"The Wiz" plays at Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis through March 18, 2018. It is a co-production with Penumbra Theatre. Aimee Bryant as Addaperle. Photo Credit: Dan Norman
This Weekend (And Beyond) Get Out And See Theater!
This weekend there is a lot going on in the Twin Cities, including the Super Bowl!
I recommend attending local arts events because there are many amazing performances happening in Minneapolis and St. Paul right now. If you sit this theater weekend out, you'll miss some great shows. Yes, I'm inciting your fear of missing out (FOMO.)
Need help picking out the right show? I’ll run down some great theater options for you in this post. There's something for everyone: music, puppets, witches, human rights themes, and whimsy.
Share any upcoming shows that you are excited about in the comments.
Need help picking out the right show? I’ll run down some great theater options for you in this post. There's something for everyone: music, puppets, witches, human rights themes, and whimsy.
Share any upcoming shows that you are excited about in the comments.
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Theater Pro-tip: Make sure to leave lots of time to arrive at your venue early and plan for heavy Super Bowl traffic on the roads.
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Seth Carico as Joseph De Rocher in the Minnesota Opera premiere of "Dead Man Walking." Photo credit: Cory Weaver
Dead Man Walking: Contemporary opera based on a best-selling novel
It’s the final weekend of Dead Man Walking at the Minnesota Opera at the Ordway Center for the Arts in St. Paul. I saw this powerful contemporary opera last week; read my review. Performances run through February 3, 2018.
It’s the final weekend of Dead Man Walking at the Minnesota Opera at the Ordway Center for the Arts in St. Paul. I saw this powerful contemporary opera last week; read my review. Performances run through February 3, 2018.
Paris Bennett and Greta Oglesby in "The Wiz." Photo credit: Dan Norman
The Wiz: Family-Friendly Musical
Last night I saw The Wiz at Children’s Theatre Company with my friend and arts colleague Kemi. Wow. This show was complete musical excellence.
It was my first experience seeing a show on the main stage, which is kind of hard to believe since I see so much theater. Here's my advice: If you only see one musical this year, make it The Wiz. There was so much amazing vocal talent on stage! The show was two hours long, perhaps the perfect length, and filled with songs that either touched your heart of had you tapping your toes. The audience was pretty fabulous, too; There were lots of young people and one of the most diverse theater audiences I’ve seen in Minnesota.
Last night I saw The Wiz at Children’s Theatre Company with my friend and arts colleague Kemi. Wow. This show was complete musical excellence.
It was my first experience seeing a show on the main stage, which is kind of hard to believe since I see so much theater. Here's my advice: If you only see one musical this year, make it The Wiz. There was so much amazing vocal talent on stage! The show was two hours long, perhaps the perfect length, and filled with songs that either touched your heart of had you tapping your toes. The audience was pretty fabulous, too; There were lots of young people and one of the most diverse theater audiences I’ve seen in Minnesota.
Photo Credit: Dan Norman
This was also the first EVER collaboration between Penumbra Theatre and the Children’s Theatre Company. Both of these theaters are nationally recognized arts organizations that have a long history in the local ats community. I feel honored to see the outcome of such an innovative partnership,.
"My concept for [The Wiz] is rooted deeply in African American history & custom, Dorothy's journey from (in our production) Nicodemus, Kansas to the Wiz's palace in Harlem, pays homage to the Great Migration made during Reconstruction by thousands of African Americans from rural environs to urban living."
~Director Lou Bellamy, founder of Penumbra Theatre
"Make Believe Neighborhood" runs through February 25, 2018 at In The Heart of the Beast in Minneapolis.
Make Believe Neighborhood: Puppet Show Inspired by Mr. Rogers
Join In The Heart of The Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre as they take a deeper into the background of Mr. Rogers and how he came to be a strong advocate for children, the beauty of the everyday, and simple acts of kindness. Expect stories of kindness, cool puppetry, and music by Martin Dosh.
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This will be a truly magical event for children and for those of us who grew up watching Mr. Rogers on the television.
"We want to tell the stories of our own incredibly diverse neighbors who are helping people and communities believe in themselves, making better lives and neighborhoods." |
"Make Believe Neighborhood" at In The Heart of the Beast. Photo Credit: Bruce Silcox
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20% Theatre Company's "THE NAKED I: RECOGNIZE/D" plays at Minnsky Theatre in Minneapolis through February 11, 2017.
THE NAKED I: RECOGNIZE/D is the 5th in a series of NAKED I plays produced by 20% Theatre Company and aims to highlight the voices and experiences of trans/queer/otherwise non-cisgender and/or non-heterosexual folks. The show features 20 brand new staged pieces including monologues, scenes, movement/performance pieces, music performance, and more, and includes the contributions of over 60 LGBTQIAP+ artists.
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The Minnsky Theatre in Northeast Minneapolis is a new venue for 20% Theatre. They were originally scheduled to perform this piece, where they have done so in the past, at Intermedia Arts in South Minneapolise. Unfortunately for our community, Intermedia has closed permanently. Check out and support 20% Theatre as they try out this new venue and continue their important work.
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"The Naked I: Self-Defined." Photo credit: Blythe M. Davis, 2016
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Cheap Theater Tickets for Artfully Engaging Blog Fans
Looking for some awesome theater deals? Cheap theater tickets can be so wonderful if your budget is tight or you want to experience lots of arts! Here are some discounts I can offer you through my Golstar Affiliate status. Any tickets you purchase help support the Artfully Engaging blog.
A Steady Rain: Dark Tale of Friendship & Betrayal
The Gremlin Theatre (Saint Paul, MN)
A dark duologue filled with sharp storytelling and biting repartee, "A Steady Rain" explores the complexities of a lifelong friendship tested by domestic affairs, violence and the rough streets of Chicago. Joey and Denny have been best friends since kindergarten, and after working together for several years as police officers in Chicago, they are practically family: Joey helps out with Denny's wife and kids; Denny keeps Joey away from the bottle. But when a domestic disturbance call takes a turn for the worse, their friendship is put on the line. Written by Keith Huff ("Madmen, House of Cards"), "A Steady Rain" premiered on Broadway with Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman. Gremlin Theatre now brings this profound work to St. Paul, presented on the intimate stage of their new thrust theater.
Half-price tickets available: Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 / 7:30pm | $14
The Gremlin Theatre (Saint Paul, MN)
A dark duologue filled with sharp storytelling and biting repartee, "A Steady Rain" explores the complexities of a lifelong friendship tested by domestic affairs, violence and the rough streets of Chicago. Joey and Denny have been best friends since kindergarten, and after working together for several years as police officers in Chicago, they are practically family: Joey helps out with Denny's wife and kids; Denny keeps Joey away from the bottle. But when a domestic disturbance call takes a turn for the worse, their friendship is put on the line. Written by Keith Huff ("Madmen, House of Cards"), "A Steady Rain" premiered on Broadway with Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman. Gremlin Theatre now brings this profound work to St. Paul, presented on the intimate stage of their new thrust theater.
Half-price tickets available: Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 / 7:30pm | $14
Constance In the Darkness: A Musical in Miniature
Open Eye Figure Theatre (Minneapolis, MN)
This all-ages adventure short-circuits the trappings of Disney "princess" culture and plumbs the mysteries of the constellations in a funny, fanciful, and poignant hero's journey about a mother who has gone missing and an astronomer-daughter determined to find her. Filled with ingenious puppetry, lavishly orchestrated songs, and madcap performances, "Constance In the Darkness" celebrates a new kind of princess who navigates a complicated past and uncertain future as she trains her telescope out to the stars as well as into the human heart.
Half-price tickets are available:
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 / 7:30pm | $10
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 / 4:00pm | $10
Open Eye Figure Theatre (Minneapolis, MN)
This all-ages adventure short-circuits the trappings of Disney "princess" culture and plumbs the mysteries of the constellations in a funny, fanciful, and poignant hero's journey about a mother who has gone missing and an astronomer-daughter determined to find her. Filled with ingenious puppetry, lavishly orchestrated songs, and madcap performances, "Constance In the Darkness" celebrates a new kind of princess who navigates a complicated past and uncertain future as she trains her telescope out to the stars as well as into the human heart.
Half-price tickets are available:
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 / 7:30pm | $10
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 / 4:00pm | $10
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