Exclusive | Theater Weekends, Darling Part Two

MINNEAPOLIS
Where to go
Minneapolis has been ranked as second in the nation (after New York City) in live theater seats per capita. The vibrant theater scene begins in the Hennepin Theatre District[link to: hennepintheatredistrict.org] in downtown Minneapolis along Hennepin Avenue.

Season Highlights
RENT, if you never had a chance to see it in New York, will be on tour with original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp at the Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave, 612-339-7007) from March 25-29th, 2009.

A Chorus Line was revived in 2006 and has since gone on a nationwide tour. The musical narrates the lives of 17 hopeful actors auditioning for a Broadway chorus line. Starts June 16 also at the Orpheum.

Gayer than Average
The Jean Nouvel-designed Guthrie Theatre (818 South 2nd St., 612-377-2224) commissioned a new play by Tony Kushner (the Pulitzer Prize winning writer of Angels in America), The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, opening May 15th, 2009 and running through June 28th.

Tickets and Hotels
Minneapolis ticket prices average around $55 a seat, although most performances have tickets available for under $30.

The Chambers Minneapolis (901 Hennepin Ave, (612-767-6979) is a landmark boutique art hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Rooms run from $195-$345 a night.

SAN DIEGO
Where to go
The nonprofit San Diego Theatres organization manages two downtown theaters: the San Diego Civic Theatre and the Balboa Theatre. Nationally acclaimed houses like the La Jolla Playhouse and Old Globe Theater have sent numerous Tony-winning productions to Broadway.

Season Highlights
The First Wives Club is a staging of the popular novel and comic 1996 film. Self-described as "Broadway bound," this musical opens mid July at the Old Globe Theatre (1363 Old Globe Way, 619-238-0043).

Dame Edna, comic superstar-cum-homemaker (portrayed by Australian Barry Humphries) will be appearing in My First Last Tour starting June 2 in the Civic Theater (1100 3rd Ave, 619-570-1100).

Gayer than Average
The Diversionary Theatre (4545 Park Blvd, 619-220-6830) has been providing theatre for the LGBT community for over 20 years.

Tickets and Hotels
Average ticket prices for most shows in the San Diego area are $50, ranging from $20 up to $80 for most performances at the Balboa and Civic Theatres.

The Westgate (1055 2nd Ave, 619-238-1818), is a 5-star, centrally located hotel. Room prices per weekend evening range from $221-$450 depending on the season.

Part One | Part Two