“Good advice is always annoying,” says Miss Richfield 1981. “But bad advice never is!” So, join Miss R as she unpacks a healthy heap of holiday advice that promises to leave you entertained & maybe just a little annoyed!

Miss Richfield 1981 brings her annual, always irreverent, always different every night, Holiday Pro’grum back to Illusion. Todd Price joins Miss R to accompany her on the piano. Miss Richfield 1981 never disappoints - she appears in fabulous outfits, her hair is never out of place, and she is always totally inappropriate.

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

We Take Care of Our Own peeks into the lives of three individuals facing the difficulties of ageing in the diaspora. Having interrupted familial traditions of intergenerational care by their choices to migrate, they attempt to find a sense of community as a medley of memories and apprehensions flood their conversations. — Zainabu Jallo (playwright)

A ship bound for Africa in 1607
A celebration of the same trip in 2024
A gathering in a theatre in London in 2024

Black British actress Prudence Thomas has agreed to perform in a special commemoration of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Sierra Leone. This would be the celebration of the 425th anniversary of the ship Red Dragon’s arrival in Sierra Leone 1607, the earliest known performance of a Shakespearean text outside of the UK. Prudence has never been to Africa before. This is her first time there. Recently she has discovered through genetic testing that her people are from Sierra Leone. Her people – before slavery which brought them to Jamaica, before the Windrush which brought them to England —were all from Sierra Leone. She is thrilled that her work has brought her “home” where she believes her encounter with the locals will be beneficial and welcomed. These ambitions quickly fall apart as an incident on stage causes a series of events that clash the past with the present resulting in an emotional landmine that must be unpicked upon their return to London. Questions must be asked: What is “culture”?  Who gets to define it? Are art and subjugation actually interlinked? And how did we come to believe in what we believe in now?

My Soul is Not Rested is part of the Afro-Atlantic Playwright Festival

My Soul is Not Rested is part of the Afro-Atlantic Playwright Festival

The return of our favorite Afro-Caribbean Band,
Music for your Dancing Soul

Malamanya | Vintage Afro-Latin Music

Note early start time.

A signature blend of eclectic songs and humor with Twin Cities favorites Dane Stauffer and Dan Chouinard. Dane is known for his work in theater, film, cabaret, improvisation, television, radio, and flatbed trucks. Currently he is in the smash musical Glensheen.  Dan joins Dane on piano. Dan is an accordionist and writer of shows for public radio, concert halls, clubs, and the theater. They welcome Kris Stauffer on Bass and Daryl Boudreaux on Percussion and a very special guest - Jen Maren who plays Majorie Caldwell in “Glensheen” currently at the History Theatre.

Allison and Leslie Vincent recount the rollercoaster of their engagement and planning a wedding in the time of COVID through music, storytelling, and comedy. Allison is a theater maker, performer, director, writer, teacher, and devisor. Leslie Is a Twin Cities jazz singer with “an infectious love of music.” Allison is a founding member of Transatlantic Love Affair, a physical theater ensemble which Illusion has presented and championed over the last ten years.
Both appeared this past winter at Illusion Theater in Transatlantic Love Affair’s These Old Shoes.

CANCELLED History-on-a-Schtick is usually only seen at the State Fair. This delightful, family-friendly musical has satirical and whimsical songs, including a Minnesota state symbols fashion parade, and a quiz show hosted by Betty Crocker with contestants who are Minnesota icons. This imaginative and playful show with an eye toward history has been entertaining Minnesota State Fair-goers since 2015.  Written and directed by Beth Gilleland, with musical direction by Kevin Dutcher, the cast includes Bonni Allen, Aimee K. Bryant, Ricky Morisseau and Jim Robinson. This program is presented by the Minnesota Historical Society. You will learn something new about Minnesota, and you’ll head home humming!

Honeywine is an all-original Americana band with a strong focus on trio vocals. The three singers — Dorian Chalmers, Becky Schlegel, and Dennis Curley — are Minnesota-based artists with decades of performing experience among them.

Direct from Fresh Ink 2023, developed by Roberta Carlson and Michael Robins, and featuring Julia Isabel Diaz, Falicia Nichole, Molly Sue McDonald and Justin D. Cook on keyboards.

We all have soundtracks for moments in our lives and we all have artists whose songs were part of those moments. The music of Judy Collins, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell provided those moments for many of us.

Come wander the world with stories and songs from these musical friends and travelers. Dan Chouinard is a pianist, accordionist, and writer of shows for public radio, concert halls, clubs, and theater. Bradley Greenwald has performed opera, theater, music-theater, concert, and recital repertoire with several Twin Cities’ arts organizations. Prudence Johnson is a beloved Twin Cities singer, writer, and teacher who has been on jazz, folk, and musical theatre stages, and several stints on A Prairie Home Companion recordings. T. Mychael Rambo is an award-winning actor, vocalist, emcee, arts educator, community organizer, and a beloved member of our Twin Cities arts community who has performed on every professional theater stage in the Twin Cities.

South Side Big Band is a traditional big band. Musical selections are based on the classic big band swing of the '30s and '40s, but also include more modern jazz written for big band. SSBB is based in Edina, but its members are from communities across the Twin Cities. SSBB plays concerts and dances for community and private groups throughout the year.

Aimee K. Bryant, Ryan Bynum, and T. Mychael Rambo celebrate works by Black and African-American artists from the Twin Cities and beyond. One more chance to catch this amazing show that appeared on our mainstage this season. T. Mychael Rambo is an beloved member of our Twin Cities Community - an actor, vocalist, emcee, arts educator, and community organizer. Aimee K. Bryant is an actor, singer, and teaching artist who has appeared on many stages throughout the Twin Cities. Ryan Bynum is a full-time pianist, musical director, and composer. Their special guest, Ashley Dubose is a recording artist and performer, most widely known for her song “Intoxicated.”

Ring of Kerry is a bursting-with-energy Irish music group that captures the hearts of listeners. The group takes its name from a beautiful craggy drive in southwestern County Kerry, Ireland. Its Celtic music, however, is played with a heart much closer to its American home.

A signature blend of eclectic songs and humor with Twin Cities favorites Dane Stauffer and Dan Chouinard. Dane is known for his work in theater, film, cabaret, improvisation, television, radio, and flatbed trucks. Currently he is in the smash musical Glensheen.  Dan joins Dane on piano. Dan is an accordionist and writer of shows for public radio, concert halls, clubs, and the theater. They welcome Kris Stauffer on Bass and Daryl Boudreaux on Percussion and a very special guest - Jen Maren who plays Majorie Caldwell in “Glensheen” currently at the History Theatre.