Fall arts preview: Theater

By ROHAN PRESTON and GRAYDON ROYCE , Star Tribune staff critics

Last update: September 12, 2009 - 9:47 PM

"RUINED"

Opens Oct. 15 at Mixed Blood

We're not sure how Mixed Blood Theatre founder Jack Reuler does it, but he always seems to win the rights to some of the hottest plays. The latest feather in his cap: Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. The "Mother Courage"-like play is set in a Congolese brothel that serves as an oasis of peace in a nation riven by war. The bordello is presided over by Mama Nadi, to be played by powerhouse performer Regina Williams, late of "Caroline, or Change." "While it's about unbelievably serious stuff, the play really has a life of joy to it in the end," said Reuler. "It really is about safety and hope." Aditi Kapil directs an 11-member cast that includes Namir Smallwood, Celeste Jones and Bruce Young.

Oct. 15-Nov. 22. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. $14-$28. 612-338-6131 or www.mixedblood.com.

"Radio Golf" August Wilson's last completed drama in his 10-play epic cycle, "Radio Golf," receives its regional premiere under director Lou Bellamy at Penumbra Theatre. Veteran Wilson hand James Craven plays Harmon Wilks, a developer who wants to run for mayor but is trapped by the past. He wants to demolish the house of the legendary Aunt Ester, now deceased, to build a skyscraper, but is meeting strong resistance. The cast includes Abdul El Razzac, who has acted in productions of virtually all of Wilson's works, longtime Penumbra actor Kevin West, and Terry Bellamy, making an appearance on Penumbra's stage after many years' absence.

Sept. 29-Oct. 25. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sun. Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul. $10-$38. 651-224-3180 or www.penumbratheatre.org.

An untitled play by a new moon: Theatre de la Jeune Lune may be history, but two ex-principals of the playful and inventive company are teaming up for an as-yet-untitled show about transformation. Dominique Serrand directs Steve Epp in the one-person play about a man who tells the story of a woman who goes on a journey. As the man relates the tale, he becomes the character. Other Jeune Lune collaborators are also on board, including lighting designer Marcus Dilliard and costume designer Sonya Berlovitz. Serrand, at least, hopes that this show will be a springboard to re-launch the moon.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 21-22, 8 p.m. Oct. 23-24, 7 p.m. Oct. 25, Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Av. S., Mpls. $15-$27. 612-340-1725 or www.southerntheater.org.

"The 101 Dalmatians Musical" Cross a dog and you've got comic ado. Drama Desk Award-winner Rachel York stars as villainous Cruella de Vil in this production about dognapping, comic cruelty and charm. While people play the pooches for much of the show, 15 real Dalmatians, many rescued from shelters, also star in this Jerry Zaks-directed musical that launches its national tour in the Twin Cities.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 13-15, 8 p.m. Oct. 16, 2 & 8 p.m. Oct. 17, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $23-$73. 800-982-2787 or www.hennepintheatredistrict.org.

"Little House on the Prairie" If you missed the premiere at the Guthrie last year, here's your chance to see what all the hubbub was about. The musical opens a national tour in St. Paul, with Melissa Gilbert reprising her role as Ma Ingalls. The show just started a pre-tour engagement at Paper Mill in New Jersey and then heads west. In the version that sold out the Guthrie Proscenium last year, "Little House" was a big, unsubtle pageant that celebrated the 19th-century push west into the American frontier. Depending upon your point of view, it was hokey or charming -- or both.

Oct. 13-25. 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sat., 1 & 6 p.m. Sun. Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. $39.50-$80.50, 651-224-4222 or www.ordway.org.

Dueling Othellos: Park Square Theatre offers James Williams, Stacia Rice and Steve Hendrickson in the principal roles. Ten Thousand Things has Ansa Akyea, Tracey Maloney and Luverne Seifert. It's not the first time Ten Thousand Things has doubled up like this. In 2005, it did "Antigone" at the same time as Jeune Lune's production. In 2006, it did "Merchant of Venice" four months before the Guthrie opened the same play. I had great fun seeing both productions when this happened before. It's a perfect chance to appreciate the differences in acting, direction and staging.

Park Square: Oct. 16-Nov. 8. 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun, 20 W. 7th Pl., St. Paul, $15-$36, 651-291-7005 or www.parksquaretheatre.org. Ten Thousand Things: Oct. 23-Nov. 8, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Open Book, 1110 Washington Av. S., Mpls. $25, 612-203-9502 or www.tenthousandthings.org

"Faith Healer" Here's a rare chance for theatergoers. Joe Dowling will climb on stage in this piece by Brian Friel. The Guthrie director will join Sally Wingert and Raye Birk in Friel's play about a faith healer, his wife and his talent manager. They each relate their version of events in a story that ends badly. In his younger days, Dowling acted and he has never been shy about his fondness for Friel, a fellow countryman. Dowling also directs the staging, with an assist from Ben McGovern.

Oct. 17-Dec. 6. 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Guthrie Proscenium, 818 2nd St., Mpls. $24-$60. 612-377-2224, or www.guthrietheater.org