Spring and summer fun 2022: Theater

Here’s a look at what’s happening this spring and summer on area stages.

‘The Prom’

Opens April 12: “The Prom” follows four Broadway actors, lamenting their days of fame, as they travel to a conservative Indiana town to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to high school prom. The original Broadway production earned six Tony nominations. Ryan Murphy directed and produced a film adaptation that hit Netflix in 2020. Through April 17: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $105-$40; 800-982-2787 or hennepintheatretrust.org.

‘Atacama’

Opens April 20: Set in the landscape of Chile’s Atacama desert, this play takes the audience on a metaphoric quest beginning with the meeting of two strangers searching for the remains of children killed by the Pinochet regime. Chile’s history becomes an examination of the opposing choices, views and actions that tear families and countries apart. Through May 1; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; $35-$16; 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org.

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical’

Children's Theater Company first produced "Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical" in 2016.
Children’s Theater Company first produced “Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical” in 2016. (Courtesy of Children’s Theater Company)

Opens April 22: The popular musical inspired by the best-selling book series by Jeff Kinney and the subsequent film adaptations is back. Children’s Theatre Company first developed the musical in 2016 with producer Kevin McCollum (“Six,” “Rent,” “In the Heights”) and audiences can expect to see some new updates. Through June 18; Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis; $78-$15; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Anita Welch (Ruth Younger), in rehearsal for "A Raisin in the Sun"
Anita Welch rehearses her role as Ruth Younger in “A Raisin in the Sun.” (Courtesy of Tom Wallace)

Opens April 30: Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” debuted on Broadway in 1959 to instant acclaim. The New York Drama Critics’ Circle named it the best play of 1959 and today it’s considered to be one of the best plays ever written. It tells the story of a Black family’s experiences with housing discrimination, racism and assimilation in south Chicago. It’s directed by Twin Cities actor, director and co-founder of New Dawn Theatre Company Austene Van. Through June 5; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $80-$15; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

‘Runestone!: A Rock Musical’

Opens May 7: It’s 1898 and Swedish immigrant Olaf Ohlman digs up a rock on his property near Kensington, Minn., with “a story on carved runes” that tells that the Vikings were the first Europeans to set foot in Minnesota. He is praised for his discovery but soon a controversy erupts, and his life is turned upside down with claims of fraud in this comic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Through May 29; History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $65-$30; 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com.

‘Airness’

Opens May 11: “Airness” follows five rock fanatics performing in dingy bars and cramped stages all across the nation vying for a place at the National Air Guitar Championship. Santa Barbara Independent said: “If you are looking for an amazing piece of theater that will get you on your feet tapping, wailing and clapping in mid-air – while also moving you to reflect on and care for yourself – look no further.” Through June 5; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; $55-$16; 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org.

‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’

Opens May 18: Based on Baz Luhrmann’s hit film, “Moulin Rouge!” is set in a Paris cabaret at the turn of the 20th century and follows the story of a young composer who falls in love with the cabaret’s star actress. The musical’s score weaves together original songs and pop songs both from the original film and that have been released in the years since its debut. Through June 5: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $149-$59; 800-982-2787 or hennepintheatretrust.org.

‘Twelve Angry Men’

Opens June 8: Theater Latte Da presents the world premiere of this new American musical adapted from one of America’s greatest dramas. In a small New York City jury room, on the hottest day of the year, 12 men debate the fate of a young defendant charged with murdering his father. Through July 17; Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis: $51-$34; 612-339-3003 or latteda.org.

‘Cambodian Rock Band’

Opens June 11: A co-production with Theater Mu, it’s the story of Chum, who fled Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge regime in 1978 and returns 30 years later to look for his daughter. The show is backed by a live band of actor/musicians playing contemporary Cambodian hits and classic oldies. Through July 31; Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis; $45; 612-822-7063 or jungletheater.com.

‘Ashe Lab Festival’

Opens June 14: The culmination of Penumbra’s multi-year artist residency, the Ashe Lab Festival celebrates Black artists coming together to remake the world through language, choreography, sound and story. Participating artists include Orlando Hunter, Ricarrdo Valentine, Queen Drea Reynolds and Erin Sharkey. Through June 26; Penumbra Theatre Company, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul; $25-$15; 651-224-3180 or penumbratheatre.org.

‘Emma’

Opens June 18: Based on the novel by Jane Austen, “Emma” follows matchmaker Emma Woodhouse in her attempt to convince young Harriet Smith to reject a marriage proposal in favor of her own hand-picked bachelor. The Guthrie has said it’s not your grandmother’s “Emma”: “It’s a joyous, feminist take in conversation with the classic. You’ll see gorgeous Regency-era trappings with quirky, modern twists that speak to both then and now.” Through Aug. 21; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $80-$15; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

‘Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations’

"Ain't Too Proud The Life and Times of The Temptations" tells the tale of the classic Motown band through their own classic hits
“Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations” tells the tale of the classic Motown band through their own classic hits. (Courtesy of Hennepin Theatre Trust)

Opens June 28: Based on the story of the famed Motown act the Temptations, “Ain’t Too Proud” uses nearly 30 songs from the band (and some other Motown acts), including “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Ball of Confusion” and the title track. It earned 11 Tony nominations and one win for best choreography. Through July 10: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $139-$40; 800-982-2787 or hennepintheatretrust.org.

‘Holmes and Watson’

Opens July 12: Sherlock Holmes is presumed to be dead in this mystery. But when Dr. Watson receives a telegram from a mental asylum saying three patients are claiming to be Holmes, Watson wonders if the world’s greatest sleuth faked his own demise. It was written by Jeffrey Hatcher (“Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders,” “Mr. Holmes; The Good Liar”). Through Aug. 21; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; $55-$16; 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org.

‘Sweat’

Opens July 16: This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is set in a blue-collar Pennsylvania factory town with generations of hardworking folks dealing with the reality of a changing economy. It confronts issues of race, immigration, deindustrialization and the ever-slipping grip on middle-class life. Through Aug. 21; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $80-$15; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

‘Wicked’

Allison Bailey and Talia Suskauer star in the touring production of the Broadway smash "Wicked."
Allison Bailey and Talia Suskauer star in the touring production of the Broadway smash “Wicked.” (Courtesy of Joan Marcus)

Opens July 27: Elphaba the green-skinned witch from “The Wizard of Oz” gets her due in this smash musical, which takes place long before Dorothy came to Oz. It debuted on Broadway in 2003 and went on to win three Tony Awards and launch the careers of its stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. In 2019, with its 6,681st performance, it surpassed “Les Miserables” to become Broadway’s fifth-longest running show. Through Aug. 28: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; tickets are currently available only to donors, groups and subscribers; 800-982-2787 or hennepintheatretrust.org.

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