All Blog Posts (321)

Monty Python’s Spamalot

By Anna Berger

I was originally excited to see Spamalot because I love Monty Python. It’s been a part of my life since childhood, since my mother is from the UK. I remember as a child watching Monty Python skits, so this brings back many memories. This show was a spinoff of Monty Python’s “The Holy Grail.’ In this story, King Arthur rounds up a crew of knights to join him in the search for the Grail. Going into the show I wanted to keep my mind open…

If you were a Jew making a sandwich, dressing it in beef would probably not be the best idea. So making a parody of a movie that was already the nonsensical conglomeration of British wit, is in turn probably not the best idea. Monty Python’s Spamalot will be playing at the Orpheum for one more night, March 16^th. Combing every favourite line on every fan base, Eric Idle wrote an achronological retelling of the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. King Arthur sets out on a quest…

Patrick Henry’s production of Little Shop of Horrors on March 9th was a typical fun high school musical; budget was low, experience scarce, talent untried, and enthusiasm high.



The set was nicely done. The walls around the stage were covered by plants. There was a smooth-working door, and a grid  that gave the illusion of a barred window - a device which the cast used to their advantage. Inside the “flower shop” was a desk and a shelf covered in plants. Outside, Skid Row was strewn…

The indie rock band Imagine Dragons’ Night Visions Tour is a visual and auditory spectacle. I attended their sold out show on March 8th at the Varsity Theater, attended mostly by others in their teens and 20s.



After two engaging and unique opening acts who warmed up and excited the audience, the Varsity Theatre was plunged into darkness. A purple blacklight glow slowly rose from behind the band.  The light show was a central aspect of their performance, colors flashing in time,…

     Khajuraho is a small town in India, with more tourists than natives. Best known for its detailed and sensual sculptures, Khajuraho provides a cultural show during the nighttime for tourists. The show was tacky, but it seemed unique to the culture. It was a good experience for the most part, even though the show was far from professional.  

     The show lasted an hour and consisted of 5 different acts that featured dancing and lip syncing. It told old stories…

                The Lord of the Dance was an enchanting production telling the story of an Irish myth.  Two opposing armies- The Lord of the Dance versus The Lord of Darkness. With a beautiful princess and a seductive temptress butting heads to win the lord of the dance. Though the story wasn’t as clear as one would hope, you could gather the general idea. The story brought you through the ups and downs of the story accompanied by a wonderful Irish soundtrack.

                The show…

If there is one thing that can destroy any genuine performance, it is this: overproduction. We find a case and point in Michael Flatley’s The Lord of the Dance, showing February 22-23 at the State Theater. Featuring Power Rangers, LED supernovas, and plenty of piped in music, this overproduction follows a simple plot of good versus evil but eventually finds itself in another conflict entirely. The overdone tech battles the honest dance for center stage in a performance that will…

I have learned that applause feeds the Irishman’s ego and that Michael Flatley’s charm is an experience that cannot be learned. Lord of the Dance played for one night, which was one night too many, at the State Theatre this past Saturday. I was greeted by a table full of purchasable goods, one of those goods being the program. During intermission, the audience members seated around me mingled with their bright screens in order to make sense of the sexual motifs and overall storyline. Based…

Cultural bridges were built while language barriers were set aside. The global touring production of Shen Yun that is stationed in New York performed at the Orpheum Theatre this past Friday and Saturday. Shen Yun brings to life Classical Chinese Dance that has been refined for over 5000 years. Through the course of the production, acts are split into individual numbers that range from solo singing, to group dances and reenactments of Chinese folklore. Accompanied by a full orchestra, the…

Oftentimes a production will need just a little something. A little je ne sais quoi. Michael's Flatley's Lord of the Dance (February 22nd and 23rd at the State Theatre) has the opposite problem: it has that certain something, but that something is overwhelmed by the truly shoddy production. The Irish dancing show is supposed to follow a basic storyline of good versus evil, wherein the lead character, the Lord of the Dance, fights against Don Dorcha, the…

(I’m usually really great at submitting things on time, but this time I’m not, and this is appearing about 2 weeks late. But, the show is still in Minneapolis. Though it’s still late, and for that I am sorry, but that’s not relevant to the review.)

The Book of Mormon (the musical) is about two Mormons who go on a trip to Uganda to share their faith with the natives. They depart from Salt Lake City via an airline called “Airfrica”, and then wind up in Uganda. Upon their…

        The Book of Mormon, (now at the Orpheum until February 17th), was nothing short of delicious. This is the heartwarming story of a set Mormon mission brothers and their struggles to adjust and succeed in their new home, Uganda. From the racism and sexual innuendos to the witty and (mostly) respectful Mormon humor, the show was by far the funniest thing I've seen for a very long time. The beautiful costumes and props weren't distracting, and enhanced the scenes. The actors were…

The Book of Mormon

Laura Sergeant

               The Book of Mormon was not your average trip of spiritual enlightenment. It was however, a hilarious and even touching story of two boys trying to find their way in life and how they actually change people’s lives for the better. I was given the wonderful opportunity to witness these not-quite-so-humble acts at the Orpheum Theater on the 5^th day in February, 2013. And a fine night it was…

Hello. My name is Elder Price and I am here to show you the most amazing book! You’ve probably heard of it. The book to rule all books; the triquel to the Holy Bible itself! Showing now at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Minneapolis under the direction of Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker is the beloved, irreverent and hilarious musical The Book of Mormon. Narcissistic Elder Price and socially awkward Elder Cunningham head off on the adventure of a lifetime when they find out that they will be…

The Book of Mormon is unsurprisingly about well, Mormons although Ugandan people and an evil warlord were thrown in for the fun of it. Basically two young Mormons are sent to Uganda for missionary work, one of them is convinced that he is going to make a difference the other one is sure he won’t, of coarse things don’t go according to plan and the opposite ends up happening. But by the end of the play they all learn the true meaning of religion; it’s okay to make stuff up as long as you keep…

When I first heard that “The Book of Mormon” was coming to Minneapolis, I was not that thrilled.  I had seen an episode of South Park and I disliked the way Trey Parker and Matt Stone wrote it, so I didn’t think that I would really like a musical written by the same people.  Then a few months ago, I started listening to music from the show, and I discovered that I liked the music.  I started to look forward to seeing the show.  But now that I have seen it, I am disappointed.…

                                                                    Book of Mormon=gud



                                                                             “it da best”



                                                                             …

Tuesday, February 5th in the heart of Minneapolis at the Orpheum, The Book of Mormon treated the audience to an exciting and laughter filled show. Written by the authors of South Park, the Book of Mormon has won nine Tony awards and has created quite the reputation.The writing is excellent and witty. The Book of Mormon presented a laugh out loud production that enhanced the energy among the audience. Our main characters, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham go on a two year journey to a…