CW: This show (and review) discusses violence, assault, sexual assault and abuse.   Photo by Rich Ryan Walking out of Mixed Blood Theatre last night, all I could say was HOT DAMN. For anyone living under a rock, yesterday Dr. Christine Blasely Ford testified in front of the Senate Judiciary

It seems 2018 is the year of historic anniversaries.   Photo by Dan Norman First we had the 150th anniversary of Louisa May Alcott’s delightful Little Women. It’s the 50th anniversary of the ridiculously eventful 1968, which is featured in a star exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. Park Square

Lush. Lavish. Generous. Honest. Humbling.   Photo courtesy of the Penumbra’s website These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I try to describe the full circle experience that is the Penumbra’s latest show, Ntozake Shange’s seminal for colored girls who have considered suicide /

Falling slowly sing your melody I’ll sing along   Photo by Dan Norman Meditation. Wellness. Intention. Thoughtfulness. There are so many Wellness Buzzwords floating around these days, and no wonder. In the cacophonous cultural din of modern day politics, a White House almost literally in flames, a well documented rising

When the weather matches the mood of your show, you know you’ve got something powerful going on.   Photo by Dan Norman I have always been a great lover of opera, so it saddens me that I haven’t had a chance to see many performances in the last few years!

How do you feel about romantic comedies?   Photo by Mike Pingel I, for one, love them unabashedly. I used to feel ashamed of this, but no more. It’s HARD to write a script that is equal parts funny, sweet, tense, winsome and winning (don’t believe me? You try it).

Some excellent #beachreads for your consideration I’m always game for a good #shelfie Reading roundups have become one of my favorite perennial posts, and for good reason. I’m an avid reader and started tracking the books I read on Goodreads a few years ago to have a better way to

Sometimes, all you want is a good B-list sequel.   Photo by Joan Marcus I was raised on the original Phantom of the Opera Broadway soundtrack. At 12 years old, when I got my first boombox #datedmyselfalready, I owned three CDs: Celine Dion’s greatest hits; Barbra Streisand duets (including a

Have you ever questioned your memories? Let me tell you a story: it’s 2006 and I’m a junior in high school in a small town up north. The school musical is announced and it’s West Side Story. I’m thrilled because it’s one of my favorite shows, ever.pointblank.omg., and I get a

If there were one sentence to describe Chicago, it would be “sex on stage.” I’ve seen many sultry shows in my time, but little compares to the sensual explosion that is Chicago. From the barely there costumes to the musical sighs to the iconic Bob Fosse choreography, Chicago oozes sex