khalas fest // performances

Oct 1 – Oct 3, 2026

artists wielding performance as weapon towards creating cracks in illusions of empire, settler colonialism, and whatever else is in the way

Doctor Faustus

By Christopher Marlowe

Sep 25 – Oct 4, 2026

Dir. Chandler Clement-Oja

Novagrex's touring Doctor Faustus, directed by Chandler Clement-Oja, with guests Zophia, Zophia & Filchers. Five stops across the Twin Cities, outdoors unless marked indoor.

Wife of a Salesman

By Eleanor Burgess

Sep 18 – Oct 4, 2026

When a devoted housewife–from a certain classic American drama–tracks down the woman who is sleeping with her husband, the two discover that they have more in common than society would like them to believe. Important questions of marriage, duty, and happiness rise to the surface in this frank exposé of the ways in which the world has (and hasn't) changed across generations.

Fancy Dancer

By Larissa Fast Horse

Sep 12 – Oct 4, 2026

Dir. Chay Yew

The Great Gatsby

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sep 11 – Oct 4, 2026

In this famous Jazz Age story, Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota, moves to New York in the summer of 1922. As he navigates the unfamiliar social scene, he is invited to a lavish party thrown by the mysteriously wealthy Jay Gatsby, who is trying to rekindle a relationship with Nick’s cousin, Daisy. This faithful adaptation of the novel uses theatricality to capture the lyric and poetic nature of Fitzgerald’s prose. With themes of greed, love, disillusionment, and inequality, this Great American Classic feels both mythic and familiar in a new century.

Merrily We Roll Along

By George Furth

Sep 11 – Oct 4, 2026

Dir. Scott Ford

Friendship, ambition, and the price of success take center stage in this bold and deeply moving musical from Stephen Sondheim. Told in reverse chronological order, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG begins at the height of composer Franklin Shepard’s career and travels backward through the years to uncover the hopes, choices, and relationships that shaped his journey. Featuring one of Sondheim’s most celebrated and emotionally rich scores, this inventive musical has become widely regarded as one of his most powerful works—an unforgettable story of friendship, compromise, and the dreams that shape our lives.

Mothership

Sep 10 – Oct 4, 2026

In a not-too-distant future, humans are forced to flee a broken planet. Five souls board a ship traveling into the unknown, shedding everything of their former lives. Their journey is shepherded by a sentient ship that urges each passenger toward a necessary and sometimes painful transformation.

Head Over Heels

Sep 18 – Oct 10, 2026

Songs by The Go-Go’s Based upon The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney Conceived and with Original Book by Jeff Whitty Adapted by James Magruder

The Hired Man

By Heather Meyer

Sep 25 – Oct 11, 2026

Dir. Jennie Ward

A magical realism epic set in the modern-day American West where a restless cattlewoman is hired onto a family cattle ranch in Wyoming. Here the stability of the family collides with her life of itinerant working, hard living, and harder choices.

A Star Full of Skies: The Values Play Experience

By Alan Berks

Sep 24 – Oct 11, 2026

Dir. Leah Cooper

Wonderlust convened more than 300 Minnesotans from across the political spectrum to build a play out of what they still share. The result reimagines Euripides' The Bacchae in a parallel universe where a contested election splits a society between those who want revolution and those who want order — and the audience votes, at each performance, on the order the scenes are played in.

Waiting For Godot

Sep 12 – Oct 11, 2026

Dir. Joseph Haj

Into the Burrow

Oct 1 – Oct 18, 2026

A Peter Rabbit™ Tale. What happens when you combine original songs by Christian Albright and Christian Magby, Brandon Bush, Annmarie Milazzo, Divinity Roxx, Jacob Ryan Smith, and Eugene Russell IV with the stories of Beatrix Potter? An award-winning new musical that the whole family will love. As the neighborly forest animals gather in the rabbit's den – under Mr. McGregor's Garden – for a surprise party for Peter Rabbit, the animals soon realize Mr. McGregor has terrible plans for the land around Peter's burrow. About 45 minutes, no intermission.

Indecent

By Paula Vogel Score & Original Music by Lisa Gutkin & Aaron Halva

Sep 16 – Oct 18, 2026

Dir. Pirronne Yousefzadeh

A play about a play—and the artists who risked everything to tell it. Inspired by the true story of Sholem Asch’s seminal Yiddish work, God of Vengeance , and its infamous 1923 obscenity trial, INDECENT is a haunting, klezmer-infused play with music that traces the turbulent journey of a troupe determined to stage a work deemed “indecent.” As their story unfolds across continents and decades, so too does a powerful meditation on censorship, nationalism and the policing of queer love. At once tender and thunderously relevant, this breathtaking theatrical experience shines a light on the enduring struggle between artistic expression and societal control. In a moment when questions of whose stories are “acceptable” feel increasingly urgent, INDECENT invites us to bear witness to the courage of artists, the cost of silence and the unshakable power of theater itself.

The Spitfire Grill

Jul 11 – Oct 24, 2026

Dir. Adrienne Sweeney

Percy, a troubled young woman on parole, yearns for a fresh start and heads to the small Wisconsin town of Gilead. She finds work at the dried-up town’s only eatery, The Spitfire Grill. As Percy discovers her own path to redemption, she awakens the town’s capacity for healing and hope. With soaring melodies and Midwestern charm, this folk musical is a celebration of kindness and community. “The country-flavored tunes and lyrics are rendered with the kind of conviction and expertise that make them transcendent. What in normal times would be a joy is, in these troubled ones, sheer nourishment.” – New York Magazine

Doctor Faustus

By Christopher Marlowe

Oct 2 – Oct 25, 2026

Season 13 kicks off in the fall of 2026 with an Elizabethan classic and a cornerstone of western civilization, Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus —a powerful cautionary tale about the pitfalls of limitless personal ambition, asking the question: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?” The play follows Faustus’s rise as a magician through his pact with Lucifer—facilitated by the demon Mephistopheles—and his ultimate downfall as he fails to repent before his damnation. The play has had a lasting influence, inspiring adaptations across stage, film, and other media, and the characters of Faustus and Mephistopheles remain iconic figures in Western literature.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

By Clark Gesner

Oct 1 – Oct 25, 2026

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is the delightful, feel-good musical that brings the beloved Peanuts gang to life onstage! Featuring seasoned Twin Cities’ performer Tod Petersen, the crew navigates the ups and downs of childhood in a series of hilarious and heartwarming vignettes. With catchy songs like “Happiness” and “Suppertime,” this charming show celebrates the simple joys, silly frustrations, and timeless friendships that remind us what it means to be a kid—and why you’re never too old to find the magic in everyday life.

ON THE RAZZLE

Sep 30 – Oct 25, 2026

Tom Stoppard’s On the Razzle is a joyous explosion of language and farce. Wit flies as fast as doors slam. Romance is impulsive, impractical, and irresistible. What unfolds is a night of theatrical mayhem that builds toward a crescendo of comic precision and sheer delight.

A Haunting We Will Go

Oct 2 – Oct 30, 2026

A haunted inn. A midnight vow. And a night no one will survive quietly. When bold TV producer Norma Corwin decides to spend one last night in the infamous Inn of the Three Sisters before it’s demolished, she’s determined to prove the ghost stories wrong. Instead, she’s met with eerie warnings, unexpected visitors, and spirits doomed to relive a long-ago murder. With mysterious strangers, suspicious motives, and just the right amount of spooky fun, this fast-paced mystery-comedy delivers chills, laughs, and twists at every turn.

LIZZIE: The Rock Musical

Oct 1 – Nov 1, 2026

The hit rock musical about America’s original axe-whacking girl next door RETURNS!

Eelpout

Sep 12 – Nov 1, 2026

Dir. Matthew James Ralph

Come heck or high water, it’s time for a bachelor party! Best buds Sven and Ole gather at their pal Lars’s ice-fishing shack on Lake Mille Lacs to celebrate Ole’s upcoming marriage to Lena. But this ice-fishing bromance starts to crack when Sven admits he no longer wants to be Ole’s best man (Ope!). Deep truths, deeper questions, and a giant talking eelpout emerge from the frigid surroundings. La Crosse, WI native Paul Kruse presents a surreal comedy that is a boisterous and beautiful ode to Midwestern masculinity, friendship, queerness, and being a fish out of water.

As You Like It

By William Shakespeare

Sep 30 – Nov 8, 2026

Dir. Caitlin Lowans

Featuring Katie Bradley, Dustin Bronson, Isa Condo-Olvera, Darius Dotch, Bill McCallum, Nubia Monks, and Greg Watanabe

Annie

Oct 2, 2026 – Feb 27, 2027

See ANNIE at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Minnesota! On stage October 2, 2026 - February 27, 2027 this show is perfect for the whole family!

The Holidays at CDT

Oct 2, 2026 – Feb 27, 2027

Create lasting memories this holiday season at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres — Minnesota’s premiere holiday entertainment destination!

The Root Beer Lady

Oct 3 – Oct 4, 2026

Sweet Revenge

Oct 9 – Oct 17, 2026

This production contains frequent explicit language. It includes discussions of American Indian boarding schools, child abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, and also addresses themes of intergenerational trauma, grief, and violence. This production includes loud gunshot sound effects, sage smoke, flashing lights and sudden loud noises that may affect some audience members.

The Taming

Oct 9 – Nov 1, 2026

Dir. austene van

Tweetering, panda shrews, and undying giddiness for James Madison – what else could you expect to find at a Miss America pageant? In this hilarious, raucous, all-female “power-play” inspired by Shakespeare‘s Shrew, contestant Katherine has political aspirations to match her beauty pageant ambitions. All she needs to revolutionize the American government is the help of one senator‘s aide on the cusp of a career breakthrough, and one bleeding-heart liberal blogger who will do anything for her cause. Well, that and a semi-historically-accurate ether trip.

Pride And Prejudice

Oct 10 – Oct 25, 2026

Kunene And The King

Oct 10 – Nov 8, 2026

Dir. Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Beyond Borders ft. Alex Hersh

Oct 11 – Oct 11, 2026

La Compagnie Tilawcis: Flamboyant

Oct 13 – Oct 13, 2026

Dirty Twenty

Oct 14 – Oct 14, 2026

Dirty Twenty: An Interactive D&D Improv Show Ready to play dirty? Dirty Twenty combines the epic fantasy of Dungeons & Dragons with live, interactive, improv performance. Bring your dirtiest selves, and let’s roll the f****n dice!

"Livin’ the Dream! An Evening of Comedy, Storytelling and Music!

Oct 15 – Oct 15, 2026

“Livin’ the Dream!” is an unforgettable evening of comedy, storytelling, and music about chasing a dream and everything that comes with it. The leap of faith. The exhilarating highs. The crushing lows. The unexpected twists, wrong turns, and surprising detours you never saw coming. What happens when you finally get what you dreamed of? When the dream suddenly shatters? When you get a second chance? Or when you realize the dream you were chasing is no longer the dream you want? “Livin’ the Dream!” takes you on a hilarious, heartfelt, and poignant journey through the wild ride of following your dreams. It is for every dreamer who has ever taken a chance, faced defeat, started over, or simply refused to give up and held on for one more day. Hysterically funny. Brutally honest. Unexpected at every turn. After all, sometimes the greatest part of the dream is the journey.

VOTING/RIGHTS!: A Performance - a journey through the history of suffrage and disenfranchisement in America

Oct 16 – Oct 18, 2026

Directed by Alsa Bruno Presented by the BA Theatre Arts Performance Program Oct 16-18, 2026 Free with Registration

Animal Farm

By George Orwell, adapted by Ian Wooldridge

Oct 16 – Oct 24, 2026

Dir. Teresa Mock

Metro State Theater stages Ian Wooldridge's adaptation of George Orwell's classic tale of revolution, power and the fragility of truth.

Twelve Angry Men

By Reginald Rose

Oct 16 – Nov 1, 2026

Dir. Julie K. Phillips

On a sweltering summer day, twelve jurors enter a deliberation room believing their decision will be simple—but one dissenting voice changes everything. As tensions rise and personal biases come to light, TWELVE ANGRY MEN unfolds into a gripping examination of justice, prejudice, and the weight of reasonable doubt.

The Frankensteins Are Back in Town

By Tim Kelly

Oct 16 – Nov 1, 2026

Dir. Braylon M. Lane

Get ready for some monstrously good fun! This hilarious and spirited farce introduces the teenage kids of the Frankenstein monster and his bride as they’re dropped into life at Withering Heights High. From football tryouts and student government races to surprise discoveries and a “Monster Stomp” that spirals out of control, pandemonium follows these not-quite-typical teens wherever they go. Filled with zany humor, larger-than-life characters, and nonstop laughs, this comedy adventure guarantees a wild time for the whole family.

Bizartica: Late Night Horror

Oct 17 – Oct 17, 2026

One night of late-night horror theatre — three short pieces, one ticket, 21+, doors at 9:30. HAUNTED LAMENT by Raed Hojiej, directed by Megan Guidry, from Dark Pony Productions — winner of the Cambridge Script Festival for best stage play, Summer 2026. THE HAUNT, improvised, from Last Action Movie Improv. SUMMONED by Andrew Rosdail, from World Crime League.

Cast: Kelly Desiree, Craig Hotestler, Raed Hojiej

The Bird Blind

By Kira Apaachuaq Eckenweiler

Oct 22 – Oct 22, 2026

Dir. Rhiana Yazzie

At the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts — Elvera Voth Hall

“Picnic” by William Inge

Oct 22 – Oct 25, 2026

Directed by Samantha Martinsen Presented by the BFA Acting Program Class of 2029 Kilburn Arena Theatre, Rarig Center

Three Houses

Oct 22 – Nov 7, 2026

Dave Malloy's Three Houses arrives at Theatre Elision fall of 2026.

“Everything changes, nothing perishes.”

Oct 22 – Nov 22, 2026

Dir. Dominique Serrand

Featuring: Tracey Maloney, Luverne Seifert, Kenzi Allen, Nathan Keepers, Anna Schloerb and Steven Epp

Allie Hankins |

By My Own Hand, Part 5: INVISIBLE TOUCH

Oct 23 – Oct 24, 2026

is based in Portland. Minneapolis has shaped her — she has spent years dancing and teaching — Allie has taught in MN, danced in the work of MN choreographers and was a participant of SCUBA (now closed) when the program was grounded at the Southern Theater. Her return through KIN brings

“Ah, Wilderness” by Eugene O’Neill

Oct 23 – Oct 25, 2026

Directed by Michelle O’Neill Presented by the BFA Acting Class of 2029 Kilburn Arena Theatre, Rarig Center October 23-25, 2026 Free with Registration

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

By Dwayne Hartford from the book by Kate DiCamillo

Oct 23 – Nov 1, 2026

Edward Tulane is an expensive toy rabbit made of china. He is loved by a little girl named Abilene, but Edward doesn’t care. He has no interest in anyone other than himself. On an ocean voyage, Edward is accidentally thrown overboard and sinks to the bottom of the sea. So begins his journey—a journey over which he has no control, for he is a toy rabbit. Through this miraculous journey, Edward learns what it is to love, what it is to lose that love, and how to find the courage to love again. Based on Kate DiCamillo’s beautiful novel of the same name, this is a short and accessible adaptation for young audiences and their families.

One-Shot

By Andrew Rosendorf

Oct 24 – Nov 8, 2026

McLean, Virginia, 1999. David and Martin are high school seniors in love, working at a video store and planning to make films. After a hate crime and the arrival of college decisions, the two find themselves on different courses.

The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society

Oct 25 – Oct 25, 2026

Death and the Maiden

By Ariel Dorfman

Oct 25 – Nov 2, 2026

Dir. Ismail Khalidi

Content Guidance: Use of prop gun on stage. One instance of gun shot sound played. Mentions of sexual, physical, psychological abuse and assault. Recommended for individuals 16 and older.

Dodo In London

Oct 26 – Oct 26, 2026

You're invited to hear a table reading of the pilot episode of the one-hour TV dramedy DODO IN LONDON. Created and written by Mark Bradley and based on a real person, it's a valentine to the Greatest Generation. A plucky young American works in London in 1944. She meets interesting people. She has a variety of adventures. She avoids the V-1s and V-2s. She helps win the war. She falls in love. Cast: Emily Dooley, Eve Black, Elizabeth Dickinson, Katie Bradley, Jon Hegge, Sean Dooley, Max Wojtanowicz.

Tuesdays with Morrie

Oct 28 – Nov 29, 2026

A journalist finds himself questioning his own life when he reconnects with his dying professor. An adaptation of the NY Times best-seller.

Kung Fu Zombies Vs. Southeast Asian Girl Scouts

Oct 29 – Nov 15, 2026

Dir. Fran De Leon

Three Southeast Asian Girl Scouts are keeping their Saint Paul, MN, community together during the zombie apocalypse. Between helping their elders, doing food runs, and building campfires, they’ve probably earned, like, four Gold Awards each. This genre-bending world premiere is the finale of playwright Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay’s Kung Fu Zombies trilogy, but all you need to know is that, for some reason, these zombies know kung fu.

A Drinking Game MN Presents HOCUS POCUS

Oct 30 – Oct 30, 2026

It’s just a bunch of HOCUS POCUS! Or is it? Join us on Friday, October 30th at 7:30pm and discover Hocus Pocus with A Drinking Game Mn! Come take part in this cult classic as our cast does a live stage reading of the movie. We’ll see the Sanderson Sisters come to life, the transformation of Binx and all the antics Max, Dani and Allison go through to stop the Sanderson Sisters from devouring children’s souls. Not only will our cast have drinking cues through out the show, but you, our audience will also have drinking cues through out! Hear a bell, take a drink of your preferred beverage be it alcohol, pop, water, mocktail, tears, blood, a potion… Except tears are salty, blood gets sticky and can we really trust the Sanderson Sisters with their potions? Best to stick to one of the other options! There will be music, costumes, dancing, singing and yes, magic!

Jellyfish

Oct 30 – Nov 8, 2026

Unlabeled Theatre Company presents the U. S. premiere of JELLYFISH. Agnes and her daughter Kelly have walked the same stretch of beach every day for 15 years. They devour ice cream, hunt for crabs and watch as things mysteriously vanish along the shoreline. But when Kelly meets Neil, their cozy world soon begins to unravel. With her mum struggling to understand the needs of a maturing daughter with Down Syndrome, Kelly and Neil have to fight for their right to be together. While Agnes and Kelly drift further and further apart, an event is coming that will change all of their lives forever. Jellyfish is a unique romance across uncharted waters which asks: Does everyone really have the right to love as they choose? (Content Warning: Language, Mature Themes).