Hello, Dolly! at the Orpheum Theatre
Every year I like to create a list of my most anticipated shows for the upcoming theatre season. Last year I had approximately 10 shows I was excited for and this year the list originally was longer. A lot of companies this year are making big risks and challenging themselves to produce or host some very ambitious shows. This year was harder than the year before because I tried to limit myself to only five or six shows. While their are many shows in the Twin Cities I’m excited for, I’ve finally curated this years list! Check them out listed below in no particular order.
SIX
Ordway Center for the performing arts
I’ve heard rumbling of this show for a couple months now. There were talks among the theatre community of a new ground breaking show that had the historical accuracy of Hamilton with a pop diva music style. That show is now coming to the Ordway this November. SIX tells the story of the six ex-wives of King Henry VIII how their side of the story.
When the show was announced, it was also announced that it would go from St. Paul, directly to Broadway in Feb. 2020. This is the first time a show has done that in the Ordway’s history. With an explosion of pop vocals, this show is sure to be making waves at next years Tony Awards.
SIX will play at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts November 29 - December 22.
The Bridges of Madison County
Artistry
Artistry continues to gain more and more momentum with their visually stunning and supurbly cast shows. As many of you know, I’m a huge Meryl Streep fan which is why I’m excited they are doing The Bridges of Madison County. While I’ve seen the movie, I have yet to see or hear a musical production of it. The only thing I know about the musical is that it has a beautifully written score by Jason Robert Brown. The story involves a woman who has to make a difficult decision which includes a once-in-lifetime love.
Last year, Artistry produced Victor/Victoria which made headlines due to the fact that the last time it was in the Twin Cities was during the original run with Julie Andrews. I can’t recall the last time a theatre around the area produced this so it’s sure to be on everyone’s list.
The Bridges of Madison County will play at Artistry January 24 - February 2020
The Mystery of Edwin DrooD
Lyric Arts
This show is pure fun and laughs for everyone involved. It is a classic “Who Dunit?” musical that is based on Charles Dicken’s final, unfinished novel. The story revolves around the murder of Edwin Drood — but who did it? Sadly, Dickens died before he was able to finish the story which means it’s up to us…no literally, it’s up to us. The audience gets to vote on who killed Drood which leaves room for a different ending every night! The show won five Tony awards in 1986 and was revived in 2012 with Stephanie J. Block, Jessie Mueller, and Chita Rivera.
This hilariously fun musical is the perfect show for Lyric Arts’ quaint and intimate space, especially under the direction by Matt McNabb.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood will play at Lyric Arts March 13 - April 5, 2020.
Cabaret
Guthrie Theater
What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play….
One of my favorite lyrics from this musical encompasses what I strive to do each week. Why sit alone in my room watching endless amounts of TV when I can go see a show in one of the greatest theatre communities in the country. Cabaret instantly made my list when I saw that it was being produced next year. The show itself has so many contradicting themes of sex, glitz, controversy and history. It’s gritty, glamorous and raw.
I’m beyond thrilled the Guthrie is tackling it next year. I have a feeling they aren’t going to play it safe and it’s going to be big. I’ve seen the show live many times and I’ve never quite seen an actress really “get” it with Sally so I’m eager to see who they choose.
Cabaret will play at the Guthrie Theater June 20 - August 23, 2020.
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
Hennepin Theatre Trust
As always, HTT has a fantastic season coming to Minneapolis at the historic Orpheum theatre, however it wasn’t hard to choose which show I was the most excited for. Many of the upcoming shows on their season are ones I’d already seen including The Phantom of the Opera, Come from Away and The Band’s Visit. That’s why Summer: The Donna Summer Musical instantly went on my list.
This wasn’t due to process of elimination because I loved The Band’s Visit so much that I almost put it on here, however because her music was so prominent in the 70’s. It was so important to the era that she was even given the name “The Queen of Disco” and I can’t wait to boogey with this cast.
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical will play at the Orpheum Theatre July 14 - 19, 2020.