Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical Adds More Than a Dash of Fantasy at the History Theatre

If you caught the holiday preview episode of The Stages of MN Show, you know from my conversation with Director Laura Leffler that I was really excited for the world premiere of Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical at History Theatre in St. Paul. If you missed that episode, check it out here: https://bit.ly/TSOMNEp21YouTube . It’s one of the most fun ones we’ve put together yet.

This new musical from the fervent imagination of Keith Hovis (music and lyrics) and Rachel Teagle (book and lyrics) tells the story of Cap Wigington and his wife Viola, who has just returned after four years in California. She’s come back hoping to salvage their marriage. Cap, meanwhile, is a career-focused man, St Paul’s first Black municipal architect, who has long put his work ahead of his wife. What begins as a marital conflict evolves into a broader story about marginalization, intertwined with a fantasy adventure in the Winter Carnival realm.

There’s a lot happening in this show, and most of it works beautifully. Still, there are moments when it feels like the show is trying to do a bit too much. Cap’s story alone, being a Black architect in the early 20th century whose designs were credited to his white boss, the strain on his marriage, and the construction of the 1937 Ice Palace, would have been enough for a History Theatre musical. But Rollicking! also wades into the marginalization of Native Americans, the gender politics of Carnival history, and broader questions of who gets to be a hero. And yet, to be honest, many of the strongest songs address those other groups, and the fantasy elements are so wonderfully realized that it would be a shame to lose them.

One of the most delightful inventions is the troupe of gnomes, little exposition engines who dole out historical facts throughout (this is the History Theatre, after all). While I’m almost certain Cap and Viola weren’t literally sucked through a mystical portal into the Winter Carnival fantasy realm, the device works, and the gnomes let the show weave in its historical facts with humor. The standout gnome for me was Gned, played by Elena Glass, whose delightfully bizarre voice and character consistently cracked up the audience.

Performance wise, Roland Hawkins II as Cap and Erin Nicole Farsté as Viola are very strong. Hawkins’ vocals arguably outshine his acting, but with a voice like that, it’s hard to complain. The supporting cast is full of memorable turns. Tara Borman is fantastic as Klondike Kate, Adrienne Zimiga-January brings real depth as Winuna, and it’s always a pleasure to see Benjamin Dutcher in a holiday show.

Hovis and Teagle’s score is fun and filled with surprisingly complex vocal lines. My standout numbers were “The Wild West,” led by Borman’s Klondike Kate, and “I’m Here,” performed by Zimiga-January and Hawkins—a poignant song that gives Winuna’s character real resonance.

Joey Miller’s choreography sparkles, particularly in big numbers like “The Wild West” and “Make It a Hot One.” Bryce Turgeon’s costumes bring the fantasy realm vividly to life, complemented by Eli Sherlock’s shape-shifting set. Marcus F. Dilliard’s lighting and Leslie Ritenour’s video projections work seamlessly with the environment, and Rebecca Jo Malmstrom’s wildly creative props and puppets are a treat.

So… is this a family show or an adult show? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. Adults will absolutely enjoy it, and there’s nothing inappropriate for kids. But because the emotional core of the story revolves around a couple trying to mend a fractured marriage, very young kids might tune out. Ages 12 and up, especially those who enjoy musical theatre, will likely have a great time. I definitely did.

Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical runs through December 21 at History Theatre in St. Paul. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:
https://www.historytheatre.com/2025-2026/rollicking-winter-carnival-musical

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