Purely Michael!
Show Reviews
By Michael Chapman
Minneapolis Musical Theatre presents, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, a concert staging of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ cult classic musical!
June 5, 2025
Performances will run September 5 – 14, 2025 at the Conn Theater in Minneapolis (1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403).
I got the chance to sit down with Andrew Newman, Executive Director of Minneapolis Musical Theatre to chat all things Anyone Can Whistle!
If you had to pitch this show to a person who's never heard of it, what would your brief description be?
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE is the Sondheim show you’ve heard of but never seen. It had a legendarily short run on Broadway in 1964 (just 9 performances!), and came between Sondheim’s initial success as the lyricist of WEST SIDE STORY and GYPSY, but before his groundbreaking work beginning in the 1970s with COMPANY. It tells the story of a nefarious mayoress who schemes up a plan to draw tourists to her bankrupt town. Chaos quickly ensues when "Cookies," patients from the local asylum, get loose at the tourist attraction, and no one can tell who is who. It’s an absurd satire that takes aim at government, religion, science and so much more – if that sounds like a lot, it definitely is!
What makes this production different from other interpretations of Anyone Can Whistle that have come before?
Productions of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE are rare – its absurdist and surreal nature made it a tough sell in 1964, and not much has changed since! But the score is absolutely brilliant, featuring early Sondheim gems like “There Won’t Be Trumpets,” “Everybody Says Don’t,” and the haunting title song. Even in this early work, Sondheim’s distinctive voice and artistic control shine through. MMT’s concert production will spotlight the score, giving audiences the chance to fully appreciate its ingenuity – all brought to life by an extraordinary cast.
What makes Anyone Can Whistle feel relevant right now—especially to queer audiences?
At its core, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE is about challenging authority — especially those in power who serve only themselves. In the show, a corrupt government targets the so-called “Cookies,” individuals who are declared insane for refusing to conform — a reality the queer community knows all too well. Early in the show, our heroine delivers a powerful speech affirming that the Cookies are human beings who deserve dignity and respect. That message feels especially vital right now. The queer community has always shown resilience in the face of adversity, and this show offers a chance to come together, celebrate that strength, and satirize the systems that would rather we stay silent — or disappear.
What is one thing you hope audiences take away from the production?
I hope audiences are excited to experience this legendary cult musical — perhaps for the first time ever. ANYONE CAN WHISTLE holds a unique and important place in the Sondheim canon, yet this might be the only chance Twin Cities audiences have to see it fully staged for quite a while. As they enjoy Sondheim’s brilliant music and razor-sharp wordplay, I also hope they find joy in laughing at the absurdity — both on stage and in the world around us. Sondheim understood deeply how art reflects the world we live in, and this production offers a special opportunity for audiences to come together in community and see how a notorious Broadway flop from 60 years ago can still speak powerfully to the present moment.
Anything else you would like to share about this production with readers of the Twin Cities Gay Scene Magazine?
This concert production will be presented in a streamlined format, allowing audiences to experience a show that rarely gets the spotlight — and might not be produced in full anytime soon. By stripping away elaborate sets and staging, we’re focusing attention where it belongs: on the music, the story, and the performers. Minneapolis Musical Theatre is dedicated to bringing new and rarely seen musicals to Twin Cities audiences, and with ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, we’re fully embracing the “rarely seen” part of our mission. It’s an exciting opportunity to share a bold, underseen piece of musical theatre history in a thrilling way!
A special thank you to Andrew Newman for sharing his wisdom with us! Tickets are on sale now!
Review: Dining with the Divas at Chanhassen Dinner Theater
June 5, 2025
For those craving a Sunday Brunch with a side of sparkle, Dining with the Divas at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre served up exactly that on May 18. With drag, drinks, and diva tributes all under one roof, the event offered a lively way to brunch outside the usual mimosas-and-eggs routine.
Hosted by the charismatic Nina DiAngelo, the show brought together a lineup of talent, including Bebe Zahara Benet, winner of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The queens delivered a crowd-pleasing mix of performances honoring icons like Dolly Parton, Cher, and Diana Ross, complete with backup dancers, glam costumes, and just the right amount of camp.
The show had strong energy, fun audience interaction, and a feel-good vibe that made the experience memorable. The queens worked the room and kept the crowd engaged from start to finish. The cocktail menu added to the fun—colorful, fruity drinks flowed throughout the afternoon, and the service was attentive. They’re a bit on the pricey side, but definitely part of the experience.
The brunch menu leaned more toward simple than indulgent, and while the food wasn’t the main event, it was enough to fuel the fun. For those looking for a more elevated dining experience, the evening dinner show might be a better fit. Held in the Playhouse Theatre, the dinner format is more intimate and features a broader food selection.
Logistics-wise, it’s a breeze: free parking and coat check made arrival stress-free, and the timing of the event leaves you with the rest of the day to play.
Know Before You Go:
Brunch Show (Main Stage Theatre):
10:30 AM: Brunch seating begins
12:30 PM: Main Stage performance
2:30 PM: Optional VIP Meet & Greet
Dinner Show (Playhouse Theatre):
5:00 PM: Dinner seating begins
6:30 PM: Performance begins
Dining with the Divas is a fun, festive outing that pairs well with friends, cocktails (or mocktails!), and a love of larger-than-life performances. Come for the queens, stay for the divas.
Review: Grease at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater
April 23, 2025
I was delighted to attend my first Chanhassen Dinner Theatres experience in early April. With top-notch customer service, mouthwatering food, and an incredible performance, it made for the perfect date night.
I’ll be honest—I’m not the biggest fan of some of the messages in Grease the musical. (I could probably write a whole separate piece on why!). But despite my personal opinions about the show itself, the cast, crew, production team, and staff absolutely delivered. Their energy, talent, and professionalism created a truly memorable experience.
Our evening started stress-free with plenty of complimentary parking. Upon entering, we were welcomed with a fun, complimentary photo booth experience before being escorted to our seats. Our wonderful waitress then walked us through the evening’s itinerary: dinner first, followed by a 55-minute Act 1. After that, a 20-minute intermission for dessert and coffee, before settling in for another 55 minutes of Act 2.
After a lovely steak dinner, the main event began. If I were to describe the performance in one word, it would be ENERGY, because the performers sure brought it! Some standout performances include Kasana Mwanza (he/him) as Teen Angel, KateMarie Andrews (she/they) as Frenchy, Adam Moen as Doody, Suzie Juul as Jan, Evan Tyler Wilson (he/they) as Roger, and Maureen Sherman-Mendez as Cha Cha (she/they). The show was also beautifully dedicated to the late President and Artistic Director of the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Michael Drindisi.
If you’re looking to start a new tradition in the Twin Cities—or just planning a fun, memorable night out with someone special—Grease is the word! Now playing through October 4th, 2025, don’t miss your chance to experience this electrifying show. Grab your tickets faster than greased lightning at chanhassendt.com!