Theater

Many theater and gallery venues went dark in 2020 as it became necessary for audiences to seek alternate entertainment experiences. But, the 2021 summer spotlight is shining on many great arts and culture venues in the valley as they prepare for a comeback.

Heather Rutledge, executive director at ArtReach St. Croix, reflects on how heavily impacted the arts have been by the pandemic. “It’s been a year where people’s earned income, particularly in performing arts, went from 100 [percent] to zero,” Rutledge says. Read more about Summer Showcase

The folks at St. Croix Off Broadway at Hudson House Grand Hotel will serve up cool versions of your favorite Frank Sinatra tunes in a production of Christmas My Way, A Sinatra Holiday Bash! Read more about St. Croix Off Broadway Celebrates Sinatra with Christmas Musical

Behind the scenes at the Zephyr Theatre. Read more about Zephyr Theatre Brings Magic to Stillwater

Where are you from, originally?

Reed Sigmund: Autumn is from St. Paul and I’m from Fargo, N.D. I came to the University of Minnesota as a child psych major.

How long have you been acting?

Autumn Ness: The first play I ever did was with the Children’s Theatre Co. (CTC), Hansel and Gretl in 1987, and I did shows there until high school … I toured with them, did main stage shows and loved it. Read more about Faces of the Grinch

Stillwater’s interpretation of a timeless classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season.

The St. Croix Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker has become a Stillwater-area tradition over the years. This year, it is expected to bring more holiday cheer than ever before.

“We really want to celebrate these last 25 years,” says Susan Hovey, director of St. Croix Ballet. “Every year there is something new and exciting with this show, and that’s something people really like to see.” Read more about St. Croix Ballet’s Nutcracker Celebrates 25 Years on Stage

The Phipps Center for the Arts is busy preparing for its November opening of the musical fantasy, Into the Woods. Based on the book by James Lapine, and with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods weaves together several plots of the well-known Brothers Grimm fairy tales in unexpected ways. Even before it was released as a major motion picture in December 2014, Into the Woods was regarded as one of the most popular musicals for both Broadway and local theaters alike. Read more about The Phipps Center for the Arts Sets the Stage for Its Production of Into the Woods