Minneapolis/St. Paul Spotlight: November 2009
Nunsense creator Dan Goggin is directing the world premiere of his latest musical that riffs on his popular franchise. Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show will play an open run at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, starting November 6. The piece features the Little Sisters of Hoboken presenting their acclaimed cabaret act at the Hollywood Bowl-erama, rather than the famed Hollywood Bowl that they had anticipated.
Minneapolis Musical Theatre opens its 10th Anniversary season with the regional premiere of David Nehls and Betty Kelso’s The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Illusion Theater, November 6 – 22). A recent Off Broadway hit, this character-driven musical comedy promises some of the most roof-raising girl group singing since the Pointer Sisters. MMT Artistic Director Steven Meerdink helms the production.
The Hennepin Theatre Trust hosts comedians Joan Rivers (Pantages Theatre, November 4) and Jerry Seinfeld (Orpheum Theatre, November 13 – 14). Also at the Orpheum, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks returns as “teen angel” in the national tour of Grease (November 18 – 22). Rounding out the month at the Orpheum is a one night only performance of Luis Bravo’s Forever Tango (November 28), a dance spectacular featuring an all-Argentine cast.
The Christmas season kicks off a week before Thanksgiving at the Guthrie with their signature production of A Christmas Carol (November 19 – December 31), now celebrating its 35th Anniversary. Also celebrating the holidays early is Brave New Workshop with Brett Favre’s Christmas Spectacular: The Immaculate Interception (November 5 – January 30). The Jungle Theater offers a more inebriated Christmas tale with their production of Conor McPherson’s The Seafarer (November 11 – 20), the story of five drunks spending Christmas Eve in a run-down Dublin house, and engaging in a poker game with extremely high stakes.
Bridge Productions brings back a Minnesota Fringe Festival favorite with Two Bowls of Cereal and Some Bacon (Dreamland Arts, November 12 – 21). In this stirring solo performance, Mahmoud Hakima recalls his childhood memories, interweaving the life story of his first grade crush, the mystery girl. The Minnesota Opera presents a revival of Casanova’s Homecoming (November 14 – 22). Written by Minnesota’s own Dominick Argento, the piece is based on the personal memoirs of the 16th Century adventurer/author Giacomo Casanova. John Fanning stars as Casanova.
Mu Performing Arts presents the theatrical energy of Japanese Taiko with Mu Daiko at the Southern Theater (November 27 – December 6). San Jose Taiko, one of the country’s oldest ensembles, joins Mu Daiko for the second weekend, starting on December 4th. Earlier in the month, singer-songwriter Lucie Blue Tremblay performs a benefit concert for The Breast Exam Project at All Gods Children MCC (November 7).
Finally, The Children’s Theatre Company brings the British holiday tradition of panto to the twin cities with their production of Cinderella (November 10 – January 2). This musical adaptation by John Davidson and Victor Zupanc features a fun-for-the-whole-family mixture of dance, song, physical comedy, and spectacular sets and costumes.
