Rebecca Mitchell

As my friend Shelby and I made our way to the Illusion Theater last Friday night to see Bare, she pointed out that the musical had many similarities to the Broadway hit Spring Awakening. I was familiar with both, having seen the latter multiple times (I reviewed the touring production for the Daily Planet) and because I'd received a CD sampler of songs from the former. Still, I had never connected the two, which in fact do share a few key themes, until right before the performance. Spring Awakening is the stronger of the two, but both have important stories to tell.MORE »

I challenge you not to be intrigued by the thought of Evil Dead: The Musical. Sure, there are plenty of Halloween-related events that pop up each year around this time, but there's something about singing demons, campy puns, fake blood—did I mention singing demons?—that my cheesy self just can't resist. And for the most part, the Minneapolis Musical Theatre's area premiere of the musical, now playing at Illusion Theater, delivers on all expectations except, surprisingly, the gore. Which begs the question, should this musical be renamed Evil Dead: Lite?MORE »

"You can't handle the truth!" Those words will forever be connected to the gripping final scene of Aaron Sorkin's 1992 film A Few Good Men. What many may not know is that the movie starring Tom, Jack, and Demi was based on the play of the same name also written by Sorkin. In Urban Samurai's production of A Few Good Men, currently playing at the Sabes Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park, those familiar words—while delivered differently than in the film—are just as powerful. The stage production gives audience members the opportunity to experience what for many is a familiar piece more intimately and feel more invested in the courtroom drama's final verdict.MORE »

Live theater is one of the most intimate forms of art. Actors must rely and trust each other to act and react appropriately to each other's performances, and to audience reactions. There are no re-shoots, no second chances. For me, this is what makes theater so compelling. Even if you see the same production five times, you're seeing a different performance each time. Audience reactions, the mood of the actors, and more all contribute to that unique performance that is only be shared with the other people in the room. So I was a bit nervous when I walked into Osseo's Yellow Tree Theatre Sunday afternoon for a performance of The Sweet Stuff and was one of only 15 attendees. Luckily, the small audience did not distract from the intense performance; instead, it highlighted the talent and commitment of the company.MORE »