A few blocks east of Loring Park lays a hidden treasure. There may be no X to mark the spot on Google Maps, but that’s why diaTribe exists: to inform you of the arts and culture scene in the Twin Cities.
Before it was the Music Box Theatre, it was the Loring Theatre. The theatre was struggling when Steve Barberio rushed in to save the day, and transformed it into the hotspot it is now. Barberio, a M.O.T. and prominent figure in the Twin Cities theater community, is the Producing Artistic Director of The Directors. The Directors operate theater venues in the Midwest, and also run The Directors Studios in Northeast Minneapolis, a popular space for players to create and rehearse. Barberio and others recognized the diamond in the rough that was the Loring Theatre, and transformed it into a diamond worth viewing.
Music Box Theatre has a prime location in the Steven’s Square area. It’s easy to get to, just off of 94 and Hiawatha (55). It lies just beyond Nicollet Mall, which makes it an easy bus ride. The theatre is offering several different shows throughout the fall, all of which are very reasonably priced. Hello, date night!
If a date night is what you are looking for, the Music Box Theatre offers an option especially for you! (A link is being provided here, for the lazy boyfriends of the world. You have no reason not to take your loving, adoring girlfriend to this comedy after all the work and arrangements have been made for you. Get on it!)
Their newest show, The Love Knot, is a hysterical comedy about a couple in love and their love being tried in the most humorous of ways. It’s on route to Minneapolis from its Midwest tour (if you live in Iowa or Wisconsin, it’s coming your way!)
The show starts this week (on September 24th) and runs through October 2nd. Tickets run between $23 and $25 (or $10 on preview night, Sept. 23, or $25 for 2 tix through MNHalfOff).
Music Box Theatre is even offering a special date night package, which is a tremendous deal. (Really, boyfriends… do you want to earn bonus points? This will help.) For only $59.99 the Loring Kitchen & Bar is teaming up with the theater to offer you the following: two house seats after you have enjoyed a dinner of an appetizer, two pizzas, a shared dessert and two individual glasses of wine or house beer. There it is gentlemen, an easy way to impress her all while sharing delicious food and laughs. Again, this offer is only available September 24th through October 2nd!
Next week too soon? The Music Box Theatre has several other acts gracing their stage in October. On the 14th, Big Jay McNeely, the legendary blues saxophonist will be making magical music live and in person. After the show there will be a conversation and an after party. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. Live music on the cheap is alive and well at the Music Box Theatre!
Two days after Big Jay McNeeley stops by, the stage will be ‘heated up’ by Lilli’s Burlesque. The show will benefit the Gulf with a silent auction and reception. Doors open at 8pm on that Saturday the 16th, and tickets will run between $18-22.
And, the Music Box Theatre goes the extra mile with their Haunted Theater event. This event runs October 21st through Halloween. Visitors are taken on an entertaining tour through the cavernous 90 year old theater that surely has many an eerie story to tell. Tickets are $12 advance and $14 at the door. This is an affordable and fun family field trip appropriate for the season!
Minneapolis’s newest hidden treasure has been exposed, it’s your turn to go and find it!
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