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Tag: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

  • DIRTY DANCING: THE MUSICAL at the ORDWAY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

    DIRTY DANCING: THE MUSICAL at the ORDWAY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

    National Tour of “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” launches at the Ordway!

    Featured photo by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade.
    Annalese Starzec (Frances “Baby” Houseman) and Blake Zelesnikar (Johnny Castle)

    Dirty Dancing: The Musical now through September 6, 2026!

    Based on a Lionsgate film written by Eleanor Bergstein
    Directed by Lonny Price
    Music Supervision & Arrangements: Joseph Joubert
    Choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie

    WHAT. A. NIGHT. 💃

    Photo by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade.
    Annalese Starzec (Frances “Baby” Houseman). Blake Zelesnikar (Johnny Castle).

    Dirty Dancing: The Musical is electric on and off the stage!

    I wish I could have bottled the opening night’s energy. The audience was the “unpaid actor”. 😉 The overall enthusiasm and connection made us feel like part of the show. That spirit continued from beginning to end because of the talented cast and crew. They had us holding onto every nostalgic moment through their beautiful voices, passionate dancing, and the dynamic set including the lighting. At the end, when the whole cast dances towards the audience, it was almost impossible to stay in my seat!

    The way the story moves scratched an itch in my brain. It wasn’t too fast, too slow, too loud, too predictable. It just worked. I loved the way they utilized the set and the lighting allowing us to use our imagination.

    Photo by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade.
    Annalese Starzec (Frances “Baby” Houseman). Blake Zelesnikar (Johnny Castle).

    REVIEW Dirty Dancing: The Musical

    The nostalgia of the unforgettable movie moments warmed my heart, and I found myself yearning for what felt like a simpler time. At the same time, I was so happy to be experiencing this timeless love story again. And all the reminders of coming of age including the courage to break social boundaries.

    While Dirty Dancing: The Musical hit all the iconic and familiar moments, it also felt fresh. Revived. Alive. It’s not a typical musical. The ensemble tells the story through all your favorite songs from the movie. Ashley Lalonde (Elizabeth), Erick Pinnick (Tito Suarez), and Ethan Peterson (Billy Kostecki) all have beautiful voices that pull you in. Plus the Dirty Dancing: The Musical orchestra including local musicans are amazing.

    I absolutely loved the chemistry between Annalese Starzec (Frances “Baby” Houseman). Blake Zelesnikar (Johnny Castle). They were perfect as Johnny and Baby. But I have to say the whole cast are superstars. It felt cohesive and wouldn’t be the same without any of them. Each offering us something special and making this story pop again.

    Three of my favorite moments: 1. Baby and Johnny do the famous lift! ❤️ 2. The surprise announcement at the end shining a spotlight on Eleanor Bergstein being in the audience. She had to be over the moon seeing her story come to life on stage again and the audience excitement. 3. Listening to everyone continuing to sing as we left the building and walked out into Rice Park. What a joy!

    If you loved the Dirty Dancing movie, you are going to love the musical! IMO: You’ll love it either way. Don’t miss the kick off to this fantastic tour.

    TICKETS: https://ordway.org/events/dirty-dancing/

    © Tracy Blowers

  • Jesus Christ SUPERSTAR Rocks the Stage

    Jesus Christ SUPERSTAR Rocks the Stage

    Jesus Christ Superstar at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota, now through December 28, 2025.

    *featured above photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade includes Jack Hopewell (Jesus) and the North American tour company.

    Jack Hopewell (Jesus) with the North American tour company of Jesus Christ Superstar.
    Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

    Wow! The Olivier Award-winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar is both exhilarating and conflicting. My body wanted to dance while my mind felt frozen in the weight of the story. The story is set in the final weeks of Jesus Christ’s life, told from Judas’s perspective.

    From the moment the show starts with the squeal of the electric guitar and the cast’s dramatic entrance from the side doors, the audience is locked in. It has the feel of an electric stadium concert mixed with rock opera musical. I had never fully listened to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s famous score until the show and am now a fan. Did you know that it was the 1971 Billboard Album of the Year?

    Elvie Ellis (Judas) with the North American tour company and Faith Jones (Mary) of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

    Jack Hopewell (Jesus) fills the theater with emotion, giving a full understanding of Jesus’ love, pain, and the last days of his life. His voice resonates through the theater, especially the high notes, sending chills up your spine. Opposite Jesus, Elvie Ellis (Judas) creates a perfect push-and-pull, emoting how deeply conflicted Judas was about his decision. The intensity between them is palpable. Every time Faith Jones (Mary) takes the stage, it is a breath of fresh air and comfort through the chaos of Jesus and Judas. Her voice is so beautiful and magical. It’s like a warm, needed hug.

    The whole returning touring cast was all star! The confidence and ease on the stage seemingly working and moving as one is incredible to watch. I loved the simplicity of the set design, one building with windows into the soul of the stage. The windows are strategically used to highlight different actors and scenes including the guitar player and orchestra. A large cross laying, almost as if it fell through the building, is very powerful.

    Jack Hopewell (Jesus) with the North American tour company of Jesus Christ Superstar.
    Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

    The end and cruciifixion was difficult for me to watch, given everything going on in the world. Sometimes it feels like we haven’t evolved. Group mentality, not knowing the whole story and believing half truths from unreliable sources, judging, when will it stop?

    I love when a production makes you you feel a plethora of feelings while at the same time being so entertaining. You will be swept away into the music and the story. And hopefully all of us walk away wanting to share more love, respect, and understanding.

    This is the Regent’s Park Theatre London production and a replica of the show will launch its international tour across Asia next year. Another production will return to London’s West End this summer, playing at Palladium Theatre.

    What to do before a show at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts

    The holidays are truly magical in and around the Ordway. The Ordway is decorated to the hilt so beautifully with a bright red tree for you to grab a photo in front of, along with a selfie station. Plus, an incredible piano player sharing festive holiday tunes. Savor a drink, take a picture, and enjoy the views of Rice Park!

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    ©Tracy Blowers unless otherwise stated

  • THE NOTEBOOK Broadway Musical Brings Down the House

    THE NOTEBOOK Broadway Musical Brings Down the House

    The Notebook Musical Broadway Tour at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota

    *featured above photo by Roger Mastroianni includes Ken Wulf Clark (Middle Noah) and Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie)

    Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie) and Ken Wulf Clark (Middle Noah)
    Photo by Roger Mastroianni

    The Notebook
    directed by Michael Greif
    music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson
    book by Bekah Brunstetter
    choreography by Katie Spelman
    Photo by Roger Mastroianni

    The Broadway musical tour of The Notebook (based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks) premiered this week at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota, and runs through November 30, 2025.

    I’ve watched the movie So. Many. Times. It struck me that it was released in 2004, because it feels like yesterday. The Notebook is an enduring story that captivates your soul. A story of ups and downs of love and life. A story of what we crave and need to live the most fulfilling lives: human connection, love, friendship, faith, and understanding.

    I wondered how the musical could ever stack up against the movie, especially how it moves through eras and time, but it was done beautifully. The movement felt flawless and understandable layered perfectly with song and dance, adding depth.

    The Notebook North American Tour Company
    Photo by Roger Mastroianni

    Read this to me, and I’ll come back to you. -Allie from The Notebook

    Sharon Catherine Brown (Older Allie) and Beau Gravitte (Older Noah)
    Photo by Roger Mastroianni

    Allie and Noah meet as teenagers and fall fast in love. They are 1000% in, but social expectations and Allie’s parents’ disapproval split them apart. They find each other again in their twenties, and it is like not a moment has passed. Despite the hurdles, this time, they choose each other. As years go by, Allie slowly starts to lose her memory. She writes their beautiful love story down so she’ll never forget and so Noah can read it to her. Noah never gives up faith and never lets her go.

    Chloë Cheers (Younger Allie) and Kyle Mangold (Younger Noah)
    Photo by Roger Mastroianni

    This story resonates and is familiar for so many of us. The way they move through Allie’s memories makes you consider the importance of creating memories. Great memories. Also, finding hobbies and people that you’re passionate about and fully living in those moments.

    And how present time for someone with Alzheimers can be the past. The Notebook shows us that we can honor that for them and it can help bring them back to us, even if for a moment. ❤️

    L-R: Sharon Catherine Brown (Older Allie), Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie) and Chloë
    Cheers     (Younger Allie)
    Photo by Roger Mastroianni

    The orchestra and sound were booming, and I loved it! The Ordway recently added state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and I could really tell the difference. I wasn’t straining to hear some of the actors and not only heard the songs but felt them.

    The Notebook Broadway Musical ended with an high-spirited standing ovation!

    Then, in a surprise moment after Kevin McCollum, Producer of The Notebook Musical, finished speaking (which was already exciting), he introduced Mr. Nicholas Sparks. The crowd went wild. 🙂 Awesome surprise by The Ordway!

    Where to Eat and Park before a show at the Ordway

    One of the best parts about visiting The Ordway over the holidays is how everything from Rice Park and the St. Paul Hotel to The Ordway are magically decorated. All the trees are lit up and twinkling. The pictures don’t do it justice, it feels like a wonderland, and I can’t wait for snow to add that little extra! ✨

    The Ordway also have selfie stations to capture some fun photos.

    Tips: Enjoy dinner or drinks at the St. Paul Grill. It is such a festive treat! I didn’t get any pictures because I was having too much fun catching up with my sister-in-law. We loved the Beef Tenderloin, Au Gratin Potatoes, and Butternut Squash. The Butternut Squash was filled with little marshmellows and tasted like the holidays in a dish. 😍

    **Use the Valet Parking at the St. Paul Hotel.

    Are you going to any holiday shows in the Twin Cities? I would definitely add The Notebook to the list! The Ordway also has an incredible line-up for the rest of the year including a Celtic music celebration from Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, The String Queens, and Jesus Christ Superstar. For more information on Events and Tickets, click HERE.

    “Coming together as an audience from all different backgrounds and lived experiences to enjoy this universal tale of love in the face of adveristy is a powerful reminder of the unifying power of the performing arts.” – Christopher Harrington, Ordway President & CEO

    Cheers to connecting and exploring local together!

    ©Tracy Blowers unless otherwise stated.

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