2024 Twin Cities Theater Blogger Award Winners!

The bloggers have voted, and we've decided on our favorite artists, shows, and theaters of 2024. It was such a great year, and these winners are just a small sampling of the amazing performances we saw. Congratulations to our favorites, and everyone who created art in 2024!

See full list of nominees here.

"Mlima's Tale" from Ten Thousand Things

 

Theater Closing alert: "Mlima's Tale" closes this Sunday! The highly acclaimed Ten Thousand Things is at it again: combining skilled artists and bold universal stories to create the best work possible. You have a chance to see this Lynn Knottage play directed by Ansa Akyea at Open Book in #Minneapolis! 

 

Here's Cherry and Spoon's post about her experience seeing the show: https://bit.ly/cs_mlima

"It's funny and fantastical and tragic, and as always beautifully brought to life by some of #TCTheater's best artists in a small space with 'All the Lights On,' harnessing the power of collective imagination as we travel the world with Mlima. See it at Open Book now through March 12." Tickets & info on the show and talented cast/crew: https://tenthousandthings.org/season/mlima-s-tale

Theater Crush Thursday: Ten Thousand Things

THEATER CRUSH THURSDAY

The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers are taking this long intermission in live theater to highlight some of our favorite #TCTheater Companies.

Ten Thousand Things Theatre has a unique mission. They bring theater to people, performing in schools, shelters, jails, and in smaller venues like the one I attended at Open Book in Minneapolis to see their most recent "Thunder Knocking on My Door" and other shows. Most of the paid performances sell out. They keep their set and props to a minimum. The cast is usually small. This one has five actors and two musicians, and a few stage hands. The founder Michelle Hensley started the theater company in 1991. Her book "All the Lights On" is an insightful look at doing theater and making it accessible to all people. Marcela Lorca has taken over as Artistic Director and is carrying on the excellence of TTT.

Most of the time, I drive to Minneapolis to see their performances at Open Book. I always check to see where they're bringing the show around the state. They brought "Elecktra" up to Emily, MN, which is closer to my home.

What impresses me most about the creative team of TTT is how they get to the heart of the story. I am emotionally connected to the story and characters. Perhaps, it's the intimate experience, small spaces, chairs set around the acting space, you can see every eye twitch and facial expression, and their musicians are always top notch. What must this experience be like for someone who is incarcerated? They bring life and imagination to each performance. Themes of the shows bring out the human experience, ask questions, and give hope.

https://tenthousandthings.org/

- Mary, Play off the Page

TCTB Review Roundup: Recently Closed Shows

Recently many well received shows ended their runs early due to the current crisis. Although we are sad that fewer audiences were able to see these works, we wanted to share the thoughts of the bloggers who did see these important works:

Play off the Page saw Thunder Knocking at the Door at Ten Thousand Things and said "This blusical has everything: family dynamic, a love story, a mythical character, soul-searching, and some of the best music I’ve ever heard." http://bit.ly/39NEgzW

The Stages of MN saw Interstate at Mixed Blood Theatre Company and said "We’re so fortunate that something this great is having its world premiere here. In a perfect world, this show with this cast would move from here to Broadway"http://bit.ly/32YKQBi
The Bacchae at Guthrie Theater also closed prematurely.

PhenoMNal Twin Cities said "This production of The Bacchae at The Guthrie comes at a strikingly opportune moment; a time when persistent attacks upon science and reason have undermined institutions when we need them most." https://bit.ly/3ahCqYl

The Stages of MN writes " I’m not sure what to say about The Bacchae. I didn’t love it or hate it. For me it was definitely less then the sum of its parts. If you are a fan of Greek tragedies, I suspect you will find a lot to admire in the production."http://bit.ly/3cNpE5T

TCTB Review Roundup: Ten Thousand Things' INTO THE WOODS and MY ANTONIA at Illusion Theater

Our bloggers recommend two lovely shows (both closing March 24): Into the Woods at Ten Thousand Things and My Antonia Illusion Theater.

Play off the Page: "I am 100% on board with the mission of TTT Theater to bring the experience of healing and storytelling to people, and their brilliance in getting to the heart of a story. I knew they’d show me what Into the Woods is really about." https://bit.ly/2H3rcf6

Cherry and Spoon: "If you're a fan of Sondheim or fairy tales or brilliantly executed bare bones theater, go see this show." http://bit.ly/cs_woodsttt

Of My Antonia, Cherry and Spoon writes: "I hope that Illusion Theater continues to bring back My Ántonia every few years, and I will continue to go see it. Beginning with the evocative language of the novel, and adding the beautifully sparse elements of production, it creates a picture so beautiful that it continues to bring tears to my eyes, no matter how many times I see it." http://bit.ly/cs_antonia

TCTB Review Roundup: The GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN by Ten Thousand Things

Two of our bloggers saw Ten Thousand Things' Artistic Director and Founder Michelle Hensley's swan song THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN. She will be greatly missed, but we look forward to the next chapter of TTT! It closes this weekend but it's pretty much sold out (sorry!).

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_goodperson
"One can only hope that all of the artists and audience members she's worked with and influenced in those years will continue on this tradition of inclusive, accessible, imaginative theater that is unlike anything else."

Play off the Page: https://bit.ly/2GVSAHC
"It is relevant and poignant. The cast is outstanding. The staging is alive and active, even interactive. Each actor plays many roles, moves sparse, yet fantastic, set pieces in and out. Peter Vitale provides music and sound-effects from one corner. Everything flows together like a fine-tuned musical ensemble."

May Theater - A Miscellany of Reviews

It might be summer but there's still a ton of great shows to catch before they close.

Through June 4th:

Intimate Apparel at Ten Thousand Things​
"It's a beautiful story of a woman discovering her strength through friendships, a failed relationship, and her own sense of self-worth." - Cherry and Spoon​

Intimate Apparel is also included in Minnesota Theater Love​'s May roundup.

Amy's View at Park Square Theatre​
"Theater, criticism, art, finances, and messy relationships of all sorts are exposed in this play that spans 15 years." - Cherry and Spoon

Through June 11th:

365 Days/365 Plays at Full Circle Theater Company​
"Go. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this production. It will renew your faith in the power and purpose of theater.  It is a delight." -
Single White Fringe Geek

Btw: LOVE Full Circle Theater Company's mission: "The mission of Full Circle is to produce heartfelt groundbreaking theater that artfully addresses issues of diversity and social justice for 21st century audiences." YES.

2016 TCTB Awards Winners

Announcing the Winners of the Second Annual Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Awards! Thirteen bloggers* voted for their favorite in each category (full nominee list here: http://bit.ly/tctb2016). Winners listed below. Congratulations everyone and thanks for making amazing #TCTheater in 2016!

Pericles by Ten Thousand Things - TCTB Review Roundup

Pericles by Ten Thousand Things at Open Book showing November 3-6, 2016!

One of the best aspects of Ten Thousand Things's unique performing style (all the lights on, seating in the round, minimalist sets, costuming and music) is the ability to see some of the Twin Cities's best actors up close, doing what they do best. - Minnesota Theater Love

Read the rest of our reviews here: 
Compendium: http://bit.ly/2dZf80q
Minnesota Theater Love: http://bit.ly/2fBkvmR
Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/2ewtUrR

The Changelings at Ten Thousand Things: TCTB Review Roundup

Ten Thousand Things Theater's world premiere play THE CHANGELINGS closes June 5th! 

Our bloggers wrote "yet another fine example of the delightfully fantastical yet grounded in reality type of storytelling that Ten Thousand Things does so well" and "every single actor balances beautifully between hilarious and heartrending" - don't miss it!

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/change_cherry
Minnesota Theater Love: http://bit.ly/change_love
Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/change_play