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
Somewhere
The Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55415
December 13th – February 1st
You hear that hush across Minneapolis? I’m not talking about the quiet that settled on top of the six inches of snow, but the darkness currently enveloping our stages as Christmas shows shutter ahead of New Year’s Eve. Ten days ago, you had dozens of stage productions to choose from. Now, it’s slim pickings. (And yet, White Christmas is still sold out at Chanhassen…)
Thankfully, the Guthrie programmed a gem at just the right time. Somewhere isn’t just something to see when you’ve got nothing else to do — this “play with dance” is a personal project from Tony-winning playwright Matthew López that promises to change your perspective about a few legendary theatrical properties. One is West Side Story, from which this play takes its name (“There’s a place for us, somewhere a place for us…”). The other is Lincoln Center, a glorious performing arts hub in New York City, which was built by first displacing more than 7,000 families and demolishing hundreds of buildings in the San Juan Hill neighborhood.
If this is news to you, that’s actually perfect, because these are the circumstances of Somewhere: the central Candelaria family is simultaneously buoyed by the prospect of new opportunities in the arts for Puerto Rican immigrants like them as West Side Story is currently a smash hit on Broadway, but they’re also shocked at the news their Manhattan apartment is set to be torn down and they must vacate. (This is personal for López because the family is similar to his own; his father and aunt were extras in the movie version of West Side Story, which was shot partially in the demolition zone for Lincoln Center.)
A few extra tidbits about López to pique your interest further: He’s the first Latino writer to win the Tony Award for Best Play, for The Inheritance in 2020. He co-wrote the book for the musical Some Like It Hot, which was on Broadway in 2022-2023, and came to Minneapolis in 2024. He also directed and co-wrote the screenplay for Red, White & Royal Blue, the hit rom-com based on the romance novel by Casey McQuiston.
What to Do Before or After
Milly’s Wine Bar & Bistro is on the corner of Washington and 12th, less than a 10-minute walk from the Guthrie. Great spot to go before the show. If you’re going to a matinee, grab a coffee at FRGMNT in the Open Book building before, and pick up a new read at Milkweed Books in the same space.
How Much Are Tickets? Any Discounts?
Full-price tickets run from $39 to $94, depending on the performance. There are discounts for seniors (65+), students (18+), and children 17 and under. If there are still tickets left, the Guthrie offers heavily discounted rush tickets at the box office starting one hour before the show. My wife and I often do that, most recently for Cabaret. Best deal in town.
Free Bonus Event: “How’d They Do That?”
If you can wait a couple weeks to see Somewhere, I say go on January 17th — the Guthrie is hosting a free behind-the-scenes workshop where a member of their artistic team (not specified who) will take you through “how the set, costumes, lighting and sound came together to create the world of the play.” It’s free, you just need to register here. It runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon, then you can catch the matinee at 1 p.m.
Question of the Week
It’s almost curtains for 2025! What was your favorite show you’ve seen in Minnesota this year? If I have time I’m going to put together some personal highlights from the year, so you’ll have to wait and see what I pick. Or maybe I’ll get busy with the kids and just drop it in the next newsletter.
See you here next week!
Alex
Top image credit: Dan Norman for the Guthrie Theater
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