Grumpy Old Men The Musical - Minneapolis Musical Theatre - April 2026

Grumpy Old Men

Program Cover

Book by Dan Remmes, Music by Neil Berg, Lyrics by Nick Meglin 

Adapted from the screenplay for the 1993 Warner Bros movie by Mark Steven Johnson

Review by Ernest Edwards

What I liked about the movie Grumpy Old Men, was that not only did the movie take place in Minnesota, but it was filmed at various locations in Minnesota. The interior scenes were filmed at the sound stages at Paisley Park. Wabasha, MN where the show takes place, used to have a sign under the Welcome to Wabasha sign that said “Home of Grumpy Old Men”. 

If you remember the 1993 movie, then you already know the story for the stage musical. The story of John Gustafson and Max Goldman, neighbors who have been feuding for over 50 years. 

You probably have the same question I have. When did Grumpy Old Men become a stage musical? The musical had its premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2018. This regional premiere is the perfect musical for Minneapolis Musical Theatre. Their slogan is “Rare Musicals, Well Done”. Grumpy Old Men and MMT are a perfect match. 

For the stage musical we have Jim Ahrens as John Gustafson, Michael Fishcetti as Grandpa Gustafson, Caitlin Burns as Ariel Truax, Ward Eames as Max Goldman, James Lane as Jacob Goldman, Jillian Bader as Melanie Gustafson Norton, Quinten Michael as Chuck Barrels, Lisa Denninger as Punky Barrels,  Brandon Osero as Harry, and Kayla Hambek as Sandra Snyder. It’s a wonderful cast. 

We were having the first 80 degree day of the year in Minneapolis when I went to the show yesterday. It was winter on stage at the Conn Theatre. The opening number really set the tone for the musical. Which was contained lots of Minnesota-isms, such as heavy coats, boots, stocking caps, flannel, big bushy beards and ice fishing. 

Michael Fishchetti was hilarious as Grandpa Gustafson. He had some great zingers. Punky Barrels had some fun and quirky moments. Harry as the postal worker had some fun moments as the man who couldn’t feel any pain. Let’s talk about the statue of Ariel’s husband. We couldn’t see his manhood, as that was kept upstage. It was able to old a hat and an umbrella at different times in the musical. Kind of as an homage to the movie, Max has his prized fishing pole The Green Hornet. Kayle Hambek took IRS agent Sandra Snyder to new levels in cruelty. She really embodied the character. 

The cast has having a lot of fun on stage. The musical is fun and entertaining.  

Grumpy Old Men The Musical continues through April 19, 2026 at the Conn Theater in Minneapolis. Check out www.aboutmmt.org for tickets. 

Frozen - Moorhead High School Theater - November 2025

Frozen the Broadway musical

Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards

Over the weekend, I went to the Moorhead High School Theatre production of Disney’s Frozen at the Horizon Performing Arts Center.  This is the fourth and final year that Moorhead High is presenting their musical at the Horizon Middle School.  Phase two of the new High School is under way, and according to the program next years musical will be back at the new High School. That’s exciting news! I have been impressed by the stage/theatre at Horizon Middle School too.  

This stage musical is based on the 2013 Disney animated movie of the same name. I got to see the Broadway production spring of 2018 with the original Broadway cast. Then I was able to see the National Tour at The Orpheum Theatre. in downtown Minneapolis in fall of 2021.  The Moorhead High School Theatre production is the Fargo-Moorhead debut of Disney’s Frozen.  When Disney was working on turning Frozen into a stage musical, they engaged the Frozen movie song writing duo Kristen Anderson-Lopen and Robert Lopez, to write additional songs for the stage musical, along with the book for the stage musical by Jennifer Lee. 

The movie was inspired by the Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson. The story follows two sisters, Elsa the oldest child and heir to the thrown of Arendelle, and Anna the youngest sister/princess.  Elsa has abilities over snow and ice.  At a young age, their parents leave on a journey and their ship sinks.  Else, per her parents wishes, isolates herself from Anna.  Anna doesn’t understand why. She just remembers being close to Elsa.  The story really picks up with Elsa’s coronation.  The townspeople come into the castle, people and those of rank from nearby kingdoms arrive too. Anna falls for Hans, who’s is the 13th son of a king. There’s also the Duke of Weselton.  In a moment of frustration Elsa unleashes here powers at the coronation celebration.  Elsa runs away, meanwhile it’s supposed to be summer, but Arendelle is now plunged into a blizzard.  Anna leaves Arendelle to find her sister. Anna meets Kristoffer and Sven (his reindeer). They offer to help climb the mountain. Along the way they find Olaf, a living breathing snowman from Anna’s and Elsa’s childhood. Else has brought him to life for real.  

The first act ends with the song Let It Go. Where Elsa accepts here abilities and doesn’t hide who she is and what she can do anymore.  This number was amazing in the animated movie. Disney did a really an amazing job with this on stage.  You can see the Broadway version on YouTube. Also Disney recently filmed the London stage production of Frozen, which is on Disney+.  Moorhead High did very good job with their version of the song Let It Go. When Else did the big costume change on the ice stairs upstage center, big reaction from the audience. The song Let It Go did not disappoint!

Outside of the spectacle. At the core of Frozen, the story is about family, sisters and the power of love.

I want to mention the costumes designed by Norah Carlson. Felt like I was in the world of the Disney movie. The scenery along with projections on the back screen, really took us to the different locations of Arendella and the mountains. 

The cast!  What an amazing pool of talent. Dawsin Raok as King Angarr, Lily Damico as Queen Iduna, Ireland Woodward as Elsa, Magnolia Burns as Anna, Jack Simon as Hans, Ashton Baker as Kristoff, Davie Judd as Olaf, Tristin Sullivan as the Duke of Weselton, and the actors who make up Sven the reindeer.  We had an understudy for part of Sven at Saturday night’s show.  Plus the ensemble. 

I am continually impressed by the musicals at Moorhead High School Theatre. From the show titles, to the cast, scenery and costumes. Disney’s Frozen is playing over Thanksgiving. It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family.  

A question that I have after watching this production is, does Disney provide the puppets for Olaf, and the reindeer costume for Sven? What I had seen on in this production looked just like these two characters from the movie. 

Rumor had it that Saturday’s nights show was sold out. Another rumor says the rest of the run is sold out! If that is true, congratulations to Moorhead High School Theatre on selling out the rest of the run. I did hear that there are rush tickets, but they are only available in person 5 minutes before the musical begins.  The musical runs through Sunday November 30, 2025. 

The stage before the musical begins.