Scarecrow on Fire is a Charmingly Askew Take on the Further Adventures of the Characters of Oz

Dan Chouinard, Kevin Kling, Simone Perrin, and Stephen Yoakam Photo by Lauren B Photography

I didn’t expect when I headed to the Center for Performing Arts in South Minneapolis for Illusion Theater’s production of Scarecrow on Fire to find quite such a confluence of my personal interests. The play written by Kevin Kling is performed as an old time radio show, faithful readers will know of my love for this genre by my frequent praise of shows from The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society. The show features musical performances from the House of Mercy Band, which are often accompanied projected on the back of the stage clips from silent film versions of The Wizard of Oz, silent film is another passion of mine. The play itself begins in the land of Oz and is narrated by the Scarecrow played by the playwright Kevin Kling. After receiving a troubling response from a Crow, the Scarecrow sneaks a look into the Wicked Witches crystal ball and sees a vision of Dorothy seeming distressed and saying the phrase Scarecrow on Fire! The Scarecrow gathers the Tin Man and the Lion and they agree to use the ruby slippers, which are a doorway to Kansas to journey from Oz and find and help Dorothy. In Kansas, the trio all arrive separately and have their own odd adventures in the mysterious land of Kansas.

There isn’t anything that doesn’t work in this production, the live music performances from House of Mercy Band are terrific beginning with a terrific version of “If I Only Had a Brain“. But to forewarn you, almost all of the rest of the music and songs do not come from the famous 1939 film. That isn’t a bad thing, I just don’t want to leave you with the wrong impression. The play is however filled with little Easter eggs and winks to our collective cultural consciousness of the film. It’s part absurdist fish out of water tale and part exploration of the mind itself. Much like Dorothy’s experience in the film, where everything could be explained by her mind taking parts of her reality and molding them into a fever dream fantasy. The script is smart, funny, and knows its audience has this shared knowledge of The Wizard of Oz, which we do, it’s like it’s part of our genetic makeup. Though I wonder now, if I’m among the last generations that will contain that film within our DNA.

Along with Kling as the Scarecrow the cast contains Dan Chouinard as The Tin Man, Stephen Yoakam as the Lion, and as Dorothy Gale, Simone Perrin, who wonderfully sings a couple of songs during the show with a real 1930’s feel to her style. Both Chouinard and Yoakam along with their primary roles fill in as other side characters as needed. All four members of the cast are excellent vocal performers perfectly suited to the requirements to play multiple characters within a scene. Yoakam particularly has fun conversing with himself, swapping hats as he changes his voice as a visual gag for us, the studio audience. Along with the House of Mercy Band, Chouinard tinkles the piano keys occasionally and other background music is performed by Cellist Michelle Kinney. There is so much happening in the intimate black box theater space that you sort of forget it is being performed as a radio play. I don’t think anything would be gained and a lot might be lost if this were performed as a fully mounted stage play. This is the ideal format for this story it’s such an original and delightful piece that is built upon all of these artifacts from years gone by.

Scarecrow on Fire runs through May 4th at Center for Performing Arts in South Minneapolis as part of Illusion Theater’s 50th Anniversary season. For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation to Illusion Theater go to https://www.illusiontheater.org/scarecrow-on-fire

Now more than ever in the wake of the most recent election and the hailstorm of stupidity and hate it has unleashed, theater companies need you and we need them. Buy tickets to shows, go out and support work that reflects diversity and inclusiveness. Donate to your favorite theater companies, don’t wait until they are on the brink of shutting down. We all need to stand up and fight for our theaters whose funding is under attack for promoting inclusion, equality and diversity. In short, theaters are being threatened for sharing stories that reflect our countries cultural and racial diversity.

Don’t depend on a Facebook or Instagram algorithm to insure you hear about a great show. You can subscribe and have every post from The Stages of MN sent directly to your email box. It’s the best way to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the theater action. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn.

Think I may have steered you wrong on a show? Well, I’m also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read review roundups of shows by m’colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. New things are in the work! Click here to go to The Stages of MN YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN. Right now there is just a short introductory video, but there will be much more coming this summer. For now, check out the intro video and subscribe to the channel so that when we fully launch you’ll be the first to know!

Disney’s Frozen Makes You Want to Build a Snowman as it Brings an Arctic Blast of Magic to Children’s Theatre Company

Laura Marie, Julia Ennen, Gillian Jackson Han, and Adam Jones Photo by Glen Stubbe Photography

The Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical National tour came through the Twin Cities in the fall of 2021 where I saw it and was wowed by the stage magic employed by the touring company. Now The Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) has mounted their own production using a fraction of a fraction of the Broadway budget of $35 million. And you know what happened? I was wowed by the stage magic employed by the CTC. CTC’s original production can’t recreate all the awe and wonder of the touring production with all its Disney dollars behind it, but they find effective ways to bring their own sense of wonder. Even finding their own way to recreate one of the biggest gasp inducing costume changes from the Broadway production. I was as thrilled by that moment as the theater filled with parents and children, we all collectively gasped then applauded! It doesn’t hurt that that scene is accompanied by the best song in the show “Let It Go” sung wonderfully by Gillian Jackson Han as Elsa.

The cast brings all the characters from the beloved Disney animated film to life including Olaf a living Snowman played by Laura Marie and Sven the Reindeer played by Adam Jones in terrific puppet designs by Eric Van Wyk. Gillian Jackson Han is fantastic as Elsa and admirably keeps the character front and center even when competing with some elaborate special effects. Julia Ennen is delightful as Anna and the heart of the production. Matthew Hall is magnificent as Kristoff and gets to show of some very strong vocals in the song “Kristoff Lullaby“. Other highlights in the cast were CTC constants Dean Holt and Reed Sigmund, bringing their signature quirkiness to multiple characters each.

Scott Davis’ scenic design is grand and striking, the large wooden doors to the castle of Arendelle that dominate the stage at the opening led a sense of the epic to the production. The ice staircase is an impressive stage piece and I appreciated the fact that it didn’t simply roll on and off stage, it appeared in different locations of the stage. That added mobility gave the impression of the point of view changing as different characters came upon it, as if we the audience had ourselves moved position in the ice palace. The Lighting Designer Driscoll Otto, The Sound Designer Sten Severson, and the Projection Designer Michael Salvatore Commendatore pool their talents creating a seamless blend of elements to create the magical powers of Elsa, the Ice Queen. The show is wonderfully choreographed by Rush Benson making even a song like Hygge, which I had trouble understanding the lyrics to, a great deal of fun. Director Tiffany Nichole Greene keeps the story moving and lively and with the reveal of the true villain, it’s clear from the collective gasp, that despite 95% of the audience knowing what’s coming that Greene had us in the palm of her hand. The Music Director Denise Prosek gets a nice full sound out of her miniature orchestra, it never overpowers the vocals but feels rich and full and well, magical.

Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical runs through June 15th at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. For mor einformation and to buy tickets go to https://childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/frozen/

Sister Act is a Joyous Noise at Lyric Arts in Anoka

The Sisters of Sister Act at Lyric Arts Photo by Molly Jay

Sister Act is a musical based on the popular 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, which I saw in the theaters and remember enjoying but it’s been 33 years and so you’ll forgive me if the plot is a little fuzzy now. Which really is to say that you don’t have to have even seen the film to enjoy Lyric Arts new production. There are some shows that really are just amazing works of art like Les Miserables or Company, and then there are shows that are just fun like Sister Act. I love both types and I’m as surprised as anybody to say that Sister Act is at the top of the list of just fun shows that I’ve seen recently. The more musicals I’ve seen based on hit movies the more I’ve come to expect them to more or less suck for every Once, A Little Night Music, and Little Shop of Horrors there are twelve Pretty Woman‘s. So I don’t go into that type of show with high hopes, which usually helps me to enjoy in more due to lowered expectations. But I don’t think expectations had anything to do with how much I enjoyed this show. I think the cast, which is fantastic, and the crew, under Director Siddeeqah Shabazz, probably had an awful lot to do with it though. I was laughing and marveling at the vocals and choreography right up until the point I was moved to tears. I absolutely loved this cast and found the story full of humor with an unexpected touch of heart.

If you are not familiar with the film or musical a singer named Deloris witnesses her boyfriend Curtis murder a man. In order to hide her until she can be a witness at trial, a policeman named Eddie arranges to hide her in a convent. There is a fish out of water aspect to the story that provides a lot of humor, but the show really begins to sing when Deloris begins to help the nuns choir. Which, prior to her involvement, sounded much like you might imagine if you ran over a liter of kittens with a lawnmower. This is also where the show turns from broad comedy to something that begins to have a bit of heart to it. The choir becomes a hit, reversing the fortunes of the failing church. Of course the success of the choir leads to publicity which leads to Curtis and his henchmen discovering where Deloris is.

I’ve mentioned a little game I play with whoever I attend a show with where I ask, “who was your favorite?” This doesn’t happen often but this is one of those cases where there isn’t a clear favorite or two that are too hard to choose between, there are literally over 10 members of the cast that are in the running. So many of them have these moments that I thought as I was watching I have to mention that in my review! To the point where If I mention everything it will take forever to write and no one, not even my Mother… OK, especially my Mother, would ever read it all. So I’m going to mention a bunch of performers and moments, trying not to spoil anything and with the understanding this is just the tip of the iceberg. Cassie Edlund plays Deloris, full of over the top comic hamminess that feels like it’s going to be one note, and then turns into a real human character, as the show progresses she begins to layer subtlety into the character and her singing goes from solid vocally singing energetic numbers, to beautifully soulful vocally and song wise. It’s a genius way to play the character giving us a tangible way to measure the characters growth and opening up to her fellow “Sisters”. Caitlin Featherstone translating the Spanish speaking thugs threats for the other Nuns. Darius A. Gillard as Curtis, is a great villain and his rich vocals are delicious. Quintin Michael as Eddie the cop, he has a double costume change that is brilliantly conceived and executed. Sher U-F as Sister Mary Lazarus, doing a biblical rap during a choir performance is pure gold. Kaoru Shoji probably the best vocals in the cast, and the character that finally broke the dam and had the tears streaming down my face. Again, this is like half of the performers I want to mention and moments that stuck with me.

Big props to the Director Shabazz who guides this show with such a sure hand that the audience feels like they are part of the congregation. Laura Long’s musical direction is tight and perfectly balanced with the singers. I absolutely loved the choreography from Michael Terrell Brown, it’s full of comedic touches, every move serves a purpose and it’s usually to make us smile. Bradley Whitcomb’s set design is rather elaborate, with a set of stairs that can slide backwards or forwards to change the scene and to allow for more stage space as needed for the dancing. It’s one of the more elaborate sets I’ve seen at Lyric Arts and it looks like a real stone church. I also want to acknowledge the work of Costume Designer Khamphian Vang, the habits of the nuns are a given but Officer Eddie’s costume changes, the 70’s style of Curtis’s henchmen, and the glamorous costumes that Deloris sometimes wears, not to mention the blue fur coat are all very memorable.

Sister Act runs through May 11th at Lyric Arts in Anoka. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.lyricarts.org/sister-act

Mean Girls Does Have an Important Message to Spread at the Ordway

Cast of Mean Girls national tour Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Mean Girls is the stage musical adaption of the 2004 movie, both are written by Tina Fey, with the songs for the musical being written by Nell Benjamin (Lyrics) and Jeff Richmond (Music). Nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 2018, it won none. Those expecting Les Miserables will be disappointed, but for fans of the original film, who enjoy a smart script and fun songs will surely have a great time. This is something of a review proof show, if this is your jam you are going to overlook the flaws. If it isn’t, you won’t appreciate what works. Glancing over the the ticket page at the Ordway every performance is showing limited availability so if you are a fan, I urge you to get your tickets sooner rather than later so you get the best possible seats. Get as close as you can, because one of the flaws of this production is that it’s a little difficult to make out about 1/4 of the lyrics. Again, fans who know the show will fill in from memory the parts their ears don’t hear, but newbies will want to listen closely.

In an odd way, and admittedly this is truly a stretch, but if you squint real hard, it’s another show that is an allegory for the current political and social climate of our country. The story is narrated by two students Damian and Janis, played by Joshua Morrisey and Alexys Morera, who are two of the best performers in the show. They tell the story of their friend Cady played by Katie Yeomans, who moves to their town and their high school from Africa where she lived and was home schooled by her parents. Damian and Janis befriend Cady who has little experience with other kids and show her the ropes. When the Queen Bee of the school Regina George, played by Maya Petropoulos, and her two sidekicks Gretchen and Karen, played by Kristen Amanda Smith and Maryrose Brendel, take an interest in befriending Cady. Damian and Janis convince her to go along and report back what happens. Regina is the meanest of the mean girls of the title. But, what the show ultimately tries to point out is that all the girls have been treated meanly and also been mean to another. Gretchen is kept in line by the intelligent but manipulative Regina, by constantly making her doubt herself which she expresses in one of the better songs “What’s Wrong With Me?“. Karen it is stated, is just dumb and plays into the old stereotype of the dumb blonde. So in the allegory Regina is Trump, Gretchen is probably J.D. Vance, And clearly Karen represents 40 percent of the U.S. population. The way they run the school is by fear, lies, and generally being mean to anyone who isn’t them, which is probably about one percent of the schools population. Look I said it was a stretch, but it does kind of work, even if that wasn’t the author’s intent. Fey’s message is actually more important on the human level and that woman need to lift each other up not break each other down. If you have to make someone else feel ugly so that you feel pretty, you need to take a close look at yourself.

Favorites in this production where Morrisey, Morera, Yeomans, and Smith. One performance that seemed like a total misfire was Jose Raul as Aaron, the guy that Cady likes and used to go out with Regina. He’s supposed to be fairly smart but would have been more believable as a dumb jock, there is just something in the way he plays the character that doesn’t fit what we are supposed to see in him. I had seen the show from the original North American tour in 2019, I don’t remember a lot about it, after all that was 500 plus shows ago. But one thing that has stuck with me from that tour was the extensive use of video panels in the set design. All of that is gone in the production replaced with painted drops and set pieces that are wheeled in and out and for me it’s an improvement. I enjoy a strategic use of video, whether it be projections of panels, but that first production of Mean Girls was an example of over reliance on the technology. One thing from this production that feels like it must be a downgrade are the wigs put on some of the characters by hair designer Josh Marquette. I was near the back of the orchestra and they looked like halloween costumes wigs from where I was, I can’t imagine how they looked to people in the front rows. So for me it was something of a mixed bag of a show, I think fans will enjoy it, but it isn’t going to win over any non believers.

Mean Girls runs through April 13th at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Downtown St. Paul. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://ordway.org/events/mean-girls/

The Show From E/D is Funny, Dark, Light, Messy, and Everything In Between at Red Eye Theater

Debra Berger and Emily Michaels King Photo by Dan Norman

The Show is a performance that may confound some and exhilarate others. Is The Show, a show for everyone, well no, of course not, no show is. Is it a show that could be for most people? Yes, I think it is as long as they go in as I did with the proper expectations. This show is not a linear story, it isn’t a sketch show, it isn’t a dance recital, it isn’t a country singer showcase, and it isn’t a feminist view of gender roles in modern society. It’s all of those things filtered through abstraction. Like light shown through a prism it splinters the female experience into multiple moments that are unique. Bold, filled with music, and featuring a lighting design by Karin Olson that feels like a third performer, it’s that integral to every moment that occurs on stage. I doubt there is a woman reading this that would not identify with elements of this show, and many would identify with every moment in this show. I also think there are many men who can gain a better understanding of their fellow travelers upon this planet through seeing this show. All that is required to embrace The Show is to let go of the urge to impose a narrative upon what you are witnessing and receive each new segment as it comes. There is something that will make you laugh, hurt, smile, and feel seen and heard in every different shade and color refracted through this show’s amazing light.

Created and performed by Emily Michaels King and Debra Berger The Show premiered in 2022. I missed that production and am very grateful that it was so successful during that run that they decided to bring it back. It’s the sort of experimental and personal theater that we don’t often see. Which of course is what makes it so exciting. I love a good play and a musical, obviously, but it’s nice every now and then to go into something that’s unlike anything else. Berger and Michaels King give us glimpses of everything from their feelings when they look in the mirror, of dancing like the rest of the world isn’t there, lip synching to “the Titanic song”, and experiences that are shameful either for their behavior or for what was done to them. Are all of these moments their personal truth? maybe, maybe not, but they are truths, they are recognizable and they are to some woman, no, many womens truths. It doesn’t matter what is theirs or a friends or a family members. What matters is that these moments, these colors if you will, are seen and shared. These women are brave and talented and they don’t leave anything left in reserve, they give us everything they have and it’s beautiful.

The Show runs through April 5th at Red Eye Theater in Minneapolis. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.edmakesart.org/

Tired of missing reviews from The Stages of MN? Do you find yourself left out when all your friends are talking about that great new play that you didn’t even know about? Fear not! that need never happen again. Now you too can subscribe and have every post from The Stages of MN sent directly to your email box. No more hoping the algorithm works in your favor and you actually see a post on facebook or Instagram. No relying on so-called “friends” to tip you to the best shows in town. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn.

Think I may have steered you wrong on a show? Well, I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by m’colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. Click here to go to The Stages of MN YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN. Right now there is just a short introductory video, but there will be much more coming this summer. For now, check out that video and subscribe to the channel so that when we fully launch you’ll know all about it!

Future Reference is a Father/Son Act Worth Checking Out at Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater

Future Reference is a short program of about 80 minutes with no intermission that presents two short plays, one by Joshua English Scrimshaw (JES) and the other by his son Aaron English Scrimshaw (AES). Faithful readers will know of my love of The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society (MORLS) of which JES is a member, but he was also the recipient of the first ever The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award for the 2022 MN Fringe show Bob & Reggie Go to Bed. The first play is by AES entitled End of the Line in which a higher being named Rob (no relation), played by JES must pass his final exam by helping a recently deceased young man named Jim, played by AES, accept his death and move forward. It is clear that AES shares his father’s gifts for writing and performing. His script shares a similar stylistic blending of humor and philosophical ideas. Its entertaining, funny, and warmly touching in its final thoughts. JES is very funny as the unconfident Rob who seems to be out of his element and makes things worse more often than better for Jim. Directed smoothly by Bianca Rose, who also plays Jim’s best friend Charley in an end scene that attempts to answer the question that we all ask at some point, what matters?

JES’s script is entitled Watchbird and is based on a story by science fiction author Robert Sheckley and is directed by JES and Adrienne English Scrimshaw (AES….2?). Originally adapted for and performed by the MORLS, JES made further adjustments to the script in order for it to be a fully staged play. This very much has an old radio show feel to it. The tone is that of a 50’s sci-fi film which matches the original stories publication date of 1953. It’s a interesting little story that feels very portentous in the age of AI. The plot is about a fleet of robotic birds that can predict when someone will murder someone and prevent the crime before it happens, very Minority Report. The issue becomes the learning circuit of the Watchbirds, which is designed to gather data with which to access new information in order to determine murderous intentions. The problem comes when the watchbirds begin to learn and adjust the definition of murder to include a living organism harmed by another living organism. Eventually it is murder to even step on grass which begins a series of events that leads to further and further escalations. JES again gives a nice performance here, this is totally in his MORLS wheelhouse and the kind of role he can do standing on his head. I really want to call out the really fun performance of Natalie Rae Wass who plays Mac, the designer of the watchbirds. I loved how Wass instilled Mac with this complete confidence, Mac is always coming late to the logical conclusion. I also loved the costume design for Mac which reminded me instantly of the Iconic Rosie the Riveter illustration from the 1940’s.

Future Reference Runs through March 30th at Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater in Uptown. The shows begin at 7:00 PM but the doors open at 6:00 PM, that’s when I like to get there to get a good seat and order some dinner and drinks before the show begins. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.bryantlakebowl.com/theater/future-reference-2

Now more than ever in the wake of the most recent election and the hailstorm of stupidity and hate it has unleashed, Theater companies need you and we need them. Buy tickets to shows go out and support work that reflects diversity and inclusiveness. Donate to your favorite theater companies, don’t wait until they are on the brink of shutting down. We all need to stand up and fight for our Theaters whose funding is under attack for promoting inclusion, equality and diversity.

Tired of missing reviews from The Stages of MN? Do you find yourself left out when all your friends are talking about that great new play that you didn’t even know about? Never fear, that need never happen again. Now you too can subscribe and have every post from The Stages of MN sent directly to your email box. No more hoping the algorithm works in your favor and you actually see a post on facebook or Instagram. No relying on so-called friends to tip you to the best shows in town. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn.

But that’s not all! You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/ from time to time. Think I may have steered you wrong on a show? Well, I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by m’colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers.

Triassic Parq! Minneapolis Musical Theatre’s Regional Premiere at Lush in Minneapolis

Triassic Parq! is a great idea for an outrageous musical. Jurassic Park told from the point of view of the dinosaurs. If you remember the film, the line “life finds a way” refers to how the dinosaurs manage to procreate even though they are all genetically engineered to be female. The gene sequencing of the dino DNA was incomplete and the scientists filled in the gaps with frog DNA. Some frogs can change their gender if needed and thus one of the dinosaurs becomes male. There is an interesting theme there that could be a wonderful allegory for the Transgender community. But like most nuggets of potential in this show, with book and lyrics by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz, and Steve Wargo with music by Pailet, it never amounts to much of anything. It’s a show full of potential written by people without the wit or vision to capitalize on an idea brimming with possibilities.

The show doesn’t know what it wants to be and thus doesn’t commit to anything. Does it want to be a parody of Jurassic Park following the films plot but with a perspective change and comedy? Then it needs to be funnier. Does it want to be an LGBTQ+ anthem? Then it needs to embrace those aspects much more. Does it want to be a raunchy adults only show full of risque humor? Then it needs to go a lot further. Before seeing the show I enjoyed a lovely brunch in Lush’s bar area with some fellow Twin Cities Theater Bloggers and one said he’d be surprised if there wasn’t a joke about a Triceratops and Tricerabottoms, which is far better than anything in this script. As for the songs, in general they were much too loud and bombastic for my taste. There were a couple of songs that were alright, but again nothing that proclaimed itself as particularly clever or moving. This is not a reflection on the cast or the theater company, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, the issue is completely with the material, not the execution.

As for the execution let me first say that Minneapolis Musical Theatre whose motto is “Rare Musicals, Well Done” holds a special place in my heart. They produced one of the shows, Be More Chill, that led directly to me starting The Stages of MN. They produce the kinds of musicals that don’t get produced by other theaters and that’s a valuable thing, and I’ve seen a lot of really fun and interesting shows produced by them. When that is your mission, occasionally you are gonna hit on something that just doesn’t work. For the most part, I enjoyed the cast; they were doing everything they could with the material as was director Kjer Whiting. A couple of the performers were pushing outside their vocal range but others were really strong. The band led by Musical Director and Pianosaurus Amanda Weis were excellent, again unfortunate that they didn’t have something more memorable to perform. Unfortunately it’s hard to make a lump of coal sparkle no matter how much you try.

Perhaps my expectations were too high going into this as I saw all the possibilities and felt the end result squandered the majority of them. It isn’t without its charms mainly a cast and crew that give it their all. While I can’t recommend the show very highly, I know that some I was with found it more enjoyable than I did. But whether you decide to take in Triassic Parq! or not, I encourage you to make a donation to Minneapolis Musical Theatre, the work they do in bringing us rare musicals is important and needs to be supported. Triassic Parq! runs through April 13th at LUSH Lounge & Theater, 990 Central Avenue NE in Minneapolis. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.aboutmmt.org/tickets/