"My Fair Lady" plays in downtown Saint Paul at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

 

Musical fans, hot ticket alert:"My Fair Lady" plays in downtown Saint Paul at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts through 3/25! 

 

Since it closes this Saturday, move quickly if you want to go. Here's more on the play from our #TCTheater Bloggers:

 

"A well mounted and enjoyable evening"

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

"This classic score comes to life in a way no recording can"

Cherry and Spoon: https://bit.ly/cs_mfl23

Broadway Tour: A SOLDIER'S PLAY presented by Ordway Center at The Fitzgerald Theater

A couple of our bloggers attending opening night of the Broadway tour of A SOLDIER'S PLAY, presented by Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in the intimate space of The Fitzgerald Theater. Check out their thoughts about this powerful drama, and get your tickets here for one of the 5 remaining performances.

https://ordway.org/events/a-soldiers-play/

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

"Thanks to the Ordway for bringing us this powerful and important piece, and for staging it at the Fitz, a more intimate space for a story like this, that might have gotten lost in a larger space like the Ordway's main theater. An excellent cast lead by Tony nominee Norm Lewis brings out all of the nuance in this layered script."

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

"It’s a celebrated drama, that explores race in the Armed Services in the early 1940s, it’s also a whodunnit. More importantly, it’s a reminder that no matter how far we think we’ve come as a society, too much remains the same."

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Streaming #TCTheater

 This week in Stay Home and Stream #TCTheater:

-

The Jungle Theater

's audio play MONDO TRAGIC continues

- rewatch

Walking Shadow Theatre Company

2017 production of HATCHET LADY

-

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

's annual HIP HOP NUTCRACKER this Friday

- the long-awaited

TPT - Twin Cities PBS

debut of

Theater Latté Da

's gorgeous creation ALL IS CALM - set your DVRs for Friday!

- also from the Ordway: A (Virtual) Christmas Vacation with the Griswold's: An Evening with Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo

- a staged reading of THE THANKSGIVING PLAY by Larissa FastHorse, brought to us by our friends at

Great River Shakespeare Festival

Click on our EVENTS page for details on all of the above, and more!

TCTB Review Roundup: Broadway tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at the Ordway Center

Our bloggers were thrilled to see Once On This Island grace the Ordway Center for the Performing
Arts stage last week, the first time this show has ever been performed in the Twin Cities! Check out their thoughts in our roundup below:

Twin Cities Stages: https://bit.ly/2UsVdep
"Once On This Island, currently on tour at the Ordway, is a feast for the eyes, ears and soul. [...] Once on This Island will warm you up. It is a must see show for anyone who is looking for an escape or who loves dance."

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_island
"Once on this Island tells a familiar story in a new way, employing ages old methods of storytelling for an immersive and inclusive experience (or as close as you can get in a large proscenium theater). It's a wholly entertaining show that also weaves in issues of colonialism, slavery, classism, and colorism. It's a story of hope, of love, of faith that things will be better, of the importance of telling our own stories."

Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2S6DDLq
"Once On This Island is a true célébration de la vie, a fête for the ages. It bears the timeless qualities of all good lore and fables and will fill you with joy despite the story's innately unhappy ending. I'd love to see more national tours of such diverse casts and crews, and for that reason alone I think this is an important one to fill seats for."

TCTB Review Roundup: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE at the Ordway Center

photo by Dan Norman

There's only one weekend left to catch Smokey Joe's Cafe at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (which has been producing some incredible programming lately, by the way). Read from two of our bloggers why you should go before it closes on September 22!

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/2m6Yj8z
"While this show may just be song after song after song, it's far from monotonous. The entire space is used well (including the aisles of the theater), and many different combinations and permutations of cast and band are used throughout the night. The Ordway Original Smokey Joe's Cafe is a celebration of beloved mid 20th Century American pop music and a showcase of incredible local talent."

Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2kL7KKU
"If I played the soundtrack to Smokey Joe’s Cafe, I’d be happy all day long. These are soulful songs that tell a story and reflect on life, sung by performers whose voices raise the rafters and rip into your heart. The rhythms and melodies played in my mind long after the performance, entered into my dreams, and I’m still feeling them today. "

TCTB Review Roundup: 42ND STREET at the Ordway Center

We're taking a quick break from Minnesota Fringe-a-mania to urge you to catch 42nd Street at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (closing August 11). Our bloggers raved about this reimagined musical. Read more!

Also, tonight! Check out 42nd Street Cabaret Night at the Dakota with cast members and powerhouses T. Mychael Rambo and Jamecia Bennett: https://bit.ly/2GPmlfX

Cherry and Spoon writes: "The Ordway Original production of 42nd Street is an expertly updated classic that in three words is: Fan. Freakin. Tastic." http://bit.ly/cs_42nd

Play off the Page recommends a second, and third visit: "You don’t want to miss this one!" http://bit.ly/2LIUsdJ

From Minnesota Theater Love: "Overall, this is a stunning, energetic, athletic, and crowd-pleasing production." https://bit.ly/2JXzDJk

Brett Talk writes: "the dancing is nothing short of absolutely phenomenal and a testament to the skill that is in this city." https://bit.ly/2YLDWvf

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:

Brett Talk: https://bit.ly/2VDAJgH
PhenoMNal Twin Cities: https://bit.ly/2UbbYqC
Twin Cities Art Reader: https://bit.ly/2IpXuAT

TCTB Review Roundup: Broadway tour of FALSETTOS at the Ordway Center

Two of our bloggers saw the national tour of Lincoln Center Theater's recent revival of Falsettos on Broadway and absolutely loved it! We urge you to see one of the four remaining performances at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts this weekend (two each Saturday and Sunday).

Info and tickets:
https://ordway.org/event/falsettos/

Discount tickets:
http://bit.ly/falsettos_discount

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_falsettos
"It's a true love story in every sense of the word, including the messy, unpredictable, and sad parts. I was enraptured for the entirety of the nearly three-hour runtime, and left in tears with my heart overflowing."

Brett Talk: https://bit.ly/2H1s2Iq
"It was really everything I kind of want in a musical. There are moments of laughter, scenes of sorrow and jaw dropping talent every single second."

Plus: Brett's interview with Broadway star Eden Espinosa: https://bit.ly/2NhZMCJ

Photo by Joan Marcus

Mama Mia at The Ordway, fun, fantastic, live performance!

Twin Cities Theater Bloggers

Mama Mia at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is a fun summer treat. This is production is an Ordway original. Read what Twin Cities Theater Bloggers have to say about the Ordway's take on this fan favorite.

"Exuberant Fun!" https://bit.ly/2NMrZAB PhenoMNal Twin Cities

"Incredible show, cast, and music!" https://bit.ly/2v2hSzQ Soul Photography & Media

"Upon arriving to my seat I'm already in awe at the gorgeous and stunning set that scenic designer Rick Polenek has designed." https://bit.ly/2JW1xSR Brett Talk

"this production is fantastically fun and surprisingly moving, performed by a mostly local and all fabulous cast." http://bit.ly/cs_mammamia Cherry and Spoon

TCTB Review Roundup: Something Rotten at Hennepin Theatre Trust and Kinky Boots at the Ordway

It's Friday, which means you *must* be looking for something to do this weekend - right? If that's the case, consider seeing some traveling Broadway by heading to Something Rotten! at Hennepin Theatre Trust, or Kinky Boots, closing at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, both of which close on Sunday. Our bloggers greatly enjoyed both - see their thoughts in our roundup below!

Something Rotten! Reviews:
PhenoMNal Twin Cities: https://bit.ly/2IuFIcH
Cherry and Spoon: https://bit.ly/2EpkTNs
Play off the Page: https://bit.ly/2q7YUGx
Compendium - Minneapolis: https://bit.ly/2IxxH6N
Twin Cities Stages: https://bit.ly/2Eqfvtd
Minnesota Theater Love: https://bit.ly/2H0pbQE
Coffee Talk with Brett: https://bit.ly/2qgWBAI

Kinky Boots in Twin Cities Arts Reader: https://bit.ly/2q9T3j9

Annie - TCTB Review Roundup

About Ordway Center for the Performing Arts' original production of the classic ANNIE, our bloggers said:

"Head to the Ordway to see this swell production of an American musical theater classic and get your dose of optimism about our female future."
- Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_annie

"Austene Van expertly directs this large cast of some of the Twin Cities Theaters’ finest actors, and a few from out of town, who all shine in this classic musical."
- Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2APT9Dk

"Cat Brindisi and Lily and Britton Smith as Rooster made me smile every time that they came onstage, knowing that I was going to be captivated and entertained."
- Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2AkvOGG

"Carly Gendell who plays Annie in the evenings knocks it out of the park! Her voice and stage presence definitely carry the show."
- Soul Photography & Media LLC: http://bit.ly/2CLUFF7

"Miss Hannigan is played by Michele Ragusa and she is very far the most entertaining part of this production. She's everything I think that makes a fantastic Miss Hannigan."
- Coffee Talk with Brett: http://bit.ly/coffee_annie

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets:
https://ordway.org/event/annie/
(photos by Rich Ryan)

Jesus Christ Superstar - TCTB Review Roundup

Our Bloggers are raving about Ordway Center for the Performing Arts' production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, closing this weekend! Read on:

PhenoMNal Twin Cities:
http://bit.ly/2uvelLh
"Jesus Christ, Ordway Performers Have the Voices of Angels!"

Minnesota Theater Love:
http://bit.ly/2tOSGKm
"I believe in the restorative power of theater. If you need your spirit restored, I highly recommend seeing the Ordway's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar."

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_jcs
"The number one reason to see the show at the Ordway is this mostly local cast that is absolutely spectacular."

Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2tPf1aQ
"This entire production is stunning from the set, that fits together like puzzle pieces, to the costumes, lighting, and fantastic pit orchestra, conducted by Andrew Bourgoin."

Ticket info: https://ordway.org/event/jesus-christ-superstar/
Photo by Rich Ryan.