June 18 to 28Romiette and Juleo
Where did Ballet of the Dolls’ reputation for daring deconstructions come from? Partly from its rendition of Romiette and Juleo, first staged 17 years ago, which added same-sex marriage and homophobia to Shakespeare’s famous play. This month, they’re restaging the production as a kind of cultural barometer: Does the tragedy come across as ancient history, or would these lovers still be doomed today? Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-436-1129, ritztheaterfoundation.org
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June 2 to 7
A Bronx Tale
Chazz Palminteri’s one-man show is a semi-autobiographical story about coming-of-age in the Bronx in the 1960s. The rough-and-tumble tale debuted in 1989, and this revival may be your last chance to see the Oscar-nominated actor reprise his role. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-673-0404, hennepintheatredistrict.orgGet More Info
June 4 to 6
Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Dale Warland steps out of semi-retirement to lead a specially assembled chorale for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s 50th anniversary. The Friday night concert is a “Jazzed-Up” evening, meaning you can remain in the lobby after intermission for a jazz show or return to the auditorium for a narrated version of Mendelssohn’s lush take on Shakespeare’s classic. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, 651-291-1144, thespco.orgGet More Info
June 6
MOSAIC
A summer-long celebration of diversity in Minneapolis, the MOSAIC festival kicks off by taking over two downtown blocks of Hennepin Avenue for a showcase of more than 40 music, theater, and dance acts. This year’s event also features the work of photographers who were commissioned by the festival to capture a sense of diversity in Minneapolis. Hennepin Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets, Mpls., minneapolismosaic.comGet More Info
June 6 to July 26
Frontier Preachers
Eleven artists from New Orleans bring their multi-media, video, and installation work upriver. Soap Factory, 518 Second St. SE, Mpls., 612-623-9176, soapfactory.orgGet More Info
June 11 to 14
Justin Jones
The youthful Justin Jones is a choreographer for left-brained folks—a geek in a dancer’s body. This show features The SCREEN/the THING, his 2007 reflection on cosmology, quantum mechanics, and string theory, along with his new solo work, RadioBrain. Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls., 612-340-1725, southerntheater.orgGet More Info /
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Opening June 14
Sin and Salvation: William Holman Hunt and the Pre-Raphaelite Vision
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is the sole U.S. venue for this rare glimpse into the unusual life and work of 19th-century British painter William Holman Hunt, deemed by some as the Damien Hirst of his day. Hunt, whose work hasn’t been widely shown since the ‘60s, is presented as an artist who confronted materialism, the crisis of faith, the changing role of women, and the relationship between the sexes. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls., 888-642-2787, artsmia.orgGet More Info /
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June 18 to 28
Live Action Set
Known for its enigmatic and visceral dance-theater works, Live Action Set makes its Guthrie Theater debut. Its new production, My Father’s Bookshelf, tackles dementia and the ephemeral nature of knowledge. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Mpls., 612-377-2224, guthrietheater.orgGet More Info /
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June 18 to July 25
Tabula Rasa
Being an intern at Form + Content Gallery is paying off for the 15 emerging artists (most of whom hail from the University of Minnesota, but also from Bryn Mawr, Cornell, and other colleges) who are getting their own group show, called “Tabula Rasa,” at the cool little gallery. The forms range from installations to paintings to photography, the content from politics to pop culture. Form + Content Gallery, 210 N. Second St., Suite 104, Mpls., 612-436-1151Get More Info
June 19 to 20
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
This year’s festival scored a major coup in booking producer/songwriter/pianist Allen Toussaint, the New Orleans hit maker behind such R&B classics as “Working in the Coal Mine.” Irv Williams (celebrating his 90th birthday), the New Standards, and other local and national acts fill out the bill. Mears Park, 400 Sibley St., St. Paul, hotsummerjazz.comGet More Info /
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Got an upcoming show? Send event details to Tim Gihring at tgihring@mnmo.com.
DATEBOOK
More can’t-miss events in the Twin Cities this month
THEATER
A Chorus Line
June 16 to 21
Orpheum TheatreGet More Info /
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Is There a Doctor in the House?
June 19 to August 29
Minnesota Centennial ShowboatGet More Info /
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Flower Drum Song
June 27 to July 12
Theater Mu at Ordway Center for
Performing ArtsGet More Info /
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DANCE
Off-Leash Area
June 4 to 20
Open-Eye Figure TheaterGet More Info /
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TU Dance
June 18 to 28
Southern TheaterGet More Info /
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MUSIC
Cantus: Classically Trained to Rock Your Socks Off
June 5 to 14
Ritz TheaterGet More Info /
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Famous Dave’s BBQ & Blues Festival
June 13
Nicollet MallGet More Info
Rock the Garden
June 20
Walker Art CenterGet More Info /
Tickets sold out. The Current is giving them away starting June 9.
Divas! In Praise of Gay Men’s Female Icons
June 26 to 27
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus at Ted Mann Concert HallGet More Info /
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EVENTS
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Opens June 12
Science Museum of MinnesotaGet More Info /
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Stone Arch Festival of the Arts
June 20 to 21
Father Hennepin ParkGet More Info