Fall Theater Preview In Minnesota
It's that time again. Short sleeves are traded in for sweatshirts and we all start to feel that slight chill of autumn. But these cool evenings are perfect for a night out on the town. A night at the theater, perhaps?
From the world-renowned Guthrie Theater and the stunning Ordway to the dozens of smaller theaters pushing boundaries in the Twin Cities (we are second only to New York City in theater seats per capita, after all) there is never a shortage of spectacular antics, stunning appropriations and interpretations of the classics, and inspiring stories filling our local stages.
Here is a preview of what's to come this fall.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Guthrie Theater
818 S. 2nd St
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 377-2224
www.guthrietheater.org
Sep. 12 - Oct. 28
Coming on the heels of the release of Harper Lee's new novel "Go Set A Watchmen," you'll be able to catch a dramatic performance of her classic novel on the Guthrie's magnificent Wurtele Thrust Stage. For those unfamiliar, it's a story of racial tensions and neighborhood strife in the 1960s South that still resonates strongly today. Whether you know the story or not, this is a must-see performance that is sure to have you talking for days afterward.
Broadway Songbook - Songbook Of The 70's
The Ordway Center For Performing Arts
345 Washington St.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-4222
www.ordway.org
Oct. 9 - 11
Love the 1970's? Love to sing? Not worried about other people who love the 70s and love to sing? This is the perfect show for that throwback nostalgia of one of America's most interesting decades. Come and sing along to classics by Elton John, Paul Simon, James Taylor and more and see (hear) why their music came to define the Broadway canon.
Hip-Hop Nutcracker
The Ordway Center For Performing Arts
345 Washington St.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-4222
www.ordway.org
Nov. 24 - 25
You've never seen Tchaikovsky quite like this. Re-imagining the story through the rhythm and style of hip hop beats and dance moves and set in modern-day New York City, it brings a holiday classic to life in ways you'd never imagine. Tchaikovsky wouldn't be able to stop himself from dancing along. Well, maybe he would, but you sure won't.
Sister Act
Chanhassen Dinner Theater
501 78th St W
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 934-1525
www.chanhassentheatres.com
Oct. 30, 2015 - Feb. 27, 2016.
While you won't see Whoopi Goldberg dancing onstage, you will get a stellar cast onstage making you laugh, sing and having you want to get up and dance for this rendition of Sister Act. Following the story of a nightclub singer sent to a convent, where she finds herself at odds with a very conservative lifestyle, this is a hilarious, high-energy show you won't want to miss.
My Children! My Africa!
Park Square Theater
408 St Peter St
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 291-7005
www.parksquaretheatre.org
Nov. 11 - 29
If you haven't been to the new Andy Boss Thrust stage, which recently opened in the ever-expanding Park Square Theater, this is the perfect opportunity. This is a moving story of apartheid and using the power of language to overcome racial barriers. An interesting companion piece to "To Kill A Mockingbird," this play will show why the Park Square is one of the most interesting theaters in the Twin Cities that is really starting to hit its stride.
Related: Best Theaters In Minnesota
The Little Mermaid
Orpheum Theater
910 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-7007
www.hennepintheatretrust.org
Oct. 8 - 18
This Broadway hit stops in Minneapolis on its way around the country, and if you're looking for dazzling sets, colorful costumes and flashy choreography (including an ensemble on "merblades" that allow the cast to float around the stage), this is the show for you. Everyone knows the classic songs and the classic story, but seeing it live on stage will let you see it in a whole new way.
Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.