The Stages of MN

Welcome to Episode 27 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this episode: Theater Couples Part 2 We finish our chat with Eric Morris and Laura Rudolph Morris and get a tour the Hive! Be sure to check out the Hive Collaborative Website for all the upcoming events https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/ . Eric will be directing Once Upon a Mattress at Lakeshore Players from 4/24/26 - 5/17/26 https://www.lakeshoreplayers.org/matt... and appearing in Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater this summer from 6/6/26 - 8/9/26 https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-... Laura will be stepping in as a Long-term vacation swing in April and May and again at the end of the run of Guys and Dolls at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres https://chanhassendt.com/guysanddolls/ MN Honest Review: The Cake at Theatre in the Round through March 15th https://www.theatreintheround.org/the... “At a Show With…” photos of who I saw out at the Theater. Special thanks: Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/  Alex Dunkelberger and Micky Dunkelberger for their production assistance. You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show also available on YouTube bit.ly/YouTubeTSOMN Interested in sponsoring an episode, want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club, or just have comments, questions, or suggestions for me? You can email me at [email protected].

Welcome to Episode 26 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience.    On this episode:   Eric Morris and Laura Rudolph Morris welcome me into their Hive in part one of a two part entry in our series Theater Couples. Be sure to check out the Hive Collaborative Website for all the upcoming events https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/ .  Eric will be directing Once Upon a Mattress at Lakeshore Players from 4/24/26 - 5/17/26 https://www.lakeshoreplayers.org/mattress-season-73 and appearing in Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater this summer from 6/6/26 - 8/9/26 https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2025-2026-season/come-from-away/ Laura will be stepping in as a Long-term vacation swing in April and May and again at the end of the run of Guys and Dolls at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres https://chanhassendt.com/guysanddolls/   MN Honest Reviews:  Macbeth at The Guthrie Theater through March 22nd https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2025-2026-season/macbeth/ The Glass Menagerie at Theater Latte Da now extended through March 8th https://www.latteda.org/glass-menagerie   Some other events to check out: FREE New Play Reading of Lion’s Tooth by Alex Church at The Black Forest Inn at 7:00 PM on  2/20/26 https://melancholicsanonymous.org/new-play-series#current-nps Trademark Theatre has a staged reading of The Ostentatious Outlaws of Neehai Valley by Keith Hovis 2/23/26 at 7:30 PM at Park Square Theatre https://www.trademarktheater.org/outlaws From Walking Shadow Theatre Company Feast runs 2/27/26 - 3/29/26 at 6:30 PM at the Black Forest Inn. tickets available for show only or with a feast. https://walkingshadow.org/feast-2026/ on Saturdays throughout the run you can purchase tickets to see Beowulf before Feast at 5:00 PM.   “At a Show With…” photos of who I saw out at the Theater.   Special thanks:  Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Dale Stark and Hennepin Arts for permission to film in the Orpheum Theater for the shows opening Alex Dunkelberger and Micky Dunkelberger for their production assistance.   You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/  Follow me on Facebook   / thestagesofmn   and Instagram   / thestagesofmn     The show also available in podcast form  https://robdunkelberger.podbean.com/ or wherever you enjoy podcasts.    Interested in sponsoring an episode, want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club, or just have comments, questions, or suggestions for me? You can email me at [email protected].  

Today is our final episode of 2025! And to see you through the holiday season we have reviews of 5 seasonal shows! Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical at History Theatre thru 12/21 https://www.historytheatre.com/2025-2026/rollicking-winter-carnival-musical A Christmas in ochopee from New Native Theatre runs from 12/3 thru 12/21 https://www.newnativetheatre.org/a-ch... A Christmas Carol...More or Less runs from 11/28 thru 12/28 at Yellow Tree Theatre https://yellowtreetheatre.com/christm... A Nice Family Christmas at Lyric Arts Through 12/21 https://www.lyricarts.org/nice-family-christmas A Double Feature of Free Pirate Musicals celebrating Fortune's Fool Theatre at the Hive Collaborative through 12/21 https://fortunesfooltheatre.org/what-were-doing And one Final At a Show With.... Segment before we close out the year. We'll be back in early 2026 with more Stages of MN. Until then be sure and catch my reviews of all the shows I see at my blog https://thestagesofmn.com/ and Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ The show is also available on YouTube at The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/YouTubeTSOMN  If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN you can reach out to at [email protected]. Have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can also email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 23 of The Stages of MN, a weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today’s episode finds our hero on a desert island poking around with a stick looking for buried treasure in celebration of Fortune's Fool Theatre's 20th Anniversary! We have an interview with Father and Daughter Co-Artistic Directors Daniel and Ariel Pinkerton to discuss their festival of free musicals. You can get all the details as well as reserve your seats here https://fortunesfooltheatre.org/what-... We also have a review of Mistletoe & Mayhew from Just Us Theater which runs thru 12/14 https://mistletoe-mayhem.com/ Theatre Latté da's My Fair Lady Tickets can be found here https://www.latteda.org/my-fair-lady And the last remaining tickets for A Christmas carol...More of Less can be grabbed here https://yellowtreetheatre.com/christm... Althea Forstner's The Littlest Theater Blogger's Blog can be found here https://beyondthecurtainsmn.squarespa... . Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/YouTubeTSOMN   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN you can reach out to at [email protected]. Have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can also email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 22 of The Stages of MN, a weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today’s Phantastic episode is dedicated to my Stepmom Karen Dunkelberger March 16, 1943 — November 22, 2025 RIP. We start the episode off with The Green Screen Game, don't know what that is? take a look! I'm joined by my son Alex Dunkelberger where we discuss the trip through his childhood that was our double feature Theater day of Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium which runs through December 14th at Park Square in St. Paul https://bit.ly/ParkSquareGoosebumps  and The Phantom of the Opera which runs through December 7th at Hennepin Arts Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis https://hennepinarts.org/events/the-phantom-of-the-opera  Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook/thestagesofmn and Instagram/thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode22YouTube  If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN you can reach out to at [email protected]. Have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can also email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 21 of The Stages of MN, a weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today’s episode is our Sponsored Holiday Preview episode! Thanks to our Sponsors History Theatre, Yellow Tree Theatre, New Native Theatre, and Just Us Theater. Go to their websites to purchase tickets to their Holiday shows previewed on this episode. Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical at History Theatre thru 12/21 https://www.historytheatre.com/2025-2026/rollicking-winter-carnival-musical A Christmas in ochopee from New Native Theatre runs from 12/3 thru 12/21 https://www.newnativetheatre.org/a-christmas-in-ochopee A Christmas Carol...More or Less runs from 11/28 thru 12/28 at Yellow Tree Theatre https://yellowtreetheatre.com/christmascarol Mistletoe & Mayhew from Just Us Theater runs 11/28 thru 12/14 https://mistletoe-mayhem.com/ There's one holiday themed MN Honest review for you this episode A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater runs thru 12/28 https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/a-christmas-carol/ Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook/thestagesofmn and Instagram/thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/YouTubeTSOMN If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN you can reach out to at [email protected]. Have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can also email me at [email protected]  

Welcome to Episode 20 of The Stages of MN, a weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On today’s episode we remind you that 11/20 is MN Give to the Max Day. Go to https://www.givemn.org/  to donate to your favorite theater or theaters and after you do send me an email at [email protected]. If you don't have a favorite , why not donate to one of the companies who have sponsored The Stages of MN this year: Yellow Tree Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Unlabeled Theatre, Fortune's Fool Theatre, Lakeshore Players, Ten Thousand Things, Minneapolis Musical Theater, Ananya Dance Theater, Theatre in the Round, History Theatre, Mystery Cafe, Ghoulish Delights, Exposed Brick Theatre, Prime Productions, Skylark Opera Theatre, and Just Us Theater. Congratulations to Kat Schwartz who won a pair of tickets to the History Theatre, in our History Theatre ticket giveaway. Check out their full season here https://www.historytheatre.com/  Thanks History Theatre and Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre fame. You can read her blog here https://letteredintheatre.wordpress.com/ On todays episode I talk with Theater Latté Da's Eliza Doolittle herself, Anna Hashizume. My Fair Lady runs through 12/28/25 for tickets go to https://www.latteda.org/my-fair-lady  There's one MN Honest review for you this Frank Theatre's The Resistible Rise of Arturo UI which runs through 11/23/25 go here for tickets https://franktheatre.org/  Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/TSOMNEP20YouTube  If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected] 

Welcome to Episode 19 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today's Episode Features three new reviews for you including the highly anticipated Purple Rain which runs through 11/23 at The State Theatre get tickets here https://hennepinarts.org/events/purple-rain-2025 We also have Reviews of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 which runs through 11/22 at Theatre Elision, they have added one show otherwise it is currently sold out. go here to see if you can score this hot ticket https://www.theatreelision.com/comet Also highly recommended is Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theatre through 11/16 go here for tickets https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2025-2026-season/primary-trust/ If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN, want to be part of the Holiday preview episode, have a question or comment on the show, or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected] Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn  and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available in it's original Video form on YouTube watch it here https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode19  

Welcome to Episode 18 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today's Episode is a final look at the TCHF, we have Six reviews of shows. Check out the festival here https://www.tchorrorfestival.com/  it runs through 10/30. We also take a peek ahead at a couple of other Monster Month shows coming in November from Theatre in the Round and Park Square Theatre. Get more info and tickets at https://www.theatreintheround.org/  and https://parksquaretheatre.org/  The History Theatre ticket give away contest is still open. Thanks to Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre for making that happen. You can read her blog here https://letteredintheatre.wordpress.com/  and check out the season lineup at History Theatre here https://www.historytheatre.com/.  To enter the drawing for two tickets to an upcoming History theater show email me at [email protected]  With your name and email address, Put History Theatre Ticket Giveaway in the subject line we draw a winner on 11/3. Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/  You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/  Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn  and Instagram / thestagesofmn  The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode18YouTube    If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN, want to be part of the Holiday preview episode or just have a question or comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected]  

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today Episode is all about TCHF, we have four reviews os shows and a look around the festival including an epic At a Show With segment. check out the festival here https://www.tchorrorfestival.com/ The History Theatre ticket give away contest is still open. Thanks to Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre for making that happen. You can read her blog here https://letteredintheatre.wordpress.com/ and check out the season lineup at History Theatre here https://www.historytheatre.com/. To enter the drawing for two tickets to an upcoming History theater show email me at [email protected] Wuth your name and email address, Put History Theatre Ticket Giveaway in the subject line we draw a winner on 11/3. Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at  https://bit.ly/TSOMNEp17YouTube If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN, want to be part of the Holiday preview episode or just have a question or comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience.   Today Episode Features an interview with Joel Sass the Producing Artistic Director of Open Eye Theatre about their latest production Lizzie: The Rock Musical which now has an extended run through 11/8 go here for tickets and details https://www.openeyetheatre.org/ We also have a review of that show as well as Chap Snatchers at Bryant Lake Bowl go here to get tickets for this weekends final performances https://www.bryantlakebowl.com/theater   Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon provides a Guest Blogger Review of Prime Productions To Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday https://www.primeprods.org/ Check out Cherry and Spoons reviews here http://www.cherryandspoon.com/   We also have details on how to win tickets to an upcoming show at History Theatre thanks to Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre. You can read her blog here https://letteredintheatre.wordpress.com/ and check out the season lineup at History Theatre here https://www.historytheatre.com/   Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/   You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available in podcast https://robdunkelberger.podbean.com/ or wherever you enjoy podcasts. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN, want to be part of the Holiday preview episode or just have a question or comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 15 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. This episode is a quick one with two reviews Once on This Island at Artistry in Bloomington through October 26th Click here for tickets https://artistrymn.org/island Also Misery at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo through October 19th https://yellowtreetheatre.com/misery2025 Also on this episode a quick word about Trademark Theater's new Film What you Can't Keep check out their website here https://www.trademarktheater.org/wyck And a reminder that the Twin Cities Horror Festival runs from October 16th through the 30th and tickets are on sale now at https://www.tchorrorfestival.com/ Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available in podcast https://robdunkelberger.podbean.com/ or wherever you enjoy podcasts. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected]. Theaters interested in having their Holiday shows appear on our Sponsored Holiday preview episode can email me as well.

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today’s episode is sponsored by Prime Productions, a theater company devoted to celebrating women in their second act. Check them out here https://www.primeprods.org/ This episode opens with a special announcement from Theater Blogger Jill Schafer about the 15th Anniversary of her blog Cherry and Spoon. Find out how you can help mark the Occassion and win theater tickets in the process! check out the details here http://www.cherryandspoon.com/ We are back with another segment in our "What the Hell's a Theater Blogger?" series. This time I'm chatting with Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre fame. Yopu can read her blog here https://letteredintheatre.wordpress.com/ We've two reviews for you, one from guest blogger Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon. Jill gives us a review of The Ruins running through October 12th at the Guthrie Theater. Get tickets here https://www.guthrietheater.org I'll review the latest from Theatre Pro Rata The Book of Will which runs at the Crane Theater through October 11th. Click here for tickets https://www.theatreprorata.org/ Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ Reminder you can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode14YouTube . If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 13 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Today’s episode is a short one, we’ve got an announcement about some changes to the show going forward and a couple of quick reviews for you. MN Honest Reviews of Treasure Island at Children’s Theatre Company you can get tickets on their website https://childrenstheatre.org/ The second review is Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House you can go to their website for tickets https://www.guthrietheater.org/ Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at  https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode13YouTube If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 12 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. Todays episode is sponsored by Theatre in the Round Players the longest running theatre in Minneapolis! Check out there upcoming season, purchase multi-show flex packages or single tickets on their website https://www.theatreintheround.org/ On this episode: The Stages of MN first exclusive! I talk with Nissa Nordland and Duck Washington the Artistic and Executive Directors of the Twin Cities Horror Festival (TCHF) where we reveal the full schedule for the 14th annual TCHF!!!! You can learn more about the festival on their website here https://www.tchorrorfestival.com/ . and Listen to my legacy interview with Duck and Nissa on this 2023 episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat https://bit.ly/TCTCS2E5 We also have two MN Honest Reviews for you Pride & Prejudice at Theatre in the Round running through October 5th. As well as, Maybe You Could Love Me which is being Produced by Theater MU and performed at Mixed Blood Theatre 9/11 - 9/28. Go here for more information and to purchase tickets https://www.theatermu.org/maybe Be sure to check out the “At a Show With…” montage of folks I saw out at the theater this week! Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club you can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 11 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this episode I sat down with Sushma Saha to discuss the new play they are in Maybe You Could Love Me which is being Produced by Theater MU and performed at Mixed Blood Theatre 9/11 - 9/28. Go here for more information and to purchase tickets https://www.theatermu.org/maybe Two MN Honest Reviews this week. The first is Big Fish at Lyric Arts in Anoka now through October 5th. for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.lyricarts.org/big-fish The second is Anyone Can Whistle: In Concert from Minneapolis Musical Theatre. Which runs through September 14th go here to purchase tickets https://www.aboutmmt.org/ Back also this week is our “At a Show With…” montage Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Lianna McLernon at Theater MU for arranging the interview. You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available on YouTube at https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode11YpuTube If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show or want to join The Stages of MN + 1 Club, you can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 10 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. This weeks episode is sponsored by Exposed Brick Theatre's Through Our Eyes 2 New Play Festival. Which runs from September 19th to October 4th. Here is a link to their website where you can read more about the Festival and purchase tickets https://exposedbricktheatre.com/ On this episode I sit down with m'colleague Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon to grapple with the question that has puzzled scholars for centuries "What the Hell's a Theater Blogger? Visit Cherry and Spoon to read all of Jills reviews here http://www.cherryandspoon.com/ Two MN Honest Reviews this week: The first is Hypocralypse Now at Brave New Workshop through November 1st. for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://hennepinarts.org/events/hypoc.... The second is Come Back, Little Sheba from Dark & Stormy Productions. Which runs through September 7th go here to purchase tickets https://www.darkstormy.org/ Back also this week is our “At a Show With…” montage. Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Erica Skarohlid and History Theatre for access to shoot our interview for this episode. You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / @thestagesofmn    and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show is also available YouTube https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode10YouTube If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. This weeks episode is a sponsored episode. The 13 theater companies that appear on this weeks 2025/2026 theater season preview supported The Stages of MN in some way. Either through paid sponsorship Ad swap, or allowing access to their space for the filming of an episode that did not involve their own show or company. This was done to remove barriers that might have restricted some companies from being able to participate. No company who inquired about being part of the show was turned away. Here are the links to the websites of all those whose season we highlight on the episode. Please support these theaters as they have supported The Stages of MN. For which I am greatly appreciative of. Yellow Tree Theatre: https://yellowtreetheatre.com/ Ten Thousand Things: https://tenthousandthings.org/ History Theatre: https://www.historytheatre.com/ Ananya Dance Theatre: https://www.ananyadancetheatre.org/ Fortune's Fool Theatre: https://fortunesfooltheatre.org/ Hennepin Arts: https://hennepinarts.org/2025-2026-bank-of-america-broadway-on-hennepin Unlabeled Theatre Company: https://unlabeledtheatre.org/ Lakeshore Players Theatre: https://www.lakeshoreplayers.org/season-73-theatre Minneapolis Musical Theatre: https://www.aboutmmt.org/ The Mystery Cafe: https://www.themysterycafe.com/ Chanhassen Dinner Theatres: https://chanhassendt.com/ Ghoulish Delights: https://www.ghoulishdelights.com/ Skylark Opera Theatre: https://www.skylarkopera.org/home No MN Honest Reviews this week but we'll be back to the regular format next week! Also no “At a Show With…” montage this week, but this too will be back next week with everyone I ran into since Fringe! Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Dale Stark and Hennepin Arts for permission to film in the Orpheum Theater for the shows opening. You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook: @thestagesofmn     and Instagram: thestagesofmn The show is also available in YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheStagesofMN If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this weeks episode I'm joined by Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and we say good night to The Minnesota Fringe Festival. We share our thoughts on this years Fringe and what some of our favorite shows were. You can access the Full MN Fringe Festival site here https://minnesotafringe.org/ where you can sign up for the newsletter so you'll get info year round about Fringe happenings. Visit Cherry and Spoon here http://www.cherryandspoon.com/ No MN Honest Reviews this week but we rundown the 5 shows you have another chance of seeing at The Fringe Encore at the Phipps Series click here for The Phipps Center For the Arts website to purchase tickets https://thephipps.org/events Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/  You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show also available in a fuller version on YouTube which you can find here https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode8YouTube If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this weeks episode We get a preview of The MN Fringe Festival from over 20 Artists who tell us about their shows and when and where you can catch them. You can access the Full MN Fringe Festival site here https://minnesotafringe.org/ to start planning your Fringe adventure. The festival opens 7/31/25 and runs through 8/10/25. You can also get tips to how to Fringe and her picks for the musy=t see shows over at my friend Jill Schafer's blog Cherry and Spoon here http://www.cherryandspoon.com/2025/07... I used it to help me make my schedule! MN Honest Reviews: Robin Hood from Zephyr Theatre Company running through 8/3/25 at Aamodt's Apple Farm in Stillwater, MN, here's a link to their website to purchase tickets https://www.stillwaterzephyrtheatre.o... The Music Man at Lyric Arts in Anoka through 8/10/25. Get your tickets at https://www.lyricarts.org/music-man I also have a quick interview with Jeffrey Nolan one of the actors in Robin Hood who also gives us the 411 on his Fringe show 503. I also chat quick with Reed Sigmund, known for his many acting roles around town, including his now yearly performance of the Grinch at Children's Theatre Company. Who is making his directorial debut with Robin Hood. “At a Show With…” photos of who I saw out at the Theater this week. Special thanks: To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Dale Stark and Hennepin Arts for permission to film in the Orpheum Theater for the shows opening You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show also available in YouTube Version at https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode7YouTube   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 6 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this weeks episode we broadcast an urgent cry for help from our friends at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo. Here's the link to their GoFundMe page where they are trying to raise the $27,000 that has been cut from their State funding https://bit.ly/YellowTreeGoFundMe Please donate if you can. Also a reminder that Yellow Tree is still accepting donations through 7/28/25 for their annual Food and clothing drive. Here's a link to Yellow Tree's website as well. https://yellowtreetheatre.com/ Our interview this week is with fellow Twin Cities Theater Blogger Kendra Plant who tells us all about her upcoming M innesota Fringe Festival show The Kendra Plant Variety Hour "Good Things Edition" With Special Guests. Here's the link to her Fringe page https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/202... You can also access the Full MN Fringe Festival site here https://minnesotafringe.org/ to start planning your Fringe adventure. The festival opens 7/31/25 and runs through 8/10/25. More on the festival on next weeks show. MN Honest Reviews: Love and Baseball running through 7/28/25 at Artistry in Bloomington, here's a link to their website to purchase tickets https://artistrymn.org/loveandbaseball Glensheen the 10th Anniversary Production at History Theater through 7/27/25. Get your tickets to this summer tradition here https://www.historytheatre.com/2024-2... “At a Show With…” photos of who I saw out at the Theater this week. Special thanks: To fellow TCTB Kendra Plant, you can read her blog Artfully Engaging here https://www.kendraplant.com/blog-artf... To Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Dale Stark and Hennepin Arts for permission to film in the Orpheum Theater for the shows opening To Erica Skarohlid and History Theatre for Permission to film our interview with Kendra in their space. You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show also available YouTube  https://rhttps://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode6YT If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Stages of MN or just have a question of comment on the show You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 5 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience.   This episode is Sponsored by Chanhassen Dinner Theatres go to https://chanhassendt.com/ to see what's playing there and to purchase tickets.   We journey to the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, MN. Visit their website to check out the festival and purchase tickets here https://www.grsf.org/   We Learn about Intimacy coordination with GRSF Artistic Director Doug Scholz-Carlson   MN Honest Reviews: Romeo & Juliet and The Comedy of Errors at GRSF through 7/27/25   “At a Show With…” photos of who I saw out at the Theater this week.   Special thanks: Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon Read all of her reviews at http://www.cherryandspoon.com/ Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/    You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn   The show is also available YouTube https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode5   You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this episode: Theater Couples: Ryan Lee and Tod Petersen welcome me into their home and we discuss the joys of a sharing a passion with your loved one. A return visit to Endometriosis: The Musical at Theatre in the Round. With post show responses from audience members. You can still catch this highly entertaining show running through 7/13/25 click here for Tickets https://www.theatreintheround.org/end... MN Honest Review: Passion at Theater Latté Da through 7/13/25 For info on that show and to purchase tickets go to https://www.latteda.org/passion Special thanks: Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Dale Stark and Hennepin Arts for permission to film in the Orpheum Theater for the shows opening Scott Dunkelberger and Micky Dunkelberger for their camera work. You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn and Instagram / thestagesofmn The show also available in a slightly longer version on YouTube https:https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode4 You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 3 of The Stages of MN. A weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this episode: An interview with Will Sturdivant, Actor and Author performing now at the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, MN. Visit their website to check out the festival and purchase tickets here https://www.grsf.org/ You click to help fund and arrange to receive copies of Will's upcoming books here https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-... To check out Will's other upcoming projects mentioned in the interview you can go to the Guthrie Theater website for info on Cabaret and their 2025-26 season including Primary Trust featuring Sturdivant here https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-... And The Milwaukee Rep here https://www.milwaukeerep.com/shows-an... A Look at opening Night of Cabaret at the Guthrie Theater MN Honest Reviews: Cabaret at the Guthrie Theater through August 24th. Madagascar: A Musical Adventure at Stages Theatre Company through August 3rd. For info on that show and to purchase tickets go to https://www.stagestheatre.org/madagas... “At a Show With…” photos of who I saw out at the Theater this week. If you are someone you know is having suicidal thoughts you can reach help at 988 Lifeline here https://988lifeline.org/ Special thanks: Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Dale Stark and Hennepin Arts for permission to film in the Orpheum Theater for the shows opening You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook / thestagesofmn                                                   Instagram / thestagesofmn The show also available YouTube https://bit.ly/TSOMNEpisode3 or wherever you enjoy podcasts. You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 2 of The Stages of MN a weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this episode: An interview with Maria Bartholdi and Kristin Stowell about their new musical Endometriosis: The Musical having its world premiere at Theatre in the Round. To learn more about Endmetriosis the disease you can go to the Mayo Clinic Website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c... Maria Bartholdi can be seen onstage with The Bearded Company: https://beardedcompany.org/ and she hosts a podcast on Magic the Gathering called Good Luck High Five ttps://www.goodluckhighfive.com/ She'll aslo be appearing the Minnesota Fringe Festival https://minnesotafringe.org/ Kristin Stowell is the music Director for Mystic Pizza the Musical you can read more about that here and watch for the drop of the cast album this fall https://www.mysticpizzaonstage.com/ Opening Night interviews: I talked with many Twin Cities Theater Bloggers you can follow that group on facebook at   / twincitiestheaterbloggers   I also spoke with Kristin Stowell again and the Director Shanan Custer. Here's the link to Ghoulish Delights the home of the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society with whom Custer can be seen performing live regularly with her husband Eric Webster, and his partners in crime and or evil Joshua English Scrimshaw and Tim Uren. https://www.ghoulishdelights.com/ MN Honest Reviews: Endometriosis: The Musical at Theater in the Round through July 13th For tickets visit the Theatre in the Round website at https://www.theatreintheround.org/end... Stop Kiss at Theater Mu through June 29th at the Gremlin Theatre https://www.theatermu.org/stop-kiss Sponsor: The Shhh Society of America Here is the promised link to the Festival Theatre website if you are wanting to check out Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt 2B, running through 7/6/25 https://www.festivaltheatre.org/ms-ho... For more information on how to behave at the Theater here is a link to Emily Posts etiquette for audiences https://emilypost.com/advice/audience... “At a Show With…” photos of who I saw out at the Theater this week. Special thanks: Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/ To Dale Stark and Hennepin Arts for permission to film in the Orpheum Theater for the shows opening You can read all my reviews at The Stages of MN https://thestagesofmn.com/ Follow me on Facebook   / thestagesofmn   and Instagram   / thestagesofmn   The show also available in podcast https://robdunkelberger.podbean.com/ or wherever you enjoy podcasts. You can email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Stages of MN, a weekly show about the live theatrical experience. On this episode: “Sharing a Sandwich With…” an interview with Executive Artistic Director of Yellow Tree Theatre Austene Van. Visit the Yellow Tree Theatre website at https://yellowtreetheatre.com/ Putting on your radar: Movie Fight Club watch the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater website https://www.bryantlakebowl.com/theater for tickets to the next performance on August 14th. Off Book at Jungle Theater, next performance is July 21st you can purchase tickets here https://www.jungletheater.org/improv-... MN Honest Reviews: Significant Other at Lyric Arts in Anoka closing 6/22/25 Purchase tickets at https://www.lyricarts.org/significant... Mae West and the Trial of Sex from Walking Shadow Theatre Company running through 6/22/25 at the Crane Theater purchase tickets at https://walkingshadow.org/mae-west-an... “ Special thanks:  Ryan Lee for the use of his music catalog which is available at https://ryanlee.bandcamp.com/