The Noel and Carlyle Show
Playwright Carlyle Brown and director Noel Raymond have been collaborating in their respective roles for nearly thirty years. Now, they are exploring working together as co-creators of a theatrical work in which they will both perform. “Something new is about to begin.”

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The Noel and Carlyle Show
Playwright Carlyle Brown and director Noel Raymond have been collaborating in their respective roles for nearly thirty years. Now, they are exploring working together as co-creators of a theatrical work in which they will both perform. “Something new is about to begin.”

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Live and Deal with Others Better: The Gift of Shakespeare’s Romances by Toni A.H. McNaron. Join us on Monday, September 30 6:30-9:30pm for an exciting, enlightening and inspiring. Ms. McNaron believes that Shakespeare realized continuing to write tragedies and history plays about powerful men was a dead-end street. So, he turned to a new form of drama that allowed for the possibility of rejuvenation, repentance, and even rebirth. We now call these plays romances (Pericles, Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale, and The Tempest).

University of Minnesota BFA students under the direction of Steve Cardamone will be reading scenes from the plays.

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A Celebration of ILLUSION THEATER’s 50th Anniversary Year

Dear Illusion and Richfield Friends,

Please join us on September 27th for our Bingo Benefit! We can’t wait to kick off our 50th Anniversary celebrations with you, Miss Richfield 1981, special guests, and bingo fun.

All the Best,
Bonnie & Michael

Friday, September 27
6:30pm VIP Reception
7:00pm General Congregation

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If you are unable to attend, please consider a donation to ILLUSION THEATER by clicking here.

Nobody, No Time by ILLUSION Mellon Playwright in Residence, Carlyle Brown, is inspired by the life of Bert Williams, the famous and popular Vaudeville Negro entertainer. He was the headliner in the Ziegfeld Follies and at the beginning of the twentieth century he was one of the top recording artists in the world. He performed in black face and built his career and legacy on the exploitation of Negro stereotypes. W.C. Fields called him the funniest and the saddest man he ever knew.

Nobody, No Time is a new play with music that looks inside the most talented, complex and conflicted figure of the Vaudeville era. As the Mellon Playwright in Residence, Carlyle has been a part of Illusion's leadership team since 2020. Nobody, No Time will be the fourth play Carlyle has written since he began his Mellon residence with Illusion.

The return of our favorite Afro-Caribbean Band with music for your Dancing Soul.

Malamanya | Vintage Afro-Latin Music

*Note the earlier start time

A show usually only seen at the State Fair, with appearances by Betty Crocker, Paul Bunyan, and The Dough Boy comes to Richfield.  The Minnesota History Center and the State Fair Foundation commissioned this musicale in 2015 and it has been entertaining Minnesota State Fairgoers ever since. Written and directed by longtime ILLUSION Artistic Associate Beth Gilleland with musical direction by Kevin Dutcher, featuring Bonni Allen, Aimee K. Bryant, Ricky Morisseau, and Jim Robinson. Hear the “Ten Thousand Lake Polka,” watch Betty Crocker host a quiz show with Minnesota icons, and listen to Paul Bunyan’s sweetheart Lucette sing “It’s All About Paul.”

Plus, Honeywine an all-original trio Dorian Chalmers, Becky Schlegel, and Dennis Curley step on the stage to share their pure, sweet Americana sound.

*Note this is a Tuesday performance

Dan Chouinard is familiar to many as a pianist, accordionist, storyteller, and writer of shows for public radio, clubs, and theater. Did you know he grew up in Richfield in the '60s and '70s? Join Dan and two other stellar Richfield musicians, both from legendary musical families – vocalist-radio host Patty Peterson and performer-educator Denny Malmberg as they walk us through their Richfield baby boomer childhoods and share stories about the people, places, and songs that inspired them.

Join Dane Stauffer, David Lohman (keyboards), Kris Stauffer (bass), and Matt Nielson (percussion) for a swinging, rocking, reflective night to salute the endless American fascination with the open road. Songs and stories from Johnny Cash to Nat King Cole, Joni Mitchell to Roger Miller, John Steinbeck to Jack Kerouac.

Aimee K. Bryant brings an expandable, improvisational chorus of Black women and non-binary artists based in the Twin Cities with ties around the world. Using a cappella singing and vocal improvisation, Give Get Sistet sing with great generosity and daring, the music they make is unlike any other ensemble you’ve heard.

It is a tradition to invite Kevin Kling, his favorite chanteuse Simone Perrin, and fellow storyteller Dan Chouinard to Lyndale Gardens with stories and music to lighten our hearts and souls.

Twin Cities vocalist Prudence Johnson proudly joins pianist/singer/songwriter Yazmin and her powerhouse Latin-jazz trio Beat Zero to kick off our 2024 Lyndale Garden Series with a mix of poignant songwriting and infectious Latin American rhythms.

Yazmin - singer-songwriter-artist-dancer-music & dance instructor-travel guide

Written and performed by Transatlantic Love Affair from a poem by Isabel Nelson

This is an invitation only event. Please email boxoffice@illusiontheater.org to receive an invitation.

Written and performed by Transatlantic Love Affair from a poem by Isabel Nelson

This is an invitation only event. Please email boxoffice@illusiontheater.org to receive an invitation.

Written by Jeffrey Hatcher
Director Michael Robins
Featuring Jim Cunningham and John Middleton

This is an invitation only event. Please email boxoffice@illusiontheater.org to receive an invitation.

Written by Jeffrey Hatcher
Director Michael Robins
Featuring Jim Cunningham and John Middleton

This is an invitation only event. Please email boxoffice@illusiontheater.org to receive an invitation.

Created and performed by Noel Raymond and Carlyle Brown.
Directed by Louise Smith.

This is an invitation only event. Please email boxoffice@illusiontheater.org to receive an invitation.

Written and performed by Patrick Scully
Director Michael Robins
Movement consultant Blake Nilles
Lighting collaborator Garvin Jellison

NOTE: If this were a movie it would probably be rated R.

This is an invitation only event. Please email boxoffice@illusiontheater.org to receive an invitation.

Written and performed by Patrick Scully
Director Michael Robins
Movement consultant Blake Nilles
Lighting collaborator Garvin Jellison

NOTE: If this were a movie it would probably be rated R.

This is an invitation only event. Please email boxoffice@illusiontheater.org to receive an invitation.

Join the incomparable T Mychael Rambo as MC for an uplifting afternoon. You’ll hear from students, teachers, and Illusion’s team of Teaching Artists; you’ll see scenes from KEEPIN’ IT REAL; you’ll hear how Illusion’s work in classrooms across the Twin Cities provides social and emotional skills, addresses the growing concerns about youth mental health, and helps teens to navigate the many challenges they face in our ever-changing world. Your contribution will make a world of difference to so many youth. Click for details.

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