Arts tour: South Pacific, Madison County and Winona

Your special island

It wouldn't be right to say there's no suspense left in a production of "South Pacific." For one thing, we'll get to see what Joseph Haj can do when directing a Guthrie show from scratch. And how will the cast navigate the treacherous reefs of racist stereotypes? But the plot of this well-worn musical is an open book. The songs are thoroughly familiar, and a few of them — let's be honest — are a little annoying. How will Haj and company turn this old betel nut into something fresh and relevant? At the Guthrie in Minneapolis, now through Aug. 28.

Reason to go: for the spectacle.

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Meanwhile, closer to home ...

"South Pacific" will keep running until State Fair time, but there's a much smaller window to see another musical with a geographical title: "The Bridges of Madsion County" is showing only through Sunday, June 26. Presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust, it's a national touring production with a lot going for it. The music, for one thing. At the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, through Sunday.

Reason to go: the tear-jerking.

“to” — "tot: The Untold, Yet Spectacular Story of (a Filipino) Hulk Hogan" tells the story of a young boy as he struggles to adapt to life in the United States. It's Mu Performing Arts' 50th world premiere.
Rich Ryan

Culture shocks and body slams

Also closing on Sunday is "tot: THE UNTOLD, YET SPECTACULAR STORY OF (a filipino) HULK HOGAN," the 50th world premiere staged by Mu Performing Arts. A Filipino boy is left behind while his parents seek work in the United States. Years later the family is reunited, and the boy — played by director Randy Reyes — has to deal with a distance in both culture and kin. On stage at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul through Sunday, June 26.

Reason to go: Reyes' dead-on portrayal of a young boy.

A romantic comedy for a new era

Art Hound and playwright Daniel Pinkerton recommends "Le Switch" at the Jungle Theater. It's a comedy that addresses the change in gay culture wrought by the U.S. courts when they started striking down same-sex marriage bans. Through July 31 at Jungle Theater in Minneapolis.

Reason to go: The cast. Also, it's Pride Week.

You lived through the story; now see the movie

Speaking of Pride Week, there's a lot going on in celebration of all things LGBT. Among the events listed on the Pride calendar are repeated showings of the documentary, "How Love Won: The Fight For Marriage Equality in Minnesota." Recent though it is, it's history worth learning.

Reason to go: Your neighbors are in it.

'Washington Crossing the Delaware' — Emanuel Leutze's "Washington Crossing the Delaware." Oil on Canvas, 1851, Private Collection.
Courtesy of Minnesota Marine Art Museum

Two festivals of Winona

Are you laboring under the misconception that the Mississippi River town of Winona, Minn., is a cultural backwater? William Shakespeare and Ludwig van Beethoven beg to differ with you. Two big festivals open this weekend: The Great River Shakespeare Festival, with "As You Like It" on Friday night and "Julius Caesar" on Saturday, and the Minnesota Beethoven Festival, with a performance by the New York-based Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on Saturday. Classical MPR will broadcast the Saturday concert live, starting at 7:30 p.m., and will also broadcast live from the festival on July 5, 9 and 12.

Reason to go: While you're there, you can go to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. (OK, Winona, now you're just showing off.)