Spamalot - Ordway - June 2026

Spamalot

Program Cove

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. 

The Great Gatsby - Hennepin Arts - June 2026

The Great Gatsby

Program Cover

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. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Hennepin Arts - April 2026

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Marquee

Based on a new story by J.K.Rowling, Jack Thorne, & John Tiffany

A new play by Jack Thorne

There is magic on stage at the Orpheum Theatre. The special effects are out of this world. It’s a treat for the whole family. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the new eighth story in the Harry Potter franchise. The story in the play takes place right after the ending in the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” book/the ending in the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” movie. The story begins 19 years after the events of the Battle for Hogwarts.The gang is at Kings Cross Station in London, watching the next generation hop on the Hogwarts Express for their first year at Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione are sending their daughter Rose to school. Harry and Ginny are sending their youngest child Albus Severus Potter to Hogwarts. On the train Albus befriends Scorpious Malfoy, Draco Malfoy’s son. 

The play has been around since June 2016. I can’t believe we are still keeping the secret of what happens

The stage, before the play begins

in the story. I will also keep up the trend. In addition to the magic and special effects, it’s an excellent story that has lost of twist and turns. I do have the play script on a bookshelf at home right next to the rest of the Harry Potter series. 

Here’s my history with the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. When tickets first went on sale for the London production in the summer 2015, they kept adding dates, so my friends and I ended up purchasing tickets for May 2017. We knew almost two years ahead of time that we were seeing the show. We had a fun week of sight seeing and West End productions on that trip. We got the see the original lead actors in the cast just before they departed the production later in the month. The original version of the play was in two parts and had a total run time of 5 hours. We did parts 1 and 2 the same day on a Saturday. After life starting getting back to normal after 2020, we went to see the new 3 hour version on Broadway spring of 2022. At the core it was the same play. It was nicely edited down. I went again in December 2025, because actor Tom Felton was making his Broadway debut and reprising the role of Draco Malfoy that he played in the film franchise. Last night I went to see the National Tour that is in town at the Orpheum Theatre through May 17th. For the previous times I have seen the play in London and on Broadway, I have had main floor seats. For the Broadway on Hennepin season, my season seat is in the balcony. This was the first time that I was seeing designs, pattern ands lettering on the stage floor. That was fun & new for me. On tour the show is like 98% the same as on Broadway. There’s just a some very minor tweaks for the National Tour, but the show is the same as what you see on Broadway. 

As I have seen this play multiple times, I have had different opinions on it. At first I thought it was

Photo of National Tour by Evan Zimmerman

Albus’s story. Then with my December 2025 showing on Broadway, I felt like it was more Scorpious’s story. After seeing it again, I feel like it’s equally Albus and Scorpious’s story. They are best friends. The kind of friendship that rivals the trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione. 

It was fun seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Orpheum Theatre last night. During intermission I heard several people asking “how did they do that?”. All of the magi on stage was spurring conversation amongst the patrons. 

The scenery is designed by Christine Jones. The scenery flows effortlessly from Kings Cross Station, to various locations within Hogwarts and transforms into the Forbidden Forest. Costume Desinger Katrina Lindsay is part of the magic with the costumes. The rest of the magic is brought to us by Lighting Designer Neil Austin, Sound Designer Garett Fry, and Illusions & Magic design by Jamie Harrison. I would love some behinds the scenes information on the magic and special effects in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  

There are some standouts in the cast for the National Tour. Nick Dillenburg is originally from the Twin Cities. There’s a nice two page interview with him in the program. He is cast as Harry Potter for the tour. David Fine is Scorpious Malfoy, Adam Grant Morrison is Albus Potter, Julie Nightingale as Delphi Diggory, Ryan Hallahan as Draco Malfoy, Abbi Hawk as Ginny Potter, Matt Harrington as Ron Weasley, Rachel Leslie as Hermione Grainger. 

For a magical good time, grab your wands and take the Hogwarts Express to the Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. The play runs through May 17, 2026. Check out www.hennepinarts.org for tickets. Don’t forget to check out the merchandise stand in the lobby of the Orpheum. If you are ever in New York City, also check out the Harry Potter Store, it’s located near Madison Square Park. 

Suffs - Orpheum Theatre - April 2026

Suffs

The marquee

Book, Music and Lyrics by Shania Taub

Review by Ernest Edwards

Suffs is the story the Suffragette movement for women in the United States of America to be able to vote. The musical mostly takes place between 1913 - 1920, with a brief look in the Equal Rights Amendment/ERA during Richard Nikon’s presidency. 

Suffs was on Broadway in 2024 and won two Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score. It looks like the Broadway production was also filmed and will be on PBS Great Performances on May 8, 2026. If you are unable to the make it to the production live on stage, there will the Great Performances viewing. The musical was amazing to see live on stage. 

This is a powerful slice of history. The story and the performances are so powerful. This is a strong

The Stage, before the musical begins

ensemble cast. There are leading characters to mention, such as Maya Keleher as Alice Paul and Marya Grandy as Carrie Chapman Catt. These two characters both wanted the same thing, but one was older and more genteel and the other was young and ambitious. They both wanted woman to vote, but at times worked against each other instead of with each other. Once they combined forces, things started to happen.  

There are many parallels to 2026 with the struggle these woman were facing in 1913-1920. It was frustrating to watch President Wilson dismiss these lady’s and have a lame excuse year after year on why is not the time to discuss women having the right to vote. Yet, still wanted the backing an approval of these woman for his elections. We still are still struggling in society today where the majority doesn’t care about the minority and their concerns. What I found very interesting in this musical, is how the 19th Amendment might not have happened without the African American women joining in the marches, and protests. They joined knowing that their presence was important, but that only white woman will be granted the power to vote. Which was exactly what happened. It was still history in the making. 

After seeing the musical last night, I now see why this show received the

Program cover

Tony Awards for Best Book and Score. The story, the performances and the songs are so powerful. It is a story that needs to be told. Especially in 2026. Just WOW!

The period costumes designed by Paul Tazewll were excellent. There’s a great write up in the program about the costumes and the quick changes. I also loved how the scenery flowed seamlessly between each scene.  The original scenery was designed by Riccardo Hernandez, and for the tour was designed by Christine Peters. 

Something to be on the lookout for, is that in the inner lobby on the main level and the first level of the balcony there are signs about the Suffrage movements and Minnesota’s involvement. Some very nice history to read up on for this story and our Minnesota’s involvement with that history. 

The shows is about two hours and thirty minutes, including the intermission. Suffs is only in Minneapolis through Sunday April 12, 2026. Check www.hennepinarts.org for tickets. 

Mrs. Doubtfire - Ordway - March 2026

Mrs. Doubtfire, a new musical Comedy

Program Cover

Music & Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karen Kirkpatrick

Book by Karen Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell

Based on the Twentieth Century Studios Motion Picture

Review by Ernest Edwards

The Ordway continues their Broadway @ The Ordway 2025/2026 season with the new musical Mrs. Doubtfire on tour. My season tickets for the Ordway is for Sunday evening’s. If the show is only in town for one week, I end up seeing the last performance in downtown St. Paul before it moves onto the next city.  

Based on the title, you are probably thinking, another stage musical based on a movie. Yes. This one is a lot of fun. If you a fan of the movie, definitely go see it. If you are a fan of musical theater, then go see it.  It makes for a fun and entertaining evening.  If you have seen the Robin Williams movie, you already know the story. There’s some fun changes and additions to make it a full two act musical.  

Daniel Hilliard/Mrs. Doubtfire is played by Craig Allen Smith. I did see the original Broadway production in May 2022. Rob McClure played Daniel Hilliard/Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway and reprised the role for the first National

The stage, before the show begins

Tour of Mrs. Doubfire. Rob was amazing! Let me tell you, Craig Allen Smith has definitely stepped up the plate and is filling big shoes as Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire.  His rendition of the Act One song “It’s About Time” had a lot of energy and creativity to it. That is a great song about how to read a clock. Playing Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire live on stage, 8 times a week, is no easy feat. Craig makes it look easy. 

There are some quick costume changes that happen in this show. Some are on stage, but most are off stage. The crew behind the scenes definitely need some recognition for those costume changes.  

Also want to mention Brian Kalinowski as Frank Hilliard and Devon Wycovia Buchanan as his husband Andre Mayem. They are Daniel’s brother and brother-in-law. They help Daniel and also provide additional comedy. The rest of the cast is pretty amazing too.  

I think we need to mention Catherine Zuber as the Costume Designer. We see some of her creativity and genius live on stage. 

Check out www.ordway.org for tickets to the rest of their 2025/2026 Broadway @ The Ordway season, and for information on the recently announced 2026/2027 Broadway @ The Ordway season.  

Water for Elephants - Orpheum Theatre - March 2026

Water for Elephants

Image of Marquee

Book by Rick Elice, Music and Lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. 

Review by Ernest Edwards

The National Tour of the newer musical Water for Elephants is in town until Sunday March 8, 2026 at Hennepin Arts Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. I was able to see the National Tour during the Saturday matinee performance. I did have the pleasure of seeing the original Broadway cast/production at the Imperial Theatre in New York City June of 2024.  At that time I had neither read the book, nor seen the movie. Now almost two years later, I still have not read the book, nor seen the movie. That is okay. The musical is wonderful on it is own, with not knowing the source material. 

When you first enter the theatre, you can’t hope but notice the circus theme along the edges of the

The stage, before the musical begins

proscenium arch. The story of the musical is a 90 year old Jacob Jankowski is visiting a traveling circus and remembering his days with a traveling circus when he was 23 years old. It was 1931, both of his parents died and the bank foreclosed on the family home.  Jacob had no prospects and decided  to start over somewhere else. He hopped on a rail car, not realizing it was a circus traveling by rail.  He starts out with grunt work, cleaning out the animal stalls, helping to raise the big top, etc. Then August the circus owner finds out he’s a vet, and hires Jacob to be the vet for the circus for $3 a week. After the prize horse is put down, the circus needs a new attraction that comes in Rosey the elephant.  

Jacob and Marlena, Augusut’s wife, begin training with Rosey. Time is not on their side. They have three weeks until their dates in Chicago.  It takes them that long to realize Rosey doesn’t understand English, she was a Polish elephant. Jacob then has teach the Marlena the commands in Polish.  Training with Marlena draws Jacob closer to her. Not only does August notice, the rest of the circus does too and tries to warn Jacob about his connection to Marlena. 

After a tragic accident at the circus. All of the animals were let loose during a performace. In the chaos Rosey killed August. August was not kind to Rosey.  In the aftermath of the circus ending Jacob and Marlena married.  They were together for 50 years before she passed.  

The program cover

Water for Elephants is a romantic story. The songs were great!  What I really liked was the circus acrobatics and circus themed choreography by Jesse Robb & Shana Carroll. Speaking of the circus, cast member Sam Keller-Long is a Twin Cities native. There’s a nice two page interview with him the program/playbill about his time with St. Paul’s Circus Juventas.  

The story moves a good pace. Hard to believe it was about a two hours and 40 minutes with the intermission.  One minute the show started, and then all of the sudden it was over. What a performance! 

The cast was great!  So talented. Older Jacob Jankowski (Mr. Jankowski in the program) is played by Robert Tully, Jacob Jankowski is played by Zachary Keller, Marlena is played by Helen Krushinski, Connor Sullivan is August, Javier Garcia is August, Tyler West is Walter, Ruby Gibb is Barbara, an Grant Honeycutt is Wade.  

With it being a period piece taking place mostly in 1931, want to mention the costumes by David I. Reynosa, and scenic design by Takeshi Kata. The puppetry for Rosey, the elephant, was great!  

It’s that time of year, 2026/2027 seasons are being announced. Check out www.hennepinarts.org for the rest of their 2025/2026 season.  Up next for Hennepin Arts Broadway on Hennepin season is the musical Suffs playing April 7 - April 12, followed by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child playing April 25 - May 17, The Great Gatsby playing June 2 - June 7, and Wicked rounds out the 2025/2026 season for the dates of July 8 - August 9. 

Kimberly Akimbo - Ordway - March 2026

Kimberly Akimbo

Book & Lyrics by David Lindsay- Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesoro

Review by Ernest Edwards

I went to the closing performance of the National Tour of the Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo at the Ordway Sunday evening.  It’s part of the Broadway @ The Ordway 2025/2026 season.  

What I loved from the program was the description of when the musical takes place. “1999. Before kids had cell phones. Somewhere in Bergen County, NJ.” The musical is a small cast of 9, who do big things.  

This musical did win the Tony Award for best musical in 2023.  

The story is about Kimberly, who just turned 16. Kimberly has Progeria. For the tour, she is played by Ann Morrison, who was part of the original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along back in 1981.  I missed the tour of Kimberly Akimbo when it was at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis in Spring 2025. I was happy that the Ordway had it in downtown St. Paul for one week with the dates of February 24, 2026 - March 1, 2026.  It was worth the wait for me. Kimberly and her parents just moved to town. Kimberly is trying to make new friends at the local high school and is going to the ice skating rink with the other high school kids. Her parents are expecting another child. They are hoping this next child will be “normal”. 

We learn why Kimberly and her parents moved. They ran away from something her Aunt Debra did. Debra is now in town and up to no good. Instead of getting a job at the local Costco, Debra decides to get into check fraud. 

This musical has a lot of heart of and soul. Kimberly finds a new circle of friends. Finds the strength to live life on her own terms, and is allowed to follow her dreams. 

I really liked the scenery by David Zinn.  It was a unit set, but had lots of reveals. Scenery appeared and disappeared effortlessly. The scenery transformed between the house, to the high school, the high schools library, a classroom, the skating rink, to Kimberly’s bedroom seamlessly. 

Check out the rest of the 2025/2026 Broadway @ the Ordway season.  Up next is Mrs. Doubtfire: A New Musical Comedy (March 17 - March 22), Monty Python’s Spamalot (June 10 - 14), and Six The Musical (June 17 - 28) round out the rest of the 2025/2026 season.  A National Tour of Dirty Dancing The Musical will be launching from the Ordway with the dates of August 12 - September 6, 2026. Check out www.ordway.org for tickets. 

Shucked - Hennepin Arts - January 2026

Shucked

Review by Ernest Edwards/Ernest Goes To The Theatre

This show is laugh out loud funny.

The 2023 Tony Award winning musical comedy Shucked is in town on tour playing at the Orpheum Theatre. It’s part of the Hennepin Arts 2025/2026 Broadway on Hennepin season.  This new musical has a book written by Robert Horn, music and lyrics are by Brandy Clark & Shane McNally.  The musical is choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby and directed by Jack O’Brien. 

This musical is about corn.  Yes that corn.  It’s humorous and dare I say at times it’s corny. The story takes place in Cobb County USA.  The residents have been growing corn for generations. No one leaves Cobb County no one comes to Cobb County either.  The residents love their corn with butter, they use the corn to make whiskey and moonshine. Corn is in every meal. Corn is in everything they do.  Is a musical about corn any good? Yes, it’s one of the funniest musicals out there. There are so many great jokes.  Come on in and get yourself some corn. 

The show begins with the wedding of Maizy and Beau. During the wedding ceremony the corn crop starts to wither.  No one wants to leave to look for help, and they also don’t want help from the outside. Maizy says we need to do something.  She goes from Cobb County USA to Tampa Florida, and finds a “corn” doctor named Gordy to bring back to Cobb County.  Gordy is a foot doctor. He specials in corns.  Maizy bring this “corn” doctor back to Cobb County.  Gordon is there for reasons of his own. He’s interested in the rocks in the county, thinks they are valuable and will get him out of debt with the mob. Beau doesn’t trust him, and neither does Lulu who is Maizy’s cousin.  

Relationships get out of whack.  In the end the corn crops are saved, and Gordy marrie’s Lulu and Beau and Maizy finally tie the not.  Some of the best characters and humor comes from Storyteller 1, Storyteller 2, and Beau’s brother Peanut.  

At the end of the musical, we learn that the Storyteller 1 is the granddaughter of Gordon and Lulu and that Storyteller 2 is the grandson of Maizy and Beau.  

Let’s talk about the cast.  While reviewing the program, I recognized Mimi Abraham as Lulu from the Broadway run of Shucked in 2023.  Maya Lagerstam, who plays Storyteller 1 has ties to the Twin Cities. She was part of the UofM/Guthrie BFA acting program.  Maya Lagerstam and Joe Moeller were so great as the narrators of the story.  A lot of the humor came from them.  Gordy is played by Quinn VanAntwerp.  Beau is played by Nick Bailey. When Beau sings the song “Somebody Will” that was a strong vocal performance by Nick Bialey.  I don’t remember that song being that powerful when I had seen the show on Broadway.  Mike Nappi is excellent as Peanut. Peanut is pure comedy gold.  Let’s not forget Danielle Wade as Maizy. She is the center and heart of the story.   The rest of the ensemble is fun too.  

According to the program, Hennepin Arts should be announcing the 2026/2027 Broadway on Hennepin series in February. I’m looking forward to that. 

Shuck is in town through Sunday January 11, 2026. Check out www.hennepinarts.org for tickets. 

Jesus Christ Superstar - Ordway - December 2025

Jesus Christ Superstar

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

On Sunday December 28, 2025, I braved the winter weather to see the closing/evening performance of the National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Ordway. It’s part of their Broadway at the Ordway 2025/2026 season.  At the start of the evening, the president of the Ordway welcomed us to the 24th and last performance of the musical, and said that 30,000 people were able to enjoy the musical at the Ordway during the month of December. 

This Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical is one of my favorite scores for a musical. This production did not disappoint.  We did have two understudies at my performance. Actor Joshua Bess, who is normally the First Priest was Pilate. I can’t remember who then played the First Priest. That actor was phenomenal in the role of the First Priest.  He had a great voice and stage presence. 

The story of Jesus Christ Superstar follows Jesus and his disciples during the last days of Jesus’s life, from arriving to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover to the crucifixion.  The original concept album came out in 1970. The original Broadway production was in 1971. Then the movie was out in 1973.  

From the Ordway, this production will go on an international tour. In the summer of 2026 it will play at the Palladium Theatre in London’s West End.  

There are many things that I liked with this production. This production was based on the Regents Park Theatre production from London. I’ve been to the open air theatre before in Regents Park, it’s a great venue for theatre.  The scenery was very effective for this production. The production is about 90 minutes with no intermission. I don’t think I have seen Jesus Christ Superstar before without an intermission. It was really nice.  There were times where Jesus had a guitar during some songs, the same with Peter, the First Priest and Pilate. When Judas betrays Jesus to the Priests, they dip his hands in silver paint in the chest full of silver. Judas then has silver hands the rest of the performance. It’s like he is marked by his betrayal, and everyone can see it.  A concept that I noticed is that while singing a song, the performer had to grab a microphone.  Sometimes the microphone was passed around, like with the song “What’s the Buzz?”.  In the song “This Jesus Must Die” Caiaphas and The Priests sing the first half of the song holding their staffs off to the side. Then in a well choreographed moment half way through the song, the staffs are rotated to reveal a microphone at the other end that they then finish off the song singing from that microphone. That was a really fun moment to see on stage. Another favorite moment was during the song “The Last Supper”, everyone on stage recreated Leonardo DaVince’s the Last Supper. That was a nice moment on stage. 

Some recognition for the cast from the Sunday evening performance. Jack Hopewell as Jesus, Elvie Ellis as Judas, Faith Jones as Mary, Isaac Ryckleghem as Caiaphas, Joshua Bess as Pilate, Eric W. Schleck as Herod, and the actors name that I can’t remember who was the understudy for First Priest (understudy not referenced in the program). 

This was a fun production. Had me humming the songs as I left the Ordway. 

Phantom of the Opera - Hennepin Arts - November 2025

Phantom of the Opera

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Phantom of the Opera is back on tour, making a stop at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The musical is in town through Sunday December 7, 2025. Before I get into the story of the musical, let’s recap the production.  The original production played on Broadway for 35 years before it closed, and is still playing in London. The original national tour in North America stopped running in the early 2010’s. In 2020, producer Cameron Mackintosh took the opportunity to update the scenery. As much as I love some of the long running musicals, the scenery isn’t always meant to last decades .  This tour features the new scenery by Matt Kinley (inspired by the original design), Original choreography recreated and adapted by Christie Cartwright, directed by Seth Solar Heyn, along with the original costume designs. If you have seen the original Phantom of the Opera before, you will notice this production is the same, but different or different, but the same.  

There was a different tour in the 2010’s that also used the original costumes, but had completely different scenery. It was suppose to be more tour-able. The first time I had seen that, I liked it. When it came back a second time, I was like, can we have the original production back?  This tour is close to the original.  In the 2010’s I did get to see the original production in New York City, and London, and also the Vegas Spectacular production of Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.  The Vegas production was spectacular in so many ways. I still think that is my favorite version of the chandelier that is featured in Phantom of the Opera. 

I also have the 25th Anniversary recorded live from the Royal Albert Hall in London.  That is the only stage version that was filmed. Then there is the 2004 film version, which has some elements that I really like, but also had so many moments that could have been better in the film. 

When I had seen this tour on Monday night, we had a technical issue between scenes 9 & 10 in the first act. (Only about 10 minutes left before intermission) They announced there was a technical issue and need to stop the show and to please stay in your seats. I think I had seen what the issue was during the ballet number from Il Muto, the opera being performed on stage during the musical. There was a back drop that was not right looking, and they raised it back up.  That’s my theory. Now I need to talk about my fellow patrons. So many people thought there was going to be two intermissions. And I was annoyed at the shear volume of people returning to their seats during the last scene and the song All I Ask You. It was very disruptive. I tried to not late that ruin my enjoyment of the musical. Now I have experienced this kind of technical issue before once on Broadway, once in London’s West End, but this was a first I had experienced it during a national tour. This was kind of fun for me, my third time having a professional show stop to fix a technical issue.  This is very rare and definitely something I will remember.  

Let’s talk about the cast.  We have Isaiah Bailey as The Phantom, Jordan Lee Gilbert as Christine Daae, Daniel Lopez as Raoul The Vicomte de Chagny, Midori Marsh as Carlotta, William Thomas Evans as Monsieur Firmin, Carrington Vilmont as Monsieur Andre, Lisa Vroman as Madame Giry, Christopher Bozeman as Libaldo Piangi, and Melo Ludwig as Meg Giry. 

If you have not seen any of the old classic movies, or the stage musical before.  The story follows singing protege Christine Daae who is in the chorus and a dancer at the Paris Popular Opera house. She’s the daughter of a famous violinist. There’s mysterious things happening at the Opera House. Folks are saying it’s The Phantom of the Opera who is behind these things.  Prima Donna Carlotta decides she has had it, and leaves. Christine makes her debut that night.  After the show she has a reunion with Raoul, before the Phantom whisks Christine away to where he lives below the opera house.  The first act ends with the Phantom bringing down the chandelier in spectacular fashion.  The second act opens with a masquerade to celebrate the new chandelier. The Phantom crashes the masquerade and demands that Andre and Firmin produce his new opera Don Juan Triumphant.  It takes time for all involved to realized that producing this opera could be their best chance to get the upper hand on the Phantom.  

It’s alluded to that the Phantom has been secretly providing Christine with vocal lessons.  Is the Phantom in love with Christine? Or is he obsessed with her? 

Madame Giry knows more than she lets on. All is revealed in the second act.  

The vocal talents of the actors/actresses playing Christine, The Phantom, Raoul and Carolotta are so powerful.  It’s hard to resist this score and not get swept up in the musical and the spectacle of the scenery and costumes.  

I have always enjoyed the overture for this musical.  The show begins with an auction in the ruins of the opera house in 1905. When the chandelier is illuminated, we are taken back to the late 1800’s.  And the opera house comes alive again as the chandelier rises to its rightful place, and the dust cloths are removed and the we go back in time to a rehearsal of Hannibal the opera.  So much to watch during the overture. Lots of great details you do not want to miss out.  Now that I have seen it again on stage, I really want to see how the show looks backstage. There is so much scenery, and big pieces of scenery that I’m wondering what kind of game of Tetris is being played backstage.  

I really do like the new scenery.  This cast is out of the world. They are so talented and sing their hearts out night after night.  This tour is in town longer than the standard one week tours. You have until Sunday December 7, 2025 to see it. Check out hennepinarts.org for tickets. 

The full marquee of the Orpheum Theatre featuring the Phantom of the Opera. 

Close up of the marquee

The stage before the musical begins. I could tell from the moment I walked in, that the scenery was not the same.  

The stage during the technical issue break near the end of the first act. 

The chandelier hanging out after the end of the first act. 

The chandelier returning to its normal location during the Entr’Act at the beginning of the second act. 

The Notebook - Ordway - November 2025

The Notebook the musical

Review by Ernest Goes to the Theatre/Ernest Edwards

I was as the opening night for the National Tour stop of The Notebook at the Ordway in downtown St. Paul. The Notebook is the second musical of their Broadway at the Ordway 2025/2026 season. 

The music and lyrics are by Ingrid Michaelson, with book by Bekah Brunstetter, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.  Direction by Michael Greif & Schele Williams.  

I still have not read the book. I have seen the movie multiple times.  I did see the preBroadway run of The Notebook at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in October 2022. When I had seen the preBroadway run in Chicago, I felt like no changes were needed for Broadway.  I really didn’t see any big changes opening night from when I had seen it three years ago in Chicago.  

The stage musical is the story from the book & movie, but it is not the movie word for word. Nor moment by moment. The musical is its own entity with how the story is told.  The story takes place in a Mid-Atlantic coastal town in the 1960’s, 1970’s and today.  There are three actresses who play Allie at those different ages, and there are three actors who play Noah at those different stages of life.  What I really liked about the first act, was that older Allie and Noah were either on the side of the stage or upstage center, watching their story unfold before their eyes.  

If you not familiar with The Notebook, the story begins today at a memory care facility. Allie is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. She doesn’t know who she is.  Noah, her husband is there with her. She thinks he just kind a friend, but doesn’t remember that he is her husband. He reads to her. What he reads to her is their story.  She said if you read it to me, I will come back.  

Their story is kind of like star crossed lovers. He’s poor and looked down upon by her parents.  She has a bright future, with college, and meeting the right kind of people and marry someone worthy in her parents eyes. Which means, comes from money and has money.  

Years later Allie’s Mom had thought Allie had completely forgotten about Noah, until his photo of their dream house appeared in an article. He did fix it up, just like he said he would A week before her wedding, Allie had to go see that house and Noah. This is where the audience learn that in an effort to keep Allie and Noah apart, Allie’s Mom hid the letters that Noah wrote to her. He wrote to her every day for a whole year before he stopped. Allie thought he didn’t care, because she didn’t see the letters.

Now the souvenir stand also has for sale boxes of Kleenex with The Notebook the musical marketing all over the boxes.  You’ll need tissues for the final moment of the musical.  If you have read the book or seen the movie, you know what I’m talking about.  

This show has a really good cast.  Lots of vocal talent. Great powerful songs, and songs with lots of emotion. This is a very good score.  The three Allie’s and three Noah’s really make the show.  Such a good story to see on stage.  

I had an epiphany opening night. I finally realized why the story is called The Notebook.  Maybe it’s the prop in the tour that made the connection for me.  Allie had used a leather bound journal to write down her and Noah’s story.  That is the same notebook that Noah uses to read to her every day. I don’t remember the prop looking that in the movie.  That was a lightbulb moment for me opening night.  

The musical plays at the Ordway through November 30, 2025.  Check out Ordway.org for tickets. 

The stage, before the musical begins. 

After the curtain call producer Kevin McCollum joined the cast on stage.  He then introduced a very special guest. Author Nicholas Sparks then joined the cast after the curtain call. This was his first time seeing the National Tour production. He had seen the Chicago run and the Broadway production in NYC. That was a cool moment, to see the author live on stage.  The Ordway also has a video of this moment with Nicholas Sparks on stage. Check out the Ordway’s Facebook page for the video.