Girl Friday Productions

A nonprofit organization

Girl Friday recently partnered with Open Eye Theatre to produce Life Sucks by Aaron Posner, a cheeky, hilarious, and highly acclaimed revisioning of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. We are also working on The Main Street Project, a potential theatrical adaptation of the Sinclair Lewis classic. Your gift helps us continue to inspire audiences and nurture the Twin Cities’ finest theater artists!

About Girl Friday Productions

Our mission: to nurture artists, inspire audiences and illuminate the human condition.

“Girl Friday's work model is an idiosyncratic one, but its periodic presence on the local theater scene has become an important one both for artists and audiences.” -Pioneer Press

The little company that does big plays, Girl Friday Productions focuses on larger scale plays of exceptional literary merit that are less frequently produced today. We create a singular major project every other year. This approach maximizes efforts to work with challenging texts, large and skilled ensemble casts, and distinguished directors and designers. Founded in 2004 by Artistic Director Kirby Bennett, Girl Friday’s work is characterized by humanity, relevance and stimulating theatricality.

Recent Production History

The Skin of Our Teeth in February/March 2019 - Thornton Wilder’s theatrical masterpiece played February 9 - March 3, 2019 on the proscenium stage at Park Square Theatre. An optimistic tribute to the invincible human spirit, the show explores resilience and hope in the face of eons of calamity in ways that are unexpected, hilarious and profoundly moving. Winner of the 1943 Pulitzer Prize, The Skin of Our Teeth held surprising relevance for today’s troubled world. Praised by critics and audiences alike, the production overcame the Polar Vortex of 2019 and played to more than 3,500 audience members! Directed by Joel Sass and funded in part by MRAC and Saint Paul Cultural STAR.

“This is theater at its best. Enormously entertaining and voluptuously intelligent.” – Lavender Magazine

“… frighteningly prescient… Every decision by director/set designer Joel Sass underscores the tension between what Wilder wrote almost eight decades ago and what it means to us today.”  – Star Tribune

 “… a spectacular staging by Girl Friday Productions” - Talkin’ Broadway

Idiot's Delight in July 2017 - this 1936 Pulitzer Prize-winner by Robert E. Sherwood ran June 30-July 23, 2017 on the Andy Boss Stage at Park Square Theatre. Girl Friday Productions brought its signature large ensemble cast to this dramatic comedy with musical accents, set in a world on the brink. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, the show delighted more than 2,400 audience members. Directed by Craig Johnson and funded in part by MRAC and Saint Paul Cultural STAR.

“Idiot’s Delight remains a smart tale, and Girl Friday tells it well.” —Pioneer Press

“A 1930s world on the brink of war still resonates today in Idiot’s Delight.” —City Pages

“But even now, 80 years after it was written, the themes of nationalism, loyalty, changing borders, and a great sadness at the cost of war on all sides ring true.” —Cherry and Spoon

The Matchmaker in July 2015 - Thornton Wilder’s witty and relevant farce about love, money and adventure ran July 9-26 as part of the Theatres in Residence series on the Andy Boss Thrust Stage at Park Square Theatre. A tonic for our troubled times, The Matchmaker celebrated the spirit of generosity and living life to the fullest. Directed by Craig Johnson, the production was universally praised by critics and audiences alike. Funded in part by MRAC and Saint Paul Cultural STAR.

“Girl Friday Productions makes a perfect match with ‘Matchmaker’” – Star Tribune

“Nostalgic, yet radical in its cry for people to loosen up, let go, question authority, and follow their bliss.” - Lavender Magazine

“Girl Friday's production brings spirit, warmth and resonance.” – Pioneer Press

“There are terrific performances up and down the large cast, creating a beguiling reality populated with ideas that are still worth hearing." - City Pages

Camino Real in July 2013 - Tennessee Williams' evocative dreamscape Camino Real ran at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage and was directed by Benjamin McGovern. An outstanding ensemble cast rose to the challenge of this rare piece with beauty and zest, embodying the play’s directive to “Make voyages! Attempt them! There's nothing else.” Camino Real received year-end recognition by Lavender Magazine for several of its actors and was funded in part by MRAC.

“Riveting! Inventive, Compelling!"  —audience member

“Brave and bold choices were made! Keep going with this, we need more daring productions in this city." —audience member

Street Scene in July 2011 – This critically acclaimed, Ivey Award-winning production of Elmer Rice's masterpiece about immigrants and urban life in 1929 New York was staged at the Minneapolis Theater Garage. Selected as a Top Show of 2011 by the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and Lavender Magazine.

"effective, evocative and prescient" —Pioneer Press



Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Girl Friday Productions

Tax id (EIN)

45-1337106

Categories

Arts & Culture

Address

4221 17TH AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55407

Phone

612-729-1071

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