Triassic Parq by Minneapolis Musical Theatre

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: If you want to see “rare musicals, well done” (their mission), you have to check out Minneapolis Musical Theatre. We’ve followed them for years and they excel in presenting fun, quirky, and heartfelt productions of musicals you won’t see anywhere else.

Their current show, Triassic Parq, performed at Lush Lounge and Theater through April 13, is so tremendously rare, we've never even heard of it. And to be honest? It's a little bananas. It's about dinosaurs and gender, and faith and science, and it's utterly filled with chaos and camp. We've never seen anything like it. 

Quick description of the show from MMT: "TRIASSIC PARQ is a retelling of that famous dinosaur-themed film, this time seen from the dino’s point of view. Chaos is unleashed on their not-so-prehistoric world when one dinosaur in a clan of females spontaneously turns male!"

With us so far? If you're thinking this sounds like a Fringe show, you're right! Triassic Parq started life (cause life finds a way) at the 2010 New York International Fringe Festival. Written by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Steve Wargo, this show had an off-Broadway run in 2012 and had a fantastic cast of Broadway favorites, which included Wade McCollum, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Alex Wyse and more.

We're kind of unsurprised by how good the cast was off-Broadway, because as usual, Minneapolis Musical Theatre has gathered an amazing group of performers who knock it out of the park. This show ROCKS. (Hmm, dinosaurs ... rocks ... no, I got nothing.) Directed with literal balls out vigor by Kjer Whiting (who we last saw giving an amazing performance as David Frost in TheatreX's Frost/Nixon), the energy is electrifying (again LITERALLY). With Amanda Weis on piano(saurus) and a small band, the Lush Lounge is rocking hard enough to knock off a drag queen's wig. And you know that's hard.

The cast is universally excellent, but there were a few standouts for us. Nick Miller as the Velociraptor of Faith has a fantastic baritone which contrasted beautifully with his drapey, flowy outfit complete with purple go-go boots (that he wears to death). Caitlin Sparks as T-Rex 1 is a definite add to our favorite musical performers list with her powerful voice and wild energy. Jake Mathey was a sweet counterpart as T-Rex 2 and the two T-Rexes had a beautiful, realistic (??) bond. As the Velociraptor of Innocence, Max Kile depicts a guileless youth with charm and even more energy.

PLEASE NOTE: If you were planning on bringing your dinosaur-loving children to this show, MMT advises against it. They recommend this show for ages 18 and up due to comic violence, sexual content, and language.

ALSO, while you are at Lush enjoying this show (again, through April 13), do partake of their menu. We did brunch and it was delicious and very fast. Also, our drinking friends appreciated Lush's heavy hand with the pours. You might not get another chance to see this musical, so take the opportunity now!