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: Closing This Weekend!

Go see some theater this weekend! Our bloggers recommend these shows (through this weekend only!):

Brett Talk recommends Potted Potter at the Pantages: "it’s really adorable, charming and absolutely hilarious." https://bit.ly/2EjdqT2

Cherry and Spoon gives a variety of options for the theatergoer:

Actually at MN Jewish Theatre Company, which tackles the issue of consent: "Actually is a powerful and incredibly timely play that will hopefully get audiences thinking and talking about this important issue." http://bit.ly/cs_actually

Line of Sight at Uprising Theatre Company handles gun violence and bullying: "Line of Sight is a fantastical story, but grounded in reality, about both of these problems that threaten the health and safety of our young people, performed by an appealing young cast." http://bit.ly/cs_sight

Iphegenia and Other Daughters by Theatre Unbound at the Gremlin: "Iphigenia and Other Daughters tells ancient women's stories in a fresh and modern way that's relatable today, making it obvious why these stories have survived for so long." http://bit.ly/cs_iphigenia

TCTB Review Roundup: BENEVOLENCE at Penumbra Theatre Company

Last Chance Theater - Through March 10 only!

Don't miss benevolence at Penumbra Theatre Company, the second installment in playwright Ifa Bayeza's trilogy about the murder of Emmett Till.

Compendium - Minneapolis wrote: "What I can say is that attending the Penumbra's excellent rendition of benevolence and educating yourself about just one example of the failures of the American justice system is a good start. Learn so that you cannot unsee; once your eyes are opened, do everything you can to open the eyes, ears, and hearts of others." https://bit.ly/2DGKpiO

From Cherry and Spoon: Benevolence is a beautifully written play(s), telling two related but very different intimate stories at the center of this national tragedy. It's beautifully directed by Talvin Wilks (the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers' favorite director of 2018), and just impeccably designed and acted by the company." http://bit.ly/cs_benev

https://penumbratheatre.org/event/benevolence/

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

TCTB Review Roundup: THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH by Girl Friday Productions at Park Square Theatre

photo by Petronella J. Ytsma

The Skin Of Our Teeth, a biannual production by Girl Friday Productions, is now showing at Park Square Theatre through March 3. Art is supposed to make you think, and our bloggers definitely scratched their heads on this one. But that's not a bad thing, right? Here's what they had to say:

Cherry and Spoon says "Make no mistake, The Skin of Our Teeth is super weird. [...] It's a wild and crazy ride, but hang in there, the team at Girl Friday will get you through it to a rewarding end" https://bit.ly/2H4Vg9G

Play off the Page says "Presenting this play is a huge undertaking. Girl Friday Theater Company is up to the task." https://bit.ly/2StxeH8

Compendium - Minneapolis says "I can tell that this was a good production of Thornton Wilder, but I just couldn't connect to the story. If you're a fan of The Skin of Our Teeth already I have a feeling you'll love this show - many in the audience seemed delighted with the production, and Girl Friday Productions clearly knows their stuff when it comes to this author." https://bit.ly/2BUsp4x

Single White Fringe Geek says "It was a full evening, but it never felt long to me. So kudos to everyone involved for keeping the thing moving, but not so fast that I couldn’t keep up." https://bit.ly/2H6QIiT

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

TCTB Review Roundup: February Shows Part 2

There's so much #tctheater open in February - how on earth are we supposed to keep up in the shortest month of the year!? Thankfully our bloggers are covering as much as they can to bring you the latest of the local scene. See a roundup of a few of the shows they've seen this month below:

Single White Fringe Geek on "What Guys Really Want" by Chain Reaction Theatre Project, closing on March 3: https://bit.ly/2SHKgpK

Compendium - Minneapolis on "Rock of Ages," since left from Hennepin Theatre Trust: https://bit.ly/2XaC9k3

Brett Talk, also on "Rock of Ages": https://bit.ly/2NgMlmA

Cherry and Spoon on "Til' Death" by Bucket Brigade through February 23: https://bit.ly/2TZrhne

Compendium - Minneapolis on "Lashed But Not Leashed" at Guthrie Theater as part of their series celebrating queer artists, which runs through February 23: https://bit.ly/2ts1Z5e