Love Letters - Chanhassen Dinner Theatres - February 2026

Love Letters

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

I went to the classic 1988 play Love Letters at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, written by A.R. Gurney. I had first seen the play Love Letters back in the summer of 1993. It was a big anniversary year for the Straw Hat Players at Moorhead State University, now known as Minnesota State University Moorhead.  That production had Joanna Kerns and Robert Hays as the cast. 

I learned during the talk back after the play last night. Love Letters was remounted at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres for a limited engagement in November 2022 with actors Nancy Nelson and Don Shelby.  It has been extended seven times.  Now when this run ends in February, it will be closed out at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.  That is an impressive run!  This production was directed by the late Michael Brindisi, and restaged by Janet Hayes Trow.  

The story follows Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. From 1937 to 1987 the play follows the letters they have been writing to each other since they were nine years old.  The actors each sit at their own desk, and read the script.  Sounds very simple, but it’s very powerful with this play. Throughout the play, we learn about their adventures in school, college, their marriages, their spouses and children. Their struggles, their ups and downs.  This friendship endures careers, ambitions, travel and life.  Such great story telling. 

The only spoiler alert I will provide is that this is traditionally a 90 minute play with no intermission. Chanhassen Dinner Theaters did add an intermission. Of course I had to have dessert during intermission. Which was probably the plan all along.  

Love Letters runs through February 22, 2026. Check out www.chanhassendt.com for tickets. 

The poster outside of the playhouse theater. 

The stage, before the play begins.  

The Glass Menagerie - Theater Latte Da - February 2026

The Glass Menagerie

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

As part of their 2025/2026 season, Theater Latte Da is presenting Tennessee Williams classic play The Glass Menagerie.  

Director Justin Lucero discusses his cinematic concept for the play in the program. In the full program online, there is also a couple of fascinating pages about The Glass Menagerie and Tennessee Williams.  I learned about Tennessee Williams’ sister in the program.  Didn’t realized before that the character Laura from Glass Menagerie and Blanche Dubois from A Street Car Named Desire had elements based on his sister’s mental state.  The evolution of The Glass Menagerie play was also a nice read in the online program. 

This production has some movie elements.  It is a memory play after all. Tom (Dustin Branson) states that at the very beginning. Tom is both part of the play, and the narrator of the story.  The play takes place in a St. Louis apartment. The story is about the family, Tom works at a factory to help provide for his mother Amanda (Norah Long) and his sister Laura (Amy Eckberg)

I liked the movie/film elements that are brought into the play.  Camera close ups, and playing around with the sounds of the voices.  This all played well into Tennessee Williams script. You can’t see this with my photo, in the downstage left corner (looking right for the audience) there’s a fun set of “instruments”.  There’s wine glasses, glass bowls and other items used to create the music and background for the scenes within the play The Glass Menagerie.   Soundscape artist Brandon Brooks is also Jim in the second act of the play. Also they had outlines on the stage floor defining the fire escape, living room, dining room and kitchen.  I liked seeing that as part of the layout.  

The Glass Menagerie is a drama. The story is about a family in a cramped apartment trying to survive after their father left years ago. You have the mother who fondly remembers her good old days. The son who works himself very hard to provide for the family. The daughter who has no self confidence.  The mother insists that they need to bring gentleman callers to the apartment, so Laura can find a suitor and eventually get married. Tom brings Jim to the apartment. (Spoiler Alert) They know each other from the warehouse, but Tom doesn’t know that Jim is engaged.  

A reason to see The Glass Menagerie is the cast! Dustin Branson as Tom, Amy Eckberg as Laura, Norah Long as Amanda, and Brandon Brooks as Jim.  I really liked Justin Lucero’s vision as the director of this play. This play really comes together with the design team.  Scenic Designer Joe Thomas Johnson, Video & Projections Designer Adam J. Thompson, Sound Designer & Original Music by Katharine Horowitz.  I have never seen The Glass Menagerie this way.  The movie and sound design added new modern elements of storytelling into this American Classic piece of literature. 

The play runs through March 1, 2026. Check out www.latteda.org for tickets. 

The stage, before the play begins. Photo by Ernest Edwards. 

How to Catch Creation - February 2026

How to Catch Creation

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theater/Ernest Edwards

This was a fun play.  With the story taking place during 2014, 1967, 1968 and 1988. Sometimes at the same time. Parts of the play reminded me of the movie The Hours, where you had Virginia Woolf writing a book in the past, and a connection to her and with multiple generations.  Moments between 2014 and 1967/1968 were playing out at the same time. Sometimes with the same dialogue and situation.  

The play is written by Christina Anderson and premiered at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2019.  

This play is absolutely wonderful.  The cast was so talented and had such great moments on stage.  The stage space was used very well with this production. 

At the center of the play in 2014 is friends Griffin (Duck Washington) and Tami (Tia Tanner). Also in 2014 is the young couple Riley (Izzy Maxwell) and Stokes (Noah Branch).  In 1967/1968 is author G.K. Marche (Mary Cannon) and her lover Natalie (Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green).  As the play goes on, oh does it get interconnected.  Which is delicious for the audience. 

Griffin is in his mid to late 40’s and wants a child. Tami is his best friend and a college art professor.  Riley is a computer genius and her boyfriend Stokes is a painter. Stokes can’t get into art school, he has received 13 rejection letters. After reading some of the books by G.K. Marche, Stokes wants to be a writer.  Riley and Tami become close.  Through a chance encounter Griffin and Strokes become friends.  Meanwhile in the past Natalie cheats on G.K Marche with a man. And says she will name her son Griffin.  Riley and Tami get entangled. Riley and Stokes learn they are expecting.  Lots of twist and turns, drama, humor and heart. 

Later in the present, Stokes and Griffin go to visit G.K. Marche, who is their favorite author. She sees familiarity in Griffin. She eventually tells him that she knew his mother.  She doesn’t let him know that she was almost his mother too. 

The scenery (designed by Kejia Yu) blended very well as being in the past and recent present.  My favorite part for the scenery was the crystal chandelier.  

I feel like, by the end of the play. The characters found out how to capture creation. 

The play is about two and a half hours long, including the intermission. 

There’s still time to catch this play. It continues through Sunday February 8, 2028. Check out www.theatreintheround.org for tickets. 

The stage before the play begins

The upper stage, before the play begins. 

My Name is Florence - January 2026

My Name is Florence 

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

I was at opening night of the World Premier of the new opera My Name is Florence. It’s part of the Minnesota Opera’s 63rd Season. We learned before the opera started that MN Opera is working on six new opera’s.  There will be a new opera per season for several seasons to come.  That will be fun! Some opera’s that have premiered through MN Opera are Grapes of Wrath, Silent Night, The Shining The Opera, and many more. This is the 51st original new opera for MN Opera.  

For this new opera. The orchestra was on stage, the area where the orchestra pit is normally located was an extended part of the stage. That brought this opera closer to the audience.  I really enjoyed the scenery designed by Eli Sherlock. Costumes by Trevor Bowen need a shout out. The story takes place between 1900 and the 1940’s. 

The story is about music prodigy Florence Beatrice.  Florence as named after her mother and taught piano by her mother. Florence also named her own daughter Florence. Florence left Little Rock for the New England Conservatory of Music.  We see the affects of American History in Little Rock Arkansas during this time period.  

Florence eventually moves to Chicago. While living in Chicago she composes her most famous work Symphony in E Minor.  Composer B.E. Boykin and Libretto by Harrison David Rivers were also present for the curtain call on opening night.  

This new opera is just under 90 minutes.  With the ice sculptures in Rice Park, it’s a fun time to be at the Ordway in downtown St. Paul.  

I really liked this new opera. The story is one to hear. The cast has wonderful voices.  For opening night there was a post show with the cast.  

My Name is Florence plays at the Ordway through February 8, 2026. Check out www.mnopera.org for tickets. 

The Stage, before the opera begins. 

Whoosh! - Jan 2026

Whoosh!

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

Whoosh! At the History Theatre is a new play by Andrew Erskine Wheeler that got started at the Minnesota Fringe Festival as a one act play. Now it’s a full two act play.  

Before the play even begins, you can enjoy the scenery by Erik Paulson. It’s a nice slice of Minnesota. There’s rock formations, fir trees, an old campground, bridges, and projection screens depicting Minnesota beauty.  The projection screens are used throughout the play. 

It’s a fun one person play about Michael Mickey, played by actor/playwright Andrew Erskine Wheeler.  Whoosh! tells the story of Irish brothers who immigrated to the USA in the 1800’s. They become loggers in northern Minnesota.  Joined the Minnesota regimens during the Civil War.  Locations for the story, are a logging camp off of the Rum River, Fort Snelling, a battlefield in Tennessee, Minneapolis, St. Anthony and the St. Anthony Falls. 

Here’s what I really like about the shows at the History Theatre. Is the history that you learn.  Like when the St. Anthony Falls were a natural formation. They had great importance to the Native American tribes in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  There used to be an island near the falls called Spirit Island that had a significant importance to the Native American tribes. Spirit Island is no more.  

Back when the falls were the natural falls. Michael Mickey was the only person to go over the falls and survive.  

The Band known as Northern Shores are part for the play. They play background music, they sing songs. Sometimes the character of Michael Mickey joins them in song or sings a song himself.  Whoosh! Is not a musical, it’s a play with music. Northern Shores will have a concert at The History Theatre on February 15th.  

I learned a lot with this play. Learned a lot about the loggger’s, not known as Lumberjacks yet, Minnesota’s involvement in the Civil War, the Irish in Minnesota, and the St. Anthony Falls. There’s a couple of pages of information on these topics in the program.  As well as the inner lobby at the History Theatre.  

Whoosh! Plays at the History Theater through February 22, 2206. WWW.Historytheatre.com for tickets. 

The stage before the play beings. 

Northern Shores and Andrew Erskine Wheeler, before the play begins. 

The Happiest Man on Earth - January 2026

The Happiest Man on Earth

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

Six Points Theatre continues their 2025/2026 season with the play The Happiest Man on Earth. 

This one man play was written by Mark St. Germain based on the memoir by Eddie Jaku.  JC Cutler plays Eddie. The play is directed by Ben McGovern.

Eddie recounts his life as a German Jew during the 1930’s and 1940’s.  How his parents tried to hide him. His time at the concentration camps.  Life after the war, meeting his wife, having children, and at the age of 100 finally telling his story.  

The play is deeply moving, educational, heart breaking, informative and important. JC Cutler gives an amazing performance as Eddie.  He really draws us in with the recounting of events.  The lighting design by Todd M. Reemtsma and sound design by C. Andrew Mayer help to bring those moments to life. 

From the program: “When Eddie Jaku’s memoir was published in 2020, he was one-hundred years old. He had spend most of his life refusing to speak publicly about the Holocaust, even to his own family. 

Only after decades as the Sydney Jewish Museums’s oldest Auschwitz survivor and volunteer, where he spoke to thousands of visitors and school children each  year, did he choose to preserve his full story in writing. 

It was an immediate international success, debuting at number one in Australia, climbing the New York Time’s Bestseller List, and ultimately being translated into more than thirty languages. 

Reviewers consistently noted its unusual combination of blunt historical testimony and striking emotional clarity. Eddie passed away in 2021 at the age of one-hundred-and-one, but his memoir continues to inspire, not only as a historical record, but as a guide to living with intention, decency, and hope.”

I really enjoyed this play.  It’s a powerful story.  

The play is only about 70 minutes long, which is perfect for work nights. It runs through February 8, 2026. Check out www.sixpointstheater.org for tickets.  

Photo of the stage, before the play by Ernest Edwards

Kiss Me, Kate - January 2026

Kiss Me, Kate

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

I was at the second preview performance for Kiss Me, Kate last night.  The show opens Saturday night. No notes. The show was absolutely fabulous. 

We may be experiencing the coldest days of the winter right now in The Twin Cities. Inside the Schneider Theater at Artistry in Bloomington, the temperature is rising. To quote Cole Porter it’s “Too Darn Hot”.  Artistry has a hit on their hands with Cole Porters famous musical Kiss Me, Kate. 

If you are not familiar with the Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate. It has been made into a classic 1953 movie (with Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson, Ann Miller and a young Bob Fosse can be seen in the 1953 movie). They filmed members of the original Broadway cast in a 1958 tv movie. There’s also been tv versions from 1964, and 1968 (with Robert Goulet in the 1968 tv movie).  A revival was filmed in 2003 (with Rachel York & Brent Barrett). A new London Cast was recorded for film in 2024 (with Stephanie J. Block).  The story is that a production company is premiering their musical version of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in Baltimore during the summer, before taking the show to New York City.  The story has a play within a play going on as part of the story.  Kiss Me, Kate is a wonderful marriage between Shakespeare and musical theater. 

Fred Graham is the director of the production, he also plays Petruchio.  His ex wife Lilli Vanessi is playing Katharine Minola in the production.  Fred is also dating young starlet Lois Lane, who plays Bianca.  She is also interested in the young Bill Coulhoun, who also plays Lucentio in the production. Lucentio is one of the three suitors trying to win the hand of Bianca in the production.  Events from the characters real life end up creeping into the show on stage. To disasters and humorous results.  Humorous for us in the audience.  

This musical has a lot of Cole Porter favorites in the soundtrack.  “Another Op’nin, Another Show”, “Why Can’t You Behave?”, “Wunderbar”, “So In Love”, “We Open in Venice”, “Tom, Dick or Harry”, “I’ve Come to Wive It Wealthy in Padua”, “I Hate Men”, “Were Thine That Special Face”, “Too Darn Hot”, “Where is the Life That Late I Led?”, “Always True to You In My Fashion”, “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” and many more.  

Let’s talk about this very talented cast directed by Kelli Foster Warder. Erin Capello as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine Minola has a voice of gold. John-Michael Zuerlein as Fred Graham/Petruchio. There are notes he is able to hold for a very long time.  He has a great energy, charisma and a wonderful singing voice  John-Michael Zuerlein and Erin Capello do a great job as the central actors/characters leading this production.  Aliya Grace as Lois Lane/Bianco is a graceful dancer and has a smooth voice.  Nate Turcotte as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio is an actor I’m keeping my eye on. This is the third production I have seen him in during the 2025/2026 season, so far.  Nate can sing, dance and act. He is a triple threat in the theatre.  This cast is a strong ensemble.  Artistry has assembled a very talented cast for their production of Kiss Me, Kate. 

Another thing I really liked with this production. The orchestra is on stage on the upstage half to the stage. The conductor, Elijah Leer, does interact with the cast a few times during the musical. I liked that. The interaction was a fun part of the show.  

Choreography is by Joey Miller. The choreography’s is great in this production. Numbers that stick in mind are “Another Op’nin, Another Show”, “We Open in Venice”, “Tom, Dick or Harry”, “It’s Too Darn Hot”, and “Brush Up Your Shakespeare”. 

There was excellent use of the aisles during the production too.  

I liked the costumes by Costume Coordinator Britt Hilton, especially for the play within a play costumes.  

Definitely check out Kiss Me, Kate at Artistry. You will have a fun evening. You’ll be humming/singing these memorable songs.  Kiss Me, Kate runs through February 15, 2026.  Check out www.artistrymn.org for tickets. 

Photo of the stage, before the show begins. Photo by Ernest Edwards