Rebecca Bernstein News

I sat down with Rebecca Bernstein to discuss her virtual theatre company Zoom Shakespeare Productions, its humble beginnings, and her plans for the future. I met with Bernstein over Zoom, which was highly appropriate considering the location of her company: Zoom. The computer. The virtual world.

A rollicking adaptation of an 18th century farce provides a truly delightful night of theatre.

The Great River Shakespeare Festival in Minnesota has taken up one of the Bard's more obscure plays as part of its Season 16 offerings. CYMBELINE is difficult to classify (one scholar called it a "comical-tragical-historical-pastoral-dramatic-romance")! But that also makes it a lot of fun.

Great River Shakespeare Festival opened the fourth show of its 16th season last night, with the world premiere of Beth Gardiner's new adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters. 

Great River Shakespeare Festival kicks off its 16th season at the end of June, producing Shakespeare's Macbeth and Cymbeline, as well as a world premiere adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters, Nilaja Sun's No Child..., and White Rabbit, Red Rabbit by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour.

For the opening of her third season as Artistic Director at Minneapolis' spunky Jungle Theater, Sarah Rasmussen and her team commissioned a new adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN from Kate Hamill in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the novel's publication. Kate Hamill is an actor who has, of late, gained notice for her skillful adaptations of classic novels for the stage (several Austen works, Vanity Fair, etc.), to the point that she was one of the 10 most frequently produced playwrights in the US last season.

The Jungle Theater opens its 2018-19 Season with its first-ever commission: The world premiere of Kate Hamill's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The production coincides with the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women, 'the groundbreaking novel that changed everything' (Little Women 150). Jungle Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen directs this beloved classic saturated with a contemporary air, running September 15-October 21 at the Lyn-Lake neighborhood theater, located at 2951 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis. 

The Jungle Theater opens its 2018-19 Season with its first-ever commission: The world premiere of Kate Hamill's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The production coincides with the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women, 'the groundbreaking novel that changed everything' (Little Women 150). Jungle Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen directs this beloved classic saturated with a contemporary air, running September 15-October 21 at the Lyn-Lake neighborhood theater, located at 2951 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis. 

'History is something that we can and should improve upon' sings the modern Major General in an added lyric in this cleverly refreshed production of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic. The laugh-out-loud show remains faithful to the original while integrating historical asides and contemporary political memes, all with a knowing wink at the audience, which had a roaring good time on opening night.

Park Square continues its 43rd season on the Proscenium Stage with a new adaptation of Gilbert & Sullivan's operatic romp The Pirates of Penzance. Inspired by a true story, director Doug Scholz-Carlson has reimagined the perennial favorite that puts the composer themselves smack in the middle of their own farce. The pair's lush score includes some of their most famous songs, including I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General and Poor Wand'ring One. The production stars local favorites Bradley Greenwald* as the Pirate King and Christina Baldwin* as the Major General.

Stages Theatre Company (STC) presents Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, directed by Jeannine Coulombe. Based on the wildly popular book by Kate DiCamillo, this world premiere original adaptation is written by screenwriter Cristina Pippa and features an all local cast of twelve.

It's almost Halloween, and if you're still looking for a spooky good time, let us make some suggestions. From ghosts and man-eating plants to telekinetic teens and angry mobs, there's a lot out there for the Houston theatre-goer to find ... if you dare.

The Company OnStage presents Sleepy Hollow. A World Premiere, Written by L. Robert Westeen. Directed by Renata Smith and Produced by Special Arrangement with the Author. Performances are Saturdays, October 8 through October 29. All performances are at St. John's Presbyterian Church in McPhail Hall.

The Landing Theatre Company (LTC), Houston's professional company dedicated to advancing American Playwriting, opens their 2016-17 season with THE REDEMPTION SERIES: 12 original short plays in response to crisis in America.

The Landing Theatre Company (LTC), Houston's professional company dedicated to advancing American Playwriting, opens their 2016-17 season with THE REDEMPTION SERIES: 12 original short plays in response to crisis in America.

When the Houston Theatre Company chose to present the play in The University of St. Thomas Jones Hall, a small black box venue, they bit off a lot. I admire their grit, but I can't help wondering, if they had it to do over again, would they?

Inside Park Square Theatre on 7th Place in lovely downtown St. Paul, magic is happening. It's the magic of storytelling, something that has been happening for ages on this planet. Friends sitting around a campfire, telling stories of good and evil, trials, and friendship, with words, music, dance, puppets, tears, and laughter. This musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson story THE SNOW QUEEN is something truly unique and special. It's so charming, whimsical, funny, creative, and yes, magical. But with a creative team that includes Doug Scholz-Carlson (director), Denise Prosek (music director), and Jim Lichtsheidl (choreographer), I would expect nothing less. They have assembled a terrific eight-person cast of actor/singer/ musicians to bring this charming fairy tale to life in an innovative and inspired way.

Park Square continues its 41st season this month with the new musical spectacular THE SNOW QUEEN adapted and set to music by Michael Smith. Based on the beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen that inspired the Disney movie Frozen, this new and innovative musical uses folk music to tell the age-old tale of the struggle between good and evil, and the girl who finds the strength to triumph. Doug Scholz-Carlson directs this regional premiere, and Denise Prosek serves as musical director. Jamie Kranz* is the stage manager. Talk Theatre called the new musical '... a smart, artful chamber folk opera. It will dazzle you.'