“The Carp Who Would Not Quit” at Children’s Theatre Company is Imaginative Fun
The Children’s Theatre Company never disappoints!
The Grinch is Back at Children’s Theatre Company 2023 – 2024! (How to Save on Tickets)
It is directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius and is adapted from How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.
Cinderella at Children’s Theatre Company is Another Wacky Hit (Review)
Cinderella is back by popular demand this 2019-2020 season at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, and we saw it on opening weekend, which was November 3-5. It was our second time seeing Cinderella at Children’s Theatre Company, as we first saw it in 2016 when Reed Sigmund and Dean Holt played the stepsisters. That was the most hilarious show we had ever seen at Children’s Theatre Company, so we knew we had to see how they updated it for 2019!
This Cinderella isn’t what you may expect. It’s a wacky, humorous, and panto style musical that mixes together the well-known story of Cinderella, a Victorian Christmas party complete with holiday carols, and contemporary pop culture references, audience participation and unpredictable fun. Panto style means “it contains original music, traditional holiday carols, and current popular songs; jokes and references to pop culture; tons of audience interaction; and lots of slapstick comedy.”
[Read more…]Matilda at Children’s Theatre Company is Fast, Funny and Fierce (Review)
Every time we see a production at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, we walk away smiling and wowed. Our experience seeing Matilda was no different. And with an all-star cast (featuring our favorites – Dean Holt, Reed Sigmund, and Autumn Ness), music, dancing and humor, and a solid story that pleases both kids and adults alike, we knew Matilda would be a hit. And it is.
Matilda is based on the 1988 book of the same name by Roald Dahl, which was turned into a 1996 movie (starring Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito) as well as a broadway musical. We have never read the book, but many who have love it and say the stage version follows the book very well. And I think what makes this story a winner is that it has it all – kids getting back at bad adults, magical powers (well, some), and a ton of energy.
Matilda Wormwood is a smart and imaginative 5-year-old girl. Her horrible, selfish parents hate her. Her mother is preoccupied with her dancing career. Her father is a dishonest businessperson who keeps calling Matilda a boy. Her TV-addicted brother is of no help to her (or anyone). So Matilda plays practical jokes on them, like replacing her father’s hair tonic with her mother’s hair dye.
Then Matilda attends school with a headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who is a bullying, insulting, hateful beast of a woman. All the kids fear Miss Trunchbull, who disciplines like a tyrant, throwing locking kids in a cupboard with nails and broken glass. In one scene, she forces Bruce, a, overweight schoolboy, to eat an entire chocolate cake in front of his classmates because he stole one piece. In other scenes, she verbally tears the kids apart, calling them names and setting them up for failure just so she can discipline them some more.
With all of these horrible circumstances in her life, Matilda should be a wreck. But instead, she focuses on the one thing she can control – her mind. She devours books far above her level, which she lists to her astonished teacher, Miss Honey. They include:
[Read more…]The Hobbit at Children’s Theatre Company is Minimalist and Imaginative (Review)
Children’s Theatre Company’s World Premiere of The Hobbit is onstage now through April 14th. My family and I were looking forward to this one, as we love J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. I did read The Hobbit a number of years ago but have not yet read the Lord of the Rings books in full (though of course we’ve seen the movies).
It’s based on the well-known novel by J.R.R. Tolkien and was adapted for the stage and directed by Greg Banks, with music by Thomas Johnson. There are only five cast members (and two musicians):
- Joy Dolo (Gandalf, Bombur, Troll, Gollum, Elven King, Ensemble)
- H. Adam Harris (Kili, Troll, Smaug, Ensemble)
- Becca Hart (Balin, Troll, Bard, Ensemble)
- Acting Company member Dean Holt (Bilbo Baggins)
- Acting Company Member Reed Sigmund (Dwalin, Thorin, Spider, Ensemble)
- Plus two musicians: Victor Zupanc and Bill Olson as the onstage musicians.
The Hobbit at Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is the familiar story so many love but in terms of spectacle, it is the polar opposite of the Peter Jackson-directed movie that came out in 2013. Instead of computer animation and actors galore, it was minimalist with only the five actors and two musicians, and a set that didn’t change at all, except in lighting.
[Read more…]Discount Tickets for “Last Stop on Market Street” at Children’s Theatre Company (playing through October 21st)
Right now through October 21st, Last Stop on Market Street is on stage at the Children’s Theatre Company, and there are two ways to save on tickets!
Last Stop on Market Street is based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson; directed by Henry Godinez; adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West; with music and lyrics by Paris Ray Dozier and Lamont Dozier. The cast includes Alejandro Vega as CJ, Greta Oglesby as Nana, Ansa Akyea as Mr. Dennis, and Dwight Leslie, Autumn Ness, Calvin Zimmerman and Kennedy Lucas playing a variety of roles. [Read more…]
Corduroy at the Children’s Theatre Company is Better than the Book
“It’s funny! Really funny!”
That’s my 10-year-old’s review of “Corduroy” at the Children’s Theatre Company after we attended opening night. It runs March 6th through May 20th.
Corduroy is based on the children’s book by Don Freeman, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. I’ve read the book to my kids many times as it’s a favorite with my kids as it was with me!
A couple weeks prior to opening night, my kids and I attended a special event for influencers. During this event we saw some of the props (like the toilet paper tower that Corduroy climbs in the show – wow that thing is built strong) and we watched 30 minutes of a rehearsal with all the characters, including Reed Sigmund (as the Night Watchman) and Dean Holt (as Corduroy). It was so much fun and we laughed so much we knew we had to see the show after it opened! [Read more…]
The Wiz at Children’s Theatre Company – Review & 20% Ticket Discount
The Wiz is playing at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis now through March 18th, and my kids and I got to see it shortly after it opened. We LOVED it, and recommend it if you can go!
In January I shared my experience going backstage before it opened. The costumes are creatively designed by Matthew LeFebvre, it has an all-star cast, and was uniquely brought to the stage in partnership with Penumbra Theatre. Penumbra Theatre was founded in 1976 to create a forum for African American voices in the Twin Cities theatre community. It’s Minnesota’s only professional African American theatre, and is one of only three professional African American theatres in the nation that offer a full season of performances.
It was exciting seeing how this production had come together from just a few weeks prior when I visited backstage. The costumes were exactly as imagined – and the talent was top notch. It cast such great performers as Paris Bennett (American Idol top five finalist 2006) as Dorothy, Dennis Spears (Ivey Award for Excellence in Acting, Member of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame) as Tinman, and T. Mychael Rambo (Guthrie Theatre, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Park Square Theatre, Mixed Blood) as The Wiz.
The Wiz is a unique and modern re-telling of The Wizard of Oz story.
“My concept for our production is rooted deeply in African American history & custom,” stated Director Lou Bellamy. “Dorothy’s journey from (in our production) Nicodemus, Kansas to the Wiz’s palace in Harlem, pays homage to the Great Migration made during Reconstruction by thousands of African Americans from rural environs to urban living.”
One thing I thought was neat about the production was its use of people to act out events or things. The Tornado was one of my favorite parts of the show. Several women swept Dorothy away with lighting, sounds and effects that made the audience transfixed (at least it did for us!).
The whole production had many stunning moments, including solos sung by Dorothy and Glinda, and the whole sequence where Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion met the Wiz. Actually, the scene when they met the Wiz was very much like the scene in the 1939 movie. And it was intense. Possibly too intense for little kids. In my opinion, older elementary age and up is ideal for seeing The Wiz. (The Children’s Theatre Company has more information about content advisories on their website.)
One thing worth noting – Though it was fun, The Wiz didn’t have many laugh-out-loud moments. Humor wasn’t as big in this production as other Children’s Theatre productions, but I felt that The Wiz definitely more than makes up for it in visuals and talent.
I’d say the 3 things I liked best about The Wiz were:
- The SINGING. Everyone on stage had talent but there were definitely some impressive moments that got some emotional “Woo’s” from the audience. I think the singing was the biggest reason the show got a standing ovation at the end.
- The COSTUMES. They were imaginative and designed just right for this musical.
- The EFFECTS. I thought the dramatic scenes were some of the best I’ve seen at Children’s Theatre Company.
Discount!
The show is 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission. It runs through March 18th, 2018. Tickets are going fast though so get your tickets soon! And be sure to use my discount link for 20% off tickets! (Just click on this link and it will automatically take the 20% off.)
(Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary tickets to this show. All opinions are 100% mine.)
The Wiz at Children’s Theatre Company – Sneak Peek, 20% Discount & Giveaway!
The Wiz is coming to Children’s Theatre Company January 23 – March 18, 2018, and it’s going to be so much fun! I got to go behind-the-scenes for a sneak peek and get the inside scoop about this exciting production, and have details, pics and video to share with you – plus a 20% ticket discount and ticket GIVEAWAY!
Children’s Theatre Company teamed up with Penumbra Theatre to bring “The Wiz” to the stage. Penumbra Theatre was founded in 1976 by Lou Bellamy to create a forum for African American voices in the Twin Cities theatre community. Both companies are passionate about advocacy for their often underserved audiences, and combining CTC’s critical literacy work and Penumbra’s racial justice work allows both to have a greater impact together. [Read more…]