In The Works 2026 - Trademark Theater - June 2026

In the Works (New Works Showcase)

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Review by Ernest Edwards

Last night at the Playwright Center in St. Paul, Trademark Theater concluded their 2025/2026 Season/Season 9 with a one night only event which included a  showcase of three new shows that are in the early stages of development. It was a sold out event, which I was very happy for Trademark Theater and the artists involved for the event being sold out. 

Each show was given about 25 minutes of stage time to give a glimpse into these new works. 

The first new work is the musical Locust with book by Emma Y. Lai, and Music & Lyrics by Hannah Bakke. Before the show started I learned a fun fact. Did you know that locusts and grasshoppers are one and the same? Just at different stages in development. Kind of like how chipotle peppers are just jalapeños that have turned red, and that black olives are just green olives that have ripened. I’m full of fun facts as I write this. 🤣 I did enjoy this musical about a grasshoppers and locusts. The songs were fun, and the cast was great, but out of the three shows I saw at the same event. This one needs more work, but that is why it’s being showcased in the early stages. I do see the potential and can’t wait to see this show evolves. 

The second show is the play The February Play, by Vinecia Coleman. This was one of the my favorites of the evening. This play is about a theater company doing a production of A Raisin In The Sun during February/Black History Month, and the Director has a heart attack during rehearsals. We got a glimpse at the first 30 pages of the script. This play, I didn’t want it to stop. I really liked what we got to see, and where it was going. The February Play is one that I can’t wait to see it again, and someday see a fully staged play. 

The third and final show was Pansy, which is created and performed by Max Wajtanowicz, with music by Michael Gruber. I learned something new from this musical. The term pansy was associated with clubs in the 1920’s to the mid 1930’s in America that featured members of the LGBTQ community as performers. Max play cabaret singer Buddy Fields. I have seen Max before on stage, and in musicals. His voice was golden in this performance. This was another favorite of the evening. I can’t wait to watch this become a fuller stage musical. 

It’s not easy creating a show from scratch. It’s nice to be part of the process to see early staged readings and provide reaction as a member of the audience. 

Trademark Theater will have a launch party for Season 10 on July 15, 2026.

Midsummer Night’s Dream - Modern Rep - June 2026

Midsummer Night’s Dream

The cast, photo by Molly Jay Photography

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Grant Sorenson

Review by Ernest Edwards

This production of Midsummer Night’s Dream lives up to its description. It’s something messy, sexy, and very gay. I was here for every single minute of it!!!

The play is presented with a small cast of six male actors who play all the roles. Way back in Shakespeare’s time, only men were allowed to act on stage. The roles are parsed out very evenly amongst this talented cast. 

This production runs for about one hour and fifty minutes with no intermission. It’s mostly the entire story

David Mitchell (Hermia), Bryce Baxter (Lysander), 
Leo Rossmiller (Demetrius), Jonathan Edwards (Helena)
Photo by Molly Jay Photography

of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a few tweaks here or there. All of the core moments are there. If you have never seen the original play before, it’s very easy to follow along with this fun updated twist to the tale. 

To get the to stage, you have walk down the alley behind 901 North Third Street, Minneapolis, which is part of the North Loop neighborhood. Then enter through a large garage door. Inside is a thrust stage, flanked by metal risers on three sides. The cast makes good use of every square inch of this performance space. For this productions there is also popcorn, beverages and temporary tattoos all available. 

If you are familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, you know there are fairies, and a play within a play. Midsummer Night’s Dream elevates those moments. I really liked how the fairy scenes were accomplished on stage. The transformation of Bottom was not what you typically see. He comes out transformed with clear acrylic high heels, a donkey sized sex toy strapped in a certain location, and at times he has a ball gag. And when he lays on his back on Titania’s bed, the compass hilariously points north. If you know what I’m saying. 

We all know A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the magical Shakespeare play. Who knew Shakespeare could be

David Mitchell (Oberon) photo by
Molly Jay Photography

fun and sexy?! This production takes the fun to 125%. The sexiness is off the charts. 

This play was everything it was described to be and more. The play within the play about Pyramus and Thisbe, is normally he funniest part of the whole play. It definitely was in this production. It’s also over the top. One of the most outlandish versions I have ever seen of Pyramus and Thisbe. I don’t know if anyone will ever be able to top this version. 

This cast deserves a lot of recognition. They are definitely working up a sweat with this production. The cast consists of Bryce Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, David Mictchell, Richard Rigmaiden, Leo Rossmiller, Kashif Shakti, and Jack Bechard. They all share their stage and they all have their moments to shine. 

This is the second production I have seen directed by Grant Sorensen this year. I can wait to see what he directs next. 

The play continues through June 20, 2026. Check out www.dreammpls.com for tickets. 

 

My Anotonia - Theater Latte Da - June 2026

My Antonia

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Conceived by Jessie Austrian, Noah Brody, Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses

Music and Lyrics by The Kilbanes

Book by Noah Brody

Review by Ernest Edwards

This musical had me under its spell from the opening moment of the show. Picture this, that cast is on stage and throughout the theater. They ask us to picture the wide open prairies, and then we begin to hear birds chirping and the sounds of crickets. The way that was executed was pure theater magic. It was such a wonderful moment. It reminded me of the opening moment the first time I had seen the musical Light at the Piazza. When those leaves drifted across the stage during the first few moments of that musical, it was an elevated detail that was so cool to see on stage. It had me hooked from the beginning. It was the same with My Antonia. I knew I was going to be in for an excellent evening of  storytelling. 

I did not know this world premiere musical is based on a book by Willa Cather. There is a nice display in the lobby that you should check out either before the show or the during intermission. It’s fun to see a new work and not have any previous knowledge to the story. This musical stands on its own. 

The story and the storytelling are so compelling, it was a treat for me to be a witness to this world premiere production. It was truly a magical evening. 

The story follows James as he recounts to Willa, meeting Antonia (pronounced An-toe-knee-uh) for the

Photo by Dan Norman

first time. As young Jimmy, his parents died in Virginia.  He takes the train to live with his Grandparents in Nebraska. On the same train is Antonia and her family, fresh from Bohemia trying to start a new life in America. The story takes place over the course of approximately 30 years. Life on the prairie was hard. Antonia’s family is living in a sod house. Jimmy and Antonia become good friends, but their lives do diverge and take different paths as they get older. 

The scenic design by Benjamin Olsen takes us to those big open prairies. The Costumes by Sarah Bahr tell us who each character is, their status in society and when the show takes place. Such amazing detail with the costume designs. 

The biggest reason for the success of the story of My Antonia is the cast. What a cast it is. Looking at the cast list in the program, and it’s a who’s who of the Twin Cities theatre community. We have so much talent in this metro area, and it’s great to see it showcased in a production like My Antonia. Jimmy is played by Maddox Tabalba, Jim is played by Will Dusek, James is played by Tom Reed, Lillian Hochman plays Young Antonia, Sara Masterson plays Antonia, Emily Gunyou Halasas plays older Antonia, Em Adam Rosenberg plays Willa, Sally Wingert plays Grandmother, Bradley Greenwald plays Grandfather, Anna Hashizume, James Rodrigue and Spencer Chandler round out the rest of the cast. Another thing that makes this show so wonderful and magical, is that while the actors do have a primary character that they are playing they also are part of the ensemble and take on other roles throughout the musical. This is a strong ensemble production. 

This production was so good, and so moving that the show received an instant standing ovation when the show was over. That a testament to the story, the storytelling and the performances of the cast. 

My Antonia is not to be missed. Check out www.latteda.org for tickets. The musical runs through July 12, 2026. 

The Great Gatsby - Hennepin Arts - June 2026

The Great Gatsby

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Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel

Book by Kait Kerrigan, Music by Jason Howland, Lyrics by Nathan Tysen

Review by Ernest Edwards

The 2024 Broadway musical, The Great Gatsby is on town this week as part of its National Tour. The musical is gracing the stage of the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis with its Art Deco extravaganza. This musical showcases high end Art Deco from the roaring 1920’s. I was here for it!

The stage musical follows the story of the novel. You have Jay Gatsby who is still in love with Daisy. Gatsby and Daisy knew each other, before he left for war. Daisy is now married to Tom Buchanan. Gatsby made his fortune after The Great War/WWI, and built an estate across the sound from the Buchanan residence in Long Island. Where Gatsby can stare across the water at the green light in their lighthouse and know Daisy is there. A plan begins to form when Daisy’s cousin Nick Caraway rents a cottage from Gatsby. Gatsby encourages Jay to arrange a tea with Daisy, so he can just stop on by. The plot thickens from there. 

The visuals really bring us into the 1920’s. The Art Deco scenery and projections designed by Paul Tate

Photo taken by Ernest Edwards

DePoo III are breathtaking. The Costumes designed by Linda Cho are elegant and fabulous. The lighting design by Cory Pattak helps to bring the spectacle to life. This musical is a good old fashioned spectacle. In addition to the singing and dancing, it’s a visual delight. This production just keeps giving more and more. Which is also due to the dancing by Choreographer Dominique Kelley. Director Marc Bruni guided this classic story to wonderful new results. 

We need to talk about this cast. There is so many wonderful talented cast members. This show wouldn’t be what is without the ensemble. For the leads we have Jake David Smith as Jay Gatsby, Senzel Ahmad’s as Daisy Buchanan, Joshua Crosso as Nick Carraway, Leanne Robinson as Jordan Baker, Will Branner as Tom Buchanan and Edward Staudenmayer as Meyer Wolfsheim. These leading cast members carry the story, and each has such vocal talent with their singing. 

This entire show is a giant gift, and every element is the cherry on top. 

The marquee

If you like musicals with singing, dancing, gorgeous scenery and spectacle. The Great Gatsby fits that bill perfectly.  The musical is in town until Sunday June 7, 2026, check out www.hennepinarts.org for tickets. 

Brokeback Mountain - Chicago Shakespeare Theater - May 2026

Brokeback Mountain

Poster on Navy Pier

A play by Ashley Robinson

Review by Ernest Edwards

Brokeback Mountain, as a play is making it’s North American premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Courtyard Theater. The play premiered in London in 2023. The play is based on the novella, not the movie. The playwright made that very clear on a recent interview on a Chicago news segment. 

I must say, this play is a work of art. It is a work of literature live on stage. There are many reasons for that. First of all is the cast. Jack Twist is played by Jack Cameron Kay and Emmit Del Mar is played by Harrison Ball. These two actors were perfectly cast and portray these characters so well. I just can’t say enough about their performances and the strong cast supporting them throughout the play. These two leading men are part of this plays success. 

In no particular order all of these elements help to make this play a success. There is the direction by Jonathan Butterell, the Scenery & Costumes were designed by Tom Pye, the Lighting designed by David Finn, and the songs by Dan Gillespie Sells. This is not a musical, it’s a play with music. The music and vocals provide a nice undertone to what is happening on stage. 

Let’s talk about the scenery in a greater detail. The story takes place in various locations in Wyoming

Photo by Ernest Edwards

between 1963 and 1983. The scenery was universal, but had elements that took us to where needed to go for every scene. There’s patches of grass, there’s a fire pit for the campsite’s (with real flames and smoke), beds, tables and counters rise out the floor for the various indoor scenes, with the appropriate lighting fixtures that descend from above. The scenery was spectacularly designed and functioned very well. The scenery, along wth the costumes helped take us to Jack and Emmit’s Wyoming. 

Let’s talk about the story. Jack and Emmit meet in 1963 and are herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain. During the course of that summer. They two cowboys discover something that they can only share with each other. These two cowboys in the 1960’s become lovers. Eventually they both marry women. Emitt has two daughters. This is probably a lot to do with society, that these two cannot fully be themselves. They have their fishing trips multiple times a year. This goes on for 20 years. 

Society has come a long way since the time period when this play takes place. We still have a long way to go. 

The story is so moving, emotional and well executed that it received an instant standing ovation when the play was over. The run time is also 90 minutes with no intermission, which is the right amount of time for this play. If you in Chicago or want to make a trip to Chicago, this play is not to be missed. The play continues through June 28, 2026. Check out www.chicagoshakes.com for tickets. 

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Home, I’m Darling - Lyric Arts - May 2026

Home, I’m Darling

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Play written by Laura Wade

Review by Ernest Edwards

One of the many reasons why I like Lyric Arts, is that not every show they produce is a well known recognizable title. Everything they do is worth seeing. Home, I’m Darling fits that bill perfectly. I had never heard of this play before, I liked the description and ended up loving the production. 

This play was written and first produced in 2018. It’s still a fairly new play. At the center of the play is the couple Judy (Kendra Mueller) and Johnny (Kyler Chase). The play starts out in the 1950’s. Everything is the 50’s from the clothing, the hair styles, to the decor, metal lunch boxes, landline telephones, a console record player, the furniture and the appliances. Then we notice present day things start to pop in. A laptop here, the mention of cell phones there.  

It is revealed that this play doesn’t take place in the 1950’s. It’s present day and Judy & Johnny have decided to live like they are in the 1950’s. It started out as a 6 month experiment, but has now been going on for three years. What got them here was that Judy’s job was downsized. She did get a severance. Johnny was bringing home good money. Judy was kind of tired of the corporate life. They give living like the 1950’s a try, and Judy becomes the stay at home wife who wears high heels and jewelry as she cleans the house. As the years have gone on, Johnnys’ commission has been shrinking and Judy has used her savings to bridge the gap. Judy’s savings is now completely gone, as is the money her father left her, and the bank wants to start foreclosure proceedings. 

Judy’s mom Silvia (Patti Haynes-McCarthy) set’s the record straight on the 1950’s with a great monologue in the second act. She talks about the racism, the sexism, the physical and mental abuse. The 1950’s wasn’t as rosy as television and movies make it out to be. I like in the program how the director says his own Mom wasn’t making london broil and cherry pie every night like June Cleever did. 

The stage before the play begins. Photo by Ernest Edwards

Some of my favorite moments from this play were the moments between scenes. The cast looked like they were fun during those interludes. The two story scenic design by Greg Vanselow was gorgeous. It had that classic look and feel to it. 

What era would like to live as in today’s world? Would you be willing to make a leap like Judy & Johnny did? Would you completely renovate your house and wardrobe to fit that time period? 

Not only is this a fun play with a nice mix of comedy and drama. It also makes you think. What if? It was also fascinating to watch this story unfold over the evening. 

This fun play runs through June 21, 2026. Check out www.lyricarts.org for tickets. 

Little Women - The Guthrie Theater - May 2026

Little Women

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Adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott

Review by Ernest Edwards

Little Women at the Guthrie Theater is a wonderful delight. From the moment you walk into the Wurtele Thrust Stage and see the gorgeous scenery, to the first spoken words of the play. It was an enchanting night of theatre. 

One of the aspects that I really like with this adaptation is that the play is both acted out on stage, and narrated from all of the characters at the same time. Such a creative way of storytelling. Spoiler alert, the story of the March sisters is also bookended by the character Louisa May Alcott in writing this timeless tale. 

My season seat in the slope, felt perfect last night. I was sitting in the right place. I was drawn into the play, and loving every moment. 

There is such wonderful energy coming from the cast. It was great to experience being in the theatre with  this script. It put me in a great uplifting mood. 

This is a wonderful ensemble play, but there are standouts in the cast. Daniel Petzold as Laurie, he has a great energy about him as Laurie. Stephanie Anne Bertumen is Meg. May Heinicke is Beth. Isabella Star LeBlance is Jo/Louisa. This play was well acted. The cast is lead expertly by Director Jackson Gay. 

I really enjoyed the scenery designed by Junghyun Georgia Lee. The outdoors and the indoors blended

The stage before the play begins. 
Photo by Ernest Edwards

well together in this play that takes place in rural Massachusetts during and after The Civil War. The scenery was perfect to represent all of the different seasons that the story takes place during. Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. It was fun watching the snow fall upstage, or the falling of flower petals and Autumn leaves. I also liked the costumes for the play, designed by Jessica Ford. Her costumes helped to transport us to when the play was taking place back in the 1860’s.

The story and struggles of the March sisters is not a new story, it was written and published in 1868. There have been numerous film and stage adaptations over the years. This adaptation by Lauren M. Gunderson is true, classic, heartwarming and refreshing at the same time. 

I can’t say enough nice things about this production of Little Women. This gem of a play continues through June 21, 2026. Check out www.guthrietheater.org for tickets.