31 Days of Theater (You're Gonna Love Mayyyyy)

I don't need to tell you, loyal theatergoers, how important it is to support the arts and arts funding in these incredibly challenging times.

However, even as loyal theatergoers ourselves, we were delighted to see how incredible the theater offerings this May are, and reminded us what an amazing theater community we have here in the Twin Cities. (Naturally, check the website for dates/times.)

So without further ado, 31 Days of May Theater!

May 1: Fun Home at Theater Latte Da - A gorgeous production of the Tony-winning musical with a fantastic cast. (April 2 - through May 11)

May 2: Scarecrow on Fire at Illusion Theater - A take on the Oz story by Kevin Kling with another all-star cast: Dan Chouinard, Simone Perrin, Stephen Yoakam, and Kling. (April 25 - May 4)

May 3: The Nut, The Hermit, The Crow and The Monk at New Native Theatre - This comedy follows a zillennial brother and sister on a journey to heal from generational boarding school trauma, inspired by The Odyssey and Alice in Wonderland set to the soundtrack of Dark Side of the Moon! (April 16 - May 4)

May 4: Muyehpen by Exposed Brick Theatre - Written by Ehkhudah Zar, this is the first-ever theater production by a Knyaw playwright in the U.S. and shares the story of Muyehpen with a new generation. (performed in Worthington on May 4 only)

May 5: Sister Act at Lyric Arts - The entire run of this based-on-the-movie musical is completely sold out, which is a good reminder not to sleep on hot shows! (April 11 - May 11)

May 6: Joyful Noise at Bucket Brigade Theater - The unbelievably true tale of the unlikely origin of Handel’s Messiah by this charming theater, performed in an old church. (April 25 - May 10)

May 7: Sickle at Theatre Novi Most - A "pastoral apocalyptic" tale of four women attempting to survive a Russian-made famine in Ukraine. Amazing cast, includes Ukrainian supertitles. (May 1 - May 10)

May 8: The Lightning Thief at Stages Theatre Company - Musical based on the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan with a delightful young cast and ingenious staging. (April 11- May 11)

May 9: Waitress at Artistry - Production of the Broadway musical by Sara Bareilles with the usual Artistry artistry and skill. (April 17 - May 11)

May 10: Bart and Arnie by Melancholics Anonymous - Two pals making their way in the city. Existential dread and friendship. Puppets. Modern Dance. Whimsy. The financial difficulties of living in the big city and the highs and lows of art and commerce. (May 9 - May 18)

May 11: The Rainbow Connection: A Cabaret at the Hive Collaborative - It's time to play the music and light the lights with The Rainbow Connection - a cabaret of all things Muppety! Join us to laugh, cry laugh more, and sing along to your favorite Muppet tunes. Bring your Muppet Show knowledge to try and stump our expert! 

May 12: When We Are Found at Penumbra Theatre - Love’s newest fable is an achingly poignant and sometimes funny meditation on the passage of time and the persistence of love — and a hopeful prayer that what we seek finds us. (April 24 - May 18)

May 13: The Mousetrap at Guthrie Theater - Agatha Christie's murder mystery, the longest-running play in the West End. (March 15 -  May 18)

May 14: An Act of God at Six Points Theater - Four words: Sally Wingert as God. Also, written by the head writer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. (May 3 - May 18)

May 15: The Last Day of Pompeii: A New Musical at Gnarly Bard Theater - Road trip to St. Cloud and step into the shadows of history in The Last Day of Pompeii, a gripping new musical set in the heart of a city teetering on the brink of destruction. (May 5 - 18)

May 16: mixtape: adrift: true stories of being lost in the sauce by Wayward Theatre Company - An intimate collection of humorous to harrowing stories of folks who are looking for their way, delving for the answers and seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and this wild and weird world we all stumble through. (May 15 - 17)

May 17: & Juliet at Hennepin Arts - See the tour of the Broadway show that asks what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? (May 13 - May 18)

May 18: Three Sisters/No Sisters at Theatre Pro Rata - A new adaptation of Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov alongside No Sisters, a clever companion piece by Aaron Posner. Performed simultaneously! (May 9 - 24)

May 19: Puppet Lab Festival at Open Eye Theatre - A 2-week festival of radical, genre-expanding, boundary–pushing puppet work, the culmination of a 6-month development residency for emerging puppetry and mask artists.

May 20: The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years at Guthrie Theater - Among the fantastic cast: Aimee K. Bryant, Joy Dolo, Darrick Mosley, Greta Oglesby, Regina Marie Williams. I mean, come ON. (April 20-  May 25)

May 21: Lolek by Open Window Theatre - Lolek brings to life the captivating story of Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II) and his heroic resistance to the Nazi Occupation of Poland as a young man during the Second World War. April 25 - May 25)

May 22: Berlin to Rugen at the Phoenix Theater - A new one-man show by Michael Rogers, writer and director of “As Above, So Below” (winner of Minnesota Fringe Artist Pick award and the What the Fringe!? - Best Drama award).  (May 21 - 24)

May 23: The Improvised Sword & Sorcery Campaign by The Bearded Company - In this award-winning improvised fantasy campaign, The Bearded Company will tell you a tale you won't soon forget. (May 22 - 24)

May 24: Violet at Ten Thousand Things - A young woman embarks on a cross-country bus trip in search of a televangelist she believes can cure a scar on her face. Always inventive, always inclusive, love TTT. (April 23 - June 1)

May 25: Whoa, Nellie! The Outlaw King of the Wild Middle West at History Theatre - Tells the rip-roaring musical tale of Nellie King, the “wily and scandalous female cowboy detective” whose countless criminal exploits and penchant for male attire made her an 1800s Minnesota media icon. (May 17 - June 8)

May 26: Between Riverside and Crazy at Park Square Theater - Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy from Stephen Adly Guirgis, this play explores family bonds, resilience, and the harsh realities of life in modern New York City. (May 14 - June 8)

May 27: NOOMA, An Opera for Babies at Ordway Center - NOOMA is an invitation into a vocal circus, a space where sounds, words, gestures and objects are offered, mimicked and transformed as we delight in the joy of making music together. Part of the Flint Hills Family Festival.

May 28: Ode to Walt Whitman at Open Eye Theatre - Bart Buch’s acclaimed ODE TO WALT WHITMAN is a tender, silent puppet poem that uncovers a dialogue between Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia Lorca

May 29: Matt & Ben at the Hive Collaborative - Before Good Will Hunting. Before J-Lo (both times). Before all those f*cking Bourne movies. They were just two best friends... (May 30 - June 30)

May 30: Significant Other at Lyric Arts - Directed by Max Wojtanowicz and diving into the complexities of modern relationships with humor and heart, SIGNIFICANT OTHER is a candid and charming exploration of all types of love. (May 30- June 22)

May 31: Sixpack at Jungle Theater - With a backdrop of the competitive world of Hmong volleyball, SIXPACK explores if a friendship can withstand the harms, betrayals, and messiness that happen when you feel your life pulling away from the future you envisioned. (May 31 - June 29)

Let It Show! Let it Show! Let it Show! (Holiday Theater Picks 2019)

David Beukema as the D'Ysquiths
(photo courtesy of Old Log)

The winter holidays are always rich in Twin Cities theatergoing opportunities. From Austen and murder to Krampuses and the apocalypse, here are a few shows we are particularly looking forward to this winter.

Traditional(ish) Theater

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - Old Log Theatre (Oct 18 - Feb 15)
Set in London in 1907, this show centers on Monty Navarro, a penniless clerk who is informed after the death of his mother that he is ninth in line to inherit the earldom of Highhurst, controlled by the wealthy D’Ysquith banking family.
Hilarious performances by Max Wojtanowicz (as Monty) and David Beukema (as all of the D'Ysquiths) and gorgeous singing by the endearing cast makes this a holiday must-see.

Another Miracle on Christmas Lake - Yellow Tree Theatre (Nov 8 - Dec 29)

A hilarious sequel to the smash hit comedy Miracle on Christmas Lake! Join Martha, Neil and some zany new characters as they try to save their beloved town of Christmas Lake from annexation. A Hollywood location scout arrives, hailing Christmas Lake the perfect spot to film a new adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life. Colin and Tess scramble to put on a sparkly pageant that will draw tourists and hilarity ensues.
THIS CAST: Ryan Nelson, Jason Ballweber, Elise Langer, Anna Leverett, Damian Leverett, Neil Skoy, & Abby Day.

See also: Miracle on Christmas Lake - Camp Bar (Dec 5 - 28)

Miss Bennet - Jungle Theater (Nov 20 - Dec 29)

The beloved Bennet sisters and their spouses gather at the Darcy home for Christmas a few years after Jane Austen left off their story. When the middle Miss Bennet, Mary, unexpectedly encounters shy bookworm Arthur de Bourgh, she finds a kindred spirit and intellectual equal. But, since Arthur is a “single man in possession of a good fortune,” she’s hardly his only suitor. Mary must learn to be the heroine of her own story in this charming holiday romance.
Because Mary Bennet is always given such a hard time. She deserves her very own holiday romance!

Six - Ordway Center (Nov 29 - Dec 22)

The wives of Henry VIII join forces for an electrifying pop-concert spectacle—shining a spotlight on these six women as never before. The queens take the mic to reclaim their identities out of the shadow of their infamous spouse, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a power-packed celebration of twenty-first-century female empowerment.
Friends who caught it in Chicago loved it, and it's going to Broadway, baby! See it here first for full theater bragging rights.

Adventures in Mating: Holiday Edition - Daleko Arts (Nov 29 - Dec 22)

From Twin Cities native, Joseph Scrimshaw, Adventures in Mating: Holiday Edition is a romantic comedy where YOU play the role of cruel fate! When the dysfunctional couple on a terrible blind date can't make simple decisions such as red or white wine, leave or stay, kiss or slap, the audience votes and the show takes off in wildly different but always hilarious directions.
We heart Daleko Arts. And shows about the comedic possibilities in dating.

The Norwegians - Dark & Stormy Productions at the Grain Belt Warehouse (Dec 5 - Jan 5)

Olive and Betty are two southern women living in the land of snow, lutefisk, co-ops, and Norwegians. They have something else in common: they both want their ex-boyfriends dead. So, they hire the only hit men they can find in Minnesota: really, really nice ones.
Sure, it's comedy, but this is Dark & Stormy: it's going to be at least a little dark (and stormy) and we need a little of that. Plus, the cast is Luverne Seifert, Sara Marsh, Jane Froiland, and Avi Aharoni. Come on.

Hanukkah Lights in the Big Sky - Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (Dec 6 - 22)

When a brick is thrown at a menorah set in a child’s window for Hanukkah, community leaders of all faiths come together to help spread a message of tolerance and peace. With the help of school children, 10,000 families display menorahs in their windows for Christmas in solidarity. Based on true events that occurred in Billings, Montana in 1993, this family play, an MJTC original, is newly adapted for everyone age 6 & up.
Peace and solidarity, y'all. Yes, please.

Comedy/Improv

Getting Plowed: A Holiday Survival Guide - Brave New Workshop (Nov 7 - Jan 4)
The holidays are stressful enough. Sometimes you just need to laugh. Really hard. Plus, it's written and performed by Lauren Anderson, Denzel Belin, Taj Ruler and Tom Reed. How could you could do better than that for your holiday hilarity?

Family Dinner - Huge Theater (weekends through December)
Family Dinner – The improvised holiday show you can relate to – returns! A family coming home for the holidays, each with a secret you suggest…It’s just like your family, if your family were played by some of the funniest improvisers in the Twin Cities!

A Very Die Hard Christmas - Bryant-Lake Bowl (Nov 30 - Dec 21)

Don't miss this yuletide tradition combining the action and suspense of Die Hard with the sentiment of everyone's favorite TV Christmas specials loaded with music, magic, and mayhem!

Miss Richfield 1981 Gender Fluids For The Holidays! - Illusion Theater (Dec 6 - 22)

In her all-new show, Miss Richfield 1981 will attempt to find non-binary answers to our increasingly complex world! With all new music, new videos, new costumes, and a healthy heap of help from the audience, this show promises to celebrate all the genders - both old & new.
As we said back in 2019, "don't take Miss Richfield 1981 for granted. (We interviewed her last year.) She is amazingly skilled at working the crowd, a mistress of subversive humor, and smarter than she gets credit for. Also, so so so funny. Oh, how we laughed."

Musical Celebrations

Black Nativity: Let Us Rejoice Together - Penumbra Theatre (Nov 21 - Dec 22)

It’s that time of year again! Penumbra’s timeless holiday tradition returns to light up the stage and your heart. Under the direction of Lou Bellamy and the musical direction of Sanford Moore, our homegrown Christmas show features exceptional lead vocalists, the outstanding Kingdom Life Church Choir, and the stirring choreography of Alanna Morris-Van Tassel. 
It's a holiday classic. My only question is WHEN will they have a sing-along Black Nativity? Please?

All Is Calm - Theater Latte Da (Nov 27 - Dec 29)
"The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. 
After a successful Off-Broadway run (and winning a Drama Desk award), All is Calm returns with its unspeakably gorgeous music and a cast of staggeringly talented singer/actors. Beautiful and restorative to the soul.

Post-apocalyptic Shenanigans (yes, there's TWO)

Dog Act - Fortune's Fool Theatre at Gremlin (Dec 7 - 22)

In this tale, an unnamed disaster has totally fucked America's society, political structure, and environment. Zetta and Dog are vaudevillians traversing the wasteland, singing and dancing their way to a gig with the King of China.

The Ever and After - Theatre Pro Rata (Dec 7 - 22)

A cockroach and an Amazon walk into an apocalypse…A super-intelligent cockroach and his feral human ward discover a robotic woman in the ruins of civilization. Together, they must put aside their differences and venture into the belly of the human settlement to find the truth about this new world.

One Night Only (and Limited Runs)

From Gilbert & Sullivan to Broadway - The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company at Honey (Nov 30 and Dec 1)

The cabaret program will include songs from H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and Gilbert and Sullivan’s other works, as well as music from Godspell, A Little Night Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Candide and Company, and many more!

jorts! and friends presents A Snowy Kiss — An Improvised Holiday Romance Movie - Strike Theater (Dec 5 - 7)

Turn on that fireplace, hang that mistletoe, and enjoy all the fake soap snowflakes of the season at Strike Theater this December as jorts! and friends take on the timeless tradition of holiday romance movies as seen on the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, and Netflix - and improvises a brand new one right in front of your eyes!

IMMORTAL | Workshop Performance - Trademark Theater at Camp (Dec 9)

In his first ever solo performance, Tyler Michaels King brings to life a brand-new character with his unique transformative and musical style. Part cabaret act, part storytelling journey, Immortal explores aging, the end of life, and mortality through the eyes of a fading entertainer standing before their final curtain.
Featuring music by Keith Hovis and starring Tyler Michaels King, this performance will highlight two of the most gifted musical theater artists in the Twin Cities. That is all.

The Great Strike Theater Improvised Bake-Off - Strike Theater (Dec 12 - 14)

A mix between the Great British Baking Show and shows like Master Chef, The Great Strike Theater Bake Off will feature be hosted by the amazing, Rita Boersma and Shanan Custer.The Great Strike Theater Bake Off is created and directed by Mike Fotis and Shea Roberts Gyllen.

The Loft Presents If: A Very Star Wars Cabaret - The Loft at Open Book (Dec 14)

The Skywalker Saga of Star Wars ends this Winter. As part of the Loft's fall theme 'If," this cabaret features writers and thinkers who are also fans of the blockbuster series sharing creative work involving Star Wars. Celebrations, critiques, and creature features abound! Featuring Saymoukda Vongsay, Matthew Kessen, Luis Lopez, Shannon Gibney, and Jodi Byrd.

Pro Tip: The Shop at MCBA (at Open Book) has fantastic, unique gifts for all of your creative friends and family. Go early. Bring money.

Late Night Monster Science: Krampuses, Flying Reindeer, and Other Unnatural Creatures - Phoenix Theater (Dec 21)

At long last – the monsters and fantastic creatures of the holiday season. From the resurgently popular Krampus to elves at the North Pole to snow golems animated into a grotesque mockery of life by enchanted headgear, to say nothing of the connection of a mystery ape from the Himalayas to the spirit of Christmas, all of these will be detailed in the Reverend Matt style! Opening entertainment by Nicholas Nelson!

Dan Chouinard's Holiday Sing-Along - Crooners Mainstage (Dec 22-23)

Check out the full Crooners calendar because you can see a fabulous night of holiday music any night in December, including Jennifer Grimm, Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs, Debbie Duncan, the Steeles, Robert Robinson and Gwen Matthews, and so many more. Also, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

Give yourself a present and go see a show this winter!

What Time Is It? It's Twin Cities Horror Festival VIII Time! YAY!

For years, we have been devoted fans of the Twin Cities Horror Festival, now in its eighth year. Why do we love it so?

Well, as we said way back about TCHF IV in 2015 (and again, every year since):

- It's a manageable size (twelve shows this year, plus a cabaret, plus lobby embalming sessions)
- It runs a reasonable amount of time (October 24 through November 3)
- The shows are short and easy to binge

- Their website rocks: Schedules by day and by show, and useful genres and ratings
- The box office, staff and volunteers are marvelously organized, friendly and efficient

- It's at only one theater (The Southern Theater)
- And that theater is appropriately spooky
- And it has a bar
- And is near a number of excellent restaurants and bars
- Parking is not impossible

Oh, and did we mention: TCHF has some of the best theater artists in the Twin Cities writing shows that are specifically in the horror genre but range from gory and hilarious to chilling and heartfelt. And this year? It's officially a 501(c)(3) that pays all revenue from individual ticket sales directly to the artists creating the work. (Slow clap.)

JOIN US. You know you want to. Here's a peek at this year's festival:

...And What Alice Found There

…And What Alice Found There by The Winding Sheet Outfit

In Short: "From the creators of Blood Nocturne, The Memory Box of the Sisters Fox, and You Are Cordially Invited to the Life and Death of Edward Lear; TWSO examines the obsessions of a Victorian author and his controversial relationship to his muse."
Why We're Excited: We adored The Memory Box of the Sisters Fox and are on board for their dreamy, clever, literary aesthetic, even if it is wildly hard to get into their sold-out shows. 

AMP by The Obscura Factory 

In Short: "The Electrifying Story of Mary Shelley. Written and performed by Jody Christopherson

with additional text from the writings of Mary Shelley, Percy Shelly, Lord Byron, William Godwin, Mary Wollstonecraft and Luigi Galvani."
Why We're Excited: Last year's St. Kilda by Jody Christopherson was an atmospheric, chilling folk tale and a one-woman show accompanied only by looping audio. Looking forward to what she does next.

Bug Girl by LIZ howls 

In Short: "Bug Girl is an large scale horror shadow puppet show about a young girl who grows wings and shrinks in size after swallowing a strange insect. Her new abilities become a threat to those around her as a new hunger drives her to consume--and ravage--the minds of those closest to her. Searching for a means to control her powers and tame her parasite, Bug Girl will travel between worlds, battling the darkness within, and without her."

Why We're Excited: We were in at "large scale horror shadow puppet show." Sometimes it's that easy.

Charcoal Moon by Rogues Gallery Arts 

In Short: "Some moons bring light into the darkness, others bring darkness into the light. After a six-year space flight, the UCASA Santa Maria approaches the moon of the dwarf planet Makemake hoping to locate an extremely rare and valuable mineral. However, what they find on the dark moon isn’t quite what they had hoped for."
Why We're Excited: Although the description is on the vague side, we've loved Rogues Gallery Arts work in past festivals: the chilling Intuition and the Mantis and the more family-friendly Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Frankenstein by Dangerous Productions 

In Short: "What would you destroy to build the life of your dreams? Inspired by Mary Shelley’s original horror story, this “delightfully perverse mindf*ck” crawls with shadows and drips with betrayal, as we follow a monster in pursuit of perfection. Rated one of CityPages top ten shows of 2015, Dangerous Productions smash hit is back and bloodier than ever!"
Why We're Excited: Cause we didn't see it back in 2015, and Dangerous Productions always brings the visceral gore to TCHF. (Case in point: TCHF IV's Epidemic.)

Geminae by Oncoming Productions 

In Short: "The 2018 MN Fringe Festival horror hit is back, new and improved! A routine mission goes awry when astronaut Cassie Matheson sees something impossible in her shuttle. At mission control, her sister Helen fights to bring her home. When the unthinkable happens, they learn just how unbreakable the bond between them is, with chilling consequences."
Why We're Excited: Because where Dangerous brings the gore, Oncoming Productions brings the chilling and the atmospheric (see The Deep Dark from TCHF VI.)

Feminine Inhuman by Erin Sheppard Presents & Monster Science
In Short: "The Feminine Inhuman will bring to life stories of female monsters from around the world. When a monster is imagined to be feminine, there is an underlying reason for that choice. What makes women so terrifying? Reverend Matt expounds his encyclopedic knowledge of demonesses while Erin Sheppard Presents' kinetic choreography celebrates the feminine monster. What darkness does she conceal? What monstrosities is she capable of?"

Why We're Excited: We have often sung the praises of Erin Sheppard Presents' amazing dance shows and Rev. Matt's hilarious and informative Monster Science. But together? What? How? It sounds a little crazy but FASCINATING.

Incarnate by Special When Lit
In Short: "Relinquish your past, and cultivate yourself anew. Join the Oasis; a garden nestled in a secluded nook of Northern Minnesota. At this heaven on Earth, our Herald, Marigold, will plant the seed of your personal truth, and Caretaker Dan will till the soil of your soul until you reach fruition. It is the season of the harvest, and today’s a most momentous day! Our community’s hearts will beat as one. Come home, to the Oasis. Special When Lit presents Incarnate, a new nightmare from Nissa Nordland Morgan, writer of The Fae and Xena and Gabrielle Smash the Patriarchy."

Why We're Excited: Folk horror is all the rage these days and we adored Nissa Nordland Morgan's Xena and Gabrielle at the Fringe this year.

Michigan Disasters by Ghoulish Delights
In Short: "Tim Uren weaves together the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the Barnes-Hecker Mine collapse, and a truly bizarre family vacation to transport you to a dark and dangerous world. Unearth this hidden realm of ancient beings, lakes that appear overnight, hungry spirits, and the Holy Grail. It’s waiting for you in Michigan, just below the surface."
Why We're Excited: From the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Show podcast to their Fringe shows (like 2019's delightful Frankenstein: Two Centuries), Ghoulish Delights are always bringing the spooky.

HSHD Short Film Festival by Horror Show Hot Dog
In Short: "Each year Horror Show Hot Dog watches short horror films by artists from around the world. At the Twin Cities Horror Festival they present the best of the films they discovered throughout the year. Each of the five nights features a different selection of short films, no two shows are the same. Our audience votes for their favorite film of the night each night, and the winners receive a trophy."

Why We're Excited: We love short horror films and HSHD always picks the best. Pro tip: Get a Skeleton Key and you can see ALL of their shows, each with a different line-up of films.

The Rule of Three by Four Humors
In Short: "Three actors. Three Stories. Three Genres. Three separate tales told over three different acts exploring three different themes in three different ways. Beware, bad things always come in threes."
Why We're Excited: Cause it's the wildly talented Four Humors of past TCHF faves like Harold and Mortem Capiendum. Also, that picture. Eek.

An Improvised Spooky Musical by The Shrieking Harpies
In Short: "A blending of horror genres and improvised songs into a tale of comedic spooky entertainment. You're not going to want to cover your eyes for this deFRIGHTful spectacular. The Shrieking Harpies features Lizzie Gardner, Taj Ruler, Hannah Wydeven, and Justin Nellis on the keys."

Why We're Excited: The cast is amazing and hilarious. Plus, there's not a preponderance of either improv or musicals at TCHF so yay!

Sara’s FUNeral: An Open Casket Cabaret by Funerals for Life (one performance only)

In Short: "Our wonderful TCHF Patron, Sara, is... well... dead. And you're invited to the FUNeral!
An Open-Casket Cabaret featuring friends & family of the deceased + a variety of TCHF artists. This event blurs the already-smudged line between life and death. Part memorial, part performance, and part party! Prepare for the FUNeral of a death-time."
Why We're Excited: Just yes. Just because.

Let's GO!

Tis the Season for SPOOKY - October 2019

There are literally one million fun things happening this October for those who want to see something spoooooky.

We've got movies, theater, learny things, and even an occasional immersive experience. (I know! EEK!)

In Theaters and Museums ...

Night of the Living Dead! The Musical! - Minneapolis Musical Theatre (Phoenix Theater)

October 4 - 27 (times vary)

It's a musical! Based on a classic horror film! And the title alone has two exclamation points! MMT does a beautiful job with campy musicals, so this is a must-see.

Reverend Matt's Monster Top 20 - Strike Theater

October 13 at 7:00 p.m.

"After years of detailing monsters of every variety, Reverend Matt finally presents the definitive list of the 20 best ones!"

Café Scientifique: Deciphering Dinosaur Lives - Bryant-Lake Bowl

October 15 at 7:00 p.m.

"From exciting discoveries in the field in Madagascar, to new information gleaned from microscopic investigations of sauropod bones, Dr. Kristi Curry Rogers will fill us in on the new and improved sauropod."

The Latest Night: An Anthology of Terror - Strike Theater

October 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m.

"A Night of Terror hosted by your resident ghouls Simone Suspiria and Alistair Absentia." (improv)

The Mess in Murder Manor - Strike Theater
October 19, 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m.
"On a blustery and spooky October evening, six guests arrive at a stately manor for the reading of a will and an evening of chills...." (improv)

Reverend Matt's Late Night Monster Science: The Call of the Shadow of the Horror Out of Space - Phoenix Theater

October 19 at 10:30 p.m.

"A complete history of the monsters of H.P. Lovecraft – one of the most admired, imitated, and totally misunderstood creators in the entire horror genre."

Twin Cities Horror Festival VIII - Southern Theater

October 24 -November 3 (times vary)

TCHF is a "juried, horror- themed, live-performance arts festival spanning the two weekends surrounding Halloween." And we love it, so look for more coverage soon. But here's a look at last year's festival to whet the appetite.

Social Science: Spooky Science - Science Museum

October 24 at 6:00 p.m.

"Haunt your way through the Science Museum with special activities, stargazing, a chance to meet local scientists, and more. And don't miss a special drag show and costume contest, presented by Flip Phone."

The Ghostly Garden - Bell Museum

October 25 at 6:30 p.m.

"Please join us for a slightly creepy evening in the darkened galleries of the Bell Museum, with special surprises lurking around every corner." 

Reel History: Movie Monsters - Edina Historical Society

October 25 at 7:00 p.m.

"Join filmmaker and historian Alex Weston for a night of film clips exploring the cultural history behind some of the most famous monsters of filmland."

The 26th Barebones Puppets Annual Halloween Puppet Extravaganza - Hidden Falls Regional Park

October 25, 26, 31 and Nov 1 at 7:00 p.m.
"If you’ve never seen a show, perhaps THIS is the year you experience the joy, the awe, wonder and suspense while the shear visual majesty of this multimedia presentation comes to life in an unfolding of community storytelling." Well, okay then. Also, sheer.

Ladybrain Presents: Ghouls Gone Wild! - Strike Theater

October 25, 26, 31 at 9:30 p.m.

"Ladybrain takes on Halloween! We're coven atcha with a slew of new sketches, plus a few fan favorites. This Halloween sketch party extravaganza features special guest Jenna Cis!" (sketch)

Transmission Presents: Halloween 1986 - Hell's Kitchen

October 26 at 9:00 p.m.

"Inspired by Stranger Things, Transmission, Surly & Hell's Kitchen Present: HALLOWEEN 1986. Similar to the show, there will be a vibe like you're walking back into 1986 with 100% era appropriate music and videos."

The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Things That Scare Us - Umbrella Collective

October 28 at 7:30 p.m.

"Join Umbrella Collective for an intimate fall house concert as we uncover what scares us, and what we’d save ourselves from, if we could, featuring music from Leslie Vincent, Keith Hovis, Annie Enneking, Peter Morrow, The Dino Birds, and other special guests."

Horrific House of Macabre Movie Madness - Bryant-Lake Bowl

October 30 at 8:00 p.m.

"Come join us for a ghoulish cinematic celebration of Halloween!! The movie will remain a mystery until it rolls on the big screen! One night only!"

Frankenstein: Two Centuries - Ghoulish Delights at Bryant-Lake Bowl

October 31 at 7:00 p.m.

"The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society celebrates two hundred years of Frankenstein with two original stories inspired by Mary Shelley’s iconic tale, each written and performed in the style of a classic radio series, including commercials, live music and sound effects."

And if you are VERY VERY BRAVE:

Haunted Basement - Rosedale Center

October 3 - November 2 (times vary)

"Since 2005 we have been terrifying the Twin Cities with absurdist psychological horror.  Before inching downstairs, you must sign a waiver and present valid ID. Prepare yourself for immersive theater, created by a community of avant-garde artists and horrible creeps who will…

terrify you." Even the website scares us, so ...

Spooky Movies In Movie Theaters:

(Key: A - Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury, T - Trylon Cinema, P - Parkway Theater, H - Heights Theater)

Sunday, October 13

11:15 Teen Witch (A)
3:00 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)
5:00 Basket Case (T)
7:00 Brain Damage (T)
7:30 Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde (A)

Monday, October 14

7:00 The Mummy – 1999 (A)
7:00 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)
8:45 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)

Tuesday, October 15

6:30 Shocker (A)
7:00 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)
8:30 Soul of the Demon (A)
8:45 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)

Wednesday, October 16

6:00 Zombieland double feature (A)
6:30 A Nightmare on Elm Street (A)
7:00 Blood Surf (T)
7:30 Don’t Look Now (A)

Thursday, October 17

7:00 The Thing (T)
7:30 Dead of Night (H)
8:00 Poltergeist (P)

8:30 Harpoon (A)

Friday, October 18

7:00 Carrie (T)
9:00 Christine (T)

Saturday, October 19

1:00 Nightmare Before Christmas (P)
7:00 Christine (T)
7:30 Horror of Frankenstein (A)
9:15 Carrie (T)

Sunday, October 20
11:00 Teen Wolf (A)
3:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)
5:00 Carrie (T)
7:00 Christine (T)
7:45 The Host (A)

Monday, October 21
7:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)
7:00 Ghostbusters (A)
7:30 The Amityville Horror (A)
9:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)

Tuesday, October 22
7:00 Night of the Demons (A)
7:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)
8:30 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (A)
9:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)

Wednesday, October 23
7:00 The Rocky Horror Picture Show (A)

Thursday, October 24
6:30 Monos (A)
7:00 The Hitcher (T)
7:30 The Others (H)
8:00 Hellraiser (P)

Friday, October 25
7:00 The Hills Have Eyes (T)
9:00 Ravenous (T)

Saturday, October 26
1:00 Dismember the Alamo marathon (A)
1:00 Ghostbusters (P)
7:00 Ravenous (T)
9:15 The Hills Have Eyes (A)

Sunday, October 27
11:00 The Witches (A)
3:00 Piranha (T)
5:00 The Hills Have Eyes (T)
6:30 Scars of Dracula (A)
7:00 Ravenous (T)
7:30 Phantom of the Opera (H) 

Monday, October 28
7:00 Craft (A)
7:00 Piranha (T)
9:00 Piranha (T)

Tuesday, October 29
6:30 Dracula – 1931, SP (A)
7:00 Piranha (T)
8:30 Halloween III: Season of the Witch (A)
9:00 Piranha (T)

Wednesday, October 30
7:00 Tremors (A)
7:00 Hausu (T)
8:00 The Exorcist (P)
8:30 The House of the Devil (A)
9:00 Hausu (T)

Thursday, October 31
7:00 Halloween (A)
7:00 Hausu (T)
8:00 Halloween (P)
9:00 Hausu (T)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN SEASON, FRIENDS!

So You Wanna Fringe: Our Best Bets at Minnesota Fringe 2019

Friends! It's almost time for the Minnesota Fringe Festival, eleven crazy days of wild, adventurous theater fun.

But DON'T PANIC. Even though there are 142 shows in the 2019 Minnesota Fringe & Family Fringe Festivals, we have your Fringey back (ew--you should really do something about that). 

Plan Accordingly: Note that you can only see 62 different shows (in 76 time slots out of 735 performances of 142 possible productions (thanks for the stats, Fringe!), so no need to get overwhelmed. You'll need to make some serious choices. We can help.

Trust the Experts: Follow our friend Cherry and Spoon, an utter Fringe fanatic, and check out the rest of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook for even more Fringetastic reviews and news.

Ease In: By starting off with the Family Fringe, which runs July 26-28 and August 2-4 at the very accessible Barbara Barker Center for Dance on the West Bank. Read more about Family Fringe here!

Need To Know Basis: Here's your link to the Full Festival Line-Up,  the Daily Schedule, Accessibility, and the Box Office and Ticket Info.

Enough Backstory! And now, without further ado, here is our highly personal list of the 25 shows we cannot wait to see at 2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival, divided by genre for your Fringing convenience. Plus, a few more shows that intrigue us. (Text in italics is from the Fringe website.) Let's DO THIS!

Alt-Holiday Show Guide for 2018

'Tis the season for holiday theatergoing!

Before you buy your tickets to the various Christmas Carols and Nutcrackers around town, check out one of our smaller theaters for something a little different, a little more intimate and a lot more lowercase letters. And sometimes? These shows aren't even about the holidays. WHAT. I know.

Twin Cities Horror Fest VII: Why We STILL Love TCHF

Friends, we love the Twin Cities Horror Fest, which runs October 25 through November 4 at the Southern Theater. The TCHF, now in its seventh year, combines two of our very favorite things: horror and theater.

But MN Theater Love, you ask, what if I don't like 'horror'? Should I still support this theater festival with my valuable theatergoing time and money? YES. Yes, you should.

Andrea Subisatti covers this very subject in her Editor's Note in the current issue of Rue Morgue magazine:

"Even for those of us who celebrate Halloween all year long, we have to admit that there's something magical about seeing the extra candy aisles and pumpkin bins at the grocery store. It feels like the one time of the year where the rest of the world realizes what we horror fans have been saying all along -- that there's something liberating, cathartic and just plain fun in indulging your dark side and confronting the things that go bump in the night."

Live theater is an experience like no other. It creates immediacy, catharsis and emotional resonance. Horror does the same. Combine the two, and add in shows and performances by the Twin Cities' most talented theater artists, and you get magic. The producers of the TCHF also have a few things to say about why they do horror:

"Depicting horror also is an artistic challenge. Every production hinges on its script, acting, and technical elements, but the stakes are higher when producers are trying to elicit the raw, extreme, and personal reactions associated with fear. The producers of the TCHF thrive on that challenge."

There is literally something for everyone at the TCHF. As John Carpenter once said, "Horror is a reaction, not a genre." In the past, shows have ranged from suspenseful and chilling, shocking and gory, socially conscious and tension-breakingly funny. This year, you have shows featuring music, dance, comedy, short films, historical legends, serial killers, witchcraft and monsters of the deep. 

Here's a rundown of the shows at the Twin Cities Horror Festival VII. Short (very short) descriptions are from the TCHF website. Here's the full TCHF Schedule. (Check out our short reviews here.)

The Bathtub Girls by The ColdHarts & Kairos Collective

In Short: "Created and performed by Kairos Collective from Toronto, Ontario, "The Bathtub Girls" is a fiction inspired by the first known case of sibling matricide in Canada. Two sisters, egged on by their friends, drown their mother in the bathtub of their family home. The play examines how three immigrants’ determination to rapidly assimilate into a Canadian suburb led to the destruction of their family, and the rebuilding of the girls’ lives."

Why We're Excited: Though Kairos Collective is new to us, The ColdHarts and their unique (and humorous) musical takes on gothic tales are longtime favorites. Also, it's a very intriguing story. 

Book of Shadows II

Book of Shadows II by Erin Sheppard Presents

In Short: "Book of Shadows II revisits the underlying theme of witchcraft from the first Book of Shadows, exploring more facets of magic through dance and storytelling. Dances delve into dark magic and the horrors that await when tampering with the unknown. Taj Ruler casts more delightful spells written as a young tween witch, which are interspersed between dances. Sometimes magic is the only way to get what you truly want."

Why We're Excited: Erin Sheppard Presents is always on our don't-miss list. As we said about TCHF V's Book of Shadows: "The dances are beautiful, so gorgeously done, with simple costumes and wonderful lighting, and they tell simple but effective stories." And her music choices are amazing.

A Confederate Widow in Hell by Breaker/Fixer Productions

In Short: "After 150 years of waiting, a widow has returned to resolve her eternal fate. Armored in a full mourning gown, armed with musical instruments and mementos from her past life, she faces the legacy of the South. Be haunted by a disturbing story of ghostly possessions and prophetic visions in this irreverent dramedy."

Why We're Excited: Musical and ghostly, but also a dramedy? Intriguing. 

Rev. Matt's Monster Science

The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea - by Monster Science Productions

In Short: "Rev. Matt’s infotational talks return! Get the historical background, comedy jokes, and PowerPoint that you need about the monsters we create and the fears they embody. This year, the first two dates will feature a talk about Old Nick, the First Among the Fallen, the history of the Christian Satan himself. And the last three will be a piece about sirens, krakens, Great Cthulhu, and other horrors of the deep blue sea!"

Why We're Excited: Last year, Rev. Matt was completely new to us, but we were immediately charmed by his unique blend of deadpan humor and obsessive love of monsters. We wrote: "Accompanied by some judicious use of Powerpoint and stellar comic timing, this show not only makes you laugh but you actually learn something (in spite of yourself)." See both of his shows.

Dream County by LandmanLand

In Short: "Some people recall watching Cousin Clem's Magical Couch Fort every Saturday morning as kids. Others have never seen an episode, claiming the tragic series finale is nothing but urban myth. Somewhere between real and imaginary lies Dream County, a whimsical world where Cousin Clem would hide away in. We present the finale as it supposedly happened."

Why We're Excited: Cause it sounds WEIRD AF. Awesome!

Greenway by Tom Reed

In Short: "Late on a crisp fall night, a bike commuter’s worst nightmare comes true. Eva is riding alone on the Greenway bike path - a dark trench lit only by her bike light - and something unfriendly starts following her. And it's catching up. And she can’t pedal any faster. And her light just died."

Why We're Excited: Though he's been a long-time Minnesota Fringe Festival favorite (our friend Cherry and Spoon is a big fan), this is Tom Reed's first show in the TCHF. Although he's usually known for humor, Greenway sounds deliciously creepy and familiar to anyone who's raced the shadows home on their bike.

Home (Clearly.)

HOME by Dangerous Productions

In Short: "Based on true stories from the playwright’s childhood, HOME is a brutal tapestry of the perversion of the American dream, and what people will do when boredom becomes too much. Angela and her family are new citizens in a small Wisconsin city. They are outsiders, assaulted on all sides by the apathy-fueled violence of the status quo. Will they survive with their minds intact or succumb to the temptation of exciting depravity? From the producers of FRANKENSTEIN and SKIN, HOME asks- how well do you really know your neighbor?"

Why We're Excited: Dangerous Productions has done some very intriguing shows in past TCHFs (Skin, Senseless) and Home is likely to be one of the gorier, more visceral entries in the Festival.

Horror Show Hot Dog Short Film Festival by Horror Show Hot Dog

In Short: "These shorts cut terror to the bone, delivering bite-size versions of horror movie scares. This year we’ve curated films from 12 different countries, across all subgenres of horror, from black comedy to animation. Each night’s programming is completely unique – come and vote for the audience favorite award. Who will win the Golden Frankfurter? See below for each night's programming."

Why We're Excited: Thanks to Horror Show Hot Dog (and their podcast), we have become huge fans of the short horror film. If my math is correct, you could conceivably see 33 short horror films if you attend all five of their productions. FUN! 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Rogues Gallery Arts

In Short: "Based on the classic American horror story by Washington Irving. In the old town of Sleepy Hollow, Katrina Van Tassel meets the new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane. He desires her hand, but several obstacles stand against their pairing including local ruffian, Brom Bones, and the ghostly spectre of a Headless Horseman rumored to reside in the area."

Why We're Excited: Rogues Gallery Arts show in TCHF VI, Intuition and the Mantis, was one of last year's standouts and hands-down, the most chilling show in the Festival. We're excited to see what this talented group does with Washington Irving's classic tale. Plus, it's an excuse to share our favorite childhood cartoon song. 

A Morbid History of Sons & Daughters

A Morbid History of Sons & Daughters by The Vincent Hovis Experience

In Short: "There's a sickness in our blood. A desire for something sinister that is passed down from generation to generation. An impulse that turns into a want that turns into a need. You are cordially invited to The Ritual. Five people gather to tell interweaving tales of tendencies they have spent a lifetime trying to contain. But sometimes, we all need a little release. And nothing can make you feel more at home than seeing the light drain from a person's eyes."

Why We're Excited: An original musical from amazing local talents Leslie Vincent and composer Keith Hovis? Yes, please. 

St. Kilda by Jody Christopherson

In Short: "After the death of her Grandmother, an American woman travels to an abandoned island off the coast of Scotland and unearths a dark family secret. St. Kilda is a new horror play/theatrical mono-concert written and performed in near darkness by New York-based award winning theater artist Jody Christopherson."

Why We're Excited: Spooky Scottish songs? Yes, please.

But wait there's MORE! Two special events will also be available during the run of TCHF:

Second Skin

Second Skin by Playable Artworks

In Short: Erin Olson is a fourth generation medium, a person who talks to spirits. Unfortunately, her recent death has hindered her ability to work. Now she needs an assistant, a conduit to the living world. You're invited to interview for this position. Come along and try your hand at contacting the spirit realm, but know that whether or not the spirits can be put to rest is up to you. This audio-driven, site-specific adventure for a single audience member takes you around the West Bank neighborhood, and is powered by an interactive app. NOTE: You must book your ticket in advance for this experience. No tickets will be available at the door."

Funerals For Life by Amica & Hecate

In Short: "Two madcap morticians tend to your corpse in an oddly relaxing “living-embalming session,” and then prop up your body for a "death photo." This delightfully goth experience is like none you’ve ever heard of. Ever wonder what your time at the morgue will be like? Now you can unwind on a comfy table and find out... We'll take good care of you. ​Reservations available in the lobby. "

Can't get enough horror theater? Read about past Twin Cities Horror Festivals here:

Twin Cities Horror Fest VI (2017)

Twin Cities Horror Fest V (2016) 

Twin Cities Horror Fest IV (2015)

And go see something SPOOKY!! WE DARE YOU.

Gratuitous Tim Curry in It photo