Minneapolis Culture Attractions Shine Nationally
Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Orchestra Rank Among USA’s Finest
Nov 1, 2008
Minneapolis has long been known as Middle America’s cultural center. Instead of resting on their laurels, each year the city’s theatrical, music and dance organizations work to further enhance their performances.
Live Theater
The Twin Cities boast the second largest number of theater seats in America, exceeded only by New York City. Though the performance places range in size, quality of the productions gets consistently high marks, whether it is that of an internationally known troupe or a small group on non-professional actors.
One of the world’s most respected, the Tyrone Guthrie Theater has been the Twin Cities’ premier venue for the performing arts since it was founded in 1963. Formerly located next to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Guthrie created a national sensation with the 2006 opening of its spectacular new quarters on the banks of the Mississippi. Not only is the Jean Nouvel-designed building a show-stopper, the offerings on its playbill offer a wide range of choices. Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge,” Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen from Verona” and the world premier of “Little House on the Prairie” are among the productions scheduled for the 2008-2009 season.
Lighter fare is presented by more than two dozen theater groups – several of them professional. Traveling productions also appear on the larger theater stages. “Avenue Q” at the State Theatre, “The Lion King” at the Orpheum, “Zombie Prom” at the Hennepin and “Wicked” at the Pantages were among musicals presented during the 2007-2008 season.
Less well known performance stages include those of the Mixed Blood Theatre, Jungle Theater, Theatre in the Round and Chanhassan Dinner Theatres – the nation’s largest professional dinner theater. There is also the Tony Award-winning Children’s Theatre Company, one of the finest in the U. S.
Music
The world-renowned Minnesota Orchestra, which got its start as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, performs virtually year-round. The concert season, beginning in mid-September, includes concerts by the Orchestra interspersed with appearances by other musical groups and international stars. Concerts are presented at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis – the Minnesota Symphony’s home – as well as auditoriums and other performance spaces throughout Minnesota and the world.
There are also young peoples concerts and a holiday concert series, as well as presentations, such as the U. S. Bank Weekender Pops Concerts, sponsored by corporations. Occasional free concerts, underwritten by local corporations such as Target, with tickets offered via a lottery system. One of the most popular of the Minnesota Orchestra’s offerings is Somerfest, a 20-day affair beginning in mid July and extending into the first part of August.
Other outstanding musical groups in the city include the Minnesota Opera, Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. Minnesota Chorale and Minneapolis Youth Chorus.
Dance
Major dance companies in Minneapolis include James Sewell Ballet, Ballet Minnesota, Arena Dance and Zenon Dance Company. Minnesota native and New York-trained James Sewell’s works include collaborations with the Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Among other dance groups, the Jawaahir Dance Company is the only group in the Midwest that performs the dances of India. Annual performances of the Nutcracker by the Minnesota Dance Theatre, founded in 1962) are considered among the nation’s ten best.
For times and venues of Minneapolis cultural performances, consult the local newspapers or weekly/monthly entertainment magazines.
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