Collection
Stage Right, Stage Left
Theater arts has been at the center of the creative atmosphere within Minnesota for decades. The varied array of local venues have both fostered talent through the years and brought world-renowned individuals to present their artistic approaches to our Minnesota stages. The theater scene has also been integral in social dynamics within our communities…from social issues, race, to gender.
The likes of The Guthrie, Mixed Blood, Penumbra, Park Square, Stages Theater, History Theatre, Theater in the Round, Duluth Playhouse, and so many more have drawn audiences in and left an indelible mark.
Collected here are a selection of interviews, performances, critiques, and profiles of those behind and in front of the curtains.
302 Collection Items
- Play charts a civil servant's journey from man to woman
MPR’s Marianne Combs talks with Susan Kimberly about her play, When Superman Became Lois Lane. At its heart, the play is a conversation between the person she was and the person she is. Kimberly is transgender and transitioned from male to female in 1983 before serving as deputy mayor of St. Paul under Norm Coleman in the mid-90s.
- Guthrie Theater brings 'Frankenstein' back to life
In the stage adaption of Mary Shelley’s classic story, the monster and his creator wrestle with timeless questions at the Guthrie Theater.
- 'Naked I' returns with more nonconforming theater
MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the latest production of Twenty Percent Theater Company’s The Naked I. The show brings together the stories and experiences of people who self-identify as trans, queer, or otherwise gender non-conforming.
- For this Tiny Tim, Christmas present is a Guthrie debut
MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles 10-year-old Sophie Jones of Chaska. The young actor makes her debut in the high-profile role of Tiny Tim at The Guthrie’s production of A Christmas Carol.
- David Stewart on diversity backstage at the Guthrie
MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the opening of play Disgraced at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. The play deals with racial politics and reflects the Guthrie's effort to stage more diverse stories, with more diverse casts. Combs reports that there's another diversity push getting underway - backstage.
- Mu wrestles its 50th work onto the stage
MPR’s Marianne Combs profile on the story of a young Filipino's fascination with the world of pro wrestling. The play, titled tot: The Untold Story of a Filipino Hulk Hogan, is the 50th new work Mu Performing Arts has produced.
- Two one-acts take Penumbra to a revealing, unsettling place
MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on Penumbra Theatre’s opening run of The Dutchman and The Owl Answers - two surreal one-act plays that explore race relations, sexual politics and biracial identity.
- History Theater's play "George Bonga: Black Voyageur" probes identity politics of the 1830s
MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews the creators of new play George Bonga: Black Voyageur. The History Theater pulls together a dream team of playwright Carlyle Brown, director Marion McClinton, and actor James A. Williams to tell the story of African American voyageur George Bonga.
- New Minnesota theater directors explore the future
A discussion about the future of theater with Guthrie Theater's Joe Haj, Jungle Theater's Sarah Rasmussen, Penumbra Theatre's Sarah Bellamy, and Mu Performing Arts' Randy Reyes.
- Jessica Huang talks about her play "Purple Cloud"
MPR’s Marianne Combs chats with playwright Jessica Huang about her play, “Purple Cloud.” The play is produced by Mu Performing Arts and explores what it means to be mixed race... and how it leads one family on a journey of self-discovery.