"'Til Death Do Us Die" by The Mystery Cafe at Majestic Oaks Golf Club

Having been entertaining audiences for 35 years, The Mystery Cafe is "the longest running interactive comedy dinner theater company in Minnesota," but for some reason I've only recently heard of it. I think maybe that's because it operates outside of the typical theater model, and maybe attracts different audiences. But it employs a lot of the same great actors/ comedians/ improvisors that we see on #TCTheater stages around town, so I (and you) should definitely be aware of it. Presumably if you read this blog you love theater, but if you have someone in your life who says they don't like theater, this might be a great way to introduce them to the wide world of theatrical entertainment. It's definitely not the sit-in-a-dark-audience-completely-separate-from-what's-happening-onstage kind of theater. Instead, you're right in the middle of the action, sitting at large round tables with a group of friends and strangers, eating a three-course meal while theater happens all around you. At my table there was a family of four, and a couple from out-state Minnesota who for years has been driving into the cities to see this show. The show was nearly sold out, so they obviously have a big following. The current show 'Til Death Do Us Die is playing through February 17 at Majestic Oaks in Ham Lake, check it out for a really fun and uniquely entertaining night out. 

"Family Dinner" and "The Mess" at HUGE Theater

Have you heard the news? HUGE Theater has moved into a new space, and not only that - they own it! For more about the significance of an artist-led organization owning their own performance space, listen to Episode 2.7 of the Twin Cities Theater Chat podcast, in which we interview Executive Director Butch Roy. For a virtual tour of the new space, including classrooms and behind the scenes, watch this YouTube video in which John Gebretatose, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, shows bloggers Kendra from Artfully Engaging and Rob from The Stages of MN around the space. Or better yet - go visit HUGE in person! They've moved just a few blocks north on Lyndale and across the street (tip: plenty of free street parking on Aldrich, one block west of Lyndale). The new HUGE feels more spacious - from the lobby to the performance space, with more improvements coming soon, including a bar and risers to improve sightlines in the audience. HUGE currently has shows Wednesdays through Saturdays, with three-show line-ups on Fridays and Saturdays. I made my first visit to the new HUGE last night to see my all-time favorite improv show Family Dinner, which continues every Saturday through the end of the year. See the full schedule here and make your plans to see some improv this holiday* season.