DOT - TCTB Review Roundup

the cast of DOT (photo by Petronella J. Ytsma)

"While other theaters offer up sugar plums and Christmas carols during the lucrative holiday theater season, [Park Square Theatre is] presenting a play that tackles weighty issues of family dynamics and dementia."
- Minnesota Theater Love: http://bit.ly/love_dot

"If you would like a taste of real-life family drama this holiday season, that feels familiar but is likely more entertaining than your own, spend a few hours with the Shealy family in West Philly via downtown St. Paul."
- Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_dot

"This show may be filled with drama, a little too much in my opinion, but it is also very funny. The show was able to have you deeply feeling for a character in one moment, and laughing in the next. The balance held throughout this show is artfully handled."
- Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2Dw5E69

"Cynthia Jones-Taylor is remarkable in this role as Dot. She is able to convey so many emotions - seeming simplicity, heartbreak, laughter, confidence, fear, and more - and she makes Dot such a winning force in the show and so much more complex than what might otherwise seem to be a crazy old woman."
- Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2BRFNoQ

To find out what our bloggers are talking about, go see DOT before it closes on January 7!

More info and tickets: http://parksquaretheatre.org/box-office/shows/2017-18/dot/

Blithe Spirit - TCTB Review Roundup

the cast of Blithe Spirit (photo by Dan Norman)

BLITHE SPIRIT is currently playing in the Proscenium Theater at Guthrie Theater and continues through January 14. Check out what our bloggers had to say about this Noël Coward-penned classic comedy:

"Sally Wingert as Madame Arcati is your gift for this holiday season. Drop everything and go see her brilliant comedic timing, the electrifying chemistry between the cast, and the thrilling theatrics."
- Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2iAUcAt

"Just as it was intended so many years ago, Blithe Spirit offers a delightful escape from the onslaught of the news cycle and allows the audience to laugh at clever wordplay and an absurd battle of wills. "
- PhenoMNal Twin Cities: http://bit.ly/2BEhREZ

"Everything about this show is just yummy. It's pure and pleasant escapist entertainment, an exquisitely written and executed comedy."
- Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_blithe

"I'm a big fan of the aesthetic and concept behind this show, and I was thrilled to see a comedy. The show was well performed, but it was long for me - almost three hours - and I wish it had been trimmed a little to help tighten up the jokes."
- Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2BuruWX

For more information and to purchase tickets click here:
https://www.guthrietheater.org/…/2017-2018-s…/blithe-spirit/

Phantom of the Opera - TCTB Review Roundup

The longest-running and one of the highest-grossing Broadway musicals has come to Minneapolis again. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is playing at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue through the end of the year. Check out what our bloggers thought of this blockbuster musical.

"After decades of success, Phantom shows no signs of slowing down in popularity and appeal."
PhenoMNal Twin Cities: http://bit.ly/2oTusl4

"The current production of The Phantom of the Opera is a joy to see. Thirty years on, not only is it possible to enjoy the music and plot, but this production is proof that the show is able to feel new and exciting."
Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2BAtC1F

"It was magical and wonderful... The story is haunting and heart-breaking. The voices are extraordinary. And, the set and staging of this production is incredible, with many moving parts and special effects."
Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2BFOQsU

"First up is the effervescent, flawless performance of the Phantom from Derrick Davis. Davis gives a sinuous, bombastic, nuanced performance that left the audience in chills... He is also the first African American I have seen in this role, a casting choice which lends renewed depth and thought to the Phantom's complicated past (which includes being abused and locked in a cage). I found every aspect of Davis's performance riveting, and he's worth the admission price alone."
Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2CVTTWh

More information can be found and tickets can be purchased here:
https://hennepintheatretrust.org/…/the-phantom-of-the-oper…/
(photo by Matthew Murphy)

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)

Plaid Tidings / Coco's Diary / Beauty and the Beast Jr. / A Gone Fishin' Christmas - Closing Soon!

Good Monday morning #TCTheater friends! Our bloggers have a few suggestions of shows closing this weekend (and one continuing through the end of the year).

Lyric Arts PLAID TIDINGS (closing December 23)
"Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings is a delightfully charming and talent filled production. Lyric Arts picked a winner this season and casts it perfectly for the holidays."
- Coffee Talk with Brett: http://bit.ly/2kmW9Rj

History Theatre COCO'S DIARY (closing December 23)
"This play with music gives the audience a glimpse into the life of the wealthy on Summit Avenue in 1927, and reminds us that being 13 is the same no matter when or where you live."
- Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_coco

SteppingStone Theatre BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. (closing December 22)
"A delightful way to spend an afternoon with your little one. The cast of local kids and teens put on a heck of a show–singing and dancing their way through a carefully abridged version of the animated classic."
- PhenoMNal Twin Cities: http://bit.ly/2BB444F

Yellow Tree Theatre A GONE FISHIN' CHRISTMAS (closing December 31)
"If you love Minnesota (and Duluth) references, physical comedy, bittersweet romance, family drama, and music that makes your heart ache, head to charming downtown Osseo between now and the end of the year to spend a few hours in an ice house with these delightfully wacky characters."
- Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_fishin17

A Christmas Carole Petersen - TCTB Review Roundup

Theater Latté Da has brought back Tod Petersen's popular auto-biographical Christmas montage A CHRISTMAS CAROLE PETERSEN, playing at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis through December 30. Some of our bloggers saw it last year, some this year, and all recommend it. Read more below, and click here for tickets and more info:

http://www.latteda.org/a-christmas-carole-petersen-2017/

Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2j3fqr3
"The award for Most Minnesotan Christmas Performance goes hands-down to A CHRISTMAS CAROLE PETERSEN... has everything to make a home-grown Minnesotan wistful over the holidays, with a few unique songs thrown in for good measure."

Cherry and Spoon (last year): http://bit.ly/cs_carole
"The holidays are complicated for many of us for various reasons, and this show allows you to feel how you feel about them, while still relishing the joys of a homemade cookie, a hand-written card, a familiar song, and a place to call home."

Minnesota Theater Love (last year): http://bit.ly/love_carole
"The stories are funny and sad and heartwarming, and the music beautiful and cheery. The joy radiating from the stage is contagious; I can't recall being in an audience so ready to join in the fun!"

(photo by Allen Weeks)

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley - TCTB Review Roundup

The bloggers agree (which happens less often than you might think) - The Jungle Theater's production of the new play sequel to the beloved Jane Austen novel PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, entitled MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, is perfectly charming! Read all the reviews below, then get your tickets before they're gone (performances continuing through December 30).
http://www.jungletheater.com/missbennet/

Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2j4lNWY
"I have never had so many genuine laughs during a play."

Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2AXhYdl
"The entire show is full of a top notch cast and fantastic performances that show us that the characters that we love from Pride and Prejudice haven’t changed much and are as endearing as ever. "

Talkin' Broadway Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/talk_bennet
"This funny little gem of a show is a must-see for anyone who wants to come out of the cold and be reminded that true love triumphs in the end."

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_missb
"In a sparkling new production at Jungle Theater, MISS BENNET is very reminiscent of Jane Austen, but also fresh and modern and new."

(photo by Dan Norman)