Photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp, courtesy of the Guthrie Theater
Guthrie Theater
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, 952-934-1525, chanhassendt.com
The Prom, Feb. 10–June 10, by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, directed by Michael Brindisi: “A troupe of hilarious, self-absorbed and down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small Indiana town as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend."
Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, June 16—February 24, by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, directed by Michael Brindisi: “With phenomenal music, memorable characters and great storytelling, Jersey Boys follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history.
Children’s Theatre, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls., 612-874-0400, childrenstheatre.org
An American Tail The Musical, April 25–June 18, by Itamar Moses, directed by Taibi Magar: “An army of cats forces young Fievel Mousekewitz and his family to escape from Russia by boat. When a storm at sea separates them, Fievel arrives alone in the vast city of New York. In this riveting new musical based on the beloved animated film, the steadfastly optimistic Fievel makes his way as a new immigrant, encountering friends and foes (including a few scene-stealing cockroaches!). Despite everything stacked against him, Fievel clings to his dreams of a better life and reuniting with his family. Are they Somewhere Out There?”
Dudley Riggs Theatre (Brave New Workshop), 824 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 612-455-9500, hennepintheatretrust.org
It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Stupidity, June 1–August 5, by the Brave New Workshop: “Join The Brave New Workshop for an evening of all-improvised comedy performed by a rotating cast of comedy all-stars. Each performance is a one-of-a-kind original that has never been rehearsed before and will never be performed again because it is entirely created from audience suggestions. It’s the kind of fun summer was made for, but like summer, it’s only here for a short while.”
Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224, guthrietheater.org
Murder on the Orient Express, May 13–July 2, by Ken Ludwig, directed by Risa Brainin: “Passengers aboard the opulent Orient Express awake to frightful news: Overnight, the American business mogul among them was stabbed to death behind locked doors. Thankfully, debonair detective Hercule Poirot is on the train and on the case. He promptly begins interviewing suspects, securing alibis and forming theories about the killer, who remains at large and could be closing in on the next victim. As the plot thickens and the travelers grow restless, Poirot presents two viable scenarios about who murdered the mogul and why, taking the audience on a wildly glamorous crime-solving ride.”
Into the Woods, June 17–August 13, by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Sarna Lapine: “Once upon a time, Cinderella pines to make a cameo at the ball, Jack (of beanstalk fame) tends to his pet cow, Little Red Riding Hood sets off toward grandmother’s house and a baker and his wife discover they are barren, thanks to a curse from the neighboring witch. They all head into the woods and embark on remarkable journeys that include falling in love, slaying a giant, facing off with a wolf and more. Just when all wishes appear to be granted, a stray magic bean sprouts a second stalk and the giant’s vengeful wife disrupts everyone’s happy ending.”
Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 612-822-7063, jungle theater.org
The Courtroom: A Reenactment of One Woman’s Deportation Proceedings, June 2—July 2, by Arian Moayed, directed by James Rodriguez: “Based on the real-life story of an immigrant from the Philippines who faced deportation after inadvertently registering to vote while applying for a drivers license. The show’s immersive run will be divided between a courtroom at Hamline University and the Jungle. Both settings will highlight the play’s distinctive mode of storytelling that intentionally sits on the line between reality and theatricality.”
Lyric Arts, 420 E. Main St., Anoka, 763-422-1838, lyricarts.org
Our Town, June 2–June 25, by Thorton Wilder, directed by Scott Ford: “Birth; marriage; death. And everything in between. Morning breaks on another ordinary day in Grover's Corners. The townsfolk go about their business: newspapers are delivered, meals are cooked and eaten, people go to work, gardens are tended to, and a boy and girl fall in love. But as life's events unfold and a community comes together, one question remains: "do any human beings ever realize life as they live it? Every, every minute?" Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play celebrates what it means to be human and the bonds that unite us all.”
Old Log Theater, 5185 Meadville St., Greenwood, 952-474-5951, oldlog.com
Million Dollar Quartet, June 2—February 17, directed by Christine O’Grady Roberts: “The musical captures the memorable day when four Rock n' Roll greats made music history. On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley at Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis, TN. The man who made it happen was the "Father of Rock'n'Roll," Sam Phillips, who discovered them all. This was the only occasion the four legends-to-be played together, and it has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.”
Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-373-5671, hennepintheatretrust.org
Tootsie, June 20-25, by Robert Horn, directed by Scott Ellis: “This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime.”
Pillsbury House and Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave., Mpls., 612-824-0708, pillsburyhouseandtheatre.org
bull-jean/we wake, June 22—July 2, by Sharon Bridgforth, directed by Daniel Alexander Jones: “bull-jean/we wake envelopes the senses with incantations, memories, and future visions that invites audiences closer to their deepest questions and longings.”
Red Eye Theater, 2213 Snelling Ave., Mpls., 612-870-7531, redeyetheater.org
New Works 4 Weeks Festival, June 1—June 17: “A cornerstone of the Twin Cities performance landscape, the long-running New Works 4 Weeks Festival lights up Red Eye’s new performance space in the Seward neighborhood each summer. This process-driven, cohort-based incubator of new works culminates in a showcase of the freshest experiments from Minnesota’s most risk-taking performing artists.”
Stages Theatre Company, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, stagestheatre.org
Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, June 16-July 30, by Nick Blaemire, directed by Sandy Boren-Barrett: “A chance at redemption sends the troublemaking offspring of Disney’s evil villains to school with the children of their sworn enemies. Do they carry on their parents’ wicked ways, or do they learn to be good? The generational match-up features beloved characters and hit songs from the popular Disney Channel films.”
Ten Thousand Things Theater, 612-203-9502, tenthousandthings.org
Emilia, April 27–June 11, by Morgan lloyd Malcolm, directed by Marcela Lorca: “Bursting with passion, music and humor, Emilia is a play based on the real-life of 1569 English poet Emilia Bassano. The play tells the fictional story of her relationship with William Shakespeare, her tremendous skill as a writer, and her determination to thrive and uplift women’s voices at a time when laws were designed to restrict women’s rights.”
Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave, Mpls., 612-333-3010, theatreintheround.org
Sherwood: The Adventures of Robinhood, June 9—July 2, by Ken Ludwig: “Packed with thrills, romance, laughter, and immortal characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood tells the enduring story of a hero of the people who takes on the ruthless powers that be.”
Theater Latté Da, 345 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-339-3003, latteda.org
Next to Normal, June 7–July 16, by Tom Kitt, directed by Peter Rothstein: “A family determined to balance sanity and happiness against the gale force winds of mental illness finds strength in their commitment to love each other through their pain. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this groundbreaking musical is an insightful and deeply moving look at a modern family, and raises the rafters with its Tony Award-winning score.”
Yellow Tree Theatre, 320 5th Ave. SE, Osseo, 763-493-8733, yellowtreetheatre.com
Once Upon a Time, June 7—June 30, by Austene Van: “Imagine a stormy evening on April 12, 1975. The aged superstar, Josephine Baker rests peacefully amidst glowing reviews of her triumphant comeback performance, a mess of articles and multiple contradictory biographies and autobiographies. A crack of thunder jolts her from her hotel bed, inspiring her to pen her ultimate autobiography with the help of her newest assistant, Mac. Mac, a young, aspiring writer is eager to assist LaBaker with the monumental task of documenting Josephine's fantastic and colorful memories from the 1920s through 1975. But when Mac begins to probe a little too deeply into what appears to be the fairytale life of Madame Baker, sparks fly and much is revealed. Her music will move you, her story will inspire you.”
