Best Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 13: The Stages of MN Announces Some Changes and Shares a Couple of Reviews 12:11

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5d ago12:11

12:11

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://c…

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Episode 12: The Stages of MN exclusive look at the Full schedule for Twin Cities Horror Festival 14! 39:54

14d ago39:54

39:54

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 episod…

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Episode 11: In Which The Stages of MN Gets Star Struck By Sushma Saha! 35:47

22d ago35:47

35:47

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://ww…

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Episode 10: In Which The Stages of MN & Cherry and Spoon ask "What the Hell's a Theater Blogger"? 37:00

29d ago37:00

37:00

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://exposed…

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Episode 9: In Which The Stages of MN Looks ahead to the 2025/2026 Theater Season! 48:58

1M ago48:58

48:58

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 filmin…

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Episode 8: In which The Stages of MN puts The MN Fringe to bed. 28:32

1M ago28:32

28:32

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 sit…

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Episode 7: The Stages of MN Get's a Preview of the MN Fringe Festival 38:09

2M ago38:09

38:09

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 y…

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Episode 6: The Stages of MN "Good Things Edition" With Special Guest Kendra Plant 30:18

2M ago30:18

30:18

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/YellowTr…

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Episode 5: The Stages of MN Hits the Road in Search of the Great River Shakespeare Festival 32:23

3M ago32:23

32:23

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…

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Episode 4: The Stages of MN Explores Love and Theater With Ryan & Tod 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

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 a…

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Episode 3: The Stages of MN Meets Will Sturdivant and a Game is Played 33:50

3M ago33:50

33:50

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 …

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Episode 2: The Stages of MN Contracts Endometriosis: The Musical Fever 40:01

3M ago40:01

40:01

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: …

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Episode 1: The Stages of MN Meets Austene Van and a Wrap is Shared 38:42

3M ago38:42

38:42

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 L…

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S2E26 Mainstage: Beautiful at Chanhassen DT with Michael & Cat Brindisi 42:58

1y ago42:58

42:58

Welcome to Twin Cities Theater Chat. This podcast is created by members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers to share our love of theater, promote theatergoing, and support our theater community. On today’s episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon is chatting with father-daughter co-directors Michael and Cat Brindisi of Chanhassen Dinner Theaters. …

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S2E25 Mainstage: Jan Chambers & Guthrie History Plays 21:19

1+ y ago21:19

21:19

We continue our series on the History Plays, an epic Shakespearean event where the Guthrie is presenting Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V with a rotating repertory cast. On today’s episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon is chatting with Jan Chambers, scenic designer for the History Plays. This is one of several Twin Cities Theater Chat podcast …

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S2E24 Mainstage: The Three Kings of the Guthrie History Plays 59:42

1+ y ago59:42

59:42

We continue our series on the History Plays, an epic Shakespearean event where the Guthrie is presenting Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V with a rotating repertory cast. On today’s episode, our bloggers are chatting with the titular kings of each play. We start with Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon in conve…

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S2E23 Mainstage: Trevor Bowen & Guthrie History Plays 12:37

1+ y ago12:37

12:37

~SPECIAL OFFER~ The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers will be participating in a Talkback on Saturday, April 27 following the 1:00 p.m. performance of Richard II. Use our discount code to get 20% off this performance. Call the Guthrie box office and use the code TCBLOG. On today’s episode, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN is speaking with Trevor Bow…

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S2E22 Mainstage: Em Rosenberg & the Guthrie History Plays 17:27

1+ y ago17:27

17:27

~SPECIAL OFFER~ The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers will be participating in a Talkback on Saturday, April 27 following the 1:00 p.m. performance of Richard II. Use our discount code to get 20% off this performance. Call the Guthrie box office and use the code TCBLOG. On today’s episode, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN is speaking with Em Rosenbe…

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S2E21 Mainstage: Joe Haj & the Guthrie History Plays 23:31

1+ y ago23:31

23:31

Welcome to Twin Cities Theater Chat. This podcast is created by members of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers to share our love of theater, promote theatergoing, and support our theater community. On today’s episode, Rob Dunkelberger of the Stages of MN and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon are speaking with Joseph Haj, artistic director of the Guthri…

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S2E20 Mainstage: Pangea World Theater with Suzanne Victoria Cross and Adlyn Carerras 51:19

1+ y ago51:19

51:19

On today’s episode, Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon are digging into the work of Pangea World Theater and their upcoming show Hecuba. They’re chatting with Adlyn Carreras, General Manager at Pangea and Suzanne Victoria Cross, Pangea’s Production Manager, who is also playing the title role in Hecuba. Hecu…

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S2E19 Mainstage: Black and Funny Improv Festival with John Gebretatose and Jada Pulley 19:04

1+ y ago19:04

19:04

On this episode, Rob Dunkelberger of the Stages of Minnesota is chatting with John Gebretatose and Jada Pulley, co-directors of the Black and Funny Improv Festival, which runs March 21st through the 24th at HUGE Theater (now at 2728 Lyndale Ave). The Black and Funny Improv Festival features four days of workshops and performances featuring world-cl…

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S2E18 Mainstage: Director/Choreographer/Dancer Kyle Weiler 24:45

1+ y ago24:45

24:45

On today's episode, Keith Russell of Life in Revue is joined by director/choreographer/dancer/actor/everything Kyle Weiler. Kyle takes us on a journey from the Juilliard School to his time touring as Riff in West Side Story to the surprising story behind his being cast in Hamilton on Broadway. He's back here in Minnesota and quickly winning the adm…

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S2E17 Mainstage: Stones in His Pockets with Jason Hansen 47:19

1+ y ago47:19

47:19

In this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Mary Aalgaard of Play Off the Page are chatting with director, composer, and arranger Jason Hansen, who is composing music for and music directing Theater Latte Da's Stones in His Pockets (Jan 24 - Feb 25, 2024) . In this year's Twin Cities Theater Blogger awards, Jason received the Favorite Mus…

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S2E16 Recommends: Looking Forward to 2024! 22:06

1+ y ago22:06

22:06

We've got a lightning round of 2024 recommendations! Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN, Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love, Mary Aalgaard of Play Off the Page, Keith Russell of Life in Revue, and Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon discuss the shows they recommend and are anticipating. Shows discussed include: Ironbound by Frank Theatre at the…

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S2E15 Mainstage: Cabaret at Theatre 55 38:04

1+ y ago38:04

38:04

In this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon sits down with Richard Hitchler, Founder and Artistic Director of Theatre 55 and Prudence Johnson, jazz and folk singer extraordinaire. They discuss Theater 55, their new production of Cabaret, and Prudence Johnson's return to acting as Sally Bowles. Performed by a cast of actors 55 and up, this Cab…

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S2E14 Mainstage: 9th Annual TCTB Awards 41:28

1+ y ago41:28

41:28

We are excited to announce the winners of the 9th Annual Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Awards! This is our first full set of nominations since before the pandemic (in the intervening years we've just announced a few limited awards). The bloggers have voted for their favorites, the votes have been tallied and we are announcing the winners here on thi…

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S2E13 Recommends: Holiday Wrap-up with Dinners, Scrooges, and More 23:21

2y ago23:21

23:21

We're well into holiday show season and we sat down with some of our bloggers to get their recommendations for the shows they're loving and looking forward to. Keep in mind that theater tickets are a wonderful holiday gift for anyone on your list OR a donation to a theater in someone's name! On this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends, w…

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S2E12 Mainstage: Look Out! It's the MORLS! 50:28

2y ago50:28

50:28

In this episode, Rob Dunkelberger interviews the members of the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society (MORLS) podcast and theater group: Tim Uren, Joshua English Scrimshaw, Shanan Custer, and Eric Webster. They chat about their love for old-time theater, performing live on stage, and what's coming up next for them. Tune in to hear the answers to t…

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S2E11 Recommends: More Holiday Shows, Carols, and a Betty 18:04

2y ago18:04

18:04

*SPECIAL MESSAGE* We're giving away two tickets to I Am Betty at History Theatre. Enter by filling out this form! Contest ends 12/3/23, so enter today! It's beginning to look a lot like holiday show time. As our theater bloggers share the shows they're enjoying and looking forward to, remember that theater tickets are a wonderful holiday gift for a…

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S2E10 Mainstage: What's Buzzing at Hive Collaborative 57:47

2y ago57:47

57:47

On this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon is chatting with Eric Morris and Laura Rudolph Morris, Twin Cities theater artists and the proud new owners of the Hive Collaborative, a new artistic space in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. You can check out the Hive Collaborative space at their upcoming show, All About Jane, the Era…

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S2E9 Recommends: Holiday Shows 2023! 30:29

2y ago30:29

30:29

Haul out the holly, cause we need a little holiday fun. Luckily, our Twin Cities theater community is ready to share some wonderful shows with you and your loved ones. Pro tip! Buy tickets for a show for gifts! Support your local theater! This episode features bloggers Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN, Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre, Ji…

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S2E8 Mainstage: Company on Tour with Emma Stratton 22:25

2y ago22:25

22:25

On this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Kendra Plant of Artfully Engaging are joined by Emma Stratton, who is playing Jenny in the first national tour of the revised and gender-flipped Company. We learned about Emma's love of all things Stephen Sondheim, dug into her Minnesota connections, and learned what it's really like touring in …

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S2E7 Mainstage: The New HUGE Theater! (Building) with Butch Roy 35:41

2y ago35:41

35:41

On this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Kendra Plant of Artfully Engaging are joined by Butch Roy, Executive Director of HUGE Theater. They spend some time seriously geeking out about all of the ins and outs of HUGEs journey to theater ownership. The grand opening of Huge Theater's new space at 2728 Lyndale Ave in Minneapolis will be …

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S2E6 Recommends: Super Spooky Special Edition! 25:48

2y ago25:48

25:48

There's so much spooky theater goodness in the Twin Cities this year that Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN and Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love had to put together a Super Spooky Special Edition of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends. We talk about the Twin Cities Horror Festival, comedy shows, cabarets and concerts, why this is clearly …

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S2E5: The 12th Annual Twin Cities Horror Festival! 41:21

2y ago41:21

41:21

On this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN and Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love will be chatting with two of the people behind our favorite Halloween tradition: Duck Washington, Executive Director, and Nissa Nordland Morgan, Artistic Director of the Twin Cities Horror Festival. The Twin Cities Horror Fe…

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S2E4 Recommends: Falsettos, Passage, Cookin', Alcohol and more! 24:18

2y ago24:18

24:18

In this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends, we are joined by Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN, Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre, and Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love who will recommend a few shows currently running in the Twin Cities. Shows discussed include: Falsettos at Theater Latte …

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S2E3 Mainstage: Passage at Pillsbury House + Theatre and Exposed Brick Theatre 37:04

2y ago37:04

37:04

On this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Carol Jackson and Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love are joined by Suzy Messerole, the Co-Artistic Director of Exposed Brick Theatre and Signe V. Harriday, the Artistic Producing Director of Pillsbury House + Theatre. We had a great time chatting about Passage, an upcoming co-production bet…

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S2E2 Recommends: Ladies, Choruses, and Teachers 18:20

2y ago18:20

18:20

In this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends, we are joined by Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN, and Mary Aalgaard of Play Off The Page to recommend a few shows currently running in the Twin Cities. Shows discussed include: The Chinese Lady at Open Eye Theatre, A Chorus Line at Lyric Arts, The Prime o…

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S2E1 Mainstage: Season Previews 2023-24 51:22

2y ago51:22

51:22

We're kicking off Season TWO of Twin Cities Theater Chat with a theater season preview! You'll hear from Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN, Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre, Mary Aalgaard of Play Off the Page, and Carol and Julie Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love as we chat about the upcoming theater seaso…

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S1E12 Mainstage: The Understudy 1:07:29

2y ago1:07:29

1:07:29

The understudy is the actor whom, if everything goes perfectly, will never be seen by an audience. They are the unsung heroes of the theater world, swooping in to save the day when tragedy or more frequently these days, covid strikes. They are the living embodiment of the old saying: “The show must go on” On today's episode, Rob Dunkelberger (The S…

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S1E11 Mainstage: Minnesota Fringe Fest Check-In 13:38

2y ago13:38

13:38

It's halfway through the Minnesota Fringe Festival (running August 3-13 at various locations in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and beyond. Our bloggers are taking time out of their crazy Fringe schedules to share a few of the shows they are loving at the Festival this year. We are joined by Kendra Plant (of Artfully Engaging), who recommends: Ha …

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S1E10 Mainstage: Recommendations from the Voices of Fringe 23:59

2y ago23:59

23:59

It's another Minnesota Fringe-tacular episode for you! We’re getting recs from the Voices of Minnesota Fringe. What’s a Voice of Fringe? These are the lovely people who record the show announcements you’ll hear at the Fringe. The Voices of Fringe you'll hear today are Maria Ghasssemlou, Leah Cooper, Natalie Rae Wass, and Josh Carson. They'll discus…

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S1E9 Mainstage: How to Fringe with the TC Theater Bloggers 18:12

2y ago18:12

18:12

Are you overwhelmed by the plethora of theatrical entertainment opportunities at the Minnesota Fringe Festival? Are you unsure of the importance of the Fringe Button? Does the idea of that much sheer theatrical talent in one place seem more than a little intimidating? Our Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon, Rob Dunkelberg…

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S1E8 Mainstage: The Kung Fu Zombies Saga with Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay and Michelle de Joya 41:29

2y ago41:29

41:29

Laura Van Zandt (Bite-Sized Beet) joins us to chat with playwright Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay and actor Michelle de Joya about Theater Mu's The Kung Fu Zombies Saga: Shaman Warrior and Cannibals, running July 20 - August 13, 2023 at the Luminary Arts Center. From Theater Mu's website: "The Kung Fu Zombies Saga: Shaman Warrior & Cannibals brings…

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S1E7 Mainstage: Minnesota Fringe Festival with Dawn Bentley 41:52

2y ago41:52

41:52

On this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love are joined by Dawn Bentley, Executive Director of the Minnesota Fringe Festival, which is celebrating its 30th year of providing adventurous theater. We chat about the history of Fringe, how the festival is surviving and thriving in 2023, and why the motto…

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S1E6 Mainstage: Murder and Mayhem with Jeffrey Hatcher 37:47

2y ago37:47

37:47

On this episode, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN chats with acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher. They discuss Glensheen and the perils of writing about real crime, why there were no prop guns in The Defeat of Jesse James, and his collaborations with Chan Poling. Along the way, they discuss murder, mayhem, and local history as well the endless…

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S1E5 Recommends: Woods, Boys, and Descendants 9:57

2+ y ago9:57

9:57

In this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends, we are joined by Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN, and Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre to recommend a few shows currently running in the Twin Cities. Shows discussed include: Into the Woods at the Guthrie Theater, Jersey Boys at Chanhassen Dinner Th…

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S1E4 Mainstage: Great River Shakespeare Festival & Their 20th Season 52:05

2+ y ago52:05

52:05

On this episode, Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love are joined by Doug Sholz-Carlson and Melissa Maxwell from the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona to talk about their new season, why they love doing repertory theater, and some of the lessons Great River has learned from the We See You, White Ameri…

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S1E3 Recommends: N2N, Sherwood, and Speedos 14:20

2+ y ago14:20

14:20

In this episode of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends, we are joined by Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon, Rob Dunkelberger of The Stages of MN, and Erica Skarohlid of Lettered in Theatre to recommend a few shows currently running in the Twin Cities: Next to Normal at Theater Latte Da, Sherwood at Theatre in the Round, and Red Speedo by Walking Sha…

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S1E2 Mainstage: Peter Rothstein & Theater Latte Da 31:30

2+ y ago31:30

31:30

Peter Rothstein, Artistic Director/Co-Founder of Theater Latte Da has long been a favorite director of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers. Jill Schafer of Cherry and Spoon and Carol Jackson of Minnesota Theater Love sat down with him to talk about his new production of Next to Normal (opening June 7 at Theater Latte Da), his experiences in Twin Citie…