on Flowers for the Room at Yellow Tree Theatre: https://bit.ly/2SL0pK4

Cherry and Spoon on The Devout by Transatlantic Love Affair: https://bit.ly/2WWu6Hf

Cherry and Spoon on My Beautiful Infinity by The Chameleon Theatre Circleat Bloomington Center for the Arts: https://bit.ly/2GmnGwe

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!

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_grinch18
PhenoMNal Twin Cities: http://bit.ly/2zLbFvc
Compendium - Minneapolis: https://bit.ly/2FqJfMB
Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2UfeTA0

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.

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 Spoon: http://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 - Minneapolis: https://bit.ly/2OJMNha

Don't miss Children's Theatre Company's I COME FROM ARIZONA playing through November 25!

TCTB Review Roundup: Last Stop on Market Street at Children's Theatre Company

Last Stop on Market Street at Children's Theatre Company now through October 21st!

You feel like you’re riding along with CJ and Nana as they explore the city, meet all kinds of interesting folks, and find ways to help others. It’s a fun, energetic show that really bounces along. - Play off the Page

#tctheater #onlyinmn

TCTB Review Roundup: DR. SEUSS'S THE LORAX at Children's Theatre Company

photo by Dan Norman

"The Lorax is highly entertaining, thought-provoking, magically staged, and brilliantly cast."
"A charming, playful, and poignantly relevant musical."
"A triumphant, creative adaptation that pulls the heartstrings, teaches a lesson, and puts a wide smile on your face all at the same time."
"Sure to win the hearts of kids and adults alike."

These are just a few of the things our bloggers had to say, er... write, about Children's Theatre Company's US premiere of The Old Vic Theatre's musical adaptation of DR. SEUSS'S THE LORAX (which moves on to The Old Globein San Diego this summer). Read more at the links below, and click here for more information and to purchase tickets:
https://www.childrenstheatre.org/…/201…/dr-seuss-s-the-lorax

Play off the Page: https://bit.ly/2HCZOVk

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_lorax

Compendium - Minneapolis: https://bit.ly/2HIWok0

Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2rqU1I6

The Wiz - TCTB Review Roundup

The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers all agree, ease on down the road to see The Wiz at Children's Theatre Company, a coproduction with Penumbra Theatre Company. 
Read more about what all of our bloggers thought below: 

Play off the Page says, "From the stunning costumes to the tremendous talent and energy of the actors and musicians, this was easily one of the best performances I’ve ever seen."
Read the full review here: http://bit.ly/2BzoEhQ

Cherry and Spoon writes, "...the song and dance numbers are fab-u-lous. And this cast is so chock full of local African American music-theater legends, as well as up-and-comers and a few adorable tykes, that it blows the mind."
Read the full review here: http://bit.ly/2EjZvgs

Compendium - Minneapolis says, "The best part of this Wiz, bar none, is the stellar cast."
Read the full review here: http://bit.ly/2rOx2u7

Talkin Broadway writes, "The Wiz is a wonderful, and wonder-filled, experience for all ages. The music will send you, the story will swell your heart, and the show is, well, wicked good."
Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2E4NAQ6

Twin Cities Stages says, "The Wiz is one of the best tickets in town."
Read the full review: http://bit.ly/2E6ywpq