Welcome to One Show to See This Week. Every week I send out a newsletter with the one play or musical I think you should buy a ticket for in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in the next seven days, along with tips for discounts and things to do in the area, because I think theater should be part of your weekly routine. My inbox is always open, as are my DMs. Glad you’re here!
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One Show to See This Week
My Fair Lady
Theater Latté Da
Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Through December 28th
My Fair Lady is one of my top five favorite musicals of all time. Theater Latté Da is hands down my favorite theater in Minnesota. So when I saw in the season announcement that this boundary-pushing company would be putting its own spin on this gorgeous, timeless Lerner and Loewe show as its holiday offering, let’s just say my heart took flight.
Now, the time has come. Previews actually began almost two weeks ago, but I wanted to highlight the musical this week as the holiday season officially kicks off: If you’re one of those people who only goes to the theater once a year, and that single outing happens between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, then this is the show you should see. (There, I’ve hammered my stake in the ground. But if you’ve got another recommendation, please drop it in the comments.)
You may be thinking, “Do we really need another production of My Fair Lady?” When Theater Latté Da stages a musical, the answer is always yes. There’s no show too popular that I wouldn’t want to see them deconstruct it and refashion it again anew (a sentiment I’ve held to since their supercharged production of Chicago in 2019).
One element of this production that intrigues me? They’ve opted for an “intimate two-piano version of the score approved by Frederick Loewe himself.” It seems to me that Loewe’s music deserves as many musicians as financially feasible (the most recent Broadway production had 29 in the orchestra; I reviewed that tour in 2020 right before the pandemic), but I’m ready for them to change my mind…
What to Do Before or After
Last Christmas, my family and I chose Latté Da’s Cinderella as our annual holiday outing to the theater. We went out to eat at the nearby Sample Room (a four-minute drive from the Ritz) before the show, and I would absolutely run that pairing back again this year. The Northeast restaurant has an inviting menu, a cozy dining room, and a solid cocktail list with prices that top out at $13. No notes.
How Much Are Tickets? Any Discounts?
Tickets range from $21.75 to $104.75 this week if you buy them online. The most affordable tickets are available on Wednesday and Friday night, which is when Latté Da offers tickets in row A and partial-view seats in a “pay what you can” tier with prices starting under $30.
There are plenty of tickets still available for most performances this week — except the Saturday and Sunday matinees — and this is a perfect show for bringing family who are in from out of town for Thanksgiving. On the flip side, if you’re flying solo this holiday week and not feeling too festive, snag a ticket and be transported to somewhere far removed from Minnesota turkey day: early 20th century London.
Put This on Your Calendar: Guthrie’s Christmas Carol Company Cabaret
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie (celebrating 51 years this season!) is cobbling together a holiday cabaret at Lush in Northeast to raise money for Second Harvest Heartland, a hunger relief organization here in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. If you’re looking for a way to do some good this December at a time when many are struggling to put food on the table, this is as easy as philanthropy gets. It’s happening on Monday, December 8th. Opens at 5 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets and info here.
Question of the Week
All this talk of My Fair Lady has me thinking about cast albums. They don’t usually lend themselves to family gatherings, but if you were to put on one this Thanksgiving when your uncles and grandparents and little nieces and nephews are around, what’s it going to be? For me, I’m going with the 2018 Broadway cast recording of My Fair Lady. Enchanting from start to finish. Give it a spin and let me know what you think.
I mean, come on. This is a blast:
See you here next week!
Alex
Top image credit: Dan Norman for Theater Latté Da
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