BWW Reviews: Variations on a Theme - Three Musicals, THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, All Speak to Beauty and Self-Worth
At first glance, the musicals THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES may not seem to have much in common. The settings couldn't be more different - the rural South in the early 20th century, a modern day high school, and a drag club in 1970s France. But since I happened to see them all on the same weekend, I couldn't help but draw parallels between them. All three musicals all speak to themes of beauty, identity, self-worth, and having the courage to be who you really are, despite what the world is telling you. In THE COLOR PURPLE, a young, poor, black woman is told that she's ugly and worthless, but after a lifelong journey she arrives at a place of strength and self-love. CALVIN BERGER sets the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac in a modern high school, where a young man feels that his large nose prevents him from getting what he wants in life and chooses to hide behind the handsome popular guy, both of whom eventually learn it's better to be loved for who you are. Finally, in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, a middle aged man who feels more comfortable dressed as a woman is asked by his own son to hide who he is, but confidently declares 'I am who I am!' Another thing these three musicals have in common is that they can all currently be seen on Twin Cities stages featuring talented local casts. Read on for more details on each, pick one that suits your fancy, and go see a local musical that just may inspire you to love you you really are!
Minneapolis Musical Theatre Presents CYRANO DE BERGERAC, Now thru 2/15
Calvin Berger, a modern, musical comedy about a boy, a girl...and a nose, based loosely on the timeless classic Cyrano de Bergerac and set in high school, makes its area premiere in a Minneapolis Musical Theatre (MMT) production running tonight, January 23, through February 15, 2015 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre.
Minneapolis Musical Theatre to Present CYRANO DE BERGERAC, 1/23-2/15
Calvin Berger, a modern, musical comedy about a boy, a girl...and a nose, based loosely on the timeless classic Cyrano de Bergerac and set in high school, makes its area premiere in a Minneapolis Musical Theatre (MMT) production running January 23-February 15, 2015 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre. With book, music and lyrics by the award-winning Barry Wyner, Calvin Berger is directed by Joshua James Campbell working with MMT's new artistic director, Christian Unser. Local actor Gregory Adam stars as Calvin, returning to MMT after his scene-stealing turn as the sexy and conniving Raoul in the recent production of Eating Raoul.
BWW Interviews: VANYA & SONIA & MASHA & Sass
Joel Sass brings the farcical VANYA & SONIA & MASHA & SPIKE to the Guthrie stage for the first time this summer. BWW Interviews had a chance to get his insight on the show and learn more about the man behind the scenes himself.
BWW Reviews: Minnesota Fringe Festival Mid-Week Favorites - FAILURE Is A Success!
It's day 7 of the 11-day Minnesota Fringe Festival, in which 169 one-hour plays, musicals, dramas, dance performances, and comedy shows are presented at 19 venues across Minneapolis. I've seen about half of my 30-some planned shows, and one stands out above the rest - Failure: A Love Story. I love this piece so much because it is so many things at once - funny, heartbreaking, clever, innovative, tragic, and absolutely beautiful. Read about this and five other shows I loved.
BWW Reviews: The Guthrie Theater's VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Entertains with Deliciously Over-the-Top Comedic Performances
In a lovely bit of symmetry, the Guthrie is closing a season that began with Chekhov's Uncle Vanya with a new play by Christopher Durang that uses Chekhovian characters and themes in a decidedly modern way - Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Whatever Durang's inspiration was, the result is a hilarious comedy about a dysfunctional trio of siblings and the wacky people that surround them. Even though I'm sure I missed many of the Chekhov and other references, I thoroughly enjoyed the play. It's great fun, with fantastic performances by everyone in the six-person cast.
Playwrights' Center McKnight Theater Artists to Present Works in Progress, 6/16
The 2013-14 Playwrights' Center McKnight Theater Artist Fellows Sun Mee Chomet, Denise Prosek and Stephen Yoakam, along with their collaborators, will present selections from works in progress on June 16 at 7 p.m. at the Southern Theater. The event is free and open to the public; advance reservations are strongly recommended and can be made at www.pwcenter.org. The Southern Theater is located at 1420 S Washington Avenue in Minneapolis.
BWW Interviews: James Rocco and the Ordway's BROADWAY SONGBOOK: Cole Porter
James Rocco is the vice president of programming and producing artistic director of the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minn. He is also the director, host and a performer in the Ordway's latest edition of BROADWAY SONGBOOK, this time, focusing on American musical theatre master, Cole Porter. I recently sat down to learn about James, the BROADWAY SONGBOOK: Cole Porter and what's next for the theatre.
Park Square Theatre Presents JOHNNY BASEBALL, Now thru 2/10
Park Square Theatre presents the regional premiere of Johnny Baseball, a touching new musical that deals with baseball, love, and the "Curse of the Bambino"-on stage tonight, January 18-February 10, 2013. With a lively score, and a grand finale that features a curse-busting home run, Johnny Baseball delivers a whole lot entertainment.
Park Square Theatre to Present JOHNNY BASEBALL, 1/18-2/10
Park Square Theatre presents the regional premiere of Johnny Baseball, a touching new musical that deals with baseball, love, and the "Curse of the Bambino"-on stage January 18-February 10, 2013. With a lively score, and a grand finale that features a curse-busting home run, Johnny Baseball delivers a whole lot entertainment.
Minnetonka Theatre Celebrates 10 Years with ALL SHOOK UP!, Now thru 8/4
Minnetonka Theatre is celebrating 10 years under the Artistic Direction of Kent Knutson, director of both the theatre's high school and community branches, with a remount of their fan favorite production, All Shook Up! Alumni cast members were invited back to be a part of this Elvis inspired musical, first presented by Minnetonka High School in 2009. Running from tonight, July 20 to August 4 on the Arts Center on 7 Main Stage, it is also a follow up to last winter's sold-out hit, The Sound of Music.
Minnetonka Theatre Celebrates 10 Years with ALL SHOOK UP!, 7/20-8/4
Minnetonka Theatre is celebrating 10 years under the Artistic Direction of Kent Knutson, director of both the theatre's high school and community branches, with a remount of their fan favorite production, All Shook Up! Alumni cast members were invited back to be a part of this Elvis inspired musical, first presented by Minnetonka High School in 2009. Running from July 20 to August 4 on the Arts Center on 7 Main Stage, it is also a follow up to last winter's sold-out hit, The Sound of Music.
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