It’s amazing how some themes endure.   Photo by Dan Norman Something about the human condition seems to render us unable to answer one simple question – why don’t we ever learn? A lust for power, flawed focus on short-term gains rather than long-term consequences, the allure of quick money

What’s in a name (or a skin tone)? Photo by Dan Norman If you happened to miss it amidst our unseasonable spring blizzard (and who could blame you?), the Guthrie Theater opened their stage rendition of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner last weekend. I imagine this was scheduled specifically at this

What Unites Us?   Photo by Dan Norman   I’m a huge Dan Rather fan (if you’re not following his news updates on his Facebook page you are seriously missing out – check it out at once!), and one of the common themes in his posts is finding ways to

What is the real difference between a copy and a spoof?   Photo by Jeremy Daniel My chef and I had a debate about this after seeing Something Rotten, the current Broadway tour resident at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. To my mind, a copy is directly lifting something –

What to do on Easter when you’ve been eating boring Lenten food for over a month?   Photo courtesy of Thrillist Or more likely: if you’re one of the rest of us undisciplined sinners and just want to live.it.up. on the year’s best brunch day, where on earth should you

As an immigrant or a refugee, where does your allegiance belong?   Photo by Dan Norman Should you forget where you were born? Should you bide your time until you can return again? Should you try to assimilate where you have moved if you never intended to live there in

Few things are more powerful than an idea whose time has come.   Photo by RICH RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY, 2018 It’s been a little over two years since I saw Broadway’s rendition of Newsies at the Orpheum (read original review here). It was the first opportunity I’d had to see the show

The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company brings precision and sass to this timely piece. Photo by Stephen Hage How much do you know about Gilbert & Sullivan? If you’re a fan of musicals you’ve likely seen the Pirates of Penzance at some point in your life, but did

Sacred cows of the theater be warned: your days of being untouchable are careening towards a swift end.   Photo by Petronella Ytsma And what great news that is! Seriously, I’ve been advocating for years, ad nauseam (#sorrynotsorry), that we need to really feel comfortable revising things for the modern

Who doesn’t need more opportunities to laugh?   I have to say, I am absolutely loving all of the terrific comedies cycling through Twin Cities theaters lately. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good drama – but with the currently contentious state of American politics let’s be honest: we