Whoa, Nellie! The Outlaw King of the Wild Middle West
Book, Lyrics and Music by Josef Evans
Directed by Laura Leffler
Music Directed by Amanda Weis
Choreography by Joey Miller
May 17–June 8, 2025
Whoa, Nellie! tells the whirlwind tale of a fake detective (and former child performer), whose countless criminal exploits and penchant for male attire made her a Minnesota media sensation in the late 1800s. This fast-paced, funny, and surprisingly moving new musical follows the path of the enigmatic and relentless “Nellie King,” the alias by which she was best known. Her reckless disregard for the law leads to disastrous ends and a powerful emotional reckoning. Along the way, her story brings to light historical realities around gender, addiction, mental health, and celebrity that continue to resonate today.
Jennifer Grimm Sings Judy Garland (3/1/25-3/1/25)
Secret Warriors (3/29/25-4/19/25)
History Theatre is at 30 East 10th Street, St.Paul, MN.
The Root Beer Lady (1/25/25-2/23/25)
Brass Funkadelic (1/4/25-1/4/25)
I Am Betty (11/23/24-12/29/24)
DON’T MISS DORIS HINES (10/27/24-10/27/24)
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF (10/26/24-10/26/24)
SO HELP ME GOD (10/26/24-10/26/24)
ROLLICKING! A WINTER CARNIVAL MUSICAL (10/25/24-10/25/24)
Behind the Sun (9/21/24-10/13/24)
Church of Cash (8/3/24-8/3/24)
Buddy Holly: Oh Boy! (6/1/24-6/1/24)
History Theatre entertains, educates, and engages through creating, developing, and producing new and existing works that explore Minnesota's past and the diverse American experience. Its work provides a unique lens which links our past to the present, explores our common heritage, and illuminates our understanding of what it means to be American. Since its founding in 1978 by Lynn Lohr and Lance Belville, the company has staged more than 100 world premieres, working with nationally recognized playwrights including Jeffrey Hatcher, Eric Simonson, Kevin Kling, Craig Wright, Frank McCourt, Doris Baizley, Melanie Marnich, Kim Hines, John Olive, and Kira Obolensky. From a harrowing slave journey to St. Paul in Adrift on the Mississippi to an urban musical celebration of the Twin Cities in Snapshots: Life in the City, from the rock 'n' roll biography Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story to the dark, complex A Piece of the Rope about Minnesota's first public execution, History Theatre has moved audiences to rediscover, relive, and respect every piece of their history.
Videos
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Come From Away
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (3/4 - 3/9) | |
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This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing
Ten Thousand Things (2/20 - 2/23)
VIDEOS
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Kimberly Akimbo
Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis (7/8 - 7/13) | |
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Alton Brown Live - Last Bite
Orpheum Theatre (4/27 - 4/27) | |
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Madagascar - A Musical Adventure TYA Edition
Stages Theatre Company (6/20 - 8/3) | |
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Tina: A Tina Turner Celebration with Adrienne Warren
Chrysler Hall (3/1 - 3/1) | |
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Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster
Children's Theatre Company (1/8 - 3/9) | |
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A Beautiful Noise
Uihlein Hall Marcus Center (3/25 - 3/30) | |
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Secret Warriors
History Theatre (3/29 - 4/19) | |
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