"Smelling Elon's Musk" Satirical Revue from Brave New Workshop in Downtown Minneapolis

 

The Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre's newest comedy revue is a funny one!

Check out what our bloggers thought of "Smelling Elon's Musk:"

 

"I started to regret not apply water-proof mascara because I was crying with laughter." ~ PhenoMNal Twin Cities:

https://bit.ly/3Z5iOAn

 

"'Smelling Elon's Musk' is a show that comedy and satire fans won't want to miss." ~ Artfully Engaging:

https://bit.ly/EatTheRich_BNW

 

Hennepin Theatre Trust #DowntownMpls #mplscomedy

Photo credit: Kendra Plant

Broadway tour of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

TCTB REVIEW ROUNDUP!

The Broadway tour of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is in town, featuring a new adaptation by screenwriter/playwright Aaron Sorkin, a lead performance by Broadway vet (and TV's John Boy Walton) Richard Thomas, and a few familiar #TCTheater faces. Read our bloggers' reviews at the links below, and get your tickets for one of the remaining shows this weekend.

https://hennepintheatretrust.org/.../to-kill-a.../

PhenoMNal Twin Cities: https://bit.ly/3XxgpNc

"Aaron Sorkin’s production of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is as riveting as it is relevant. For three hours the audience is drawn in, and there is no turning back."

Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/3lwI6Z3

"It was a thrill to see him in a live performance. And, what a terrific performance it was. Thomas gives the iconic character of small-town lawyer Atticus Finch great sensitivity, wisdom, humor and heart."

Cherry and Spoon: https://bit.ly/cs_mocking23

"To Kill a Mockingbird is a wonderful and well-told lesson for Black History Month, in the form of a gorgeously scripted and executed play that's engaging from start to finish."

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

"Aaron Sorkin is a beloved Playwright, Screenwriter and Director and he has brought his immeasurable talents to this adaptation which is faithful yet irreverently original at the same time. The spirit of the book remains intact as does the plot, but the way in which it is told and where the focus lies has evolved."

Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes

TCTB Review Roundup: Broadway Tour of HAIRSPRAY at Orpheum Theatre

Two of our Bloggers took in the latest Hennepin Theatre Trust Touring production at the Orpheum Theater. Hairspray which runs through 1/15/23. Fun seemed to be the operative word for both Bloggers

The Stages of MN said "The Hennepin Theatre Trust starts 2023 out with a winner in Hairspray. A show packed with upbeat songs, humor, fantastic dance moves, and a message about doing the right thing." https://bit.ly/3k7jhST

PhenoMNal Twin Cities thought "All in all, I had fun at Hairspray. It’s a fun show, I just don’t take it too seriously." https://bit.ly/3ICMuPT

Photo credit: Jeremy Daniel

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 MN: http://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 Stages: https://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."

TCTB Review Roundup: Closing Soon!

Recovered from Fringe and ready to see shows longer than an hour again? Check out these shows (which close this weekend):

Through August 18: Stinkers at The Jungle Theater:
Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_stinkers
Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2K2qQGb
Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2YpHIdz

Through August 18: 20th Anniversary tour of Rent at the Orpheum at Hennepin Theatre Trust
Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_rent19

Through August 25: Agatha Christie's Rule of Thumb Park Square Theatre:
Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_thumb

Happy theatering!

Round Up of TCTBloggers Reviews of Dear Evan Hansen, Broadway Tour

The Broadway tour of "Dear Evan Hansen" has a stop at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre through June 9, 2019. Several bloggers, and thousands of fans, are attending this modern musical with important themes of suicide, social anxiety, grief, and connecting.

From Twin Cities Stages "...a show that illuminates what the future of the theater will look like. A future where our digital lives are not only integrated into plot but where the technology of our world of screens and projectors makes it possible to transform and stage a story." http://bit.ly/2WaZEaN

From Play off the Page "The creators of Dear Evan Hansen explore some heavy themes in this dramatic musical about suicide, family, fitting in, feeling alone, social anxiety, and grief." http://bit.ly/2Kd3QVj

From PhenoMNal Twin Cities "(It has) all the components of a smash hit, evidenced by its relentless success, nine Tony nominations, and six wins–including Best Musical. The story is compelling; the music is undeniable." https://www.phenomnaltwincities.com/review-dear-evan-hansen/

From Cherry and Spoon "The small-cast non-flashy musical deals with pretty serious issues like suicide, mental illness, grief, and the dangers of social media, although not without humor and a fantastic Pasek and Paul score. Most importantly, it delivers a message of connection and hope that this world needs." http://bit.ly/cs_evan

Stephen Christopher Anthony as the title character in the National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen.
Photo by Matthew Murphy

TCTB Review Roundup: Broadway Tour of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at the Orpheum Theatre

photo by Jeremy Daniel

The Play that Goes Wrong and is currently on tour playing at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theater through May 12th. Many of our bloggers went to see this show. You can read what they thought of it below: 
PhenoMNal Twin Cities: http://bit.ly/2E2E3ev
Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2Vgrx0O
Minnesota Theater Love: http://bit.ly/2VWONVW
Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/2HbyDzP
Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2JwZuIn

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).

https://hennepintheatretrust.org/events/hello-dolly-broadway-tickets-orpheum-theatre-minneapolis-mn-2019/

PhenoMNal Twin Cities: http://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 Spoon: http://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 Page: http://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 - Minneapolis: http://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 Talk: https://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."

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: February Shows Closing Soon!

It's the end of the month, which means there must be shows wrapping up this weekend! Our bloggers have been out and about covering a bunch of goodies for you; here's a few to catch if you still can:

"Stewardess" at History Theatre, closing March 3:
Cherry and Spoon: https://bit.ly/2GLua8a
Play off the Page: https://bit.ly/2Tbkxp9

"Sense and Sensibility" at Lyric Arts, closing March 3:
Cherry and Spoon: https://bit.ly/2IDmEOj

"A Bronx Tale" at Hennepin Theatre Trust, closed Sunday:
PhenoMNal Twin Cities: https://bit.ly/2H4EZl1

"Love Comics" by Minneapolis Musical Theatre at Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater through March 2:
Cherry and Spoon: https://bit.ly/2IOqV1g