White Christmas - October 2025

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the musical

Review by Ernest Edwards/Ernest Goes To The Theatre

I know! My friends and I went to see the stage production of White Christmas at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres the last week of October.  We had a discount!  Plus, was it really too early to start celebrating the holiday season? We don’t think so.  

Yes, there is a stage musical version of the classic 1954 movie.  The stage version premiered in 2006.  The stage version has all of the moments from the movie, and those memorable songs.  As always between stage & film or in this case film & stage, there are some slight differences with story elements, placement of songs, some songs are excluded, and some additional Irving Berlin songs that were not originally in the movie are in the stage musical.  What do you have? With Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s’s production, you have a holiday gift wrapped in perfection. The cast is the cherry on top of the dessert that magically appears on your table during intermission. 

The 2025/2026 run of White Christmas at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is a repeat of the sold out 2024/2025 production.  Before his passing, artistic director Michael Brindisi had already made the decision to bring the holiday show back for another run this holiday season. It’s mostly the same cast, with the same scenery and costumes. Bringing this classic back to life is Michael Gruber as Bob Wallace, Tony Vierling as Phil Davis, Ann Michels as Betty Haynes, Andrea Milan as Judy Haynes, Shad Hanley as Ralph Sheldrake, Joenathan Thomas as General Henry Waverly, Kersten Rodau as Martha Watson (last year performed by Michelle Barber), John Andrea Hegge as Ezekiel Foster.  Rounded out with a wonderful ensemble full of triple threats. 

Watching the movie every holiday is one of my favorite traditions. I have now seen White Christmas on stage at least 5 times. Twice at the Ordway, once at the Orpheum, and now twice at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.  The center of the cast at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is the characters Bob, Phil. Betty and June.  Michael, Tony, Ann, and Andrea bring to the stage the same chemistry and fun that you experience in the movie. In their own ways of course. No one is mimicking the performances from the movie.  Also with the stage production you have the character of Ezekial, who Martha says “came with the barn”.  John Andrea Hegges physical comedy as Ezekial is not to be missed. The stage production also makes Martha (the head housekeeper of the Inn) even bigger than in the movie. If such a thing is possible. It’s definitely achieved with Kersten Rodau’s performance as Martha. 

Let me summarize the story.  The story begins in 1944 at a battle field in Europe. The troops are having a Christmas Eve celebration created by Captain Bob Wallace, Private Phil Davis, and fellow soldier Ralph Sheldrake. The celebration is interrupted by General Wavery, who is exiting the command for shrapnel surgery. Now it’s 10 years later in 1954. Bob Wallace and Phil Davis are now the producers Wallace and Davis.  They sing, they dance, they produce musicals. They meet the Haynes Sisters, performing their act at a club,  before a break for the holidays. They are the sisters of one of their fellow soldiers.  Bob Wallace is smitten by Betty Haynes, but neither will admit it. Phil is smitten by Judy, and they do not hide it.  Betty and Judy are heading for Pine Tree, Vermont, where they have a contract with the Columbia Inn to perform over the the holidays.  Bob and Phil are suppose to be on their way to Florida.  Phil changes tickets for him and Bob to join Betty & Judy in Pine Tree. To Bob’s surprise. Once at the Columbia Inn, there’s no snow on the ground and the Inn is in financial trouble. Our foursome learn that the Columbia Inn is owned by General Waverly. Bob and Phil decide to bring their show to the barn stage at Columbia Inn to try to bring in some paying customers, and they will add Betty and Judy into the routines. There’s some mix ups along the way that sends Betty on a solo career to NYC.  Bob has to convince Betty to come back, that he loves her, and also to set up a surprise for General Waverly by asking soldiers in the New England are who were under the command of General Waverly to change their holiday plans and be at the Columbia Inn. Now that’s a to do list on a quick trip in and out of NYC. On Christmas Eve, Wallace and Davis open their new show at the Columbia Inn.  General Waverly is overwhelmed to see so many of his former soldiers and their families at the Inn for the holiday.  As the show ends, it finally begins to snow in Vermont.  Love was found, the Inn will be okay financially, and the magic of Christmas and snow fills the air.  

Not only are the actors fabulous in this production. I meed to point out the design team for White Christmas. Direction by Michael Brindisi, Choreography by Tamara Kargas Erickson, Music Direction by Andy Kust, Scenic Design by Nayna Ramey, Costume Design by Rich Hanson, and Lighting Design by Sue Ellen Berger. The visuals of the costume and scenic designs really stand out for this production. 

White Christmas at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s has it all. Acting, dancing, tap dancing, scenery and costumes, and holiday cheer. Get out and experience this holiday classic live on stage. Grab yourself a sweet treat for desert too, you will not don’t want to miss on that. 

The musical plays through February 7, 2026. Check out ChanhassenDT.com for tickets. 

Photos by Ernest Edwards from the before musical begins, and after the musical ends for the night. 

The 39 Steps - October 2025

The 39 Steps

Review by Ernest Goes To Theatre/Ernest Edwards

I was at American Players Theatre/APT over the weekend for their end of season play The 39 Steps. I was there with with fellow Twin Cities Theater Blogger Minnesota Theater Love/Julie Jackson, along with our APT friends from the Twin Cities metro.  

It was a lovely way for APT to wrap up their 2025 season. 

I’ve done the end of season play before. It’s a different feeling from being at APT during the summer season. The sun sets shortly after the 6pm start to the evening play. The Gateway building is closed for the season. The picnic areas are all closed and are getting ready to hibernate for the winter season.  Then I feel some nostalgia walking the down the hill from the Touchstone Theater for the last time for the 2025 season. I’m already looking forward to the 2026 season at APT, which was just announced this past week. Check out www.americanplayers.org for details on the 2026 season.  

It was a wonderful weekend. We drove to Spring Green, Wisconsin, by driving along the Mississippi River and enjoyed the fall foliage on the bluffs. We got some lunch at the Nelson Creamery in Nelson, Wisconsin.  We stopped by the apple orchards in Gays Mills.  Had dinner at the Riverside Restaurant, in Spring Green, before the play. Then we hung out at the bar/fire pit at the Spring Valley Inn after the play.  This weekend we grabbed breakfast at Anita’s on Sunday morning, before hitting the road and going back to the Twin Cities.  We also made some stops for Wisconsin cheese too. 

The play The 39 Steps was adapted by Patrick Barlow in 2005, based on the novel by John Buchan and the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name. Now I have seen the play The 39 Steps before, and it’s been a while. It was nice having such a long time between the last time and APT’s production. I had seen it at The Guthrie Theater in December 2010. Then at Theatre B in December 2011, back when Theatre B was on Main Street in downtown Fargo. 

The play is performed with only 4 actors.  APT had the perfect casting with APT alumni Marcus Truschinki, Laura Rook, Nate Burger, and Casey Hoekstra. Marcus plays Richard Hannay, while the other three play multiple characters throughout the play.  That’s part of the joy with this play, is how the story is being told. The different costumes, characters, scenery, and props. The stagecraft and techniques used to tell the story are wonderful and magical and lead to hilarious results. 

To quote APT in the program, ‘We are proud that APT takes on the hard topics. We encourage you to think and feel - sometimes in ways that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable. We don’t say “sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.” Instead, we say “lean forward, listen, actively engage your heart, your mind, your curiosity.” Not this time. This time let’s just have some damn fun!’  Trust me, fun was had by everyone at that Touchstone Theater Saturday night. 

The story focuses on Richard Hannay in London, the month of August 1935. He meets Annabella Schmidt at an event. She is being followed and asks to go back to his place.  Where we see two thugs lurking under a street light.  They are following Annabella.  Annabella leaves the room and comes back a knife in her back and a map of Scotland in her hand. Richard then flees London for Scotland by train. Annabella had a contact there. Richard needs to find out about the 39 steps. What are the 39 steps?  Who are they? Are they a threat to national security? How to get this information to the proper authorities? While being accused of murder and chased by police everywhere he goes. 

One of the best stage scenes in the play, is the rooftop chase on a train.  So many stage tricks, fun and  attention to detail. That was a fun and humorous scene. 

One of the funniest moments in the play. Trust me there are many.  Once Richard get’s to the estate in Scotland, he’s given a tour.  The cast hold up empty picture frames. Here, there, everywhere on stage.  At one point a frame is on actor Nate Burger and you hear “this painting is of a locally famous regional actor”. That made me bust a gut laughing.  Nate has been at APT for 14 seasons now, and is based in Chicago.  A bit of tongue in cheek with that moment.  Then another frame is held up and the description is “this is the audience”. So much fun! It’s also a bit of homage to Alfred Hitchcock to hear the phrase “north by northwest” in the play. I will not give away when that happens, but be on the lookout for it.  

This play was performed so well that there was an instant standing ovation when the play was over. This cast and crew put in 110% and then some.  They deserved the applause at the end. Some applause for the stage management team of Evelyn Matten, Alexandra Baus Pozniak, and Bri Humka who have to keep track of all of the props/scenery/customes/wigs with every performance. Job well done!   

The play has now been extended to November 30th, check out www.americanplayers.org for tickets.  

You should catch this play before the APT 2025 season closes for good. It’s a fun play! It’s hilarious! It’s has unique story telling. It is a one of kind of play that needs to be experienced live and in person. 

Murder Inn October 2025

Murder Inn

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

Make a reservation and check yourself in to the Murder Inn.  

It’s a play by Howard Voland and Keith McGregor.  This production is at the Plymouth Playhouse and is produced by 4 Community Theatre.  

It’s November. And there’s a flash flood happening. The Ghost and Ghouls Tour of New England find themselves in need of last minute lodging. Only the Barnsley Inn is available.  The Barnsley Inn is normally closed in November, because the local ghost, Marco, haunts the Inn in November. For November is when he discovered his wife cheating on him over 200 years ago. Marco died at this location.  No one is to use room #3. That is Marco’s room. Marco likes to throw knives. The Inn Keeper (Martha Talbot) and her son (Jake Talbot) are always hiding the knives from Marco.  Now comes a bus load of guests that are unwelcome by the Inn Keeper, but they truly have no place to else to go as the roads are now flooded and they are trapped. Trapped at a creaky old Inn, with a knife throwing ghost and with each other. What could go wrong? 

The group of tourists consist of Agnes Tate (who is so demanding that she makes Alexis Carrington Colby from Dynasty look like a nun), her niece Carolyn Pickett, Ellen Halsey is the tour guide, Donald Schultz is the bus driver, Muriel Lampmann is the free spirit (armed with pink hair, sensitivity to auras, and wielder of a Ouija board), Patricia Simpson seems like she is kept together (what secrets is she hiding), Lawrence Currier a college professor working in a new book, his son Todd Currier, and the best friend duo of Grace Sharp and Doris Brooks. 

Act one ends with the discovery of the death of Patricia. Dun, dun, dunnnnnnn!  As the power goes out, due to the storm, and the phone lines go out.  (Also no cell service. That’s truly frightful)  With the roads flooded, the police are not coming. It’s up to the back up generator and the guests to figure out who or what killed Patricia. Since she had a knife wound it would be obvious to say that Marco the ghost killed her.  As the guests try to unravel the mystery Agnes Tate is the next victim.  Lawrence suggests a different approach to this mystery.  As he goes to his room to sleep on these events. After he exists the stage, there’s gun fire and Lawrence is now dead. Now the body count is up to three. Two by knife and one by gun fire. Who is the killer?  That I will not reveal in this review. What I will say, is in good old fashioned murder mystery style. All is revealed by the end. 

This is a fun and frightful tale for spooky season.  The cast is fun.  The story is engaging.  Book yourself a ticket for a spooktacular good time at the Murder Inn. Play runs through November 2, 2025. Check out 4communitytheatre.org for tickets. 

The Cherry Orchard October 2025

The Cherry Orchard 

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

I went to the play The Cherry Orchard. It’s a co-production between The Moving Company (MOCO) and The Jungle Theater.  The play was written by Anton Chekhov in 1904. This script was translated by Paul Schmidt. It is adapted by the MOCO crew of Steven Epp, Dominque Serrand, and Nathan Keepers. 

This play is pure MOCO magic.  This is one of the areas where MOCO excels. Taking a classic and putting that MOCO inspiration into it. What you see on stage is simply wonderful. 

The story of The Cherry Orchard is about a family that is going to loose their home and the beautiful cherry orchard on the land. The bank is already in the foreclosure process and has set an auction for August.  The play begins in May.  

The matriarch of the family is Liubov Andreyevna performed by Tracey Maloney.   This was a great role for Tracey.  Nathan Keepers embodied the role of Lopakhin. I really liked seeing Randy Reyes in this production.  I don’t think Randy has done a MOCO production before. 

This is not a happy story.  Then again, happy is not a term typically associated with Anton Chekhov plays.  What I really liked about this production, in addition to the story, was the use of the projections on the back of the stage. MOCO also used every square inch of the Jungle Theater stage. They used the two doors on either side of the front of the stage, the aisles, and also row D in the audience was also used during the play. I was in row D that night, and I had a brush of stardom with Nathan Keepers. As did everyone else in row D.  

This cast and this adaption are worth seeing live on stage.  

The Cherry Orchard has been extended to November 9, 2025.  Check out Jungletheater.org for tickets. 

White Rabbit Red Rabbit October 2025

White Rabbit Red Rabbit

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

I was at Lyrics Arts last night for the opening night performance of the play White Rabbit Red Rabbit. It’s a play written by Nassim Soleimanpur.  

This is going to be short review. Similar to when I went to see the play Harry Potter and The Cursed Child and The Mousetrap, I need to keep the secret. 

This was a unique theatrical experience for me.  The nature of the play is that the actor has never read the script before and there has been no rehearsals either.  Lyric Arts has a different performer for every performance for the entire run of the play.  The production runs through November 2, 2025.  There’s 9 actors/actresses scheduled throughout the run. If time allowed, I would definitely see this play again to see how it is with a different performer and a different audience.  (See below image for the dates and actor/actress that is scheduled). 

For opening night, the actor was Tyler Michaels King, and he was making his Lyric Arts debut last night.  The play begins with the artistic director of Lyric Arts handing an envelope with the script in it to the actor. The actor has never seen it before, and is experiencing it for the first time with the audience.  In an effort to have this review be spoiler free, I will not be going into any further details about the play.  You just have to go and experience in person yourself. 

This was a wonderful and magical night out at the theatre.  Definitely an experience that I will never forget. 

Check out lyric arts.org for tickets. 

Journey On October 2025

Journey On

Review by Ernest Edwards/Ernest Goes To The Theatre

Journey On is a celebration of Theater Latte Da.  It’s the first show of their 2025/2026 season, which is also their 28th season. Journey On is also the 100th production for Theater Latte Da.  Learned that their home, The Ritz Theater, is also 100 years old.  100 is being celebrated in many different ways for Latte Da. 

Journey On is a love letter to the fans of Theater Latte Da. Expertly directed by Artistic Director Justin Lucero.  The show is hosted by Tod Peterson, with the cast of Felix Aguilar Tomlinson, Ronnie Allen, Erin Cupella, Deidre Cochran, Isa Conda-Olivera, Bradley Greenwald, Kim Kivens, and Evan Tyler Wilson. Tod told some stories about how Theater Latte Da got its name and origins. Name came from performing at coffee shops. Latte Ta Da, became Theater Latte Da.  I never knew that origin story, I just always like the name. 

I went digging through my theater spreadsheet. The first show I had seen with Latte Da was A Man of No Importance at the Loring Playhouse in April 2004.  I had seen several Latte Da productions at the old Loring Playhouse such as King of Hearts, Floyd Collins and the first time Latte Da did Gypsy. I also got to see the second production of Gypsy at The Pantages Theater. 

Hearing about how Latte Da was able to purchase the Ritz Theater in 2016 was a great story told by Bradley Greenwald. It was at a fundraiser.  That evening Latte Da was trying to raise money for the down payment to purchase the Ritz Theater. Within minutes, they not only raised enough money for the down payment, but also for the first 10 mortgage payments.  Bradley saw that night how much the audience loves Latte Da.  

Evan Tyler Wilson’s story was moving. He talked about when he first moved to the Twin Cities and had a hard time getting parts. He learned about Latte Da’s general audition.  He ended up having call backs for Sweeney Todd, C, and All is Calm. Then was cast in all three shows that same season. 

I do regret not seeing Latte Da’s production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Loring Playhouse.  I have friends who still rave about that production today. I also missed Company at the old McKnight Theater.  After many years, I had found myself missing out on some Latte Da productions. I eventually became a season ticket holder a few years ago for Latte Da.  Now I don’t miss any Latte Da productions.  

Another fun tidbit.  Out of 100 productions, Latte Da has performed 8 out 12 musicals where Stephen Sondheim wrote both the music and lyrics. Only 4 more to go.  😉 

This was a fun night of reflection, story telling and singing. The show was so good that I found myself wishing it was 4 or 5 hours long. Between the cast, the orchestra, and the songs it was such an enjoyable night of theater.  

I went later in the run. The show closes on Sunday October 19, 2025. Not much time left to see this gem.  Check out latteda.org for tickets. 

It’s Only a Play October 2025

It’s Only a Play 

Review by Ernest Edwards/Ernest Goes To The Theatre

It’s Only A Play is a love letter to the theater.  It was delicious, like candy. I found myself wanting more. 

The play is written by theater legend Terrance McNally and is directed by Artistic Director Stephen Dimenna at the Park Square Theatre in downtown St. Paul. This comedy is the opening of Park Square’s 2025/2026 season, which is also their 50th season!  I was there last night, which was at the same time as the home opener for the MN Wild. Between Park Square Theatre, Grand Casino Arena, The St. Paul Palace Theater, and The Fitzgerald Theater. There was a lot happening in downtown St. Paul last night. 

It’s Only A Play takes place during the opening night party of the new play The Golden Egg. The party is at Producer Julia Budder’s townhouse in the upper east side of Manhattan. Everyone is anxiously awaiting for the reviews to start to come out.  Especially the review from the NY Times.  Will the reviews make the show a success or will it close on opening night? The tensions are high. There’s a lot riding on the line for everyone. For the producer, it’s the first play that she had produced herself. For the lead actress, Virginia Noyes,  it’s a comeback vehicle after a failed career in Hollywood. For the playwright, Peter Austin, this is suppose to be his most important play yet.  For friend/tv series actor, James Wicker, he’s here to support his friends in NYC.  Meanwhile Jame’s successful tv series is about to get cancelled. Director Frank Finger is actually hoping for some bad news. His string of 14 hits in London and on Broadway is getting to be too much pressure.  So we wants a flop himself. 

This cast is like a who’s who of Twin Cities actors. There’s Jim Lichtscheidl, Daniel Petzold, Emily Gunyou Halas, and Sally Wingert to name a few.  For last nights production, the role of playwright Peter Austin normally played by Sasha Andreev was played by Brendan Nelson Finn.  This cast has comedic chops. I’m looking forward to see more of Nate Turcotte, as Gus, in future productions. 

Park Square did a great job with setting the mood for a play about a Broadway play. The pre show music and the intermission music was songs from Broadway musicals.  The program has fun information about the play. There’s a page in the program that references all the famous names that are dropped throughout the play. At the end of the lobby, to the right of the theater entrance, is a nook that has all of the costume designs, scenic designs, photos of the cast, and histories of the play.  That was great space.  Loved seeing all of that information. 

I also have to mention Benjamin Olsen’s scenic design. It gorgeous, spacious, and elegant. The couch added some humor to the play.  The couch kind of reminded me of that set of furniture from the movie Auntie Mame. No one knew how to sit on that couch. 

There’s only one week left to catch this comedy.  The last show is on October 19, 2025.  Check out parksquaretheatre.org for more information on tickets.