Theaters and Culture
The Twin Cities is ranked second only to New York in total theater seats per capita, and the Saint Paul/East Metro area is home to some of the country’s finest arts and cultural organizations. Drawing visitors locally and from across the country, the arts community has a reputation for world-class performances by groups such as the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the SteppingStone Theatre. The Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Park Square and Penumbra Theatres offer a variety of educational and dramatic fare. Fun meets learning at the Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Science Museum of Minnesota, and many of the community’s outstanding artists open their studios to the public for the twice-yearly Saint Paul Art Crawl.
The revitalization of Saint Paul’s downtown district is attracting more theater groups and music venues to the area. More than 40 arts organizations produce more than 1,000 arts events, exhibits and performances. Saint Paul/East Metro area residents appreciate and recognize the contribution of the arts community to the area’s economic vitality.
| Galleries & Museums | |
| Minnesota Children’s Museum
| Minnesota Museum of Saint Paul Art Crawl Science Museum of Minnesota |
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A Plethora of Theatres Saint Paul is the center of what might be called a cultural revolution. Theater thrives, opera flourishes and all arts are supported by patrons and community-minded corporations, keeping tickets affordable. Its downtown core is a complete “cultural district” featuring five theaters, four museums and many galleries and arts organizations. The city’s commitment to culture is strong. The use of art in public places and the involvement of artists in the design of the city complement a lively calendar of cultural events. Opportunities and encouragement have attracted artists and entertainers and the resulting abundance of talent has in turn attracted film and television production companies. When you mention the beautiful Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, more and more people across the country think “Saint Paul.” Ordway Center is a major reason why Arthur Frommer wrote that Saint Paul and its twin, Minneapolis, rank among the cultural capitals of the nation. Between Minneapolis and Saint Paul, there are more live theater seats than any city in the country except for New York City. And the quality and variety of Saint Paul theater is almost endless. The History Theatre presents plays about historic people, places and events that shaped the region. Park Square Theatre Company presents its classic repertoire in the Seventh Place Theatre. Penumbra Theatre is a professional African-American theater company that oftentimes performs the works of two-time Pulitzer winning playwright and former Saint Paulite, August Wilson. College productions at the University of Minnesota and Saint Paul colleges add to the menu of theater offerings. It was one of Saint Paul’s favorite sons, Garrison Keillor, who spearheaded a national crusade to save the Fitzgerald Theater, for decades an Upper Midwest showcase for plays and later, movies. The Fitzgerald is home for Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion” as well as chamber music, films, live radio shows and other cultural programs. The Historic Saint Paul Palace Theatre in downtown Saint Paul is home to the interactive comedy Minnesota! It’s Not Just for Lutherans Anymore. Set in an authentic VFW Hall, the show pokes fun at all things Minnesotan, and features a delicious church potluck theme dinner buffet.
Music & Theater | |
| The Fitzgerald Theater Great American History Theatre Heritage Theatre Company Loading Dock Theatre Oops Theatre, Inc. Ordway Center for the | Park Square Theatre Penumbra Theatre
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra SteppingStone Theatre |