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| Program Cover |
Book by Dan Remmes, Music by Neil Berg, Lyrics by Nick Meglin
Adapted from the screenplay for the 1993 Warner Bros movie by Mark Steven Johnson
Review by Ernest Edwards
What I liked about the movie Grumpy Old Men, was that not only did the movie take place in Minnesota, but it was filmed at various locations in Minnesota. The interior scenes were filmed at the sound stages at Paisley Park. Wabasha, MN where the show takes place, used to have a sign under the Welcome to Wabasha sign that said “Home of Grumpy Old Men”.
If you remember the 1993 movie, then you already know the story for the stage musical. The story of John Gustafson and Max Goldman, neighbors who have been feuding for over 50 years.
You probably have the same question I have. When did Grumpy Old Men become a stage musical? The musical had its premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2018. This regional premiere is the perfect musical for Minneapolis Musical Theatre. Their slogan is “Rare Musicals, Well Done”. Grumpy Old Men and MMT are a perfect match.
For the stage musical we have Jim Ahrens as John Gustafson, Michael Fishcetti as Grandpa Gustafson, Caitlin Burns as Ariel Truax, Ward Eames as Max Goldman, James Lane as Jacob Goldman, Jillian Bader as Melanie Gustafson Norton, Quinten Michael as Chuck Barrels, Lisa Denninger as Punky Barrels, Brandon Osero as Harry, and Kayla Hambek as Sandra Snyder. It’s a wonderful cast.
We were having the first 80 degree day of the year in Minneapolis when I went to the show yesterday. It was winter on stage at the Conn Theatre. The opening number really set the tone for the musical. Which was contained lots of Minnesota-isms, such as heavy coats, boots, stocking caps, flannel, big bushy beards and ice fishing.
Michael Fishchetti was hilarious as Grandpa Gustafson. He had some great zingers. Punky Barrels had some fun and quirky moments. Harry as the postal worker had some fun moments as the man who couldn’t feel any pain. Let’s talk about the statue of Ariel’s husband. We couldn’t see his manhood, as that was kept upstage. It was able to old a hat and an umbrella at different times in the musical. Kind of as an homage to the movie, Max has his prized fishing pole The Green Hornet. Kayle Hambek took IRS agent Sandra Snyder to new levels in cruelty. She really embodied the character.
The cast has having a lot of fun on stage. The musical is fun and entertaining.
Grumpy Old Men The Musical continues through April 19, 2026 at the Conn Theater in Minneapolis. Check out www.aboutmmt.org for tickets.
