by SOPHIE KERMAN
Every weekend in the fall, there seems to be an endless stream of shows opening around the Twin Cities, and despite the best efforts our tireless band of volunteer reviewers, we can never manage to see everything. October feels like a record high for opening weekends this year: although Anna Rosensweig and I churned out 12 reviews over the four weeks of November 2011, October 2012 looks to be at least as busy. Here, in order of opening night and with no positive or negative opinions (just some excerpts from press releases), are some of the shows around the area this month that we will not be able to review.
The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman. At the Yellow Tree Theatre, 320 5th Ave. S.E. Osseo, MN 55369, September 21 – October 21. Tickets $17-23 at http://yellowtreetheatre.com/shows.php.
Named by Minnesota Monthly as a top pick for this fall, The Diary of Anne Frank retells the story of Anne Frank and her family’s time in hiding from the Nazis, and includes previously unpublished excerpts from Anne Frank’s diary.
Love and Marriage at the Illusion Theater, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. October 11 – October 28. Tickets $15-28 at 612-339-4944 or www.illusiontheater.org.
A new musical revue using cherished classics, contemporary tunes and a few surprises, including clips from a film, created by videographer Jonathan Carlson, featuring interviews about long-time and new-found love with notable life partners–gay, lesbian and straight–including Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak & Megan O’Hara, Scott Mayer & John Zeches, Katie Guentzel & John Catron, Bradley Greenwald & John Novak, Betsy Husting & Joyce Mellstrom, and Lisa Goodman & Ben Horn, to name a few.
When a Man Loves a Diva at the Lab Theater, 700 N. First St., Minneapolis, from October 18 – November 10. Tickets $29.50 or $38 for VIP seating, at 612-333-7977 or www.thelabtheater.org.
Musical Director Sanford Moore and the original Diva trio – Ben Bakken, Julius Collins III and Dane Stauffer – have tweaked and will repeat this celebrated musical revue that includes 30 songs about love made famous by renowned female vocalists – from Aretha Franklin to Barbra Streisand, from Peggy Lee to Donna Summer – and from “divas-in-training” Adele to Beyonce.
Mitzi’s Abortion by Elizabeth Heffron, presented by the Gadfly Theatre at the Lowry Lab Theater, 350 Saint Peter Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. October 19-28. Tickets $12-15, information at http://gadflytheatre.wix.com/gadfly.
Mitzi’s Abortion explores the questions that have shaped the national debate over abortion, and reminds us that whatever we may think we believe, some decisions are neither easy nor simple when they become ours to make. A generous and compassionate comedy with serious themes about a young woman trying to make an intensely personal decision in a system determined to make it a political one.
Chicka-BOOM!, the 19th Annual Halloween Outdoor Puppet Extravaganza by BareBones Productions at Hidden Falls Regional Park, North Gate (Magoffin Ave) Entrance, 1305 Mississippi River Blvd S, St. Paul, MN. October 20 – October 31. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, see www.barebonespuppets.org for details.
With a haunting mix of artistic abandon and contemplative story, BareBones promises an unforgettable nighttime spectacular in the best traditions of community theater, public pageantry, and seasonal celebration. The Halloween Extravaganza features “extreme outdoor” puppetry, stilting, aerialism, music, and fire presented by a cast and crew of 100+ and a 20-piece live orchestra.
‘Til Death: A Marriage Musical by Jeremiah and Vanessa Gamble (Theater for the Thirsty) at Open Window Theatre, 1313 Chestnut Ave., Minneapolis. October 24-28. Tickets $20 from tildeath.brownpapertickets.com or 800.838.3006.
‘Til Death follows the story of Ethan and Olivia, a couple in marital midlife crisis who find themselves stuck in a remote cabin with newlywed strangers who arrive with a fanny pack of secrets.
These are just a few of the shows that Aisle Say will unfortunately be missing out on this month — at least we can say we’re lucky to be in a city with so much great theater on offer.
And if any of you end up seeing these shows, post a comment and let us know what we missed!
Aisle Say - Twin Cities 
Is there a listing of what you will be reviewing…and when you will be seeing it? Have I missed it? That would be very helpful, along with this list. Love your reviews, and rely on them!
That’s a good point, and probably a useful thing to do! In the next month, you can expect reviews of: “Embers” (Guthrie), “Meronymy” (Red Eye), “2 Sugars, Room for Cream” (Hennepin Theatre Trust), “Speed-the-Plow” (Chameleon), “Beatnik Giselle” (Sandbox), “Hidebound” (In the Heart of the Beast), selections from the “Center of the Margins” festival (Mixed Blood), “In the Next Room” (Jungle), and “Kill Me Don’t Go” (Workhaus). That gets us into November already!
Also, my apologies to any companies and plays that aren’t listed or that may have slipped past my radar – we do our best!
And thanks for reading, Darlene!