Photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp, courtesy of the Guthrie Theater
Guthrie Theater
Capri Theater, 2027 Broadway Ave. W., Mpls., 612-643-2024, thecapri.org
Once on This Island Jr., August 9-10, directed by Dennis Spears and Greta Oglesby: "In almost no-stop song and dance, the show tells the story of a peasant girl on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death. Once On This Island delivers melody, love and joy in tropical abundance."
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, 952-934-1525, chanhassendt.com
Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, June 16—February 24, by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, directed by Michael Brindisi: "With phenomenal music, memorable characters and great storytelling, Jersey Boys follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history."
Children’s Theatre, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls., 612-874-0400, childrenstheatre.org
Head Over Heels, August 11-12, directed by Stephen DiMenna: "Set in the kingdom of Arcadia, Head Over Heels follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction—only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts."
Dudley Riggs Theatre (Brave New Workshop), 824 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 612-455-9500, hennepintheatretrust.org
It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Stupidity, June 1–August 5: “Join The Brave New Workshop for an evening of all-improvised comedy performed by a rotating cast of comedy all-stars. Each performance is a one-of-a-kind original that has never been rehearsed before and will never be performed again because it is entirely created from audience suggestions. It’s the kind of fun summer was made for, but like summer, it’s only here for a short while.”
Cheaper Than Hamilton, August 10-November 4: "Come join the party that has been making people laugh and think for over six decades, spawning the careers of legends who reshaped our nation’s media landscape by helping to create everything from Saturday Night Live to The Naked Gun to That 70s Show to True Blood. "
Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224, guthrietheater.org
Into the Woods, June 17–August 13, by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Sarna Lapine: “Once upon a time, Cinderella pines to make a cameo at the ball, Jack (of beanstalk fame) tends to his pet cow, Little Red Riding Hood sets off toward grandmother’s house and a baker and his wife discover they are barren, thanks to a curse from the neighboring witch. They all head into the woods and embark on remarkable journeys that include falling in love, slaying a giant, facing off with a wolf and more. Just when all wishes appear to be granted, a stray magic bean sprouts a second stalk and the giant’s vengeful wife disrupts everyone’s happy ending.”
Shane, July 15–August 27, by Karen Zacarías, directed by Blake Robison: “It’s 1889 when Shane, a loner with a dark and mysterious past, rides into the heart of Wyoming’s cattle country. He’s instantly idolized by the young Bob Starrett, whose settler parents welcome Shane into their home and put him to work on their farm, where Shane discovers the family he never had. Meanwhile, hostility grows between the ruthless rancher Fletcher and the settlers starting their farms. When Fletcher plans to squeeze them out, Shane’s dangerous ways resurface as he fights to save the Starretts from ruin. This Guthrie commission by renowned playwright Karen Zacarías interrogates the assumptions and myths of the American West.”
Lyric Arts, 420 E. Main St., Anoka, 763-422-1838, lyricarts.org
The Spongebob Musical, July 14–August 13, based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, directed by Matt McNabb: “The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts and lives hang in the balance, and just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage.”
Minnesota Fringe Festival, various locations, minnesotafringe.org
From August 3-13, the largest celebration of live experimental theater is coming back to Minneapolis, featuring more than 100 different shows for its 30th anniversary.
Old Log Theater, 5185 Meadville St., Greenwood, 952-474-5951, oldlog.com
Million Dollar Quartet, June 2—February 17, directed by Christine O’Grady Roberts: “The musical captures the memorable day when four Rock n' Roll greats made music history. On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley at Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis, TN. The man who made it happen was the "Father of Rock'n'Roll," Sam Phillips, who discovered them all. This was the only occasion the four legends-to-be played together, and it has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.”
Reluctant Dragon, June 14–August 11, directed by Randy Reyes: “In this beloved classic story, a young boy befriends a poetry loving, peaceful, friendly, and lonely dragon living in the hills above his home. The towns people are afraid of dragons and send for the dragon-slayer, St. George. The dragon isn't interested in fighting and the boy brings St. George to meet him. Together the three of them create a clever plan to save the dragon and convince the town to accept him.”
Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-373-5671, hennepintheatretrust.org
Jagged Little Pill, August 8-13, directed by Diane Paulus: "Joy, love, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis, life—everything we’ve been waiting to see in a Broadway show—is here in the exhilarating, fearless new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music."
Sidekick Theatre, 11411 Masonic Home Dr., Bloomington, 612-440-7529, sidekicktheatre.com
The Pirates of Treasure Island, June 27–August 11: “Sail off on a fantastic musical excursion of pirates, treasure maps and high seas adventures. This thrilling new tale follows a young man who is enlisted to join in a race for buried treasure against a band of treacherous pirates. Packed with swashbuckling action, hysterical hijinks and enthralling music, The Pirates of Treasure Island is great fun for all ages and includes the audience in the action.”
Stages Theatre Company, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, stagestheatre.org
Galactic Wonders: A Space Adventure, August 2-20, directed by Melanie Salmon-Peterson: "Discover comets, planets, shooting stars, and other celestial surprises in this immersive, multi-sensory production created for our youngest patrons."
Theater Latté Da, 345 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-339-3003, latteda.org
Macbeth and the Weïrd Sisters, August 11 and 14, directed by Peter Rothstein: "Musician Andrew Wilkowske and librettist Kelley Rourke’s audacious take on the Verdi opera and Shakespeare’s tragic story of ambition reimagines the score for a rock band, replacing classical strings with electric guitars and envisioning Macbeth as the front man/lead singer of Macbeth and the Weïrd Sisters, a '70s and '80s-style arena rock band."
Love Them First, August 19 and 21, directed by Kelli Foster Warder: "This new musical chronicles a year in the life of the students, staff, and charismatic principal of a North Minneapolis elementary school. It's a story of inspiration, heartbreak, perseverance and the power of love."
Theater Mu, 755 Prior Ave. N., St. Paul, 651-789-1012, theatermu.org
The Kung Fu Zombies Saga: Shaman Warrior and Cannibals, July 20–August 13, by Saymoukda Duangphouxay, directed by Lilly Tung Crystal: “The Kung Fu Zombies Saga: Shaman Warrior and Cannibals brings us to a world overrun by zombies—“and these motherf— know kung fu.” In the first act, shaman warrior Arun must fight the demons inside and out as she tries to rescue her sister with the help of the Monkey King.
