The Must-See
Misery by William Goldman
Website: https://yellowtreetheatre.com/misery2025
Who: Yellow Tree Theatre
When: September 26-October 19
Where: Yellow Tree Theatre, 320 5th Ave SE, Osseo, MN 55369
Launch yourself into the spookiest season with Stephen King’s Misery live onstage at Yellow Tree. They sold this show out when it was last produced in 2023, so I’d encourage getting your tickets early. You may have read the book and seen the movie, but it doesn’t matter. Live horror removes the safety of a page or a screen and creates physical access to the terror happening onstage. Trust me.
If you haven’t been out to Yellow Tree, you have missed a lot of great theater. Sandwiched in a strip mall between Furniture Manor and Budget Bridal Outlet, this place is the perfect example of how art can thrive anywhere.
Things to know
- Parking: So much easy strip mall parking
- Dining: With all apologies to the great folks of Osseo, I’ve not eaten anything around there. A quick Google search shows a great selection of Bar & Grill sort of places within a few miles. I’d try Duffy’s just down the street - highly rated pizza and wings.
- Attire: Might there be blood spatter? I’m not sure, but you may want to be prepared.
- Accessibility: ADA Accessible; no stairs to enter the building or the theater. Please let them know in advance to ensure reservation of an accessible seat.
The Discovery
I’m technically breaking the rules of the Discovery section by recommending another event, but the new Playwrights’ Center is hosting a community event to celebrate their gorgeous new digs, and I’d encourage you to stop by! The Playwrights’ Center has been around for over 50 years and in that time has launched the careers of countless playwrights including greats like August Wilson, Craig Lucas, Qui Nguyen, and many many others. The House is Open this Saturday (September 20) from 11:00-5:00 - stop by to check out the whole space, meet some writers, and learn more about this incredible resource right in your backyard.
Field Notes
After coming up short on restaurant recommendations in this episode, I figured I should explain how I actually pick the places I share here. I love good food, but I'm not a gourmet - I'll take a cozy booth with decent food and great vibes over an award-winning place that charges $100 for a dinner where you have to yell at your dinner companions. (I know I sound old, but WHY is it so LOUD in there?)
Here's the thing: sometimes the food doesn't have to be mind-blowing if everything else clicks. Just like with the art I recommend, I'm drawn to places that I haven’t tried before, that feel a little adventurous, maybe where you wouldn't expect to find them. I haven’t always had great food in these places, but I promise I won’t recommend those. What I will recommend are the kind of spots where I have loved the food or the service or the booth or the drinks, and that I think everyone else should love like I do.
