2020 Twin Cities Theater Blogger Awards

Hello #TCTheater friends. We've missed you, we've missed each other, and most of all we've missed theater. Like everything else, our sixth annual TCTB Awards look much different this year. Instead of the dozen or so categories, nominees, and winners we usually have, we've chosen to highlight some of our 2020 favorites in just four categories, both pre- and post-pandemic (voted on by 14 bloggers). 2020 was without question a difficult year in many areas, including our beloved theater, but we are impressed with the way that artists use the resources available to them to continue to make art. Let's look back at some highlights of the past year, and we look forward to seeing you all in the theater again soon.

FAVORITE PRE-PANDEMIC MUSICAL - TIE

Bernarda Alba,

Theater Latté Da

The Bridges of Madison County,

Artistry MN

Runners Up: Daddy Long Legs,

Minneapolis Musical Theatre

and Interstate,

Mixed Blood Theatre Company

FAVORITE PRE-PANDEMIC PLAY

The White Card,

Penumbra Theatre Company

Runners Up: A Doll's House, Part 2,

The Jungle Theater

and Twelfth Night,

Guthrie Theater

FAVORITE POST-PANDEMIC SHOW CREATED FOR THE VIRTUAL MEDIUM - TIE

Is Edward Snowden Single?,

The Jungle Theater

Operation: Immigration,

MN Jewish Theatre Company

When Your Love Sets You On Fire,

The Winding Sheet Outfit

for

Twin Cities Horror Festival

FAVORITE POST-PANDEMIC THEATER COMPANY - TIE

Park Square Theatre

Twin Cities Horror Festival

Runner Up:

Minnesota Fringe

TCTB Review Roundup - DICKENS' CHRISTMAS CLASSIC streaming from Guthrie Theater

Gather round, #TCTheater friends: for the first time in over 9 months, we have a TCTB REVIEW ROUNDUP!

Guthrie Theater

recently released their 46th annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a film/theater hybrid called DICKENS' HOLIDAY CLASSIC that you can stream in the comfort and safety of your own home for just $10 per household (through Dec. 31).

Click here for details, and read on for some blogger thoughts.

https://www.guthrietheater.org/.../dickens-holiday-classic/

Cherry and Spoon

: https://bit.ly/cs_carol20

"Not exactly theater, and not exactly film, the show combines bits of both media for an experience that is smaller, quieter, and more intimate than the CHRISTMAS CAROL we're used to seeing on the Guthrie's thrust stage, but just as lovely, engaging, and moving as ever."

Play off the Page

: http://bit.ly/2Jorikw

"We’ve learned to improvise during this pandemic, something that theater folks are expert at. In fact, the Guthrie’s streaming version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is delightful. They use some of their gorgeous set, which is so fun to see. Four of the finest Twin Cities actors tell the story, each taking one of the Staves, bringing life to the various characters and story."

PhenoMNal Twin Cities

: http://bit.ly/3rryNbv

"Stripped of the usual theatrical embellishments that make the play an annual institution, the simple beauty of this adaptation allows the message of charity, good cheer, and live-in-the-moment spirit to provide the uplift that many of us have craved for so long."

#TCTheater Streaming Holiday Shows

 Hello friends! As we close out 2020, be sure to check out our EVENTS page for a few more virtual theater celebrations this year. In addition,

Cherry and Spoon

has compiled a list of holiday shows you can enjoy from your own home.

And in honor of the solstice - a special shout out to

Open Eye Theatre

's live rewatch of Bradley Greenwald's THE LONGEST NIGHT on their Facebook page tonight!

http://www.cherryandspoon.com/2020/12/virtual-holiday-tctheater-shows.html

Streaming #TCTheater

 In this week's edition of "STAY HOME and STREAM SOME THEATER," we have:

- the continuation of the

New Native Theatre

play festival

-

The Jungle Theater

's first ever virtual play IS EDWARD SNOWDEN SINGLE? (as well as the continuation of MONDO TRAGIC, part of their audio play series)

- a fake awards show from

HUGE Theater

(also be sure to check out

Family Dinner

and other shows on their YouTube channel)

- a holiday themed episode from

Rev. Matt's Monster Science

- an introduction to

Theater Mu

's fabulous staff in this week's Mu-tini hour

- IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE radio play from

Melancholics Anonymous

- Taylor Mac's HOLIDAY SAUCE... PANDEMIC! hosted by

Guthrie Theater

See our events page for details on these and other upcoming streaming theater.

Streaming #TCTheater

Happy December, #TCTheater friends! A reminder to check out our EVENTS page for lots of streaming
theater opportunities, and be sure to check out this celebration from The Black Ensemble Players TONIGHT!

https://www.facebook.com/TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers/events/

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!

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!