Wife of A Salesman

Wife of a Salesman

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By Eleanor Burgess

Review by Ernest Edwards

Have you seen the Arthur Miller play Death of a Salesman? Have you ever wondered what if the wife confronted the mistress? The Gird Friday Productions of the play Wife of a Salesman at the Gremlin Theater answers that question. 

This play came at the right time for me as was able to see the Broadway Revival of the play Death of a Salesman this past summer in New York City. That story is still fresh in mind. Wife of Salesman is a great companion piece to the classic play Death of a Salesman. 

The events in this play would take place years before Biff, the eldest son, discovered his dad Willy Loman with his mistress in Boston. This play doesn’t mention any of the characters by name, if you know Death of a Salesman, you know exactly who everyone is that referenced in this play. 

I really liked how the play was structured. Part way through the play, we learn what we are seeing is the final rehearsal before opening night. The director comes on stage, stops the action, fixes some lights, we start some scenes over, and we see the actresses stop acting and just chat with each other during the break. Then we are back at it with the story from the play. It was an interesting way to tell the story. 

The cast is perfect in their roles. The Wife is played by Mo Perry, The Mistress is played by Hannah Steblay, and Joe is played by Craig Johnson. The scenery was designed by Eric Morris, takes us to a Boston apartment in the early 1950’s. The costumes are designed by Barb Portinga. The costumes do help us identity who these two different woman are. 

We will never know if these events ever happened, but it’s a great play based on a very good what if scenario. This is an excellent companion piece to the Arthur Miller play. 

Unlike Death of a Salesman, Wife of a Salesman is 90 minutes with no intermission. 

The play runs through October 4, 2026. Check out www.girlfridayproductions.org for tickets. 

Indecent - Theater Latte Da - September 2026

Indecent 

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The True Story of a Little Jewish Play

By Paula Vogel

Score & Original Music by Lisa Gutkin & Aaron Halva

Indecent is the most important play of 2026. 

I knew nothing about this play going into it. Which was great! As much as I love seeing something that I am familiar with, there’s an excitement in seeing something new. This play was absolutely wonderful in many ways. 

I learned that this play premiered on Broadway in 2017. Indecent is a play about the play titled God of Vengeance that premiered in Berlin in 1907 and Broadway in 1923. After seeing Indecent, I am curious about seeing God of Vengeance. God of Vengeance is a play written in Yiddish in the early 1900’s. The play God of Vengeance was performed around Europe. The play is also controversial, as it’s a Yiddish play with a lesbian couple at the center of the story. When the play comes to America, it is performed in Yiddish in downtown Manhattan. When the play moves to Greenwich Village, it gets translated to English by a different writer. That writer also removes some of the scenes that makes it special. What is left is not the same show. What’s the saying? Something got lost in translation. In this case that is literally what happened. What was presented in English caused the play to be shut down, by the moral authority of New York City in 1923 and the cast was arrested. That makes me think about what shows since then could have faced scrutiny from some moral authority. Some shows that come to mind are Oh Calcutta, Hair, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Grease, the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage Aux Follies, Falsettos, The Boys in the Band, The Normal Heart, Rent, Spring Awakening, Passion and many more. 

The play focuses on Avram, who is the playwright of God of Vengeance. Ryan London Levin plays Avram

Photo by Dan Norman

with a passion and a drive. This is also a play with music. Spencer Chandler plays an accordion, Rebecca Mac plays the violin, Pat O’Keefe plays the clarinet and other wind instruments. The rest of the cast brings so much to this story. Robert Dorman plays Otto, August Forman plays Lemml, Tony Larkin plays Mendel, Ann Michaels plays Vera, Aila Peck plays Halina, Ani Tonoyan plays Chana. I really liked August Forman’s performance of Lemml. He was the narrator and heart of the play. 

I try to not give away the ending with my reviews. I really want to mention the ending of Indecent. Throughout the play, we keep hearing about this rain scene with the two leading ladies. We get to see that scene in the rain, and it’s beautiful. 

Theater Latta Da takes us on a wonderful journey with their first show of their 2026/2027. Don’t hestistate, buy tickets right now. This show is not to be missed. This show needs to be experienced live at the theatre. 

Indecent plays through October 18, 2026. Check out www.latteda.org for tickets. 

American Players Theatre - September 2026

I went to American Players Theatre over the weekend. Made my annual trip with my theater going friends,  

2026 Program Cover

some who are also bloggers with the pages Cherry and Spoon, and Minnesota Theater Love. I did have plans to see all eight shows of the 2026 summer season, but between the transmission puttering out on my vehicle and some rain, I ended up only seeing five out of the eight plays. That’s okay. I was able to make lemonade out of the lemons life gave me. 

I have been blogging for over a year now, and I have written many mini reviews on my personal Facebook page for several years. Let’s talk about APT and the town of Spring Green, WI. APT produces plays annually June through early October. APT is celebrating their 47th season, and I have been going to APT since 2008. In 2026, they are also the recipient of the 2026 Regional Theater Tony Award, which is well deserved. APT is known for their productions of Shakespeare and classic theater. They will also produce more modern plays too. What I love about APT is being able to picnic either between

The Tony Award

plays or before plays with friends. There are tables set up all over the grounds with grills that can be used by the patrons, along with some shelters. That is where some of the magic happens. Being able to talk about the shows with your friends and family. Another part of the magic in the Core Company, the Apprentice Company and the rest of the cast. The company members can appear in up to three shows during the main part of the season. It’s fun to see the actors in different roles throughout the course of the weekend. APT also has two stages, the Hill Theatre is what I refer to as the flagship theatre which holds just over 1000 seats. The second stage is the Touchstone Theatre, which opened in 2009. It’s an indoor stage with around 200 seats. APT started producing an extra play in the Touchstone Theatre, during the October/November timeframe. It’s nice to come back to APT one more time. This years extra play is Witch by Jen Silverman.

Spring Green is a small Wisconsin town to the west of Madison. Not only is APT located at Spring Green, but so is Taliesin (Frank Lloyd Wright’s home) and just down the road is House on a Rock. There’s the Wisconsin River, Tower Hill State Park, and plenty of trails nearby. This weekend my friends and I did some shopping and eating at Los Amigos, The Spring Green General Store, The Wisconsin Riverside Resort, Arcadia Books, Simply Rooted, Reunion Family BBQ, Peck’s, Anita’s, the River Valley Market and Birds of Paradise Tea. Check out the town. It has a lot to offer. Who knows, you may see cast members from APT out and about as well. 

Day 1, Friday September 18, 2026. 

My first play was a matinee peformance of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea by Nathan Alan Davis at the Touchstone Theatre.

Photo by Ernest Edwards

The play takes place present day in Baltimore, MD, the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Dontrell Jones III has a vision of an ancient ancestor and wants to know what the message means. His parents really want him to start college now that he just graduated from High School. 

This play had a strong cast with Dontrell Jones III played by Derrick Moore, Erika played by Jamie Herb, Dontrell Jones Jr, played by Gavin Lawrence, Sophia Jones played by Dee Dee Batteast, Danielle played by Samantha Newcomb, Shea played by Jazzma Pryor, and Robby played by Kayla Mariah Fifer. 

This play runs for just over 90 minutes and was a very powerful and moving play. 

The evening play was the William Shakespeare play As You Like It at the Hill Theatre, directed by Core

Photo By Ernest Edwards

Company member Laura Rook. 

What is great about the Hill Theatre during evening performances is seeing theatre under the stars, the occasional bat flying around, and illuminating the trees behind the stage with various colors. 

I noticed during intermission, that the trees in the lobby were filled with Orlando’s letters to Rosalind. When I came back to my seat, the scenery on stage was also full of letters by Orlando. 

Fun play. The cast includes Rosalind played by Samantha Newcomb, Celia played by Sola Thompson, Orlando played by Derrick Moore. 

Day Two, Saturday September 19, 2026. 

The matinee play did get rained out. 

My evening performance was the Thornton Wilder play The Matchmaker.

Photo by Ernest Edwards

Which is the play that the musical Hello Dolly is based on. APT’s production is a play with music, which is a nice homage linking the play to the famous musical. 

The Matchmaker was utterly delightful. 

It is also the only play to use the trap doors on the Hill Theater after a few years. 

I don’t think I have ever seen this before at APT, but The Matchmaker had a sponsor for the Costumes. The character Dolly Gallagher Levi does have some impressive dresses that she wears throughout the production. 

This play was perfectly cast. Dolly is played by Traci Michelle Arnold, Horace Vandergelder is played by Triney Sandoval, Cornelius Hackl is played by Colin Covert, Barnaby Tucker is played by Trevyn Wong, Mrs. Irene Molly is played by Phoebe Gonzales, Minnie Fay is played by Ama J. Kuwonu, Ambrose Kember is played by Jonathon Gardner, Ermengarde is played by Kelly Simmons, and Rudolph is played by Josh Krause. Lots of APT favorites in this cast. 

Day Three, Sunday September 20, 2026. 

My matinee play was Casey and Diana at the Touchstone Theatre, written by Nick Green. 

This play was the tear jerker of the weekend. Such a wonderful play. 

Photo by Ernest Edwards

It takes place in Toronto, Ontario in October 1991. The week leading to when Princess Diana visits the Casey House, which was a hospice facility for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Today it’s now a speciality hospital for those living with HIV/AIDS. 

The story focuses on Thomas, played by La Shawn Banks, and his new roommate Andre, played by Joe Meyer. Knowing that Princess Diana will be there in a week gives them both something to live for. Vera, played by Elizabeth Ledo, is a nurse at the Casey House. Marjorie, played by Colleen Madden, is a volunteer at Casey House, Pauline (Thomas’s sister) is played by Dee Dee Batteast. Diana is played by Hanna Ruwe, Such a great cast for this play. Bring the tissues. You will need it for this play. 

The evening play was The Two “Gentlemen” of Verona, which is an adaption of the Shakespeare play by Aaron Posner. 

This was a fun play to close out my big APT weekend. 

Photo by Ernest Edwards

Crab, the dog, was played by Elizabeth Ledo. The host was played by Nate Burger, Valentine was played by Colin Covert, Proteus was played by Jonathan Gardner, Julie was played by Maggie Cramer, Silvia was played by Ama J. Kuwonu, Speed was played by David Daniel, Launce was played by James Ridge, The Duke was played by Brian Mani, Antonio is played by La Shawn Banks, Thurio is played by Casey Hoekstra, and Eglamour is played by Tim Gittings. Tim Gittings, Nate Burger, and Ellen Dobias do a great job as the band for this play. 

If there is an overarching theme connecting all of the plays together this season. Of those that I was able to see, I would say the them is love. 

Not only is the company of actors pretty amazing. So is the design staff, the directors, the technicians, the front of house staff. It takes a lot of people in various roles to make all of these plays being performed in repertory to happen without a hitch.  

My friends and I already have our tickets for Witch in October. The main APT season still runs through October 4, 2026. Check out www.americanplayers.org for tickets. 

Waiting for Godot - Guthrie Theater - September 2026

Waiting for Godot

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By Samual Becket

Review by Ernest Edwards

While Waiting for Godot is a great piece of 20th Century literature, the Guthrie Theater’s production is profound, thought provoking, fun and insightful. It is one of the best performances you will ever see live on stage. 

The play is about two friends, Estragon and Vladmir, trying to pass the time in what seems to be a post apocalyptic world. As they are trying to pass the time, two strangers by the names of Pozzo and Lucky do cross their paths. That is when Twin Cities favorite Jim Litchtsheidl gets to shine with his mastery of physical comedy. 

I have some history with this play. The 2026 Guthrie Theater production of Waiting for Godot is my fifth professional production I have seen of this Samuel Becket play. (The Guthrie Theater originally produced the play in 1973.) The first production I had seen was in 2009 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London starring Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen, along with Simon Callow as Pozzo. The second production was 2010 at American Players Theater featuring James DeVita and James Ridge. The third production was in 2012 at the Jungle Theatre featuring Nathan Keepers and Jim Lichtscheidl. The fourth production was on Broadway, at The Hudson Theatre, December 2025 starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. That production was “most excellent”. It was great to see Bill & Ted back together again, this time live on the Broadway stage. Now the fifth production is at the Guthrie Theater in 2026, featuring film star David Strathairn as Vladimir, Jimmy Kieffer is Estragon, Jim Lichtscheidl is Lucky, William Sturdivant is Pozzo, and Antonio Teodoro is A Boy. 

Photo by Dan Norman

One of my favorite things about seeing shows at The Guthrie Theater is the extra information about the show they include in the program. Waiting for Godot is referenced as one of the most important plays of the 20th Century. Check out those articles either before or after the play. They are a great read. 

With having seen different productions of Waiting for Godot before, when I walked into the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie Theater, Marion Williams scenic design definitely said it was Waiting for Godot to me. 

The acting is phenomenal in this play. 

The play runs through October 11, 2026, check out www.guthrietheater.org for tickets. 

 

 

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. 

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. 

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. 

New York City - July 2026

I was in New York City for a long weekend and got to see seven shows in four days. I also got to do some other touristy things while I was there. 

Day 1, Thursday July 23, 2026

My flight landed at 11:00am at JFK Airport. I took the tram to Jamaica station in Queens and transferred to the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Station. I was able to make it to Bryant Park for Broadway at Bryant Park, which started at 12:30pm. They did songs from Hadestown, & Juliet, Just in Time, Maybe Happy Ending, The Lost Boys and Moulin Rouge. It was fun to finally see Broadway at Bryant Park in person. Then I had enough time to check into my hotel before my 3pm matinee. 

Titanique at the St. James Theatre

My matinee musical was Titanique. This was my third time seeing Titanique, but my first time seeing it on

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Broadway at the St. James Theatre. It had seen it twice previously Off Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theater by Union Square. 

The musical was written by Marla Mindella, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue. I like to coin this musical as the little show that could and sure did do big things. The story begins at a tour of the Titanic museum. Celine Dion interrupts the tour to tell the story of Titanic from her perspective. The tour guide even tells Celine that she wasn’t in the movie, and only sang the theme song that played during the credits after the movie. That doesn’t stop her. We are taken on fun ride of the movie, narrated by Celine Dion with her music. 

I also want to point out that Marla Mindella and Constantine Rousouli also wrote and starred in the Off Broadway musical The Big Gay Jamboree that I got to see at the Orpheum Theatre in October 2024. 

Marla Mindella plays Celine Dion, Constantine Rousouli plays Jack Dawson, Melissa Barrera plays Rose DeWitt Bukater, John Riddle plays Cal Hockley, Jim Parsons plays Ruth DeWit Bukater, understudy Brad Greer was Victor Garber/Luigi, Deborah Cox was Molly Brown, and Layton Williams as the Tour Guide/Iceberg. Background vocalists were Sara Gallo, Polanco Jones Jr, and Kristina Leopoldo. 

Titanique is not only a ton of fun, but it is also one of the gayest things on Broadway. I was loving every minute of it. 

Titanique is currently scheduled to run on Broadway through September 20, 2026.  The show has also had productions in London, Toronto and Chicago. I’m hoping it get’s to Minneapolis or St. Paul someday. 

The stage before Titanique, with a gaint Heart 
Of the ocean necklace floating above the stage. 

Titanique cast during the curtain call

Schmigadoon! At the Nederlander Theatre. 

Based on the Apple TV series with book, music and lyrics by Cinco Paul 

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My evening musical was was the fun 2026 Tony Award Winning best musical Schmigadoon!

For my performance understudy Clyde Alves played Josh Skinner, Melissa Gimble was played by Sara Chase, Mildred Layton was played by Ana Gasteyer and Danny Bailey was played by Max Clayton. Such a fun cast.

The stage musical follows the first season of the Apple TV series. You have Josh and Melissa find themselves in a town that is one giant live musical with elements from so many classic stage musicals. They have to find true love in order to return to the real world. It’s a fun ride. The cast was great! The sets and costumes were so colorful too. Such a fun an uplifting show. Lots of comedy, costumes, singing, dancing and tap dancing. “Who could ask for anything more?!”

The stage, before Schmigadoon begins. 

The stage during intermission. 

Day 2, Friday July 24, 2026

During the day on Friday, I finally made it to The Bronx Zoo. On previous trips, I have been able to make it to the Zoo at Central Park, the Queen’s Zoo and the Zoo at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The Bronx Zoo is the big one. It does take some time to enjoy that zoo. I want to say it has some similarities to the Minnesota Zoo in size and scope. 

Stranger Things: The First Shadow playing at the Marquis Theatre. 

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I had went to see this play a year ago in May 2025. At the time I had never seen not one episode of the Netflix series “Stranger Things”. It was a great prequel and introduction into the series for me. I then watched all five seasons between September and December 2025, and even went to a movie theater to see the final episode on the big screen on New Years Eve. Yeah, I really got into the series. Stranger Things: The First Shadow was my favorite stage show of 2025. It is the one show I could not stop thinking about. With it closing on Broadway in January 2027, I thought this was the perfect time to see it again live on stage. 

This time around, I was better able to relate to the story and characters. It was fun seeing a young Joyce, Bob, Harper and Henry Creel. The special effects are out of this world for this stage production. Rumor has it Stranger Things: The First Shadow will be filmed on Broadway for streaming on Netflix on a later date. The story and the special effects need to be visually preserved. 

The play goes even deeper into Henry Creel’s origin and Dr. Brenner. This show starts strong and doesn’t stop. 

You have go through the Creel House to see the play

A sign in the lobby. 

Day 3, Saturday July 25, 2026 

Cats: The Jellicle Ball, played at the Broadhurst Theatre. 

I’m one of those people who did not like the original production of Cats. I remember the marketing was “Now and Forever”, and in the mid 1990’s when I did finally see it I was like “why is this show still playing?”. The original Broadway production ran for 18 years, and was the longest running show on Broadway when it closed. Now the original production did have some things going for it, such as the music, choreography, the costumes, wigs and make up were all very creative. The show has very little of an overall story/plot, which I what I really didn’t like. 

The marquee outside of the theatre. 

Where the original production fell short, Cats: The Jellicle Ball succeeds. They took the story from an alley full of cats to a NYC Ballroom competition. Having the show infused with the NYC Ballroom scene really took Cats to a new level. Songs were grouped into Ballroom categories. And celebrity guest judges are added to the beginning of the musical. For the performance that I went to, one of the guest judges was the legendary and iconic Debbie Allen. 

The musical did also win three Tony Awards from the 2026 Tony Awards. Best Direction for Zhailon Levingston and BIll Raugh, Best Choreography for Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons and Best Costumes for a Musical went to Qween Jean. Since I went to the see the musical in July, a cast recording for Cats: The 

The stage, during intermission. 

Jellicle Ball has been announced. That is exciting news! This cast deserves to have their vocals captured on a cast recording. 

They also put a catwalk on the stage that extended into the audience, with audience members also on both sides of the stage with cabaret tables and chairs near the front of the main floor, and a DJ housed in one of the balcony theatre boxes. 

The cast was phenomenal! Andre De Sheilds is Old Deuteronomy, “Tempress” Chasity Moore is Grizabella, Sydney James Harcourt is Rum Tum Tugger, Kya Azeri is Macavity, Junior Labella is Gus “the theatre cat”, Robert “Silk” Mason is Magical Mister Mistoffelees. The whole cast was fun and fabulous and took the musical to new heights. 

The energy for this production was nonstop. I enjoyed Cats: The Jellicle Ball way more than I ever enjoyed the original production of Cats. Bringing it to present day, the NYC Ballroom scene, and all the representation on stage made this a must see production. It’s sad that while the original production played for 18 years, this revival only played for around 18 weeks. Guess it was an expensive show to produce. Although it was drawing in the crowds and seats were filling, if the show wasn’t brining in a million a week, it was loosing money. This specific early closing is raising questions about the state of Broadway and the cost of Broadway. I hope Cats: The Jellicle Ball is able to find a life after Broadway. 

For this production the trip to the heaven side layer, was a spiral staircase that descended from above and Grizabella climbed the stairs and the stairs disappeared. I thought that way of updating that moment worked really well for this setting. 

I did buy a Cats: The Jellicle Ball fan before the show started. I was using it for clapping during the production. I am amazed they did not sell out of those. That’s a fun souvenir to have. I went from strongly disliking the original production to loving everything about Cats: The Jellicle Ball. That is the impact this revival and reinterpretation is having on audiences. 

Between shows on Saturday, I went to the new observation deck at One Times Square. It’s the old New York Times building  that the square is now named after. For years it’s the building that has been covered in billboards. Now they have opened an observation deck 19 floors up. It’s a great way to see the intersection of Broadway, 7th Avenue, and 42nd Street from above. Trust me, the street level of Times Square is very full of pedestrians. You do need to buy tickets, but it is so worth it for the view. 

Les Miserables: The Arena Concert Spectacular (Miz Rocks!) at Radio City Music Hall. 

Les Miserables is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a world tour that is almost over. The only stop for

Souvenir Program Cover

the tour in North America was at Radio City Music Hall for a little over three weeks. Les Miserables was the whole reason this trip had to happen for me. Les Miserables at Radio City Music Hall! It was a no brainer for me. 

For the Radio City Music Hall stop, they had three different actors rotating as Jean Val Jean and two different actors as Javert. For the night I went Alfie Boe was Jean Val Jean. He has announced that once this tour is over, he is retiring as Jean Val Jean. He has played this character off and on since the 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 in London. It was real treat to see and hear him live on stage at Radio City Music Hall. Bradley Jaden was Javert at my performance. Let me tell you, this young man has a voice. His rendition of “Stars” was so good, so powerful and so moving. Samantha Barks was Fantine. Samantha had originally played Eponine for the 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 and then was also Eponine for the 2012 film version of the musical. The Bishop of Digne was played by Philip Quast who was the original Javert for the Australian production of Les Miserables. He is also on the Complete Symphonic Cast Recording (5th Anniversary) as Javert, and was Javert at the 10th Anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall which has been dubbed “The Dream Cast”. It was so cool to see and hear him involved with the 40th Anniversary concert. Matt Lucas is also back as Thenarier, a role he has been playing off and on since the 25th Anniversary concert at the O2. Other cast members to recognize are Mariana Prior as Madame Thenardier, Shan Ako as Eponine, Jac Yarrow are Marius, Beatrice Penny-Toure as Cossett, and Christian Mark Gibbs as Enjolras. 

Radio City marquee for Les Miserables 

This was not a full stage production, it was concert production. There were costumes, scenery and projections. They had video screens for closeups, which I appreciated. And The lighting equipment played a part in scenes like “Master of the House” and “The Barricade” where the lighting equipment rigging morphed into different shapes for those scenes. A moment that I thought was staged really well was the transition from Young Cossett to Cossett. Jean Val Jean walks upstage center with Young Cossett, and walks back downstage with an older Cossett. So simple and so effective. 

The orchestra was on stage for the entire performance. They were on the upstage part of the scenery. It was nice having a large orchestra for this production. This is a great score, and Radio City is known for excellent acoustics. 

The curtain call for Les Miserables

Les Miserables at Radio City Music Hall was everything I expected it to be and so much more. 

Les Miserables is another show that I have seen many times over the years. I’ve seen the original production on tour, the 25th Anniversary production on tour, and I’ve seen it in Toronto and on Broadway. I also have many different DVD’s of the various anniversary concerts over the years. It is one of my favorite musicals. Seeing this concert production at Radio City Music Hall was simply magnifique. 

Day 4, Sunday July 26, 2026. 

I started the morning by doing a quick walk through Central Park. My matinee wasn’t until 3:00pm, Sunday morning was the best time for me to do a stroll through Central Park. I learned while I was there that the Bethesda Fountain will be closed for a year for renovations. That is one of my favorite spots to visit in Central Park. I do want that fountain to stay in tip top shape. 

Death of a Salesman, Winter Garden Theatre

My matinee was the Joe Mantello directed Tony Award revival of Death of a Salesman. The performances by

Playbill Cover

Laurie Metcalf (Tony winning performance) and Nathan Lane were not to be missed. Nathan Lane played Willy Logan, Laurie Metcalf Linda Loman, Christopher Abbott played Biff (their son) and Ben Ahlers played Happy their second son. 

Between the script and the performances, this was a must see production. Nathan Lane is really good at drama. I had last seen him on stage in Angels in America in London back in 2017. He’s made a career out of doing comedy, but he does also excel in dramatic based roles. 

The marquee 

The side of the marquee

Masquerade

Andrew Llloyd Webbers The Phantom of the Opera may have closed on Broadway as the longest running show on Broadway, but an Off Broadway reimagining titled Masquerade is breathing new life into the story of the Phantom. 

I will try to describe this production without too many specific spoilers. It is something to experience in person, live on stage. 

First what is so interesting with this production is they do 6 productions a night. Every 15 minutes between 7:00pm and 8:30pm a new production starts. And the different productions never overlap. That is some behind the scenes information I would love to know someday. 

Masquerade is, and is not Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. It’s the got the music and the script, but it’s not linear to the original production. It’s also very up close and personal, which is so cool. So many times the cast was right next to me. There are additional scenes about the Phantom’s origin as a freak performing at a circus before he escapes and hides out in the catacombs beneath the Opera house. The song “Learn to be Lonely” from the credits of the 2004 Phantom of the Opera movie is also part of this production. 

Part of the fun, is everyone dresses up for this production and wears a mask the for the entire production. If you don’t have a mask, they will provide one. Every square inch of the building at 218 West 57th Street in NYC is used for this production. From the basement to the rooftop. We go up and we down and we go all around the space. If you are familiar with the Phantom of the Opera musical, you can guess what scenes are staged on the rooftop. I will not give that away. 

I have seen Phantom of the Opera numerous times over the years, on tour, in Las Vegas, on Broadway, in London, the “new” tour in the teens, and now the reimaged version that was just in Minneapolis on tour November of 2025. I still say the Las Vegas production was the most spectacular! How could it not be, it’s Vegas after all. This production has a lot going for it with the intimate experience and the changing of locations. It is Phantom of the Opera as you have never experienced it before.

The production is directed by Diane Paulus. For my 7:15pm performance the following actors were in my cast. Christine was played by Halie Ferrier, Madame Giry was played by Nicole Ferguson, Andre was played by Matthew Curiano, Firmin was played by Mark Banik, Raul was played by Francisco Javier Gonzalez, Carlotta was played Betty Morgan, Piagni was played by Sean Seamus Thompson, and the Phantom was played by Nicholas Edwards. 

I definitely recommend Masquerade.

Day 5, Monday July 27, 2026 was really just a travel day. I had a 12:00pm return flight. It was a great long weekend of theatre.

The Hobbit - Zephyr Theatre - August 2026

The Hobbit

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Written for the stage by Greg Banks

Review by Ernest Edwards

Zephyr Theatre found a great venue for producing the play The Hobbit this summer. Outdoors at Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater. The play is based on the Tolkien book of the same name. I was at the closing weekend of the play. It was excellent. Well done! 

It is the same script that was used by Theatre in the Round this spring. Zephyr Theatre has a smaller cast and also trimmed the script to be a 90 minute play with no intermission. Both productions were wonderful. I really can’t say one was better than the other. It was fun seeing a play outdoors with the woods in the background. 

Actor Jeffry Nolan played all the “creatures”. When he wasn’t being the dwarf named Kili, he was a goblin, a troll, Gollum, a giant spider, and Smaug the dragon. He was definitely earning his sweat during this play. Bilbo was played by Grace Hillmyer, Gandalf was played by Antonisia Collins, Thorin was played by Brandon Brooks, and Anya Naylor was Balin. In addition there was some double and triple casting going on with the cast. There’s a lot of characters in The Hobbit.

While the show did close over the weekend. I want to say producing a play at Aamodt’s Apple Farm is a great idea. I hope Zephyr Theatre makes outdoor shows an annual event. 

The stage, before the play begins. 

Slip - Yellowtree Theatre - July 2026

Slip

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By Michael Egan

Review by Ernest Edwards

This year I was able to see one out of the three shows that Yellowtree Theatre are presenting as part of their The Playwright Festival. These are new works that get staged readings, which is an important part of the process when working on new works. It’s great to be a member of the audience. Your reactions help the playwright know what is and is not working. 

The play I was able to see is Slip by Michael Egan. I was at the final performance of the play. It’s a play dealing with a parent who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. The playwright has also dedicated this play to his parents. 

There is a great cast who perform the stage reading of Slip at Yellowtree Theatre. Mick, the Dad is played by Stephen Yoakam, Mary, the Mom, is played by Molly Sue McDonald, Patrick is played by Michael Egan, and Lee is played by Thomasina Petrus. 

It’s a very powerful play that spans several months. We see the affects of Alzheimer’s on Mick and how it affects his son Patrick and the nurse Lee. As the show goes on, we also discover that Mary is a figment of Mick’s imagination. She has been dead for years now. 

The play ran for 90 minutes. I for one, would like to see this story become a fully staged play someday. It was very moving and powerful. 

Yellowtree Theatre has also announced the shows for Season 19. Check out www.yellowtreetheatre.com for more information on Season 19 and how to purchase tickets. 

The Butler Did It - Park Square Theatre - July 2026

The Butler Did It

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By Jeffrey Hatcher

Review By Ernest Edwards

Park Square is closing their 50th Season with the new play The Butler Did It, by Jeffrey Hatcher. I was at opening night, and what an exceptional  “who done it” this new play is. You are probably thinking, doesn’t the title give it away? Not really. In an effort not give any spoilers, the play takes place at the Portman School for Gentlemen’s Gentlemen in the spring of 1975 San Francisco. It’s a school for butlers. 

I learned a new phrase from the information in the lobby displays and the program. This mystery is called an inverted mystery. Where we the audience sees the crime happen on stage and then we watch the cast as they try to solve the murder. 

Jeffrey Hatcher has another great play for his catalogue. The Butler Did It has excellent story. The language in the script is superb. Between the situations and the character growth, and will get they get the murderer by the end? It’s all great stuff. Definitely keeps you engaged the entire time. 

The cast is also a good selection of a who’s who of the Twin Cities Theatre scene. Nicholas Lane is played

The cast, Dan Norman Photography

by Peter Christian Hansen, Emma is played by Anna Beth Baker, Tony is played by Neal Beckman, Merriman is played by Pearce Bunting, Portman is played by Steve Hendrickson, Lady Caroline is played by Norah Long, and Inspector Denise is played by Allison Vincent. Allison Vincent as Inspector Denise is the actress to keep an eye on during this play. She has some of best moments and adds some comedy to this play. I feel like she knows who the murderer is, but she has to play a game to catch the killer. 

The gorgeous scenery for this play is designed by Benjamin Olsen, who also designed the scenery for Park Square’s previous show A Chorus Line. The costumes designed by Matthew Lefebvre are great! I also really like the Lighting Design by Karin Olson for this play. There were some moments in the play, where the lighting design had some good moments. 

Park Square has a hit on their hands with the World Premiere of this summer mystery The Butler Did It. Run to the theatre and catch this show. It plays through  August 16, 2026. Check out www.parksquaretheatre.org for tickets. 

The Cottage - Gremlin Theatre - July 2026

The Cottage

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By Sandy Rustin

Review by Ernest Edwards

I went to the 2023 play The Cottage at the Gremlin Theatre last night. What a delightful play. It reminded me of the comedies by Noel Coward. The play takes place at a cottage in 1920’s England. This is a very funny play. 

The play opens with Beau and Sylvia having a tryst at the cottage. Silvia is actually married to Clarke, Beau’s brother. The hilarity starts to happen as other characters begin to arrive at the cottage. 

It turns out Clarke has been having an affair with Marjorie, Beau’s wife, for the past seven years. Marjorie is also pregnant with Clark’s child. Beau’s other mistress Dierdre shows up, and announces that she has divorced her husband Richard, which Beau did not ask her do. Richard is on his way to murder Beau. When Richard does show up, he turns out to be William, who is Sylvia’s long lost first love that she has never gotten over. 

What really makes this play fun is the cast, the scenery and the costumes. Sylvia is played by Sarah Malfara, Beau is played by Sasha Andreev, Marjorie is played by Shana Eisenberg, Clarke is played by Corey DiNardo, Dierdre is played by Mira Davis, and Richard is played by Chance Carroll. What I found interesting in the program, is that I have seen most of the these actors at theatre’s across the Twin Cities, but five out of the six are making their debut with The Gremlin Theatre with The Cottage. What a great cast that has been assembled for this production. Director Brian Balcom makes full use of the stage space for The Cottage. 

The scenery is designed by Carl Schoenborn. There’s not a bad seat in the house with how this thrust stage

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

production is set up. Excellent use of the space and furniture by the cast. The costumes designed by A. Emily Heaney do help to transport us to the 1920’s. 

What is really delicious with this play, is the fate of the cottage. I will not spoil that for you, but it was a fun twist. 

Don’t miss out on this humorous summer play. The Gremlin is air conditioned too, which is perfect for finding ways to deal with this summer heat. 

The play runs through August 2, 2026. Check out www.gremlintheatre.org for tickets. 

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.