Welcome to Twin Cities Theater Chat. This podcast is created by members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers to share our love of theater, promote theatergoing, and support our theater community. On today’s episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon is chatting with father-daughter co-directors Michael and Cat Brindisi of Chanhassen Dinner Theaters . They discuss the Chanhassen’s production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical , which runs through September 28. One note: this episode was recorded back in March 2024 and we apologize for the delay in release date as well as the quality of the audio. Nonetheless, please enjoy this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat. Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

We continue our series on the History Plays , an epic Shakespearean event where the Guthrie is presenting Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V with a rotating repertory cast. On today’s episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon is chatting with Jan Chambers , scenic designer for the History Plays . This is one of several Twin Cities Theater Chat podcast episodes featuring the epic Shakespeare event (through May 25). Find all the info at guthrietheater.org . Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

We continue our series on the History Plays , an epic Shakespearean event where the Guthrie is presenting Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V with a rotating repertory cast. On today’s episode, our bloggers are chatting with the titular kings of each play. We start with Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon in conversation with Tyler Michaels King and Daniel Jose Molina and follow that up with Rob chatting with William Sturdivant. This is one of several Twin Cities Theater Chat podcast episodes featuring the epic Shakespeare event (through May 25). Find all the info at guthrietheater.org . Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

~SPECIAL OFFER~ The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers will be participating in a Talkback on Saturday, April 27 following the 1:00 p.m. performance of Richard II. Use our discount code to get 20% off this performance. Call the Guthrie box office and use the code TCBLOG. On today’s episode, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN is speaking with Trevor Bowen , costume designer of the History Plays series at the Guthrie Theater. His amazing work can be seen locally at the Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood, The Jungle, Children’s Theater Company, and across the country at Asolo Rep, Seattle Children’s Theatre, 5th Avenue, and Steppenwolf and many more. For the first time in over 30 years, the Guthrie is performing Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V with a rotating repertory cast. This is one of several podcasts featuring the epic Shakespeare event (through May 25). Find all the info at guthrietheater.org . Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

~SPECIAL OFFER~ The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers will be participating in a Talkback on Saturday, April 27 following the 1:00 p.m. performance of Richard II. Use our discount code to get 20% off this performance. Call the Guthrie box office and use the code TCBLOG. On today’s episode, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN is speaking with Em Rosenberg , an actor, vocalist-musician, arts administrator, and visual artist who is currently performing in the History Plays series at the Guthrie Theater. For the first time in over 30 years, the Guthrie is performing Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V with a rotating repertory cast. This is one of several podcasts featuring the epic Shakespeare event (through May 25). Find all the info at guthrietheater.org . Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

Welcome to Twin Cities Theater Chat. This podcast is created by members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers to share our love of theater, promote theatergoing, and support our theater community. On today’s episode, Rob Dunkelberger of the Stages of MN and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon are speaking with Joseph Haj, artistic director of the Guthrie Theater about the upcoming History Plays series . For the first time in over 30 years, the Guthrie is performing Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V with a rotating repertory cast. This epic Shakespeare event runs through May 25 and includes dates where you can binge watch all three and a number of Shakespeare-related educational events. Find all the info at guthrietheater.org . Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

On today’s episode, Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon are digging into the work of Pangea World Theater and their upcoming show Hecuba. They’re chatting with Adlyn Carreras, General Manager at Pangea and Suzanne Victoria Cross, Pangea’s Production Manager, who is also playing the title role in Hecuba. Hecuba, by Marina Carr, will be playing at the Southern Theater from April 5th through the 21st. Get your tickets and find out more about all of Pangea’s work at their website, including to an extensive performance guide and a documentary on their Transition Stage project. Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

On this episode, Rob Dunkelberger of the Stages of Minnesota is chatting with John Gebretatose and Jada Pulley, co-directors of the Black and Funny Improv Festival , which runs March 21st through the 24th at HUGE Theater (now at 2728 Lyndale Ave). The Black and Funny Improv Festival features four days of workshops and performances featuring world-class Black improvisors from across the country and here in Minnesota. In this festival, Blackness is centered AND all are welcome. For the festival schedule, tickets, and more info, check out blackandfunny.com . Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

On today's episode, Keith Russell of Life in Revue is joined by director/choreographer/dancer/actor/everything Kyle Weiler. Kyle takes us on a journey from the Juilliard School to his time touring as Riff in West Side Story to the surprising story behind his being cast in Hamilton on Broadway. He's back here in Minnesota and quickly winning the admiration of our bloggers with his work directing and choreographing She Loves Me at Lakeshore Players Theatre, choreographing and starring in Crazy For You at Artistry, as well as choreographing and starring as Gabe in Theater Latte Da's Next to Normal . He is now directing the operas Trouble in Tahiti and Service Provide r for Minnesota Opera (at Luminary Arts Center from March 9-23). Enjoy the conversation! Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

In this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Mary Aalgaard of Play Off the Page are chatting with director, composer, and arranger Jason Hansen, who is composing music for and music directing Theater Latte Da's Stones in His Pockets (Jan 24 - Feb 25, 2024) . In this year's Twin Cities Theater Blogger awards , Jason received the Favorite Music Director award for Falsettos, Next to Normal , and Christmas at the Local , all for Theater Latte Da. He shares his experiences in creating music, directing music in theater, and how it fits into the process of creating a show. Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

We've got a lightning round of 2024 recommendations! Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN , Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love , Mary Aalgaard of Play Off the Page , Keith Russell of Life in Revue , and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon discuss the shows they recommend and are anticipating. Shows discussed include: Ironbound by Frank Theatre at the Gremlin - 1/19/24 to 2/11/24 The Last Five Years at Lyric Arts - 1/19/24 to 2/11/24 Crazy for You at Artistry - 1/25/24 to 2/11/24 A variety of upcoming events at Hive Collaborative MacPhail Presents: Faculty Spotlight – It Takes Two - 2/3/24 The Broadway Songbook: Broadway in Love at Park Square Theatre - 2/16/24 to 2/18/24 Elixir of Love at Minnesota Opera - 1/27/24 to 2/4/24 Radiant Vermin at Lyric Arts - 3/1/24 to 3/24/24 In the Green at Theatre Elision - 2/22/24 to 3/9/24 Toil and Trouble at Yellow Tree Theatre - 2/2/24 to 3/3/24 Silent Sky at Theatre in the Round - 2/23/24 to 3/17/24 Cabaret at Theatre 55 - 2/2/24 to 2/10/24 Stones in His Pockets at Theater Latte Da - 1/24/24 to 2/25/24 Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

In this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon sits down with Richard Hitchler, Founder and Artistic Director of Theatre 55 and Prudence Johnson , jazz and folk singer extraordinaire. They discuss Theater 55, their new production of Cabaret , and Prudence Johnson's return to acting as Sally Bowles. Performed by a cast of actors 55 and up, this Cabaret continues Theatre 55’s work of reinterpreting musical works through the lens of age and aging. Enjoy this illuminating and inspiring discussion with Richard Hitchler and Prudence Johnson! Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

We are excited to announce the winners of the 9th Annual Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Awards! This is our first full set of nominations since before the pandemic (in the intervening years we've just announced a few limited awards). The bloggers have voted for their favorites, the votes have been tallied and we are announcing the winners here on this podcast! Bloggers Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon , Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN , Mary Aalgaard of Play Off the Page , Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre , and Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love are here to discuss the year in theater, the nominees, and the decisions that went into voting for their favorites. You can find the full nomination list at http://www.twincitiestheaterbloggers.com as well as links to the past TCTB Awards. Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

We're well into holiday show season and we sat down with some of our bloggers to get their recommendations for the shows they're loving and looking forward to. Keep in mind that theater tickets are a wonderful holiday gift for anyone on your list OR a donation to a theater in someone's name! On this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends, we are joined by Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon , Keith Russell of Life in Revue , Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN , Mary Aalgaard of Play Off the Page , and Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love . Discussed shows include: - Dinner for One at the Jungle Theater (through 12/31) - Scrooge in Rouge at Open Eye Figure Theatre (through 12/30) - The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley at Lyric Arts (through 12/22) - She Loves Me at Lakeshore Players Theatre (through 12/20) - Peter Pan at Ordway (through 12/31) - Mrs. Doubtfire at the Orpheum (12/19 - 12/24) - Art at the Guthrie Theater (12/16 - 1/28/24) - Out There at Walker Art Center (TBA) Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…

In this episode, Rob Dunkelberger interviews the members of the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society (MORLS) podcast and theater group: Tim Uren, Joshua English Scrimshaw, Shanan Custer, and Eric Webster. They chat about their love for old-time theater, performing live on stage, and what's coming up next for them. Tune in to hear the answers to these burning questions and more: Who IS Jimmy Montague, Antiquarian-for-Hire? What is the Fourth Prong? And did they really have cigarettes for babies in the olden days? Find out more about the adventures of the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society on their website , listen to their delightful podcast, and keep an eye out for their regular appearances at Bryant Lake Bowl . Upcoming shows include: Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society: A Christmas Post-Mortem at Crooners Supper Club on December 28th at 7:30 pm. You can also catch Eric Webster and Shanan Custer in I'll Be Homicidal for Christmas at the Mystery Cafe through January 6, 2024 and Tim Uren in in the Mounds Theatre production of It's an Honorable Life through December 23. Twin Cities Theater Chat is produced and hosted by Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers collective. As always, you can find the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers on Facebook and on Instagram . Read our review round-ups and go see a show today!…