Minnesota Fringe Day 5: I Have Griefances, The Gentlemen’s Pratfall Club (The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award winner), OPERA PUNKS, Shrieking Harpies Presents: Period Piece.

I’m just back from Day 5 of the Minnesota Fringe I’ve got my reviews below. I also want to let folks know there is a new Minnesota Fringe edition of the YouTube show up today, so check it out it’s full of Artists telling about their shows and Audience members giving recommendations of the best shows they’ve seen so far. click here to view it https://bit.ly/TSOMNFringe2025miniEpisode2

I Have Griefances is closer to the show Wells Farnham wanted to do in 2023 when he first came off the Fringe waitlist. But he couldn’t because it was all about making fun of his family, and they had all just gotten cancer. So instead he did a very funny show in which he talked through the Fast and the Furious film series and the children’s show Paw Patrol. That show was funnier, but what this one loses in humor it makes up for in heart. This isn’t a lesser show it’s just a different blend of humor and pathos and both are equally effective. My favorite bit is the explanation of the lamp shade story that has plagued him for years. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/i-have-griefances

The Gentlemen’s Pratfall Club By Comedy Suitcase is the latest show from Joshua English Scrimshaw and Levi Weinhagen their 2022 show Bob and Reggie Go To Bed was the third Fringe show I ever saw and the First to win the then completely unknown, though just as highly regarded as it is now, The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award. Where that show relied entirely on physical comedy, the new one which, in case you haven’t read the headline, has also won The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award, strikes an unexpected balance between physical and verbal humor. I’m not going to say I was disappointed by the addition of dialogue, it’s too well written and funny for that. But there was something special about seeing what amounted to a live silent comedy performed on stage. Faithful readers will have gleaned from past reviews that I have a love of silent cinema, but I also love the comedies of the 1930’s and 40’s which relied much more on verbal comedic acrobatics, and so I’m game to go along with the boys as they transition to the talkies, I just hope they don’t sign a contract with MGM and lose all creative control. Besides the reality is probably that these guys are aging, I’m not calling anyone old, but our bodies can only take so much abuse and cutting back on the poundings their bodies have to take is probably a good idea and will prolong their ability to do these shows in the long run. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/the-gentlemen-s-pratfall-club

OPERA PUNKS is the first of two Musical improv shows I saw on Day 5. It’s really hard to say much about an improv show as by its very nature it will be different every night. This is improv in which the performers take suggestions shouted out by the audience and then create songs around them acting out these comedic scenes as if they were operas. The cast is great and features among others Brave New Workshop member Isabella Dunsieth and Michael Rogers who, listening to his singing here, one wonders why we haven’t been seeing him starring in musicals around town? This was a great show, very funny and the cast is so strong that if the performance you see isn’t good, it’s probably that your audience threw out dumb suggestions. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/opera-punks

Shrieking Harpies Presents: Period Piece is another musical improv show but the difference is that the Shrieking Harpies shows are long form improv. So instead of creating short comedic scenes with singing, the create a musical with a beginning, middle, and an end. The “period piece in the title refers to the fact that this years show the stories will be sent in a particular time period. Apparently the time period for each performance is voted for online before the show. I missed that memo and so we ended up with the 1990’s, which frankly, I lived through, and didn’t find all that interesting while I was doing so. I would have loved to have seen them do something from long ago, or if it had to be in the 20th century the 1950’s or 1960’s. That said it was still very entertaining, very funny and confirmed for me that any time I can see the Shrieking Harpies, which are made up of Lizzie Gardner, Taj Ruler, Hannah Wydeven and Justin Nellis on the Keys, I will. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/shrieking-harpies-presents-period-piece

That’s it for day five of the Minnesota Fringe Festival you can click on the Fringe website here to get details on all of the shows https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025. Don’t forget to tune into The Stages of MN YouTube channel for mini episodes all week long from The MN Fringe Festival https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN

Subscribe to the channel so you’ll always know when a new episode has dropped. 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.

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Minnesota Fringe Day 4: Journey to Joy, Again, I Am Here, The Book of Mordor (The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award winner), Against My Will,Boxcutter Harmonica, Breakneck Twelfth Night, The Spirit Moves You To Color The Unseen.

OK, day four of the Minnesota Fringe festival is behind u. Here are my reviews for the shows I saw on day four, including The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award winner. I’ve now seen 22 of my projected 45 shows, keep checking back for my reviews of the remaining 23. Haven’t made it out yet yourself? Here’s the link to the Fringe website so you can pick some shows https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025

Journey to Joy, Again, Marie Cooney’s latest solo story telling show is funny, endearing, and empowering. It begins with coming out as a lesbian woman and ends with coming out as a person with a disability. The success of her show is a testament to the reality that our set backs don’t have to stop us, they can redefine us. Cooney has taken her injuries and turned them into a story of overcoming adversity, and of of developing advocacy. It’s filled with moments of triumph and Joy as well as sprinkled with advice for anyone who is going through something similar. Cooney who has suffered two traumatic brain injuries uses moments in her show where she searches for a word or loses her place (this doesn’t happen often) as an opportunity to educate the audience on techniques she has learned to help her navigate those moments. This is such an inviting experience which opens with Cooney asking the Artists in the audience to tell about their shows and audience members to share their recommendations. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/journey-to-joy-again

I am Here is a storytelling anthology with rotating performers, so each performance will be different. But the connecting thread is about existence and resistance. The performance I saw had moments of laughter and moments of stunned silence. Go to the shows page and see what performers you are most interested in seeing and then go to that performance. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/i-am-here

The Book of Mordor is a musical version of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy using the music from the musical The Book of Mormon. It kind of amazing how much of the 10 + hour runtime they are able to cover in 60 minutes. It’s also very impressive how funny the songs are and how good the singers are especially given the fact I’m unfamiliar with most of them, I assume that’s because they appear to be from Mankato. Like Hamluke from Day 2 it’s kind of surprising how well these two wildly different properties mash up. The Costumes are well done and cleverly conceived and the humor goes beyond just funny songs. But it also feels respectful of The Lord of the Rings you get the feeling that the creators of the show Carissa Christenson and Kendra Braunger are genuine fans. I really enjoyed The Book of Mordor and have awarded it The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award! To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/the-book-of-mordor

Against My Will is local Actor Michael Quadrozzi’s solo show about the childhood environment in which he grew up and the ramifications it has caused throughout his life. From a narcissistic Mother to his Dad dying when he was in his early 20’s. The glimpses we get into his formative years are indeed traumatic. Quadrozzi is an open and sympathetic performer, and he forges a genuine connection with the audience. Given the subject matter it is surprisingly funny and entertaining. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/against-my-will

Boxcutter Harmonica this two man show by and starring J. Merrill Motz (rhymes with Boats) along with Martin Dockery is a fascinating investigation into the Crossroads legend. Which is where one goes to make a deal with the devil in order to become the best at whatever they are trying to be the best at. The story dates back to Faust but the most common variation on this story in modern history revolves around a blues guitar player Robert Johnson. And that is the focus of The show ,which is presented as a lecture given by Detective White played by hardcore Fringe performer and visiting Artist Martin Dockery and Inspector Black played by local amateur performer Motz. Motz is competent in the role, but to be completely honest, Dockery carries him throughout the performance. And it’s Dockery’s skills on the guitar that are really what makes this show worth putting on your list. I suspect Motz leaned on a friendship and the promise of giving all the best lines to Dockery that got him in the show. Warning: the promised build-your own Reuben sandwich buffet never materialized as promised following the show. It was still worth seeing, but don’t plan your meal break around it like I did. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/boxcutter-harmonica

Breakneck Twelfth Night by Timothy Mooney, with assist from Will Shakespeare is Twelfth Night performed at breakneck speed. Somehow Mooney gets through the entire twelfth Night in an hour. I mean I don’t have the play memorized or anything and I’m sure there are cuts to the text, but the plot is intact. Mooney does a great job of making the language accessible and even adds in some footnotes to help the audience understand what is happening . He’s a consummate performer and I’m glad I adjusted my schedule to see it. Full confession and an apology to the Artist and any other Artist this may happen to throughout the Festival. I kept catching myself nodding off throughout the performance. This had absolutely nothing to do with what was happening on stage, this was a physiological response to seeing 22 shows in four days getting at most 5 hours of sleep a night and feeling completely wiped out by the 8:30 time slot. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/breakneck-twelfth-night

The Spirit Moves You To Color The Unseen is Created by The Winding Sheet Outfit. They are a theater company I am always impressed with whether it’s a Fringe presentation or at the Twin Cities Horror Fest their shows are always beautifully designed and executed while having impossible to remember or sometimes even pronounce titles. When I go to a show I’m not expecting to learn anything, but I love it when I do. This show is about the artist Hilma af Klint played by Boo Segersin and to a lesser extent her four friends with whom she made up De Fem (the Five), played by Heather Meyer, Kayla Dvorak Feld, Megan Campbell Lagas, and Peyton McCandless. They were a group devoted to Theosophy which appears to be a combination of spiritualism and science. She is the true creator of the abstract art style. The show is dedicated to making her story known and setting the record straight at least for those who attend this show. It is a reminder of the injustices done throughout history in order to preserve the patriarchy. Hilma af Klint lived from 1862-1944 and because she was a woman, she has been sidelined and had her accomplishments obscured and stolen by men and the art world in general. Aside from the subject matter, which is completely fascinating, the production itself is beautifully rendered. Particularly the costume of the Spirit played by Kristina Fjellman and designed by Mandi Johnson. It is also features unexpected humor by way of occasional interjections and interactions with the shows Director, Amber Bjork. To purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/the-spirit-moves-you-to-color-the-unseen

That’s it for day four of the Minnesota Fringe Festival you can click on the Fringe website here to get details on all of the shows https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025. Don’t forget to tune into The Stages of MN YouTube channel for mini episodes all week long from The MN Fringe Festival https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN

Minnesota Fringe Day 1: A Sad Carousel 2: The Timely Death of Herschel Douscheburg, Fangs and Bangs (and Sangs), The Kendra Plant Variety Hour, In the Garden of American Heroes (The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award winner)

The Minnesota Fringe Festival began with a bang this year. That may be partially my fault, I deliberately stacked the first night so that Micky would get to see these four shows. The unforeseen problem was that any of these four shows could easily have garnered the highly unknown and mostly uncoveted (which spellcheck assures me is not a word, but you know what I mean and therefore I’m laying claim to inventing it!) The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award. Only one show made me get a little teary eyed and that was The Kendra Plant Variety Hour, but if I pick that will you all say I’m giving it to that show because she’s a fellow Theater Blogger? What about Sam Landman and Nissa Nordland’s shows? They are both very funny “currently” a couple, what if awarding one of them the Award over the other drives a wedge of jealousy between them and causes their status to change to “formerly”? That’s a lot of imaginary power for one Theater Blogger. And so I decided to go with Andrew Erskine Wheeler’s In the Garden of American Heroes, because I was too afraid to pick any of the others. No that’s not true, but it was a tough call on this first night of the 2025 Minnesota Fringe Festival. Here are my quick reviews of the first four shows I saw.

A Sad Carousel 2: The Timely Death of Herschel Douscheburg is apparently a sequel to a show Sam Landman did 15 years ago. That was well before my time on the Fringe beat, so I never saw the original. I can tell you with all confidence that this is one sequel, unlike the latest marvel movies, that you can enjoy without ever having seen the previous show. The humor comes from Landman’s character, an insult comic who is considered toxic by todays comedians, dealing with a world that has moved on since he went into a coma. It takes shots at the toothless comedy of the younger generation. I’m old enough to find a lot of it funny and to recognize Douscheburg as an exaggeration of my generation’s sometimes eye rolling at how far the pendulum has swung in terms of what can be joked about. I’m not saying Douscheburg speaks for me, but I understand where he’s coming from. Featuring a totally committed performance from Landman, including a hair and costume that perfectly complete the picture. We are treated to a fun supporting cast which includes Director Shanan Custer’s husband Eric Custer (for those who were at the show, you’ll know that now they are even), Eric Webster does a great job changing hats and in doing so changing from Eric Webster wearing one hat, to Eric Webster wearing a different hat. An Actor of his calibre is only limited by the number of hats available to him. I’m not criticizing Webster, it’s a play on a joke in the show. Webster is a favorite and a lot of fun here. To learn more about the show which performs in the Rarig Thrust stage and to purchase tickets go to the shows page at The Minnesota Fringe Site here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/a-sad-carousel-2-the-timely-death-of-herschel-douscheburg

Fangs and Bangs (and Sangs) is equal parts funny and endearing. Nordland has been a Stages of MN favorite along with her “current” Plus one since I saw them both in Nordland’s Twin Cities Horror Festival show, Incarnate. This is one of those shows that will be different every night and makes me wish there were only 40 shows in the festival so I could see them all and this one for all five performances. The format is that Nordland shares her journal entries and poems she wrote in Junior High and High School. A lot of us did those things, but how many would have the guts to share them now with an audience of strangers. She also wrote vampire romantic fiction which she has a rotating crew of guest actors perform from cold readings. Peppered throughout are songs that mattered to her during those years, but they are not played via the sound system they are performed as well by a rotating group of guest musicians, of which Nordland is one and also sings some of the songs. I had the honor of being present at Executive Director of the Minnesota Fringe Festival made her Fringe performance debut on Violin! This is really an especially sweet and funny show that is led by that little pixie with the twinkle in her eye who shares her teenage soul with the audience, understanding that we love her and are laughing with her, not at her. I’ve looked at the page and guarantee that the rotating artists pool doesn’t have a weak link, so it’s going to be great whenever your slot it into your schedule. For more info and to get tickets go to this shows page here https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/fangs-and-bangs-and-sangs-

The Kendra Plant Variety Hour: Good Things Edition! -with special guests- full disclosure this is a show put on my my friend and fellow Twin Cities Theater Blogger Kendra Plant. I think it’s great! It’s the one show that got my eyes watering a little bit. Kendra is pushing herself to try something new and that’s a general theme throughout her show. There are three guests the first is the TAM Edo Bayashi Ensemble which performs traditional Japanese arts, and in this case accompanied by flute and drums a performer in a giant lion puppet performs an enchanting traditional Lion Dance. The Puppet alone is worth the price of admission as it’s quite exquisite. The second Act is Emily Boyajian a composer who absolutely thrilled me last year with her Opera Transition. It is I believe the only Fringe show I’ve ever seen twice. Last year the Opera about two Transgender people transitioning together was basically a staged performance of the piece, with two fabulous singers and an 11 piece orchestra backing them. Here we get Boyajian playing a keyboard and singing the songs herself. And while we don’t get the full Opera or the full effect of an orchestra what we do get is something that feels even more personal. Boyajian is such a talented human and I hope I get to see Transition performed again in full someday. The final act is Jolie Meshbesher who performs dance routines to two songs. the second of which ends with a nearly nude Meshbesher on stage. Which makes it the second most graphic display of nudity I saw on day one of the Fringe Festival. For more about the show and to purchase tickets go to https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/the-kendra-plant-variety-hour-good-things-edition-with-special-guests#tickets

In The Garden Of American Heroes Andrew Erskine Wheeler gives what I believe is referred to as a brave performance. Translation: this is the most graphic display of nudity I saw on day one of the festival. But it’s more than brave, it’s a reminder of what a captivating Actor Wheeler is. My first exposure (I’m sorry I couldn’t help it) to Wheeler was his Fringe show Whoosh! which I later saw a remount of at Mill Stone Museum the next summer and will be getting a run this coming winter in early 2026 at History Theater in St. Paul. That was a favorite show of that festival and Wheeler again dives into history and comes up with the story of General Custer who we exam in all his glory (honestly you try and do this without saying things like that). What makes this show the winner of The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award is Wheeler’s penis, I mean performance. No seriously, it’s the way he digs into a character and gives such a focused and intense penis, Goddammit! performance! Man this is hard (now stop it!) It’s a great performance, a fascinating look at history and the perfect show to bring your Grandmother to. For more information and purchase tickets here’s the link to the show page https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/in-the-garden-of-american-heroes

That’s it for day one of the Minnesota Fringe Festival you can click on the Fringe website here to get details on all of the shows https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025. That’s it for day one of the Minnesota Fringe Festival you can click on the Fringe website here to get details on all of the shows https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025 don’t forget to tune into The Stages of MN YouTube channel for mini episodes all week long from The MN Fringe Festival https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN

Zephyr Theatre’s Robin Hood Steals From the Rich and Gives to the Audience

Robin Hood by Greg Banks marks the directorial debut of Twin Cities Actor and Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) Member Reed Sigmund. His greatest gift as a Director is in the casting of the play and then empowering that cast to bring their own voices to their characters and the production. The character work in this show is strong and so funny that one doesn’t know if it’s the script or the performers that make it so hysterical. This version of the Robin Hood tale is framed by a homeless camp sequence in which the four actors playing unhoused people share with the audience the legendary story, which they then enact. The Set Design and all of the costumes come from items that one might expect to be found discarded in such an encampment. There’s no note in the program of who is responsible for those aspects but they are well found and add to the surreal feel of this adventurous retelling. These aspects add a touch of appropriate timeliness to what is mostly a hilarious entertainment. I loved Sherwood when I saw it a couple of years ago at Theatre in the Round, which also featured the comedic genius of Jeffrey Nolan. I think this version of Robin Hood is my new favorite comedic take on the folklore hero. The Temperature was 109 in the shade and everyone in the audience was so entertained but what we were seeing that we forgot to even sweat.

The usual question my wife and I always ask each other is who was your favorite. But as you might expect, the question this time is who was your favorite character played by Jeffrey Nolan? I’m going to go with Prince John, but the five other characters tie as a close second. Nolan is enough to get me to any production as faithful readers will no doubt have realized by now. A more original and unique comedic voice you will not find, it feels like only a matter of time before we see him on SNL. What pushes this show into the stratosphere is the rest of the cast. Finding four other performers who aren’t going to be overshadowed by Nolan, particularly in a comedy where he plays about six different parts including a horse, seven if you include a remarkable, though brief, portrayal of a deer, is an amazing feat. But that’s what we have here. Grace Hillmyer, who readers will also be familiar with as someone who has impressed us in every role we’ve seen her in since first coming to our attention in Kinky Boots at Lyric Arts, plays among other roles Maid Marian. Hillmyer again shows us a new side of herself and her talent with this comedic side that previous roles had only hinted at.

Two of the performers I wasn’t familiar with is Antonisia Collins who plays Robin Hood, and Brandon Brooks as the Sheriff of Nottingham. From what I gather Collins has been racking up small supporting roles at CTC, well. I hope the people at CTC see this production because Collins is clearly ready for leads, which I hope to see her in again very very soon. Brooks, had apparently stepped away from acting a bit, clearly on stage is where he belongs. He is the villain of the piece, but the kind of villain you kinda love to watch. It feels like we are watching the convergence of the next group of actors that will be the ones who move on to bigger cities (please don’t) or are the ones we see constantly working at all the big theaters around town. The cast is rounded out by Jay Scoggin, who has a few small roles but mostly plays live music and provides sound effects throughout the show, which is such a fun treat, I love a live musical score in a play, especially when they are on stage and you can watch them creating the soundscape. When Scoggin does join in the show, he’s as funny as the others and very protective of his Skittles.

The Zephyr Theatre’s production of Robin Hood Runs through August 3rd at Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, MN. It’s performed in the great outdoors which reminded me of my childhood theater going experiences at Trollwood Park in Fargo, ND. This is another great show to take the whole family too, but don’t think on it too long as there is just one more weekend to catch it. For more information and to purchase tickets either the chair seats or bring your own chair go to https://www.stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org/home/#events

I’ve officially launched The Stages of MN YouTube Channel which you can view by clicking on this link. https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN. Check out the intro videos and the weekly episodes. Subscribe to the channel so you’ll always know when a new episode has dropped. 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.

Love and Baseball is a Home Run at Artistry

Dustin Bronson and Kendra Mueller *Photo by Alyssa Kristine Photography*

Love and Baseball reopens the Artistry Black Box Theatre in Bloomington. How long has it been closed? I have no idea, I didn’t even know they had one. So I’m guessing since the Pandemic. I’ll tell you what though, it is a great space and I’m looking forward to next season at Artistry even more knowing there is programming for this space as well. You can get a gander at Artistry’s terrific looking 2026 season here https://artistrymn.org/2026season. Love and Baseball is a two hander directed by one of The Stages of MN favorites as an Actor, Director, and Theater owner (The Hive Collaborative) Eric Morris. Here Morris creatively tells the story of three meetings between two people who seem to belong together. Each meeting between Will and Michele begins awkwardly and ends with you yearning for them to kiss. It’s a Romcom about two people you want to get together but something keeps getting in their way, their own life choices mostly.

The script Jerry Montoya is full of baseball stories and analogies, some straightforward but some that only occurs to you the longer you think about it, even the structure of the play seems to correlate to baseball, three strikes, three outs, three acts. But you do not need to know anything about baseball to fully connect and enjoy this play. Everything that you need to know is explained to you, and if you are worried that it will all be about baseball, it isn’t. Will loves baseball and so he uses it to illustrate a point and that becomes the template for their subsequent meetings. Morris finds ways to incorporate the baseball theme into every aspect of the show including having the actors change on stage between scenes as if they were in locker rooms on either side of the stage. The set design by Katie Phillips cleverly incorporates the baseball theme. The play is set in the living room of a rented house and along the floor is the outline of a baseball diamond. The walls are the chainlink fence of a park baseball field, which allows us to see through into the kitchen or bathroom when one of the characters leaves the room. There are some nice technical touches as well from Lighting Designer Grant E. Merges whose subtle dimming of the lights at key moments nurtures the emotional connection that is forming between the characters and the audience. Sound Designer Richard Graham adds cute sound cues that tie everything back in to baseball, and there are some great music cues as well.

Montoya’s script is smart, funny, and emotionally nuanced but it takes just the right actors to hit it out of the park. Thankfully, Morris has perfectly cast this production. This show works because we want the characters to get together in the end. We only have 90 minutes with them, so their chemistry has to be almost immediate. It may sound shallow to say but, the short cut to manifesting that acceptance in the audience, of their almost instant attraction is to cast two Actors who are attractive to the audience. We find them attractive and therefore believe they would find each other attractive. In Dustin Bronson and Kendra Mueller we have two very attractive Actors to be sure, but also two very talented Actors. That shortcut allows us to get onboard quickly but it’s the Actors charm, their playful interactions, the way they seem completely caught off guard every Act by the feelings the other stirs in them that makes this a grand slam of a play. Bronson’s awkwardness at unexpectedly finding Michele, who is waiting for his roommate in the house, is beautifully played. We see the struggle in him initially between his desire to turn on the Dodgers play off game or be polite to the stranger. The longer the scene goes on Bronson, motivations gradually shift from a desire to be polite to genuine desire. Mueller, who has apparently been in hiding for a number of years, because I’m completely unfamiliar with her, is confidant, intelligent, and perfect in the role. I think it’s her playful confidence contrasted with Bronson’s timidity at first that really cements her appeal. She draws him out and once they get on equal footing we realize there is a yearning in ourselves to see these two together that harmonizes with the characters own feelings. It’s interesting to me the similarities between the emotions I felt during this play and those I feel during a Jane Austen book, film or play. Especially since Bronson earned a place on my MUST SEE list in Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley at The Jungle Theater in 2022. In fact it feels like a modern Jane Austen story, the secret that keeps them apart, the longing for the two to come together.

Love and Baseball runs through July 28th at Artistry in Bloomington. I loved the space, the play, the cast. If you love baseball you’ll love it. If you hate baseball, I assure you you’ll still love this play, liking baseball has nothing to do with the enjoyment of this play in any way. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://artistrymn.org/loveandbaseball

The Music Man is Terrific With Capital T and that Rhymes With P and That Stands for Perfect for the Whole Family at Lyric Arts in Anoka

Pictured: Tony Potts, Ben Glisczinski, Brandon Osero, Holli Richgels, Shana Eisenberg, Cole Strelecki Photo by: Molly Jay

The Music Man is one of a few musicals where the book, music and lyrics were created by one person Meredith Willson. It is brimming with memorable songs “Iowa Stubborn“, “Goodnight My Someone“, “Wells Fargo Wagon”, “Till There Was You” and all time rouser “Seventy-Six Trombones” as well as many others. It’s one of a handful of musicals that I was very very familiar with growing up, mainly from the 1962 film version starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. What’s nice about this show, is that it’s fun for the whole family. I was only 8 when I fell under its spell and I hope families will use this production as a way to introduce their 8 year olds to the joys of a good old fashioned musical.

For those who don’t know, the music man of the title is Professor Harold Hill, Gary Conservatory of Music, Gold-Medal class of Aught-Five. Or at least that’s what he wants the citizens of River City, Iowa to believe. In reality, he’s a flim-flam artist who works his way across the country town by town, selling the idea of a boys band. The idea is the key word there, because he sells them the instruments and the uniforms, and then skips town with the money without teaching the boys to play a note. In fact, he doesn’t know one note from another. What he can do is keep everyone off balance long enough that they don’t realize there is never going to be a band. His first step is to create a need for a boys band. When he learns that the town has just gotten its first pool table, he uses it to rile up the citizens by pointing out the slippery slope to corruption that pool tables represent to the youth of River City. Which he points out in the song “Ya Got Trouble“, that’s Trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool. Well, it’s hard to argue with logic like that. His second step is to introduce at a town gathering the idea of keeping the young boys out of the pool hall by exposing them to a more morally enriching activity like, oh I don’t know, a boys band? Step three, keep the Music Teacher off balance so that she doesn’t expose him as a fake before he collects and gets out of town. Of course the Music Teacher isn’t like the others he’s come across in his travels, this is “Marian The Librarian” and he will find himself as off balance as she is by the end.

Key to the success of any production of The Music Man is the casting of Harold Hill and Marion. Lyric has great performers in each role. Tony Potts has the charm and charisma necessary to sell this character’s ability to talk anybody into almost anything. He almost convinces Paul Reyburn’s Mayor Shinn to purchase an instrument for a son he doesn’t even have. The role of Marion, which is played by Nadia Frazen, requires an exquisite voice, which she certainly has. The show is filled with great supporting players as well. From the always hilarious Alex Stokes, who finds a way to distinguish himself from the other three members of the school board/barbershop quartet with his unique comic timing and performance. To the talented young folks Maddox Tabalba as Winthrop and Ava Fox as Amaryllis. But there was one performer, whom I’m not even sure had a single line of dialogue, that really wowed me and that was William Kroeger. If I had to guess I’d say he was six or seven years old at most, but he’s as precise in his choreography, maybe more so than some of his adult cast-mates. Sometimes you see a performer that just has “it”. It’s a little early to say for Kroeger, but he seems to have the natural ease on stage that makes for a great performer, if he chooses to pursue it. He’s one to keep your eyes on.

The show is directed and choreographed by Lauri Kraft who does a great job of keeping the action fluid and the cast moving in the Lyric Arts, smallish stage. The dance moves particularly in “Seventy-Six Trombones” are impressive. With that scene feeling like carefully controlled, planned, and executed chaos. I also appreciated the clever staging of how to have Hill keep trying to engage Marion in conversation while she will not stop walking. If she were to actually walk she would cross the stage before the first exchange ended, and to do all of the exchanges they would have had to have them walk in circles around the stage. Instead Kraft has them walk in place and it works very effectively. In fact the set design cleverly works along the same principle. Greg Vanselow’s design consists of just a few pieces that are reconfigured quickly creating different locals and at times are moved by cast members to help create the illusion of movement.

The Music Man is a favorite musical of The Stages of MN and Lyric Arts Production does this piece of American Musical Theater justice. Strong performances, wonderful choreography and direction and a smart and creative production design make this a great show to enjoy on the hottest summer days. The Music Man runs through August 10th at Lyric Arts in Anoka. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.lyricarts.org/music-man

Romeo & Juliet and The Comedy of Errors Make For Another Fantastic Trip to The Great River Shakespeare Festival

Alessandro Yokoyama and Serena Phillip, Will Sturdivant and Emily Fury Daly (Photos by Dan Norman)

It’s time once again for the Great River Shakespeare Festival (GRSF) in Winona, MN. This year there are two productions which I was able to see in one day, Romeo & Juliet and The Comedy of Errors. There is a third production of Two Gentlemen of Verona that will have four performances around the Region. It is being staged by the graduate acting company of the Clarence Brown Theatre and the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) who will be in residence at the GRSF this summer. This cohort of young professional actors will understudy roles in The Comedy of Errors and Romeo and Juliet while studying with the company and professors from UTK. They will also be presenting the Festivals Green Shows which take place about 45 minutes before each performance of Romeo & Juliet and The Comedy of Errors. These green shows act as a way for the audience to tune into Shakespeare’s language before the shows and also give the audience a quick rundown of the characters and their relationships and roles in the plays. It’s a great way to make sure the you’re prepared to get the most out of each production and I never miss them.

Romeo & Juliet is the real surprise this season, Director H. Adam Harris has taken an approach I’ve never seen before in staging the play as a memory play from the POV of Juliet’s Nurse. It really works, it doesn’t dramatically alter the play but it does add another undercurrent of loss. That may not sound like what you want in a tragedy but whenever we find new things to play in Shakespeare, it’s exciting. The concept is aided by some well designed lighting cues by Avery Reagan. They aren’t overused but periodically the lighting changes and the action freezes around the nurse. In this way the focus shifts to her and we see the story from her perspective, it colors the story in a slightly different way. The nurse is played by Stephanie Lambourn who brings out this new dimension in the character that feels fresh and original, while still feeling faithful. As the young lovers Alessandro Yokoyama as Romeo and Serena Phillip as Juliet are really terrific, with a great command of the language and an ability to make the immature decisions of the characters not feel juvenile, by bringing to the forefront the emotions they are battling. It’s one of the best productions of one of the most produced plays of Shakespeare’s that I’ve seen.

The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeares silliest comedies, and that is absolutely what Director Doug Scholz-Carlson leans into with this production. Audience members might not be as familiar with this play and that’s OK. This is simply meant as an entertainment and for a play written over 400 years ago it’s astonishing how funny it feels. Of course a lot of making a play like this work is in what the Actors and Director bring to the play. The plot is rather confusing while also being sort of simple. There are two sets of twins, one the master and the other the servants, who were separated when they were young during a shipwreck. As adults, they end up in the same city and a series of mistaken identities occurs. That’s basically all you need to know. The tricky part is keeping everyone straight throughout the play and who has mistaken whom for who… OK now I’m confused again. Really, the plot doesn’t matter and you wont have any real trouble following it. The joy of this production is the way the actors play the roles, the clowning they do and the ingenious ways in which they present a play with about 20 characters using only 9 actors. The best part of the show is the ways in which Will Sturdivant and Emily Fury Daly take on the challenge of playing the duel rows of the two sets of twins. It’s Shakespeare by way of Scooby Doo, set in the 1980’s with great musical cues throughout by Sound Designer Matthew Tibbs. And again Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz as Lighting Designer is an asset adding some wonderfully wacky lighting effects.

The Great River Shakespeare Festival runs through July 27th in Winona, MN. If you haven’t been yet, it takes just over two hours to reach from the Cities, there’s lot’s to do and some fun places to eat. We always make a two day trip out of it and have a fantastic time. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.grsf.org/