The Great Gatsby - Theatre in the Round - September 2026

The Great Gatsby

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Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald book

Adapted for the stage by Simon Levy

Review By Ernest Edwards

Theatre in the Round is starting their 75th Anniversary season with the classic tale of The Great Gatsby. This adaptation first premiered at the Guthrie Theater back in 2006. I was not a season ticket holder at the Guthrie back then and was unable to see the play, but I remember The Great Gatsby was a hot ticket at what was the “new” building for the Guthrie Theater. I have a feeling that Theatre In The Round’s 2026 production will also be a hot ticket. The roaring 1920’s are strong on the stage. 

For their 75th Anniversary Season, Theatre in the Round is featuring Minnesota in the season. F. Scott Fitzgerald was a native to St. Paul, Minnesota. The Great Gatsby is a fun way to start off their homage for Minnesota. 

The National Tour of The Great Gatsby musical was at the Orpheum Theatre earlier in the year. While the National Tour was big and splashy, with a large cast, dance numbers and full of spectacle. The play at Theatre in the Round succeeds in other ways. With a smaller cast and a more intimate stage, you really get to be up close with the cast and get more drawn into the story. 

Speaking of being up close, let’s talk about the talented cast for The Great Gatsby. Jay Gatsby is played by Jake Leif, Nick Carraway is played by Gavin Webb, Daisy Buchanan is played by Nina Broberg, Tom Buchanan is played by John Blocher, Jordan Walker is played by Kendra Alaura, George Wilson is played by Ian Fee, and Myrtle Wilson is played by Sydney Lanning Payne. Along with the ensemble, these core actors do an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Especially John Blocher as Tom Buchanan, his Tom had a very strong stage presence. 

The Costumes designed by Emma Shook do take us back to the 1920’s. It’s high fashion from back in 1922. The Scenery designed by Michael Haas does have all of the elements from the story. You have the giant Billboard, the green light, and a marble interior to represent the mansions on Long Island. 

Photo by Tom Taintor

With a run time of 90 minutes, plus the intermission. The show captures everything about The Great Gatsby himself with a nice run time. 

Do the Charleston on your way to Theatre in the Round for a wonderful night of the decadence of the roaring 20’s.  

Play runs until October 4, 2026. Check out www.theatreintheround.org for tickets. 

Merrily We Roll Along - Lyric Arts - September 2026

Merrily We Roll Along

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Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by George Furth

Based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Max Hart

Review by Ernest Edwards

Lyric Arts 2026/2027 season is off to a strong start with the Stephen Sondheim musical Merrily We Roll Along. 

If you have never heard of Merrily We Roll Along before, it focuses on the friendship of three friends Charlie (Noah Hynick), Frank (Brandn Veerman) and Mary (Maureen O’Malley). The story flows backwards from 1976 back to 1957. The musical asks the questions “How did you get to be hear?”  “What was the moment?” As the show progresses, we see the moments that shaped the journey the characters take during the musical. 

In addition to the talented cast, what really brings this show together is the costumes designed by Eleanor Schanilec. With the story taking place in the 1960’s and 1970’s, we get see some great fashions from those time periods. Scenic Designer Greg Vanselow and Projections Designer Brady Whitcomb do a great job of showing us the Hollywood Hills in the 1970’s and various locations for NYC in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The scene change choreography during the interludes was fun to watch.  

This musical contains some of the Stephen Sondheim songs like “Not Day Goes By”, “Old Friends”, “Merrily We Roll Along”, “We Got a Good Thing Going”, “Our Time” and many more. 

Let’s talk about this cast! Noah Hynick as Charlie is the one to watch during this musical. He has so many great moments. One of the his best moments is the song “Franklin Shehard, Inc”. Emily Grodzik plays Gussie, Steven Ramirez plays Joe, Faith Winship Smith plays Beth. For last nights production Frank Jr was played by Jaxson Kingdon. Maureen O’Malley as Mary, brings a lot to the story. She is the glue that tries so hard to keep Charlie and Frank together through thick and thin. Brendan Veerman plays Frank. Frank goes through a lot throughout with this musical. There’s a range of emotions that Frank goes through and Brendan Veerman is able to take us on along on Frank’s journey. The rest of the ensemble does an amazing job rounding out the rest of the cast in the musical. 

What Stephen Sondheim and George Furth do with this with this musical, is they start with a dark future

Photo by Dan Norman

and take us back to the beginning where the future is bright and optimistic. 

Spoiler Alert! Director Scott Ward adds a moment at the end where he has the cast freeze, and Frank steps out and looks at the stage and is filled with a wave of emotion. Like Frank has been able to look back on his life and where it has lead. Does he have regrets? He just might. I have never seen a production with that for the ending before, it’s a quite powerful. 

This is one of my favorite musicals. It’s a mix of the songs, the core characters, and telling the story backwards that seems to hit all the right moments to me. 

Merrily We Roll Along plays through October 4, 2026. Check out www.lyricarts.org for tickets. 

Ball: A Musical Tribute to My Lost Testicle - Artistry - September 2026

Ball: A Musical Tribute to My Lost Testictle

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Written and Performed by Max Wojtanowicz

Co-Conceived by Max Wojtanowicz and Nicole Swoboda

Review by Ernest Edwards

I was at the first performance of Ball: A Musical Tribute to My Lost Testicle, which is being presented at Artistry’s Black Box Theater for a a limited time with dates through September 20, 2026. Artistry’s Black Box Theater is the perfect venue for this one man show. 

It’s been ten years since actor Max Wojtanowicz received his cancer diagnosis and went through nine weeks of chemotherapy. The events are as follows: cancer diagnosis in January, chemo begins in February, presented idea to Fringe Festival in April of that year, and then presents/performs the show in August at the annual Minnesota Fringe Festival. Max said the show was so well received that it toured for over two years. 

I’ve know Max as an actor, but never knew this very personal story of his. I haven’t done Fringe in years, as I have usually had a business trip that same week. 

There was a one moment that included audience participation. Max invites a person from the audience to represent his boyfriend. Yours truly was that person the night I went to the see the show. It was fun to be on stage and watch Max work his magic act up close and personal. 

We did learn that when his diagnosis and treatment started, he was in a relationship with his boyfriend for six months at the time. His boyfriend didn’t run away. He stayed by his side during all of this, and even went with him to some of his chemo treatments. Today Max has been married to this very same man for 8 years. 

We also learned that testicular cancer is treatable and has a higher survival rate than other forms of cancer. Seeing this show also reminded me of the friends and family who have had their own battles with cancer.

I want to say “Thank You” to Max for sharing such a personal story with us, and for revisiting this part of his life on the tenth anniversary of his diagnosis and treatment. 

Don’t let the subject matter get you down. While cancer is a serious topic, Max tells this story with humor and heart. It’s a very nice mix for telling this story. 

While the 2026/2027 theatre season is off to a strong start with several shows opening this weekend around the region. Ball only plays for two weekends. This is the must see show. Put Ball on the top of your list. 

Ball has a run time of 60 minutes and continues through Sunday September 20, 2026, check out www.artistrymn.org for tickets. 

Wait Until Dark - Dark and Stormy Productions - August 2026

Wait Until Dark 

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Play by Frederick Knott

Review by Ernest Edwards

Dark and Stormy is starting the 2026/2027 theatre season with the thriller Wait Until Dark. This play is the first play of Dark and Stormy Productions 14th season and is playing at the Gremlin Theatre. With this play, the Dark and Stormy season is off to a strong start. 

I had never heard of this play before. I did some research and this play is from 1966, and received the Hollywood treatment in 1967. I have not seen the movie either. I’ll have to add that to my to do list for movies. I definitely recommend seeing this story live on stage. Dark and Stormy not only has a good story to tell with this play, but also has a strong cast. 

The play takes place in a basement apartment located in Greenwich Village in New York City. There is a trio of crooked men looking for a doll that the husband was given in Montreal. I think the doll is full of drugs, probably cocaine. The trio waits for the husband, Sam, to leave and tries to persuade his blind wife to hand over the doll. They use the ruse of an old friend and a police sergeant to try to gain familiarity and access to the apartment in order to look for the doll. 

The blind wife Susy, and the neighbors child Gloria, do figure out these guys are up to no good and how can they stop the schemes of these men and survive the night. 

This play has a great cast. The husband Sam Hendrix is played by Josh Jabas, the wife Susy Hendrix is played by Sara Marsh, Gloria is played by Madelyn Tax, Mike Tasman is played by Paul LaNave, Sgt. Carlino is played by Bob Malos, Harry Roat Jr. is now being played by Paul De Cordova. Since the program was printed Paul De Cordova has taken over the role of Harry Roat Jr. Who is the mastermind or puppeteer behind this caper. He is perfect for this role, as is Sara Marsh as Susy Hendrix. 

The Scenic Design by Bobbie Smith and the Lighting Design by Shannon Elliott really added to the story and were vital parts of the story for this production. What I found nostalgic was the rotary telephone on the wall. Remember that? Just one phone for the residence with no caller id. 

If you like thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the play for you. The play continues through September 13, 2026. Check out www.darkstormy.org for tickets. 

Dirty Dancing The Musical - Ordway - August 2026

Dirty Dancing The Musical

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By Eleanor Bergstein, based on the Lionsgate film by Eleanor Bergstein

Music Supervision & Arrangements by Joseph Joubert

Choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie

Directed by Lonny Price

Review by Ernest Edwards

The Ordway, in downtown St. Paul, is the launching point for the new tour of Dirty Dancing The Musical. That is pretty exciting news! It’s a strong start to the Ordway for their Broadway at the Ordway 2026/2027 season. 

This is not the first time that a tour of Dirty Dancing has been in the Twin Cities. I got to see a tour at the Orpheum Theatre back in October of 2014. This is the same script from the previous tour, but with a new team of creatives. It is a new brand new production. At last nights performance, The Music Supervisor Joseph Joubert, sat across the aisle from me. I also got to see director Lonny Price as he entered the theater and took his seat for the performance. That was kind of exciting for me. Lonny Price is known for his acting and directing career. 

If you have seen 1987 movie of the same name, you know the story. The stage musical is a faithful adaption of the story from the movie. One of the best parts of the stage musical is Darrell Grand Moultrie’s choreography. Everyone in the audience is expecting the dancing, and the stage musical does not disappoint. 

One thing I noticed last night, was how similar the stage design reminded me of The

The stage, before the musical began.
Photo by Ernest Edwards

Notebook musical. Even down to the silhouette of the shape of the scenery. I also heard other audience members around me making similar comments during the intermission. I did like the scenic design for the Kellerman’s Resort by Brett J. Banakis. It was flexible, it morphed for different scenes. Excellent use of projections. I liked how the learning to jump scene at the lake was executed. I also liked that the usher staff were all wearing Kellerman’s T-Shirts. We the audience are being welcomed to a summer at the Kellerman’s resort in the Catskills. That was a nice element. 

The Costumes Design by Emily Rebholz, along with Hair & Wig Design by Robert Pickens do make strong connections the time period and characters from the movie. The character of Baby, definitely has Jennifer Grey’s hairstyle from the movie. 

The best part of the show is the cast. Baby is played by Annalese Starzec, Lisa Houseman is played by Lily Kren, Jake Houseman is played by Bryan Fenkart, Marjorie Houseman is played by Gina Lamparella, Johnny Castle is played by Blake Zelesnikar, and Penny Johnson is played by Olivia Cece. Let’s not forget the ensemble. It’s a large cast of very talented people. The show also features lots of great songs from the early 1960’s, as well as the three big songs from the movie. “Hungry Eyes”, “She’s Like the Wind”, and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”. 

If you a fan of the movie, this stage production is a lot of fun. 

Then there is the question of, do we need another movie turned into a stage musical? When compared to other movies that have been become stage musicals, it does feel like Dirty Dancing falls short. It doesn’t become more than what it is. It’s not in the category of stage musicals like Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard, Legally Blonde, Once, Lion King, Kinky Boots, The Lost Boys, and The Outsiders. Those stage musicals are some of the examples of where the stage musical took on a life of its own. There’s nothing wrong with simply being the stage adaptation of the movie. That is what Dirty Dancing The Musical is. It’s a copy of the movie on stage. What it does well, is it makes for a fun night at the theatre. All of your favorite moments from the movie are here, live on stage at the Ordway in downtown St. Paul. 

Dirty Dancing runs through September 6, 2026. Check out www.ordway.org for tickets. 

Private Lives - Guthrie Theater - August 2026

Private Lives

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By Noel Coward

Review by Ernest Edwards

The Guthrie Theater is concluding their 2025/2026 with the Noel Coward comedy Private Lives at the Wurtele Thrust Stage. 

This comedy is delicious. It’s got some bite to it. You can definitely sink your teeth into this one. I was at last nights production. It was such a fun night at the theatre for me. 

The play was first produced in 1930. The language and situations still feel timeless. 

While their house is open, there is a piano player (Brad Beahan) on top of the two story scenery. He interacts with the audience between songs. It helps to get us in the mood before the play begins. 

The story is centered around two couples on their honeymoon at a hotel in Deauville. The first couple we see is

The stage, before the play begins. 

 Elyot Chase (played by William Connell) and his wife Sibyl Chase (played by Nikki Massoud). The second couple we see is Victor Prynne (played by Dustin Bronson) and his wife Amanda Prynne (played by Laura Odeh). We learn as the play progresses that the couples who share an outdoor terrace, have history together. Elyot and Amanda were once married to each other, and have been divorced for five years. Both are newly married, celebrating their nuptials at the same hotel with neighboring rooms. Is fate playing a game? Once they both realize what is going on, Elyot and Amanda both try to convince their spouses to leave and go to Paris, without specifying that their ex spouse is in the room next door. While their spouses are out, Amanda and Elyot begin to reminisce. They flee to Amanda’s apartment in Paris. One of my favorite moments of the play was watching the Terrace transform into Amanda’s Parisian apartment. It was pure stage magic and a great way to end the first act. 

The second and third acts take place in Amanda’s Parisian apartment. Amanda and Elyot are both

The stage, for the second half of the play. 

enjoying the bliss of being together again, and also get under each other’s skin. The second act ends with the arrival of Sybil and Victor standing in the doorway of the apartment. 

I love the conclusion of the play. At first it seems like Amanda and Elyot are through with each other, and their spouses will be divorcing them. As Victor and Sybil begin to argue, Amanda and Elyot slowly exit together and leave these two to argue on their own. 

Noel Coward has such a way with language and comedy. I never knew Noel Coward also appeared in his own plays. That was a fun fact to read from the program. This play is simply magnificent. 

Need to make mention of the scenery designed by Alexander Doge and the costumes designed by Meg Neville. Along with the script and the cast, those two design elements really helped bring the show together. 

Photo by Dan Norman. 

For a fun night of comedy, I recommend catching Private Lives at The Guthrie Theater before it closes on August 23, 2026. Check out www.guthrietheater.org for tickets. 

Alice in Neverland - Theater Latte Da - August 2026

Alice In Neverland

By Phil Kenny & Reston Williams

The last show of Theater Latte Da’s 2026 Next Festival was the new musical Alice in Neverland. I was at the closing performance. Just before the show started, we learned that it is being further developed in Atlanta, GA  followed by Seattle, WA. The staged reading at Theater Latte Da was so good, that I hope we get to see Alice in Wonderland back as part of the main season at Theater Latte Da in the not so distant future. 

As you can guess from the title, this new musical is a mash up of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Peter Pan. Similar to the play Peter and the Star Catcher, we are introduced to an origin story for Captain Hook. This story begins before Peter brings Wendy, John and Michael to Neverland. 

For this staged reading, they also had projections on the back wall of the stage. Which was great for the different scenes in the musical 

Between, the story, the songs and the cast, this was such a wonderful staged reading. It was a very night of theatre. 

The cast was a great collection of actors I have seen at Theater Latte Da before and at other stages around the Twin Cities. It was the perfect cast for this presentation. Such great comedic and vocal talent. 

Here’s the cast list from the program. Noah Hynick was superb as the Mad Hatter. Jane Bruce plays Alice, Will Dusek plays Peter, Graham Kingsberry plays James/Swordfish, and Jay Albright plays Smee.