Rebecca Mitchell, Writer

The American premiere of Jonathan Dove’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, presented by the Minnesota Opera, returns the classic tale to its dark origin. Based on the 19th century children’s story by Carlo Collodi, the opera follows the trials of Pinocchio on his way to becoming a real boy. Although Dove’s music is not particularly memorable, the relative familiarity of the story and the fact that the opera is in English make Pinocchio a good introduction to an art form many have never experienced. MORE »

The Minnesota Opera’s all-new production of Faust opened Friday at the Ordway Center in St. Paul. Based on Goethe’s classic novel, Charles Gounod’s opera tells the well-known story of Dr. Faust, who makes a deal with the devil to get back his former, younger self and woo the young and beautiful Marguerite. While the story is easy to follow and the score is pleasant to listen to, at three-plus hours the opera is at times overbearing. Still, the cast of this production, particularly a group of dancers, gracefully bring some inspiration to the piece. MORE »

After two earlier productions (in 2005 and 2006), Torch Theater this year brings The Miracle Worker across the river to St. Paul’s History Theatre for a third, larger staging. Playwright William Gibson’s script tells the familiar story of the young Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, the teacher who taught her language. As a child I remember reading a simplified version of Helen and Annie’s story and every time I reached the end, I wanted to dive right back in again. I experienced a similar feeling last Thursday, as the frigid night was warmed by this story of two extraordinary women. MORE »

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure opened recently at St. Paul’s Park Square Theatre, as the final show of Park Square’s 2007-8 season. Anyone who appreciates a good mystery is likely to have an enjoyable evening attending this performance. The play, an area premiere, is adapted by Steven Dietz from the 1899 play by Arthur Conan Doyle and William Gillette. The play also incorporates elements of Conan Doyle’s books A Scandal in Bohemia and The Final Problem. MORE »

Audiences visiting the Ordway Center through Sunday will be transported to the Kit Kat Klub in 1930s Berlin, where “life is beautiful, the girls are beautiful, even the orchestra is beautiful.” MORE »