There's a lot of theater happening every week in the Twin Cities, and we mean a lot
. How's a theatergoer supposed to sort it out? Every week, we'll be giving representatives from two local productions a chance to tell us why their show should be at the top of your list.
This week two shows with decidedly different comic sensibilities square off. Director Bethany Simmons reps for Box Wine Theatre's What Happened to the Dollar
at Bryant Lake Bowl, while director Zach Curtis goes to bat for Actors Theater of Minnesota's Forever Plaid
at Cabaret Theater at Camp Bar.
ZACH CURTIS FOR FOREVER PLAID
Out of all the shows in the Twin Cities, why should I see your show?
- It's the only show running right now where you will hear four guys sing "Sixteen Tons."
- Because everyone loves a man in a tuxedo. This show has five.
- Group sing-alongs.
- And where else will you see a re-enactment of
The Ed Sullivan Show in three minutes?
Will I laugh?
Well, if you don't, there's something wrong with you. Please consult a doctor.
Will I cry?
There's a song in the show called "Cry!" (Note: this song may not make you cry.)
Will I feel weird if I bring my grandma?
Holy crap. She'll love this show. For real. (Sorry I said crap in front of your grandma.)
Who shouldn’t come see this show?
People who do not like plaid, the color red, catchy well-sung four-part harmony, and anyone with a fear of long-handled plungers.
BETHANY SIMMONS FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DOLLAR
Out of all the shows in the Twin Cities, why should I see your show?
There have been a lot of theatrical blogs and news bits lately about the lack of original works being produced in the Twin Cities, especially works that deal with current events or social relevancy. Well, this production deals with both. The show centers around a small group of online gamers who create an in-game currency which goes viral and crashes the real-world U.S. dollar.
This world premiere of “What Happened to the Dollar” is, above any other production in the Twin Cities, a very timely tale about issues in today’s geopolitical world from our growing national debt, to online RPGs, to virtual currency like the real-life Bitcoin. You don’t have to know anything about these subjects to enjoy a great cast and clever writing, but if you have the slightest idea of what’s going on with any of these topics you will enjoy it all the more.
Will I laugh?
At the (exaggerated, but truthful) look at how our money is managed and controlled in the U.S., the evolution of online networking, and how even the world’s lone superpower is actually as fragile as any other society? Yes, you will laugh.
Will I cry?
At the (exaggerated, but truthful) look at how our money is managed and controlled in the U.S., the evolution of online networking, and how even the world’s lone superpower is actually as fragile as any other society? Yes, you might cry.
Will I feel weird if I bring my grandma?
Not at all... unless your grandmother doesn’t know what the internet is.
Who shouldn’t come see this show?
People who don’t like to think too much when they see theatre. And
velociraptors... they don’t get socio-political satire at all.
