Stop #4 The Guthrie Theater: Innovative, Exciting, Blue
On we go…
After an intense trek from the Mill City Museum south all the way across the street, we have arrived at the new Guthrie Theater (map). I have by no means seen every theater in the world, but I think it’s safe to say there isn’t another one anywhere that looks remotely like this:
There are several striking features of the Guthrie’s architecture: the cantilevered “Endless Bridge” (left), and the three vertical LED display towers (only two are pictured here – they serve as marquees, displaying show information). And it is also very, very blue. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Desiderio)
Theater is huge in Minneapolis, HUGE! There are more theater seats per capita in Minneapolis than any other city in the country except New York. This popularity is partly due to the Guthrie Theater. The original Guthrie Theater, which opened in 1963, was adjacent to the Walker Art Center, just west of downtown Minneapolis (more on this in a later post). For more on the history of the Guthrie Theater, click here.
The new building was designed by Jean Nouvel and opened in June of 2006. It features three theaters, two restaurants, and one “Endless Bridge”. For more information on the Guthrie’s amenities check out their website, or this interactive tour which was created by the Minneapolis Star tribune newspaper.
The Experience.
Luckily for me… and you (if you visit the Guthrie Theater), much of the building is open to the general public, free of charge, so you don’t need a ticket to a show (or even a wallet) to enjoy the magic of this building. I went for my third visit just last night. The ground floor lobby is simple and fairly unremarkable, though the east entrance opens onto a patio with a great view of the Stone Arch Bridge. Besides the lobby, there is a restaurant, Cue, and a gift shop on the ground floor. Levels four and five are also open the general public (which includes the “Endless Bridge”). I will describe these amazing spaces mostly through pictures:
Riding the four story escalator with upward pulsing lights. I couldn’t help but wonder if this is what it would be like to be abducted by low-tech aliens who didn’t have tractor beams. (Photo courtesy of Chris Gallevo)
The fourth floor lobby looking west. The blue windows at the end look into a huge skyway, through which sets are moved in from the scene shop, which is on top of a parking garage across the street. I watched an actress practice some dance moves in there during a show. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Brownell)
The cantilevered “Endless Bridge” extends from the eastern end of the fourth floor lobby 178 feet without any support underneath. At the end of the bridge, there is an outdoor observation deck. The walls, adorned with ghostly images from Guthrie plays past, glow red at night. (Photo courtesy of Bill Lindmeier)
The beautiful daytime view from the observation deck on the end of the “Endless Bridge” … wait, the “end of the ‘Endless Bridge’”? That’s like “the end of ‘The Neverending Story’”. (Photo courtesy of TZK333)
Another great view from the observation deck on the “Endless Bridge”. This spot is a worthy competitor to the Stone Arch Bridge for the title of “Most Romantic Spot in Minneapolis”. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Landry)
The “Showstoppers” (Highlights) of the Guthrie Theater:
- The “Endless Bridge” – This unique feature is an absolute must see (unless you are afraid of heights, in which case you should probably stay far away from it). The view is stunning, and I think it is one of the best places to go on a date in Minneapolis (and it’s free and open until midnight).
- The building itself – Surely one of the most unique buildings you will ever see. I have never been in another building that could shock, surprise, confuse, and inspire me in new ways each time I visit. If you have even a slight interest in architecture or theater, you need to check out the Guthrie Theater.
- World Class Theater – If you have any interest in theater, get tickets to a show at the Guthrie. Wonderful actors and actresses performing wonderful works in wonderful spaces – a night at the theater couldn’t be better! I highly recommend their annual performance of “A Christmas Carol.”
- The price. If you don’t go to a show, it’s free! Unless you buy a cookie like I did… and by the way, the cookies at the Guthrie are awesome too! Plus all public spaces are open from 8am until midnight.
The “Bombs” (Lowlights) of the Guthrie Theater:
- Parking – They do have their own parking ramp, but it tends to be very crowded on performance nights, and getting in before a show and out after a show can take a while. And good luck finding parking anywhere else if you happen to come when there is a Twins, Vikings, or Gophers game at the nearby Metrodome.
- Can be disorienting – The unusual layout and lighting schemes in the fourth and fifth floor lobbies can be a little disorienting (especially at night).
- Entry lobby is boring – I felt like the entry level lobby was kind of bland and lacked the pizzazz of the lobbies on the fourth and fifth floors.
- Ghostly images on the wall – One of the somewhat unusual visual elements in the Guthrie Theater was the ghostly images from past plays that seemed to float on the walls. I couldn’t decide whether it was cool or creepy.
The Top 4 Reasons You Need to go the Guthrie:
4. It’s free and fun for all ages.
3. The shows are outstanding. Click here for show info.
2. It’s one of the most unique buildings you will ever see, and the spaces inside are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before (I may not know what you’ve seen before, but I know you haven’t seen anything like this).
1. The “Endless Bridge”. There is nothing else like it in the world. You simply have to check it out.
If you go:
By Car: See the interactive map for location. Park in the park in the parking ramp directly across the street from the theater.
Without a car: Take the Hiawatha Light Rail Line to the Metrodome stop and walk east towards the big, boxy, blue building. Keep walking until you get there. Bike via the trail along the Mississippi River, or find a bus route that stops near the theater).
General Info: Public lobbies on the 1st, 4th, and 5th floors are open from 8am – midnight daily and offer free wireless internet. Food is available for purchase in the fourth and fifth floor lobby areas, near the observation deck on the “Endless Bridge” and in the Cue restaurant on the 3rd floor.
For more information about the Guthrie Theater visit their website.
On to the next stop! I’ll meet you at the Metrodome!
