Rebecca Feldman

There are not many plays that can claim to be intelligently written and smartly crafted so that they are constantly and consistently engaging and interesting without also being, at times, over the audience's heads. It's a difficult line to walk, and with August: Osage County, Tracy Letts manages brilliantly.

Star Tribune arts critics Rohan Preston and Graydon Royce questioned Mr. Sondheim about his career, his life, and musical theatre as a whole. In response, Sondheim charmed and entertained the audience with his unapologetically honest and engaging opinions, experiences, and anecdotes.

Rent, the rock musical about a group of artists in New York City who are dealing with questions of art, integrity, AIDS, and community, premiered on Broadway in 1996 and enjoyed a twelve-year run there, spurring multiple national tours. Now, for the first time, a local production of the show can be seen in the Twin Cities at the Lab Theatre, and it's enjoying a reinvigoration that comes with new staging, local actors, and a commitment to a full audience experience.

Young Frankenstein, currently on tour and playing at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, is a Mel Brooks musical-and no amount of criticism, praise, or exhaustive explanation could sum it up better than that one statement. With book, lyrics, and music by Brooks, and based on his 1974 movie of the same name, this show radiates his style and sense of humor. For those who appreciate his blend of slapstick, raunchy humor, and physical comedy, this show is an excellent choice for an evening of fun entertainment. There was no doubt, on opening night, that Twin Cities audience members love it, as their loud and enthusiastic response throughout the evening demonstrated.

With the sometimes-high cost of theatre tickets, an evening out can be beyond the means of young theatergoers. Luckily, The Hennepin Theatre Trust-the non-profit organization that owns and operates Minneapolis' State, Orpheum, and Pantages Theatres and Hennepin Stages-is aware of this issue and seeking to do something about it. This fall, the Trust created a new initiative called The Scene to make theatre and other events in their performance spaces more affordable, accessible, and approachable for patrons age 21 to 39, as well as to provide a network of other people in the area with similar interests.

Though the Broadway production of Rent closed on September 7, 2008 and the national tour based on the Broadway production gives its final performance this February, the show and its message live on. Minneapolis theatergoers will be able to see as much for themselves through the first local, professional production of Rent, which opens on February 3 and runs through February 21 at the Lab Theatre (formerly the Guthrie Lab), located in the Warehouse District near Acme Comedy Club and the former site of Theatre de la Jeune Lune.

In the show's titular song, the cast of Dreamgirls, currently on tour and playing at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, promises to make you happy. And despite the faults of both this show and this particular production, that promise was upheld. More than anything, the characters' enthusiasm, especially early in the show, was infectious and exciting. Add in incredible performances and an interesting set, and the recipe has the potential to add up to a good night of theater.