Twin Cities Horror Festival 2024 - Monster & Mayhem Cabaret

It's spooky season again! And as in previous years, we are excited for the new offerings at the Twin Cities Horror Festival (TCHF XIII), running October 23 - November 3 at the Crane Theater in Minneapolis. 

Check out all of our TCHF XIII reviews here!

The Festival kicked off this year with a special one-time performance on October 23. Leslie Vincent Presents: A Monster and Mayhem Cabaret was a terrific evening of spooky, murdery jazz tunes performed by local cabaret goddess and former TCHF producer Vincent and a terrific band. 

Death and the Maiden at Pangea World Theater

The new production of Death and the Maiden at Pangea World Theater is a tense thriller that will linger in audience members' minds long after they leave the theater. 

The Reunion at Trademark Theater (guest post)

Guest post by Ernest Edwards

Trademark Theater has opened their seventh season with the world premiere of The Reunion: A Hilarious New Murder Mystery, created by Trademark founders and artistic directors Tyler Michaels King and Tyler Mills.

Dial M for Murder at Yellow Tree Theatre (guest post)

Guest post by Ernest Edwards

Yellow Tree Theatre opened their 17th season with the play Dial M For Murder, in a new adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the original play by Frederick Knott. This is the same script that the Guthrie Theater presented in their 2023/2024 season. 

What is different between the Guthrie’s production and Yellow Tree’s production? Obviously, the Guthrie’s stage is much bigger, and the scenery was bigger and bolder too. This is where I feel Yellow Tree’s production shines, with its smaller stage and more intimate setting feeling perfect for this story with a cast of 4 actors. The intimacy of the stage really draws you into this production of the play. You feel like you are part of the action.

The Lehman Trilogy at the Guthrie Theater

Founded in 1850 by three immigrant brothers, Lehman Brothers was the fourth largest investment bank in the United States. In 2008, the firm declared bankruptcy and brought an end to this truly American success story.  

The Guthrie Theater's The Lehman Trilogy tells that story in a very engaging production on the Wurtele Thrust stage playing through October 13. Written by Stefano Massini and adapted by Ben Power, The Lehman Trilogy began at the National Theatre in London and won a Tony on Broadway in 2022. 

The Lehman brothers saga begins when Henry Lehman (Edward Gero) arrives in the United States from Rimpar, Bavaria in 1844. He starts a fabric and clothing business, and is soon joined in Montgomery, Alabama by his brothers Emanuel (William Sturdivant) and Mayer (Mark Nelson). 

Scotland, PA at Theater Latte Da (guest post)

Guest post by Ernest Edwards

I went to what was meant to be the second preview performance of Scotland, PA at the Ritz Theater, which is Theater Latte Da's first production of their 2024/2025 season. Due to an injury in the cast, the second preview was now the first preview. We learned that Twin Cities actor Tom Reed was now playing the role of Banko. He had two days to learn the part. Now that I have seen the show, I can’t imagine anyone else in the part.

Back to the Future & Peter and the Starcatcher (guest post)

Guest Review by Ernest Edwards

The Twin Cities’ 2024/2025 theater season is off to a good start. This theatergoer was able to see two new shows on our stages last week.

The first production is Back to the Future The Musical. Yes, that Back to the Future, based on the 1985 movie of the same name. I had the pleasure of seeing this musical at the Winter Garden Theatre in NYC in December 2023. It was also my first time seeing Manhattan in December, which I highly recommend. From time to time, when Broadway shows go on tour, there is some trimming here and there to make the show tour-able. Never fear– there is still a DeLorean on stage. Spoiler! The car does fly over the stage at the end of the musical.