Minneapolis

The Guthrie Theater

A world-class theater that’s well-known across the country, the Guthrie will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023. It was originally part of theWalker Art Center complex but moved into its own building on the Mississippi River in 2006. Its dramatic Jean Nouvel design is worth visiting for its widescreen views of the river and Stone Arch Bridge, along with multiple theaters that allow the company latitude to stage a wide range of works, from classics to comedies to experimental theater.

Coming Up:

• The Little Prince (Dec. 10-Feb. 5), based on the beloved Antoine de Saint-Exupéry book.
• Blues for an Alabama Sky (Jan. 28-Mar. 12), a character drama set in Depression-era Harlem by African American playwright Pearl Cleage.

Hennepin Theatre Trust

The Trust is comprised of three historic venues: the Orpheum, State and Pantages theaters. Together, they showcase touring Broadway troupes, a wide range of musical acts, and side-splitting comedy shows.

Coming Up at the Orpheum Theatre:

• Hairspray (Jan. 10-15), a Tony-winning musical fully endorsed by film director John Waters>
• To Kill a Mockingbird (Feb. 14-19), based on the classic Harper Lee novel, with Richard Thomas in the lead role of Atticus Finch.

Coming Up at the State Theatre:

• Vance Joy (Feb. 19), an Australian indie pop/folk performer.
• Trixie and Katya Live! (Feb. 22), a comedic musical drag show.

Orchestra Hall

Orchestra Hall is home to the internationally renowned Minnesota Orchestra, which performs classical and contemporary pieces, often with such genre-jumping guest stars as Minneapolis’s own Dessa and the St. Cloud-based indie band Cloud Cult.

Coming Up:

• Hailstork, Schumann and Mendelssohn (Jan. 13), conducted by Spanish Pablo Heras-Casado in his Minnesota debut.
• Lunar New Year (Jan. 28), a celebration of the Year of the Rabbit, presented as part of The Great Northern, a 10-day winter celebration across Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Cowles Center

The Cowles Center focuses on dance in its myriad forms — everything from classical to international to modern.

Coming up:

• Ashwini Ramaswamy’s Invisible Cities (Jan. 27), based on an Italo Calvino novel and including visual art projections and a diverse array of dancers.
• A Merge in March Featuring Rathaus Inc & Andy Mor (Mar. 15-18), in which nightclub, cabaret and theater nods meet hip-hop, African and jazz music.

Brave New Workshop

This comedic improv and sketch comedy theater has been a heavyweight in the Twin Cities for decades with its irreverent, hilarious takes on current events. Troupe alums include former Saturday Night Live star Al Franken and The Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead.

Coming Up:

• The Best Christmas Show in Three Years (Nov. 11-Jan. 28), a holiday tradition heavy on the punchlines and puns.

Northrop

This beautiful, historic building on the University of Minnesota’s East Bank promotes all manner of live performances, from dance to comedy to music.

Coming Up:

• Joffrey Ballet (Jan. 20-21), bringing three works: George Balanchine’s Serenade, Justin Peck’s “sneaker ballet” and a dance performance inspired by Of Mice and Men and commissioned by the Northrop Centennial Commission.
• Ballet Hispanico’s Dona Peron (Feb. 25), with Latinx choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa channeling the controversial legacy of Eva Peron.

Theatre in the Round

Minneapolis’ longest-running theater has the unique attribute of having a stage in the middle of its main room surrounded by viewers. It is also one of the state’s oldest community theaters, with a season that’s split between classic and contemporary plays.

Coming Up:

• The Book Club Play (Jan. 27-Feb. 19), a comedy about a book club being filmed for a documentary when their intimate discussions go awry.
• Eurydice (March 10-April 2), a reimagining of the tale of Odysseus through the eyes of Eurydice.

St. Paul

The Ordway

St. Paul’s jewel of a performance space is beautifully located across from Rice Park and the St. Paul Hotel. It is home to the Minnesota Opera and hosts Broadway tours, concerts and dance performances.

Coming Up:

• Sounds of Blackness’s “Music for Martin” (Jan. 13), a multimedia tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. by the Grammy-winning ensemble.
• Minnesota Opera’s The Daughter of the Regiment (Feb. 4-12), a comic opera.
• My Fair Lady (March 21-25), the touring production of the Lincoln Center Theater’s new production of the classic musical.

Duluth

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

This beautiful convention center houses ballrooms and a concert hall that showcases the local symphony and touring Minnesota Ballet.

Coming Up:

• Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (Feb. 11), performing Rachmaninoff, Coleridge-Taylor and Sibelius.
• Minnesota Ballet, Sleeping Beauty (March 10-11), the classic Tchaikovsky ballet.

Rochester

Mayo Civic Center

The home of the Rochester Civic Theatre Company has both performance and exhibit spaces within its 120,000-square-foot space, a major stop for touring musicians and live events in Southern Minnesota.

Coming Up:

• Styx (March 18), the classic rock band known for such everlasting singles as "Come Sail Away".