THEATER | At the Orpheum, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” are still lively

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The proverbial cat has nine lives, and the stage production of Cats has had many more. Cats holds the record for being the longest-running musical in the history of British theater, and the longest continuously touring Broadway musical in history. It also held the record of longest-running musical on Broadway for nine years before that record was broken by The Phantom of the Opera. This all translates to five continents, 26 countries, and over 8,500,000 audience members in 27 years! Who wouldn’t be curious to see what all the excitement is about?Cats opened a three-day, five-production run at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on Friday. Continue Reading

THEATER | After a slow start, “It’s Outta Here!” slides into home for a win

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It’s Outta Here! is a collection of Minnesota-produced, -written, and -acted baseball skits celebrating the return of professional outdoor baseball to Minneapolis. Nine skits translate to nine innings, complete with the singing of the national anthem at the beginning of the show, free Cracker Jack tossed into the crowd by the concessions vendor (Rob Marcus), and the seventh-inning-stretch singing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”Patrick Garry, Brad Kastendick, Noah Johnson, and Phil Behringer share the acting duties, along with making set changes and everything else that needs to be done. Rob Marcus, the producer and creative force behind the show, introduces each skit and shares personal anecdotes about his love of both theater and baseball. it’s outta here!, presented through april 18 at the hennepin stages. Continue Reading

Spring has sprung, at least for baseball

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I know, I know, I know—the baseball season has started!  Here I am, hurrying to catch up as usual. I have to admit baseball took a back seat to the Olympics for me in February. I love every minute of the Olympics from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony, and everything in between. Continue Reading

THEATER | “Dixie’s Tupperware Party” at the Hennepin Stages: Just what it promises…and much, much (too much?) more

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I can assure you that Dixie’s Tupperware Party, happening at the Hennepin Stages through February 28, will be unlike any Tupperware party you have ever been to. Kris Andersson started selling Tupperware in Los Angeles as a way to make ends meet. The character of Dixie evolved as Andersson held more parties. In 2004 Kris took Dixie to the New York International Fringe Festival. In 2007 it was produced Off-Broadway and it began touring in 2008, with Dixie becoming one of the top-selling Tupperware agents in the process.dixie’s tupperware party, presented through february 28 at the hennepin stages theatre. Continue Reading

THEATER | Lorna Landvik hosts a surprisingly boring “Party in the Rec Room”

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I went to see Lorna Landvik’s Party in the Rec Room this past weekend at the Bryant-Lake Bowl. It was the first comedy show I have ever seen. It was also my first time at the Bryant-Lake Bowl. I found the Bryant-Lake Bowl to be a fun, crowded, noisy experience and I definitely want to go back there and try the burgers and the bowling. And tucked in back by the furnace is a tiny little theater that hosts an incredibly eclectic collection of shows. Continue Reading

THEATER | The Ordway’s “Beauty and the Beast” is pure magic

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Walking to the Ordway last Friday night with the Christmas lights in Rice Park and the ice skaters nearby, it felt like my friend and I were passing through an enchanted winter wonderland. And for me, the enchantment continued as the curtain rose on the Ordway’s production of Beauty and the Beast. The first scene opens in the village with the townpeople singing about Belle and her desire to not conform to the provincial life of their small town. I felt like I was seeing the movie come to life, and I was hooked. In many stage productions that have also been popular movies, there are songs that are unfamiliar to the audience. I have been disappointed by these songs at times because they seem to add length but not substance to the story. This was not the case for me with this production. Continue Reading