The Twin Cities is full of amazing shows this season! Do you have plans to go to a show for the holidays? Annie is perfect for the whole family. There isn’t a more festive location as you walk through Rice Park on your way to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

Annie‘s story is one of love, hope and family. A small voice to remind us that yes indeed the sun will come out tomorrow. A great quote from the Director, Austene Van, that really touched me – “The definition of family is also on a sliding scale of perspective, and looks very different to different people. How wonderful that we can create this kind of love for ourselves!”. Watching Annie’s attitude, strength and perseverance in the pursuit to find her family and then in the end creating her own is so inspiring. 

Carly Gendell who plays Annie in the evenings knocks it out of the park! Her voice and stage presence definitely carry the show. Annie also has some of my favorite Twin Cities actors. Ann Michels as Grace couldn’t be more perfect and I love Cat Brindisi as Lily St. Regis. PLUS…have I mentioned there is a dog in the show??! Sandy steals the show when she prances onto the stage. You could hear a collective “aaaaw” in the audience.

I can’t finish without mentioning the music, right? It’s always my favorite when the orphans sing Hard Knock Life but I find that Easy Street and Hooverville always stick with me and bring a smile to my face. 🙂

This festive, heart-warming production of Annie is an Ordway Original.

You can find more information and tickets HERE.

Also, to read other Theater Blogger’s reviews, visit our Facebook page @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers.

Annie’s story reminds us how many older children are searching for a family. During intermission, the Ordway shared information about Ampersand Families. They are a wonderful resource. If you are interested in ways that you can help children and teens who are awaiting adoption, visit www.ampersandfamilies.org.

Happy Holidays!

The Abominables opens at Children’s Theatre this weekend! I had the opportunity to go backstage and I’m always blown away by the work and passion that goes into these shows. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a diverse and wonderful theater community here in the Twin Cities.

The Abominables is the very first Minnesota Hockey Musical! Produced in association with New York City’s extraordinary theatre company The Civilians. The musical is written and directed by Steve Cosson with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman and choreography by Joe Chvala.

“This hilarious musical is full of heart and insight into our pursuit of success and how we define it.” – Peter C. Brosius, Artistic Director. 

A cool note: This musical was created over a four year period, the development included interviews with over 75 hockey players, coaches and family members across Minnesota at tournaments, games and practices.

The Stage and Ice Rink – The Actors are on skates throughout the show! Can you imagine?

From Children’s Theatre Company:

Rink rats, hockey moms, tournament weekends and the quest to play your best – It’s tryout season in the Great State of Hockey! Mitch has always played on the A team for the Prairie Lake Blizzards – they are his guys – they’ve played together forever, but he’s worried this could be the year he gets sent down to the B team. When a new “kid” appears at Bantam tryouts, things go from bad to worse. From the land of ice and nice comes the first Minnesota hockey musical! Will you love it? You betcha!

Making the brick fireplace – it’s actually styrofoam. Can’t wait to see it finished. 

The coveted trophy!

Wigmaster, Robert A. Dunn showing us the Yeti wig! The girl behind him is kind of freaked out. 🙂 

Beautiful Yeti Princess Dress. 

You could be sitting here!! GIVEAWAY! Comment here, on my Facebook or Instagram (find me at @usoulphoto or click icon above) Children’s Theatre post by Thursday and I will be picking the winner of TWO FREE TICKETS on Friday. Good luck everyone! If you don’t win, here is a nice consolation prize. Click HERE for a $10 off promo code for tickets. 

As I was in the process of writing this blog, I am so sad to tell you that Michael Friedman passed away. This is a huge loss to the artistic and theater community. Here is the statement from Children’s Theatre.

Statement from Children’s Theatre Company on the passing of Michael Friedman

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news with our community on the passing of composer Michael Friedman who died on September 9^th at the age of 41. Michael was the composer and lyricist of The Abominables, which is to receive its world premiere performance on Friday, September 15 in our UnitedHealth Group Stage.  The Abominables was commissioned by CTC in 2011 and is written by Michael and his longtime collaborator Steve Cosson of The Civilians.

 “Michael was an extraordinary artist and an incredible human being,” said Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. “He was brilliant, wildly funny and so deeply caring about other people. Michael was such a joy; his boundless energy, his infectious enthusiasm and his ability to be so fearlessly self-critical and clear eyed in the pursuit of something truly extraordinary made him utterly unique. He never rested, was a brave explorer of new possibilities and was one of the most creative forces you would ever meet. We deeply mourn his passing and feel truly blessed to have had this opportunity to work closely with him and bring his work to our audiences.”

While we are deeply saddened that Michael will not see the world premiere, we feel fortunate to be able to bring one of his final works of art to the stage and share his artistry with the community, in particular, with children and families. We dedicate the performances of The Abominables to Michael Friedman. For more information about The Abominables, please go to childrenstheatre.org.

Cover Photo: Jesse Nager (center) and the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo credit: Rich Ryan.

I have to be honest and say that I didn’t think I was going to like this show BUT I fell in love! This cast, the set and the music!!! Jesse Nager’s  (Jesus of Nazareth) voice is off the charts amazing. It literally will give you the chills. I’ve also never seen an ensemble bring it together so well. There isn’t just one star – the whole cast is the star! Everyone brings their A game. Their energy soars off the stage and right into your soul. By the end, it truly felt like a rock concert with everyone on their feet dancing and singing. I was waiting for people to start yelling….encore! Also, as a photographer, the set and staging was beyond eye pleasing. Every set change, I so wished I could take a picture. It was simply perfect.

Terance Reddick (center) and the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo Credit: Rich Ryan.

Erin Schwab (center) and cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo Credit: Rich Ryan.

This is my favorite scene when Erin Schwab (King Herod) sings her solo. You will walk away from this show with a big smile, singing these songs for weeks and still thinking about each scene. Ordway hit it out of the park!

Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber is showing at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts through Sunday, July 30th. Don’t miss this fantastic theatrical production! You can purchase tickets by clicking HERE.

Randy Schmeling (Judas) and Jesse Nager (Jesus). Photo Credit: Rich Ryan.

An American in Paris 

Music and Lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin
Book by Craig Lucas
Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
Produced by Elephant Eye Theatricals

I got rhythm, I got music!

It’s hard not to start dancing in your seat when you hear memorable Gershwin songs accompanied by beautiful dancing. An American in Paris is perfect, traditional theater. A wonderful night out to enjoy song and dance and let your cares drift away while melting into a love story.

This is the first national tour for the new Tony Award®-winning musical, An American in Paris. We are so fortunate to have this tour come through St. Paul.

After World War II, American soldier, Jerry Mulligan wanting to rebuild his life decides to stay in Paris and pursue his artistic dreams. By chance, he meets a mysterious French ballerina named Lise and is instantly love struck.

Like any true love story, there are lots of twists and I want to say love triangle but it’s more of a square. 😉 ONLY showing through Sunday! Get your tickets by clicking HERE. Enjoy a few more photos below from this wonderful production.

The New York Times raves, “An American in Paris is a triumph! Pure joy!” and Wall Street Journal declares, “Once you’ve seen it, you’ll find it hard to settle for less ever again.” Don’t miss this stunning Broadway hit when it arrives in Saint Paul on its first national tour!