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Open Window Theatre Logo
Salem Square Center, Suite 400, 5300 South Robert Trail, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
(612) 615-1515
Admission: $26.00
Every Thursday is “Pay-As-You’re-Able” $5+ at the door
Limited Concessions Available

Founded in 2011, Open Window Theatre is a Catholic theatre company that was created with a goal of presenting “multigenerational professional theater with a redemptive vision” to Twin Cities audiences. All Open Window Theatre productions are suitable for ages 13 and up. Children are welcome at all shows, but parents should know that some shows may not be suitable for younger audiences due to mature themes.

After a rough few years, Open Window has found a permanent home in Inver Grove Heights in 2020.

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

About Open Window Theatre

With a plethora of theatres and acting companies,  the Twin Cities is a vibrant setting for stagecraft. That’s all well and fine except as busy caretakers of 1 or 2 or handfuls of children, what good does it do us? We are so busy with our kids that we can’t even read the paper, let alone plan to get to the theatre.

I want to suggest a different perspective. While not everything is child-friendly, there are plenty of theatre experiences that are suitable for families, so why not make enjoying the theatre a family affair?

You know some of our favorites: Children’s Theatre Company, Stages Theatre, Steppingstone Theatre, Old Gem Theater.  There are theatre companies that aren’t known for being children-friendly  but do feature a child-inspired show once or twice throughout the season.  But today, I want to tell you about a different theatre company.

Open Window Theatre is a fairly new and  “swanky” (their word) black box theatre to hit the Minneapolis stage scene.  A black box theatre is a simple space that is square room with black walls (or in the case of OWT, black curtains) and a flat floor.  Any large space can be transformed into a stage:  including open warehouses or other empty commercial buildings.  OWT does just that and makes its home in the Metropolis Minneapolis building on Chestnut Street.  Though not far from the heart of the Minneapolis theatre scene, you find OWT off the beaten path which makes it even more enduring.

Open Window Theatre’s Mission Statement

Jeremy and Sarah Stanbary founded Open Window Theatre in 2011 as a non-profit organization with the mission to provide “EVERYONE–the average, the not-so-average, and the connoisseur alike– to enjoy great plays and great art and to breathe easy while you do so.”  (taken from their website)  As a parent I appreciate their seven points of their misison statement.

  1. We believe that theater should not only entertain, but should also educate and inspire.
  2. We believe that good art should challenge people to be better.
  3. We believe that we don’t have to be vulgar in order to produce good theater and that some things are better left to the imagination.
  4. We believe that good art – in exploring the problems of the human condition – should possess a redemptive value and should always respect the dignity of the human person.
  5. We believe that religious faith is something to celebrate, not denigrate, through art.
  6. We believe in creating an intimate theater-going experience that’s engaging and interactive.
  7. We believe in producing top quality theater that’s accessible to everyone and won’t break your budget.

Kids and Open Window Theatre

While OWT recommends their work to be appropriate for ages 4 and older, they believe everyone should be able to enjoy theatrical art and welcomes all ages. All that is asked of those attending is to be considerate of other theatre-goers and remove disruptions to the main lobby–whether a noisy child or an incessant cough, etc.

While the play I attended (see below) was not designed for children, I would be very comfortable bringing mine. Tender, innocent ears did not need to be covered due to excessive cursing (or any at all for that matter) or guileless eyes shielded from inappropriate images. Though the message was deep and maybe moved a bit slower for my fast-paced kids, I am sure both my 9 and 7 year olds would have enjoyed the show.

Originally Published by Gianna Kordatsky in May 2014


Reviews of Past Performances

The Lilies of the Field

Currently, wrapping up it’s third season with The Lilies of the Field, OWT provided us with tickets to be able to do a review.  I chose not to bring my children, but instead to have a date night with my husband.  I figured all the money that we would have spent at the theatre could go toward a babysitter.

We both enjoyed the play immensely.  The story is about a man named Homer who has just returned from the war (WWII?) and is passing through the southwest United States stopping whenever he can to work.  He comes across a dilapitated farm that  needs some major repair work and that’s when the story begins. The owners–who happen to be nuns–need his help, and he is their answer to prayer.  Only he just was planning on stopping for the day and somehow got roped into a relationship with these four ladies.  You watch how ultimately their relationship with God, each other, and the community is what they need  to thrive.

Like I said, the message was a bit heady, but it’s not preachy at all. The Lilies of the Field is about real people and real life. There are hilarious parts.  In two words: German nuns!  There’s  music.  There is lots of movement.  During one point of the show, I was watching a scene over my shoulder.  The stage was in front of the audience.  The audience was in the middle of the stage.

Approximately 80 chairs were set up in a diamond type shape and the setwas at each corner of the diamond.  At the top of the diamond was the dining table and at the bottom the car.  One side held the desk and the other side held the ladder and a business sign.  The play started with a strolling folk singer following by our narrator, Father Gomez, who greeted a portion of the audience with firm handshakes and the rest of us with a jolly greeting.

I laughed out loud during the show more than once (generally at the German nuns) and felt chills when the nuns sang a beautiful hymn to Homer as they encircled him. The Lilies of the Field is sensational.  I recommend this show for anyone who needs a little hope or for anyone who needs a great story.  Like I said, I would feel just fine bringing my children to it, but I think the best ages would be for those who are 3rd grade and older.

The Lilies of the Field is playing for two more weekends–this weekend and next weekend.  So you need to hurry.  Did I mention there were only 60 seats or so per show! And it’s only playing nine more times!

Article Originally written by Gianna Kordatzky 5/14/2014.


The Potting Shed

I always leave Open Window Theatre thinking, “I need to do this more often.” Going to Open Window combines the fun of going out with the relaxed atmosphere of watching television. I think the only thing that would make the experience better is if they replaced their current seating with love seats and easy chairs. (Maybe they will do that. They are expanding next season).

Saturday’s date night to see The Potting Shed was the usual reminder that I want to do this more often. One thing that made it a great date night is that, not only did it not require preparation, I actually enjoyed myself more going in cold. I’ve never taken a theater appreciation course and I’m not a theology major, and that’s okay.  I just enjoyed the story and I actually was on the edge of my seat for portions of the show — just like they claimed.  It was really no more effort than watching a movie. That isn’t always true in live theatre.

I did go in knowing that I love Graham Greene as a writer and that Graham Greene and Open Window always have a faith connection. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you like mysteries and drama, you’ll enjoy a night out to see the Potting Shed.

While children over 4 are always welcome at Open Window, this play is recommended for 13+. There’s nothing objectionable; it just won’t interest most children.

Article Originally written by Joy Peters 2/20/2015.

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

When FFTC was invited to preview The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at Open Window Theatre, I jumped at the chance.  I was extremely curious to see how a small black box theatre was going to pull off a large-scale production. My date was my almost 9 year old daughter (for a birthday outing) who  was also concerned about how they would give a man an animal’s body but keep his head and torso and yet still give him horns.

When we arrived early for the preview’s special reception of milk and cookies, we discussed this particular concern with our friend Joy Donley, the director of the production.

She smiled and said, “Well, you’ll have to see if you liked how we did it.  I think you will be pleased.”

She was right; we were not disappointed.

Before the show began, founder and executive director, Jeremy Stanbury, welcomed us to the production, thanking us for coming.  Then, the theater went black and it began.

The sound of rain showered down on us, and the lights came up with the Pevensie children playing in the mansion.  They heard Mrs. Macready giving a tour and they ran to hide; Lucy into the Wardrobe.  Stepping into the wardrobe, the audience entered Narnia and stayed there for the length of the play only to return with foursome to close the story.

It was a powerful piece.  There were many moments when I grabbed Tori’s hand because I was nervous.  A black box theater puts the audience INTO the story. I was a little edgy that I would come face to face with one of the more creepy characters.

I didn’t need to worry about that though because while the actors came through the aisles, they didn’t interact with the audience .  Normally, I love to interact with the actors but in this case, I was glad that I was purely a spectator and not participant.

My 9 year old was not nervous at all.  She loved every minute of it and chattered all the way home though she was bemoaning the fact that she had a bellyache from eating nine cookies.  (that was a bit excessive, even for me)

Highlights:

  • Mrs. Beaver– played by Karen Wiese-Thompson.  She was my absolute favorite.  I was in fits and giggles every time she did anything on stage: spoke, danced, sang, ran.  She was delightful.
  • Mr. Beaver–played by Arnie Roos. The way he carried himself like an animated and concerned beaver was SO FUNNY!  We always felt relieved and at peace when the Beavers were on stage.
  • Lucy and Edmund– played by Madeline Ann Sundheim and Jack Alexander.   They have huge roles in this story, and they both were extremely believable.  At one point Lucy screamed at the top of her lungs, and I was so startled that I spilled my coffee!
  • The stage/set–I knew that Open Window Theatre had expanded, but I wasn’t sure what it would look like.  The stage is almost (almost) twice as big.  The set was designed beautifully!  I loved the bridge and the beaver’s house.
  • Tori’s favorite character was the unicorn.  “I like how they made her all white!”

Lowlights:

  • The volume.  I only say this because there is a lot of shouting and yelling (and roaring) and screaming inside a small theater space.  If you have sensitive young kids, I would prepare them for that.  However, Jeremy Stanbury’s kids (one of whom shares a name with me) are quite young and they did fantastic.
  • The cookies.  Don’t get me wrong.  They were delicious!  But our reception was for the preview night only.  Don’t despair too much.  OWT does sell refreshments for your convenience.

I have always wanted to go to Narnia.  After seeing The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Open Window, I feel like I was there.  It was breathtaking.

Article Originally written by Gianna Kordatzky  12/10/2015.

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