Mean Girls - Stage West - July 2026

Mean Girls

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Book By Tina Fey, Music Jeff Richmond, Lyrics by Nell Benjamin

Review by Ernest Edwards

Stage West has a fun summer show with the musical Mean Girls playing at The Lights in West Fargo through July 8, 2026. Yes, a musical based on the 2004 movie of the same name. Tina Fey adapted her screenplay for the stage musical, and subsequent movie musical. 

If you have seen the 2004 movie, it’s the same story, and is more elevated as a musical. I did get to see the original Broadway production back in May 2018, and then the National Tour in October 2019 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, and the tour was back in downtown St. Paul at the Ordway in April of 2025. Stage West’s production is the first locally produced production I have seen of Mean Girls. It does not disappoint. 

What I really liked about this production is the cast! My favorite cast member is Chase Ohren as Damian Hubbard. He brought the humor and the energy to his character and then some. Molly Hommerding is Janice Sarkisian, Macy Scharmer is Candy Heron, Eleanor Culloton is Regina George, Kristina Lutz is Gretchen Weiners, Josie Kendall is Karen Smith, Benji Trumbo is Kevin G, and Hudson Hall is Aaron Samuels.

I probably noticed this with the original movie and the times I have seen the stage production before. I feel like it’s worth noting the differences between Grease and Mean Girls. In Grease, both Sandy and Danny tried to change for each other. In Mean Girls, Cady changes so much that no one likes her. She is now the Cady version of Regina George. Cady has to learn not get rid of the things that make her different,  but to embrace those things. Those were the aspects of Cady that people liked. 

I thought the scenery was interesting for this show. It was a unit set with stairs that were rearranged throughout the show. The scenery was also adorned with pages torn out of the infamous burn book. I thought that was a nice touch.  

The stage before the musical begins.
Photo by Ernest Edwards

There’s not much time left to catch Mean Girls at The Lights, but check out Stage West’s site to see what they have upcoming. https://westfargoevents.com/organizer/stage-west-productions/ Up next is a 24 hour production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Come From Away, and A Very Die Hard Christmas. 

Come From Away - Guthrie Theater - July 2026

Come From Away

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Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Henn

Review by Ernest Edwards

The Guthrie Theater has a hit summer musical with their production of Come From Away. This musical shows humanity’s fullest potential. It’s a beautifully told story that can move you emotionally. Last nights production looked like it was sold out. Which is great news for the Guthrie Theater. 

Come From Away is a musical about the events of 9/11/2001. After the United States of America closed its air space, airplanes either had to turn back or get rerouted. 38 of those plans landed in Gander, Newfoundland. Here’s what I learned when I had first seen the National Tour of Come From Away at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis back in January 2022. Before jet engines and jet fuel became as efficient as they are today, all cross Atlantic flights had to refuel at Gander. At one point in time Gander was the largest airport in the world. This musical is the story about how a town of 9,000, all of the sudden became at town of 16,000. It wasn’t just Gander that housed people, the “Plane People” as they are referred to the musical, were taken to towns all across Newfoundland. Schools were turned into shelters, folks opened their homes so the Plane People could have a shower. The whole community came together to help these strangers from around the world. 

Hard to believe that in 2026, it will be 25 years since 9/11. There’s a whole generation that was born after those events. This musical is great at telling an important part of the 9/11 story. I have been to the 9/11 Memorial, and the 9/11 Museum in NYC. I was not visiting NYC yet when the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were still there. It is a unique experience to walk those grounds and to go through the Musuem. That day, to me is a moment in history that is etched in my mind.

Let me get back to focusing on the musical. The Guthrie has assembled a fine cast of mostly local actors for this production. It is an ensemble production. Each of the 12 cast members play a primary character, but also play many other characters throughout the production. That’s the structure of the show. It was the same way for the two times that I had seen the National Tour at the both the Orpheum Theatre and again at the Ordway. I remember hearing about the behind the scenes dilemmas of the January 2022 tour at the Orpheum. That was when theatre was starting to bounce back from Covid. Due to Covid, cast were being flown in almost daily from the Broadway production and other tours so the Minneapolis dates of the National Tour could still go on. As a member of the audience, I had no idea that was going on behind the scenes. What I had seen on stage was an excellent production. 

I need to talk about this cast that the Guthrie has assembled. What a cast it is! Evan Balasubramaniam as Kevin J., he has a voice that is a

Photo by Dan Norman

smooth as silver. The rest of the cast at last nights performance has several very recognizable names from the Twin Cities theatre scene. There’s Kate Beahan, Katie Bradley, Jennifer Grimm, Matthew Hall, Jon Andrew Hegge, Justin Keyes, Jim Lichtsheidl, Ann Michels, Eric Morris, Soara-Joya Ross and Janet Hayes Trow. This is an amazing cast who can definitely tell this story. 

I liked reading in the program about how the show was created. At the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 in Gander. The Plane People came back for a reunion. The creators of the musical used a similar technique that was also used for creating A Chorus Line. They interviewed the towns people and the Plane People at the reunion, capturing their stories and creating this wonderful musical. Come From Away is the most produced musical of the 2025/2026 season in the USA. Regionally I think there are at least three more productions announced for the 2026/2027 season. Come From Away premiered in Toronto before opening on Broadway in 2017. 

Another fun fact we learn from the musical, is the Plane People sent donations to Gander. Those donations were turned into a long running educational scholarship fund. They gave back to those who opened their hearts and gave them food, shelter and a community during uncertain times. 

Director Ken Gash has a created an important work of art on the Guthrie stage this summer. The scenery designed by Edward E. Haynes Jr., I really liked the scenery. It’s mostly a unit set with a turn table that is used very effectively. Both sides of the stage are flank by trees. It’s so visually appealing. 

Maybe it’s Come From Away connection to 9/11, this is such a wonderful musical about the five to six days following 9/11 that I can’t stop thinking about the story and these events. Whether you are familiar with 9/11 or not, drop everything and get out and see Come From Away. It plays through August 9, 2026. Check out www.guthrietheater.org for tickets. 

New York City - June 2026

I recently went to New York City for the weekend. While I was there, I got to see some Off Broadway shows, some Broadway shows, a fun fundraiser and also went to the closing performance of a Broadway revival. One of my friends also flew to NYC for the weekend, and one of my friends who lives in the NYC Metro joined for some shows too. It was a fun weekend all around. 

Day 1, Friday June 19, 2026. 

I hit the stages right away with two shows on Friday.  The first show was Heated Rivalry: The

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Unauthorized Musical Parody playing at The Culture Club, which is an Off Broadway venue not far from Hudson Yards and the High Line. It’s a 75 minute fun ride of a musical that includes everything from the first season of the hit cable/Canadian television series. 

You know it’s going to be fun show when the opening song has lines like “finally a show that gives women what they want. Gay hockey players!”. 

Jimin Moon plays Shane Hollander, for the performance I went to understudy Daniel Bracket played Ilya Rozanov. The show has a cast of 5 who played all the characters. 

The show is currently playing in NYC, London, and Montreal check out https://www.heatedrivalryparody.com/ for tickets. 

For my Friday evening show, I went to the Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54. It

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is always fun to see a Broadway show at the infamous Studio 54. 

This new revival is directed by Sam Pinkleton. Luke Evans is Frank-N-Furter. You can tell that Luke Evans is having the time of his life in this stage production. So great to see him live on stage and in this role. The rest of the cast consists of Rachel Dratch as the Narrator, Andrew Durand as Brad, Stephanie Hsu as Janet, Amber Gray as Riff Raff, the night I went we had Anania as Magenta, Josh Rivera as Rocky, Michaela Jae Rodriguez as Columbia, Eddie/Dr. Scott was played by Harvey Guillen. Such a great cast!

The Rocky Horror Show also would not be as much fun without the sets, costumes, lights, etc. Need to mention the Scenic Design by Dots, Costume Designs by David I. Rynosa, Lightning Design by Jane Cox, Hair & Wig Design by Alberto “Albee” 

Alvarado, Makeup Design by Sterling Tull and Choreography by Ani Taj. 

I, for one, am awaiting for a cast recording for this Broadway Revival. 

Check out https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/production/2025-2026-season/richard-o-brien-s-the-rocky-horror-show/ for tickets. 

Day 2, Saturday June 20, 2026. 

The matinee show was the New York City Center Encores! production of La Cage Aux Folles. This was

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the first production to feature to an all African American cast. This was also the first time since the original Broadway production in 1983 that featured a full orchestra. 

The cast was lead by Wayne Brady as Georges, Billy Porter as Albin/Zsa Zsa, James Jackson Jr as Jacob (the butler) and Tonya Pinkins as Jacqueline. 

I learned during the talkback, after the matinee, that they rehearsed the entire show in ten days. The orchestra did have 30 days to rehearse the score. That is a crazy schedule to learn not only the songs, also the staging and choreography. Now I have an even deeper appreciation for the shows produced at New York City Center Encores! 

First there was the two French La Cage Aux Folles movies, followed by the Broadway musical in 1983, and then the movie the Birdcage was in 1996. 

For Saturday evening, I went to the new Broadway musical The Lost Boys. Yes, a stage musical based on

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the 1987 movie. It was one of the best shows of my weekend. Definitely worthy of all the buzz it is receiving. 

It’s been a long time since I have seen the movie, I really can’t directly compare the two. After seeing the Broadway musical, I do want to rewatch the movie. From talking to my friends, who also went to the musical the same weekend. It sounds like all of the key moments from the movie are captured on stage. Of course the vampires do fly on stage. That’s really fun and cool to see. 

It’s a great cast. Michael Emerson is played by LJ Bennet, Lucy Emerson is played by Shoshana Bean, Sam Emerson is played by Benjamin Pajak, Star is played by Maria Wirries, David is played by Ali Louis Bourzgui (who won a Tony Award for his performance), and Max is played by Paul Alexander Nolan. 

This production is directed by Michael Arden, with Book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, Music and Lyrics by The Rescues. What was really impressive to me, was the scene changes. I would love to see how things are backstage for this production. The scenery is designed by Dane Laffrey, costumes are designed by Ryan Park. 

This is one of the must see shows that is currently playing on Broadway. Check out https://www.lostboysmusical.com/ for tickets. 

Day 3, Sunday June 21, 2026

For the Sunday matinee I went back to Skid Row for the long running Off Broadway revival of Little Shop

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of Horrors. The infamous Howard Ashman/Alan Mencken musical currently features Jordan Fisher as Seymour, Nikki M. James as Audrey, and Claybourne Elder as The Dentist.  

I had last seen this production at the West Side Theater back in 2022. It was the current leads who made me want to see the show again. It was still so much fun. A new list of leads have also been announced for this production. Looks like it’s going to be keep on running. Check out https://littleshopnyc.com/ For tickets. 

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For the Sunday evening show, I went to closing night of the Broadway Revival of the musical Chess. I had the pleasure of seeing Chess when I was in NYC in December of 2025 for a fun week of Christmas in the City. (Check out my blog New York City - December 2025 for a deeper dive into this production of Chess)

There was an energy at the Imperial Theatre for the closing performance. The audience was electric. The show received 18 standing ovations throughout the entire performance. I felt like the code had finally been broken with this production of Chess. Glad there is a Broadway Revival Cast Recording. Chess is one of my favorite scores. It was so cool to not only see this Broadway production a second time, but to be at the closing performance. I hope this production goes on tour. I would definitely see it again. 

My third show on Sunday was the 34th Anniversary of the fun and sexy fundraiser Broadway Bares.

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This years theme was “License to Strip”. The overall story was about the spies in organization MI-69 completing their mission to save Broadway from an evil spy bent on destroying Broadway.  There were dance numbers that featured Carmen Sandiego, Sherlock Holmes, Austin Powers, James Bond, Inspector Gadget and many more. 

My friends and I picked the right weekend to be in NYC. I believe Broadway Bares is on the third weekend of June every year. The last time I to got to see this fun show was in 2014. It’s a one night only event, with two performances. Going to the midnight showing not only allowed us to make it to the closing performance of Chess, but by also going to the midnight/second show, we learned that the event raised over $2,500,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). That was great to hear. 

Seven shows in three days. Not too bad for a quick weekend in NYC. 

Blithe Spirit - Theatre in the Round - June 2026

Blithe Spirit

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By Noel Coward

Review by Ernest Edwards

As a fun summer treat, Theatre in the Round is wrapping up their 74th Season with the Noel Coward comedy Blithe Spirit. This play is just as delicious as ice cream is on these hot summer days. 

It’s a classic three act play with two intermissions. Don’t let that scare you, the play is done shortly after 10pm. Not a bad run time. With this comedy, the time flys by pretty quickly. 

The story takes place in the living room of Charles Condomine’s house in Kent. There’s a seance with some friends at a dinner party that is hosted by Charles and his second wife Ruth. His first wife, Elvira, passed away seven years ago. As Madame Arcati conducts the seance, something happens. Charles first wife Elvira appears in spirit form. Only he can see and hear her. That adds lots of comedy to the play. 

Director Dann Peterson has assembled a fine cast for this production. Charles Condomine is played by James Lane, Ruth Condomine is played by Megan Blakeley, Elvira is played by Dani Pazurek, Edith (the maid) is played by Hailey Zeissler, Dr. George Bradman is played by David Rinzema, Violet Bradman is played by Lori Constable, and Madame Arcati is played by Janice Stone. Janice really deserves some recognition for her performance as Madame Arcati. 

Scenic Designer Thomas L. Valach brings us into a classic looking English Manor. I loved all the details in the scenery from the floors, to the furniture, to the chandeliers, everything took us elegantly to the time period for the play. Costume Designer John A. Woskoff also does a great job with time period for the play. What I really liked with his costume design was how he captured the eccentricity of Madame Acarti, along with all of those bracelets that she wore. The look for Elvira and others who enter the spirit realms are well executed. 

Blithe Spirit is a fun light hearted classic comedy.  

The play runs through July 12, 2026, check out www.theatreintheround.org for tickets. 

The Perfect Arrangement - Walking Shadow Theatre Company - June 2026

Perfect Arrangement

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By Topher Payne

Review by Ernest Edwards

This 2014 play about lavender marriages during height of McCarthyism during the 1950’s feels even more necessary to see now in 2026 than when Theatre in the Round produced this play in June of 2022. 

The play takes place in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC in 1950. Bob Martindale is high up in the State Department and is married to Millie Martindale, their neighbors are Jim Baxter who is married to Norma Baxter. Normal also works with Bob at the State Department. Bob and Jim are a couple, as are Millie and Norma. 

While hosting a dinner party for of his boss Ted Sanderson and his wife Kitty, Bob is assigned with expanding his search from rooting out Communists to also include deviants. Such as people who are promiscuous, and homosexuals. Kitty no longer allows her husband Ted to go to the Opera, because the Opera might turn him gay. Really, that is what they believed. Bob, Norma, Jim and Millie are all concerned. Will they be found out? Can they keep hiding in plain sight? How long before their Perfect Arrangement falls apart.  

The arrival of State employee Barbara Grant and her past connection to Millie is all it takes for everything to start to unravel. 

Director John Heimbuch has assembled a great cast to tell this story. Bob is played by Joe Swanson, Millie is played by Elora Riley, Norma is played by Rachel Postle, Jim is played by Theo Janie-Furman, Ted Sunderson is played by Peter Colburn, Kitty Sunderson is played by Julie Ann Nevill, and Barbara Grant is played fabulously by Lily Rains. 

The scenery was reminiscent and based on the set of the I Love Lucy television series from the 1950’s. The costumes designed by Mandi Johnson are gorgeous looking. We were definitely in the 1950’s with her costume design. 

This well written play, is a great slice of history that many don’t know about. It’s funny, it’s dramatic, the performances by the cast are perfect for this story that takes place in the 1950’s. This play is perfect to be shown during Pride month.

A favorite part of the show for me, was that the entire cast came out of the closet for the curtain call. 

This play is currently playing at the Crane Theater through June 21, 2026. Check out www.walkingshadow.org for tickets. 

Gorgons - Yellowtree Theatre - June 2026

Gorgons

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By Dan Nigro

Review by Ernest Edwards

These performances are not to be missed! Gorgons at Yellowtree Theatre is a masterclass in acting that is not to be missed. 

The play is very reminiscent of the making the movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane that starred Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Christina Baldin plays Mildred (Bette Davis) and Jamie White Jachimiec plays Ruth (Joan Crawford). 

I did watch the Ryan Murphy mini series Feud when it aired back in 2017. This 2009 play does a great job with the showing us the highlights of the backstage antics while making the movie What Ever Happened to Baby June. These two film stars need each other for a comeback film. Can they put away their animosity towards each other to make this movie? You will need to say the play to find that out. 

This play has it all. There’s something for you to sink your teeth into, there’s humor, there’s drama, there’s Hollywood style over acting. This drama is simply delicious. The best part of the play is the performances by Christina Baldwin and Jamie White Jachimiec. These two actresses are perfect for this play. They are giving us the performance of a lifetime with this play. 

This 90 minute gem is directed by Austene Van, with Scenery designed by Sarah Brandner, costumes designed by Zahara Simmons. The costumes and scenery bring us into the world of this story. 

The play runs through June 21, 2026. Check out www.yellowtreetheatre.com for tickets. 

Spamalot - Ordway - June 2026

Spamalot

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Book & Lyrics by Eric Idle

Music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle

A quote from the program “A musical lovingly ripped off from the Motion Picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail”

The National Tour of the Broadway Revival of Spamalot is at the Ordway this week. The National Tour for the original 2005 Broadway production was first at the Ordway in April 2007. It’s been a while since I had last seen this fun piece of musical theater comedy. This new production of Spamalot feels even funnier than the original. If such a thing is even possible. 

Something else that has changed in 20 years between the original Broadway production and the Broadway Revival is the use of projections. There’s a lot more projections this time around, which worked very well for this show. Scenic Design and Projections are designed by Paul Tate DePoo III. Who was also the designer for the Great Gatsby musical that was just in the Twin Cities on tour. The costumes are designed by Jen Caprio. She must have had a lot of fun working on this musical. The musical is directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. 

The audience was really getting into the production last night. I still have not seen the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I need to put that on my watch list. The people behind me were well versed in the movie and were laughing at some of the scenes before anything happened, because they knew where it was going. Such a fun show.

The story follows King Arthur on his quest to gather the Knights of the Round Table in 932AD. Once the knights are assembled, then God wants them to find the Holy Grail. Last seen at the Last Supper. That may seem like a simple way of telling this story, but there is a lot of Monty Python humor throughout the script and from the performances with this cast.

This musical has a strong ensemble cast. Some of the standouts are Amanda Robles as the Lady of the Lake and Major Attaway as King Arthur. The rest of the cast shines so many times. Nearly everyone else is playing multiple characters throughout the musical to hilarious results. 

This is one of the funniest musical comedy’s out there. 

Don’t miss a chance to see this Broadway musical on tour. It’s only playing through Sunday June 14, 2026. Check out www.ordway.org for tickets.