The Cottage is a Wonderfully Light Comedy in the Style of a Noel Coward Play at the Gremlin Theatre

Corey DiNardo, Sarah Malfara, Sasha Andreev Photo by Alyssa Kristine Photography

The Cottage by Sandy Rustin is the sort of comedy Noël Coward might have written, if he were writing today, and a woman. It isn’t vulgar, but it carries a distinctly modern sensibility, freer than the comedies of manners Coward penned in the 1920s and ’30s.

The play opens in 1923 at a country cottage, where two lovers, Sylvia and Beau, have just spent a night together. We quickly learn they are both married, and, in fact are brother- and sister-in-law. In a fit of impulsive honesty, Sylvia has sent telegrams to their respective spouses confessing the affair, assuming she and Beau will simply move on and marry each other. Naturally, this decision brings those spouses, and a few surprise guests, crashing onto the scene. To reveal more would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say this is an old-fashioned farce with a decidedly modern, feminist edge.

Sarah Malfara opens and closes the play alone on stage as Sylvia. At first, her performance feels overly mannered, but it soon becomes clear this is intentional, Sylvia is “playing house,” posing within a role of her own creation. As revelations unfold, Malfara gradually strips away that façade. By the end, she has transformed from a fluttering romantic into a clear-eyed woman firmly in control of her own narrative. It’s a terrific turn from an actor I was previously unfamiliar with, and Malfara keeps the audience constantly reassessing both her performance and Sylvia herself.

All Is Calm alum Sasha Andreev puts his dashing good looks to excellent use as Beau, a man who clearly has no trouble attracting women. Andreev is as adept at turning on the charm as he is at landing sharp comedic beats, particularly in his well played exits after a confrontation with a potentially deadly visitor. Mira Davis, as the delightfully unpredictable Dierdre, makes the most of every entrance (often from unexpected places) and mines plenty of laughs from her character’s… incapacitated state. Corey DiNardo (Clarke) and Shana Eisenberg (Marjorie), the wronged spouses, most strongly evoke the classic 1920s British comedy-of-manners style, while still sneaking in some wonderfully surprising flourishes. And Chance Carroll, as Richard, delivers one of the evening’s biggest surprises with a transformation that once again upends expectations.

The Cottage is a light but thoroughly delightful comedy, packed with unexpected twists, entrances, and revelations. Just when it has exhausted its surprises, it lands on a message that feels fully earned. Director Brian Balcom captures the spirit of a Noël Coward comedy with precision while allowing Rustin’s modern voice to shine through.

The Cottage runs through August 2 at the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul. For more information and tickets, visit https://gremlintheatre.org/the-cottage/

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The Prom is the Feel Good Musical Blast of the Summer! Lyric Arts, I Just Wanna Dance With You!

One thing Bloggings taught me, is how much people enjoy a show! And so it’s got me debating how this review should go. Audiences will be reading, how Lyric Arts’ Production is. What I must say is, They built a show for everyone! And It’s just so damn fun. The music soars, the dancers score and my unruly eyes wept.

The Prom will always have a special place in my heart for a lot of reasons. It’s one of the cast albums that I throw on fairly regularly, because every song is good. A lot of them stir up some powerful, joyful emotions; others make you want to get up and dance. They all make me want to sing along. The National Tour was a blast and had me and the entire audience on our feet dancing. In my review at the time, I wrote, “I haven’t left the theater this high on a show since Come From Away.” I could absolutely say the same thing in this review, thanks to the Guthrie’s brilliant production of that show this summer. The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres production I saw twice, the second time, I led a talkback afterwards where I had the honor to share the stage with the late, great Michael Brindisi and several members of that incredible cast. This is by far the smallest production I’ve seen, but that in no way diminishes it. This production of The Prom reminded me of how much I love this show.

I’ve heard people whose opinions I respect, people who know more about musical theater than I ever will, dismiss The Prom. But I choose to open my unruly heart to the sheer joy that this show embodies. This show is a blast and it’s really hard for me to imagine anyone not having just about the time of their life with it.

The Prom tells the story of a small town in Indiana that has cancelled the prom rather than let a high school student, Emma, take her girlfriend as her date. It opens with Dee Dee and Barry, actors who are past their prime, headlining a show, Eleanor! The Eleanor Roosevelt Musical, whose opening night is also going to be its closing night. They grasp onto the story in Indiana as a way to raise their profiles and rehab their unlikeable image. Along with fellow actors Trent and Angie, these thespians descend upon a meeting where Emma, along with her principal, Mr. Hawkins, is trying to convince the PTA to reverse their decision. What begins as a co-opting of Emma’s dilemma for their own narcissistic reasons will ultimately help all of them deal with their own issues. Emma will have her ups and downs, as will her closeted girlfriend Alyssa Green, whose mother is the head of the PTA. It’s a story that pokes gentle, loving fun at theatrical types while also dealing with the very real issue of intolerance toward, and the need for inclusion of, LGBTQ-identifying individuals. It shows us the ugly side of human nature, but it is about the courage to be who you are, and is ultimately very uplifting.

I’m going to single out a few members of the cast that I just want to spotlight for different reasons, but again, this is a show that, if you, faithful readers, had the patience, and I didn’t need to sleep at some point, I could talk about everyone in the cast. They are all amazing. First off, I have to mention Andrew Newman as Barry Glickman. Newman is outstanding in the role and will be getting a TCTB Award nomination from me come the end of the year for this performance. Every facial expression, every line reading, every dance step, and every lyric sung is perfection. Imani Harris as Emma is a revelation. I guess I saw her in Big Fish at Lyric Arts last fall, but other than that she is new to me, and one to watch. Her vocals are impressive, and she had me tearing up at about three different points in the show. Lastly, I want to give a shout-out to Colin Perucco, who plays Principal Hawkins. Perucco is familiar, but his bio didn’t give me any clues as to where I’ve seen him before. But man, this guy has something. I can’t put my finger on it, but I was really impressed by him. He just seemed perfect in the role, believable, caring, and brilliant at being the grounded counterpoint to the more eccentric thespian characters. I never saw him acting, he just seemed to exist in the story.

Director Amanda White has an eye for finding humor in the reactions of the characters who are not the focus of the scene. It’s what separates a great production from a good one. There is more happening in the world of the story than just the information we are being fed. The nuances that come out about characters, when everyone is bringing something to every scene, whether they are speaking, singing, or just in the background, is what makes a show come to life. The other aspect that brings this production to another level is the choreography by Lauri Kraft and Michael Terrell Brown. I feel like there is more dancing in this production than I remember in previous ones. It’s fast, precise, and on more than one occasion comedically inspired. Like Brown’s work in Mamma Mia! earlier this year at Lyric Arts, the choreography almost feels like another character in the show; it has so much personality.

If this show doesn’t sell out most of its run like Mamma Mia! did, I would be very surprised. Of course, there is the whole LGBTQ aspect, and this is the suburbs. I remember writing in my review of the CDT production, “Is it weird to say you are proud of a theatre? Maybe, but it’s how I feel about CDT’s decision to produce The Prom.” And you know what, Lyric Arts? I’m proud of you too!

The Prom runs through August 9th at Lyric Arts in Anoka. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to from Minneapolis, but believe me, this production is worth the drive. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.lyricarts.org/prom

Wicked at the Orpheum Theater Defies Expectations and Proves Wicked Fatigue is Not a Real Thing. It Soars!

Claudia Bennett as Glinda and Aline Mayagoitia as Elphaba Photo by Joan Marcus

From the first time I saw Wicked, I liked it, but I didn’t love it. Each time I see it, though, I enjoy it more. Going into this, my third touring production, I was curious how both the audience and I would respond. Was there potential for Wicked burnout after the phenomenal film adaptation of the first act, which I greatly enjoyed, and the decidedly less popular film adaptation of Act II, which I have not seen?

I think if fans went in thinking that maybe they were over the whole Wicked thang, they left with a rekindled love for the show. Like its most popular song, this show is “Defying Gravity.” First-timers are discovering the magic that has made it the second highest-grossing Broadway musical of all time. I know because I brought a first-timer with me, and she flipped for it. For myself, I can truly say I fell in love with the show this time. I followed the character arcs more closely, thanks in no small part to two fabulous performances in the lead roles. I also appreciated the allegorical nature of the story more, while still being wowed by the production design and effects work. I will say this, though: Act I of Wicked is brilliant; Act II is good, not great. I think this accounts for the less favorable response to the film Wicked: For Good.

Wicked is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It tells the backstory of The Wizard of Oz from the point of view of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. From this perspective, The Wizard of Oz is merely propaganda designed to manipulate the population in order for the Wizard to maintain power over the people. Remember, history is written by the victors, which is the crux upon which both the novel and the musical are based. We learn the details of Elphaba’s conception and birth, and that she is shunned because of her green skin. From there, we jump to her and her sister Nessarose going off to Shiz University. Here Elphaba meets Galinda, later to be just Glinda. At first, they feel a mutual loathing, but an act of mistaken kindness creates a bond between the two. This moment also unexpectedly brought tears to my eyes.

What’s a musical without a love story or, in this case, a love triangle. They both pine for Fiyero, the Winkie Prince bad boy who isn’t as shallow as he wants everyone to think. Elphaba has a gift for magic, which attracts the attention of the headmistress, Madame Morrible, who begins to teach Elphaba how to use her gift, and at Elphaba’s insistence, Glinda as well. When the Wizard sends word for Elphaba to come see him, Glinda goes with, and they discover the truth behind the curtain. One of the things the Wizard is doing is restricting the rights of Animals, who in this world can speak and even teach at the university level. The novel was published in the mid-1990s and the musical opened on Broadway in 2003, over 20 years ago, and it’s still going strong. When they created the show, I’m sure their intention was to present an allegory that reminded us of our own world’s history, a show meant to caution us against repeating the past. Now, it seems to be speaking directly to the world we somehow find ourselves in. There’s a scene in the second act that seems to reference Eva Perón’s balcony moment in “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita, which itself evokes a fascist regime.

In my previous review of the show, I stated that “the real star of the show are the set design, special effects, lighting, and costumes. All of which are amazing, but they are utilized in the service of the story for the most part, which is really the way it should be. Scenic designer Eugene Lee’s sets are detailed and dazzling. Kenneth Posner, the lighting designer, creates just the right look in every scene, truly enhancing the sets. Projection designer Elaine J. McCarthy and special effects creator Chic Silber work wonderfully together and with the other departments to pull off what is honestly one of the most innovative and evocative shows I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. Finally, Tom Watson on wigs and hair and Susan Hilferty as costume designer complete the picture with so many different looks and styles, sometimes borrowing motifs from the past, sometimes creating something that feels wholly original.”

That is all still true, except the part about those elements being the real stars of the show. This time around, the real stars are Claudia Bennett and Aline Mayagoitia, who play Glinda and Elphaba. Bennett particularly gets the humor just right; she is perfect as Glinda, and someone I imagine is going to have a very long career. Mayagoitia rises to the challenge of the show’s most iconic scene, bringing power and passion to “Defying Gravity,” making it not only the high point of the show but of the theater season. They are supported by a solid cast, including Tom McGowan, who played Station Manager Kenny Daly on Frasier, as the Wizard of Oz. That was an unexpected and delightful surprise.

Wicked may seem like the perfect show to take kids to, but it isn’t really. I’d say teenagers and above. It’s set in the land of Oz; there are witches and wizards and tin men and flying monkeys, but it’s also a deeply political show that deals with issues that draw clear parallels to many of today’s concerns, from restrictions of rights to fake news. But for anyone interested in the political side of things, it is a dazzler of a show, with great music, jaw-dropping special effects, and every aspect of the production layering together to create some truly magnificent environments.

Wicked runs through August 9. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://hennepinarts.org/events/wicked

The Great River Shakespeare Festival Takes Us Into the Past on the Road to the Future: This Years Shows A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

The Stages of MN, MN Theater Love, Cherry and Spoon, and Mrs. The Stages of MN at The Great River Shakespeare Festival

This is my fourth year attending the Great River Shakespeare Festival (GRSF), and more than ever, it felt like returning to a much-loved community, like reuniting with friends. That’s what makes this festival so special: it’s small enough, and the company engages with the public on such an intimate level, that you feel like more than just an audience member, you feel like part of the community. There are so many ways to engage with the company that the experience becomes more than just attending a performance.

Forty-five minutes before each show, the student understudies perform the Green Show. These scenes are designed to tune your ear to Shakespeare’s verse and wrap up with an entertaining introduction to the characters, plot, and world of the play you’re about to see. After every Friday and Saturday evening performance, there’s a free ice cream social where you can enjoy a treat and mingle with the cast, crew, and festival staff. On Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m., there’s a Company Conversation, an time where anyone can engage with a panel of artists about a variety of topics. All of these events are free and have been part of the festival long before I began making the trek to Winona.

What’s new this year, and especially exciting, is the festival’s move to a permanent home at The ARC, which is Home of the Historic Masonic Theatre. Previously held on the campus of Winona State University, this move allows them, among other things, to sell concessions, snacks, drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, including an N/A beer option, for which I’m very grateful. The Guthrie could take a cue from GRSF in that regard. There’s also a gift shop with everything from T-shirts and books to William Shakespeare action figures and jigsaw puzzles.

Less visible, but equally exciting, is the space itself. Its labyrinthine layout turns simply moving from the lobby to the theater into a bit of a treasure hunt, and that’s exactly what it is. Around every corner, there’s a piece of theater history: lighting fixtures, commemorative plaques, and costumes that may well be over 100 years old. My favorite find is in the upstairs bar, where you can see an old wind noise machine that, paired with a thunder sheet, once created the soundscape of a storm.

GRSF Artistic Director Doug Scholz-Carlson & Wind Machine

My fellow Twin Cities theater bloggers and I were lucky enough to tour the space, and it’s full of character, because it’s really, really old. With that character come challenges. This is year one, and the GRSF team has done an incredible job preparing the space for the season. But there’s more they’d love to do in the coming years, and completing that vision will require raising three to five million dollars. So if you’ve got some extra cash, $25, $50, $1.2 million, this would be a great place to donate: https://www.grsf.org/donate-now.

The shows! I won’t go into full synopses or in-depth reviews, I know this is already a long article. But what I’ve found over four years and nine productions is this: like Ten Thousand Things in Minneapolis, this company seems incapable of producing a Shakespeare play that isn’t among the best you’ll ever see. Whether you know the plays or not, you will be entertained and enriched.

*Pericles, Prince of Tyre* Photo by Dan Norman

First up is Pericles, Prince of Tyre, a play I had neither read nor seen before attending opening weekend. Not one of Shakespeare’s most frequently performed works, partly because he only wrote the second half, which sent me down a fascinating rabbit hole about Shakespearean collaborations. Pericles is also a perfect example of why we’re still performing Shakespeare over 400 years after his death: as the world changes and artists revisit the work, we find new ways of interpreting and presenting these plays. Director Shaun Patrick Tubbs makes smart adaptations that bring clarity and emotional depth, both of which resonated strongly with the audience.

Someone described Pericles over the weekend as “Shakespeare’s greatest hits.” It’s got ships, storms, people separated by ships and storms. Really, the only thing missing is a set of twins. There’s love, pirates, attempted murder, a character unknowingly buried alive, human trafficking, incest, and even divine intervention. And near the end, Will Sturdivant as Pericles, had me in tears during a reunion scene. The ensemble of eight company members, who perform all roles in both this and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, are among the finest Shakespearean performers you’ll see. Sturdivant stands out here, as does Melissa Maxwell as Helicanus, Pericles’ advisor, who also takes on the narrator function (traditionally Gower). It’s a brilliant consolidation that improves clarity and pacing. Maxwell transitions seamlessly between character and narrator, commanding both spaces with authority and wit.

Benjamin Boucvalt and Tarah Flanagan (who played Hamlet in one of the best productions I’ve ever seen! which was at the GRSF in 2024) bring welcome humor to roles that could easily be played dark and serious. That balance is key to why this production works so well.

Karl Gfall’s scenic and props design makes full use of the stage, extending into the wings with representational elements, a ship’s bow and stern, sails upstage, that evoke setting without overwhelming it. When the action moves to land, branches root us in place. And in a particularly striking moment, lighting designer Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz transforms those branches into flashes of lightning during a storm at sea.

*A Midsummer Night’s Dream* Photo by Dan Norman

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is delightful, on par with the Guthrie wonderful production from last year. I may need to return to Winona just to see it again, thanks to a clever casting choice: Will Sturdivant and Tarah Flanagan alternate the roles of Bottom and Peter Quince. I saw Sturdivant as Bottom, and he was fantastic, but Flanagan’s take on Quince was so distinct and funny that I’m very curious to see what her Bottom looks like… oh behave!

Once again, the entire cast shines. Michael Fitzpatrick is an excellent Puck, with great instincts for pacing and a knack for stretching moments when needed. Among the young lovers, all strong, Annie Barbour stands out as a gifted physical comic. That physicality aligns beautifully with director Doug Scholz-Carlson’s concept of setting the play as if performed by a theatrical troupe in 1908, the year the ARC building was constructed. The comedy leans into the style of silent film-era performers, a connection reinforced by the sound and lighting design from Matthew Tibbs and Avery Reagan.

The most exquisite design element, however, is the set of painted drops, remnants from Masonic rituals. These lush backdrops shift and deepen under changing light, creating a sense of dimension that’s truly magical. Even more remarkable: the fly system is still functional, allowing these pieces to shine.

The Great River Shakespeare Festival isn’t just an opportunity to see exceptional Shakespeare, it’s a chance to step into the past. In this new space, it feels like experiencing theater as it might have been a century ago. It’s a treat.

The festival runs through July 26 in Winona, MN. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.grsf.org/2026-season. For more coverage watch for more coverage from M’Colleagues at http://www.cherryandspoon.com/ and https://www.mntheaterlove.com/

Blithe Spirit A Ghostly Comedy Brought Effectively to Life at Theatre in the Round

Cast of Blithe Spirit Photo by Aaron Mark Photo Film

Ever worried about your ex, or your partner’s, coming back into your life? Well, Blithe Spirit takes that concern and doubles down on it, making your own worries seem trivial.

Noel Coward’s classic comedy follows novelist Charles Condomine, who invites a quirky psychic named Madame Arcati over for a séance as research for his next book. What could go wrong? Well, she accidentally summons the ghost of his first wife. And only he can see her.

What follows is a delightfully chaotic battle between the living and the dead, as Charles’ current wife, Ruth, finds herself competing with a very present ex, Elvira, who refuses to move on. Witty, fast, even at two hours and 45 minutes, and deliciously ridiculous, Blithe Spirit is a supernatural farce where the afterlife has better comedic timing than most of the living.

As Charles Condomine, James Lane seems to have completed his transition from supporting player to lead. I’ve been seeing Lane in productions all over town for years now, and his two performances this year, a supporting role in Grumpy Old Men: The Musical and the lead here, are among his best. This is a big role, and Lane makes it look easy, with perfect timing not only in his line delivery but also in his reactions to the characters around him.

As the two wives, Megan Blakeley as Ruth and Dani Pazurek as Elvira take very different approaches to their roles. Blakeley has great timing in her appalled reactions to Charles’ comments, which are directed at Elvira but assumed to be meant for her. Her slide into haggard despair at the constant presence of the deceased wife is well modulated. she primarily reacts to the world around her. In contrast, Pazurek is effortlessly superior as the ghost, able to criticize her replacement without fear of retort, since Ruth cannot hear her. She plays the role as a character above everyone else, she makes her statements and lets others react, free from their worries. She’s dead; she can focus only on what she wants, without fear of consequences.

I have seen and greatly enjoyed the David Lean film adaptation from 1945, particularly the role of Madame Arcati, played by one of my favorite character actors of all time, Margaret Rutherford, who also originated the role in its West End premiere. Janice Stone plays the role here and very much makes it her own. She is spry and full of eccentric energy, and she pulls off the difficult task of making me forget Rutherford’s performance to become a highlight of the show.

The supporting cast is also very good. Dr. George Bradman and his wife Violet, who are part of the original séance, are played by David Rinzema and Lori Constable. Constable, in particular, adds a twinkle to her character reminiscent of the great character roles of the 1930s and ’40s. Hailey Zeissler plays Edith, the perpetually high-strung maid, with the perfect deer-in-the-headlights combination of panic and stunned indecision.

Dann Peterson directs the show with an assuredness that comes from having helmed 27 productions for TRP. The play is well suited for the in-the-round space, with Elvira constantly circling the stage, leading to moments where those who can’t see her are conversing with the empty space she just occupied. Thomas L. Valach adorns the space with a well designed set, complete with French windows from which Elvira can make her spectral entrance.

It’s a very fun play and a wonderful conclusion to another great season from Theatre in the Round. I look forward to their next, the 75th season, which is filled with great shows, all with a Minnesota connection. Read about next season here, season flex passes go on sale June 23rd!

Blithe Spirit runs through July 12th at Theatre in the Round. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.theatreintheround.org/blithespirit/

SIX Makes a Spectacular Return to the Ordway! I’ll Rock Out With These Divas Everytime They Come to Town

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is simply a better venue for seeing Broadway touring shows than the Orpheum in Minneapolis. The acoustics are better, the seats are more comfortable, and there’s more legroom. But because of its larger seating capacity, most big Broadway tours land at the Orpheum, at least the first time through town.

SIX flipped that script.

Typically, a show opens on Broadway, launches a tour, and five times out of SIX, that tour plays the Orpheum. Not this time. For the first time in the Ordway’s history, SIX went from the Ordway to Broadway. So yes, it’s a show about history that also made a little history of its own.

Now the North American touring company is back for a third time at the Ordway for a two-week run, and honestly, it feels like this show has found its Twin Cities home. I couldn’t be happier. I love this show, and I’m grateful to see it in the more comfortable venue. I caught SIX during its initial Ordway run and was blown away. I’ve been back for all three of it’s touring runs as well. From the moment the curtain rises, the audience is cheering, clapping, and fully locked in. This isn’t your typical musical, it’s more like a full on pop concert featuring six historically kick-ass divas.

The title refers, of course, to the six wives of Henry VIII. Each queen tells her story in the form of a song in a singing competition, with the audience deciding who had the worst marriage. It’s history, reframed as a pop concert, funny, smart, and packed with energy. The show runs about 80 minutes with no intermission, but you won’t miss it, you’ll be too busy rocking out.

Each queen’s song is inspired by different pop icons like Beyoncé, Avril Lavigne, Adele, Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, to name SIX. The costumes follow suit. But while the influences are clear, the songs themselves are original, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, and honestly, most could live comfortably on today’s pop charts. The lyrics are packed with clever wordplay, from the layered counting in the finale “Six” to lines like “Too Many Years Lost in HIStory.” This is a cast album that rewards repeat listens, there’s a lot packed in there.

The set is simple: steps, band platforms, and a light-up framework, but it’s used brilliantly. At one point, Henry’s choosing his next wife like he’s on a life-sized Tinder app, swipe left, and the queen literally exits left as her frame glows red. In another moment, the frames transform into stained glass windows, complete with a glowing cross. Simple ideas, executed smartly.

I’ve been listening to this score on and off for six years now, and every song has stuck with me. The cast is uniformly excellent, so much so that singling anyone out feels like missing the point of the show. Each performer creates a distinct, fully realized character, reminding us that these women were individuals, not just “the six wives of Henry VIII.” This touring cast features Emma Elizabeth Smith, Nella Cole, Kelly Denice Taylor, Hailey Alexis Lewis, Alizé Cruz, and Tasia Jungbauer, and they’re all fantastic.

Onstage with them are the Ladies in Waiting, the four-piece band that keeps everything driving forward: Valerie Maze (conductor/keys), Yonít Spiegelman (bass), Rose Laguana (guitar), and Camila Mennitte Pereyra (drums). And man, are they ever tight.

Beyond the fun, the show lands a clear point. It reframes these women through a modern lens, pushing back against the way history reduces them to a numbered list. They were real people, not just wives one through SIX. And when we treat them that way, we’re echoing the same patriarchal mindset that defined their lives in the first place. Unfortunately, that mindset doesn’t feel entirely like ancient history, even more so here in 2026, than it did when it opened.

Like Hamilton, SIX uses our modern perspective and contemporary music to illuminate the past, making it fresh and relevant again. See it now, before someone decides a show suggesting that women are people is too woke. And beyond musical theater fans, this is a fantastic show to bring your daughters to. I did. It’s empowering, entertaining, and might just spark some curiosity about the history behind it.

It’s Bring Your Daughter to the Theater Week

SIX runs through June 28th at the Ordway. For more information and to grab tickets, visit https://ordway.org/events/six/

If this sounds familiar, one, you have a great memory. And two, this review has been adapted from my previous takes on SIX.

Perfect Arrangement is Perfectly Fabulous and Pride Complimentary From Walking Shadow Theatre Company

Elora Riley and Rachel Postle Photo courtesy of Walking Shadow Theatre Company

I saw a previous production of Perfect Arrangement at Theatre in the Round in 2022, so I already knew the plot. The setup: two married couples, one gay and one lesbian, who marry each other as cover in 1950 Washington, D.C. They live next door in an apartment building and have even created a secret passage through a shared closet. When someone “comes out of the closet,” it’s literally just a stage entrance. The kicker? The husband of one couple and the wife of the other work for the State Department, rooting out Communists, and anyone else deemed vulnerable to blackmail, including alcoholics and those with so-called “deviant” secrets, like homosexuals.

What I had forgotten over the years was the play’s style. It opens with the two couples hosting the State Department boss and his wife Kitty for dinner, staged like a perfect 1950s sitcom complete with dialogue that feels like product placement. The moment the guests leave, the sitcom drops away and the characters become real people. I absolutely love that juxtaposition between their polished public lives and their private reality. Director John Heimbuch and his cast know just the right tone to hit, and exactly the right time to turn the phony ’50s façade on and off. (That last line works better read aloud.) A lot of the humor comes from our collective pop culture memories of that era. Even the set is intentionally a recreation of the I Love Lucy set.

The core four: Theo Janke-Furman, Rachel Postle, Elora Riley, and Joe Swanson, are all terrific, and they look it thanks to Mandi Johnson’s fabulous costumes. But I especially want to shout out a couple of supporting players. Julie Ann Nevill, as Kitty, never seems to drop her dim-witted boss’s wife routine, playing it for laughs while still letting a hint of humanity peek through. And Lily Rains, making her Minnesota stage debut, is terrific as Barbara Grant, a sharp, complicated woman with many bedfellows and a target on her back. She’s got a presence and intelligence that fit this shrewd character perfectly. After this, I’ll be keeping an eye out for her future roles, I think we just got another star to add to the Twin Cities skyline.

This review is a little shorter than usual because the run is almost over, and I want you to read this and get your tickets before it closes on June 21st. Even if you saw the TRP production, you’ll want to catch this one. As good as that was, this goes to another level. Sharp, witty, and immaculately dressed, this production is basically must-see TV, just happening live on stage.

Perfect Arrangement runs through June 21st at The Crane Theater in Minneapolis. For more information and tickets, visit https://walkingshadow.org/perfect-arrangement/