Plan Your Visit: The Ultimate 2025 Lanesboro Live Theater Getaway
April 2, 2025
Welcome to Lanesboro – The Gem of Southeast Minnesota
Tucked into the rolling bluffs of southeastern Minnesota, Lanesboro is a town where art, nature, and small-town charm converge in a way that feels almost magical. Whether you're pedaling along the renowned Root River State Trail, paddling through breathtaking limestone river valleys, or exploring the town’s vibrant arts scene, every corner of Lanesboro invites discovery.
At the heart of it all is Commonweal Theatre Company, a nationally recognized professional ensemble that brings world-class performances to the region. This isn’t just a night at the theater—it’s an experience, woven into the fabric of a town known for its live music, locally owned shops, and welcoming spirit. You can start your day with fresh coffee and breakfast at one of our cafes, spend the afternoon biking or hiking, enjoy a from scratch meal, with fresh seasonal ingredients, locally sourced, and end the evening with an unforgettable performance at Commonweal.
Whether you're a devoted theatergoer or just looking for a unique getaway, Lanesboro promises an immersive escape filled with culture, adventure, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel right at home.
Commonweal Theatre: A Legacy of Storytelling
Founded in 1989, Commonweal Theatre Company has grown from a bold idea into a thriving ensemble-driven company, offering an intimate and electrifying theater experience in the heart of historic downtown Lanesboro. Committed to producing both classic and contemporary works, Commonweal is known for its thoughtful storytelling, rich character portrayals, and a deep connection with its audience.
Beyond the stage, the company fosters a dynamic artistic community, hosting talkbacks, play readings, and educational opportunities that inspire and engage. With a dedicated ensemble of resident artists and a deep investment in the Lanesboro community, Commonweal is more than just a theater—it’s an essential part of what makes this town so special.
Plan Your Visit: The Ultimate Lanesboro Theater Getaway
To fully experience the magic of Commonweal Theatre and Lanesboro’s charm, timing your trip around Lanesboro’s Signature Events and multiple performances is key. Many visitors make a weekend of it, catching two plays in a single visit while indulging in Lanesboro’s unbeatable mix of outdoor adventure, cozy accommodations, and great dining.
Tips for the Best Experience:
- Double Feature Weekend: With rotating repertory performances, you can catch two different shows in one weekend!
- Signature Event Timing: Plan your trip around a special event like Art in the Park (Fathers Day weekend), Buffalo Bill Days, or the Fall Boutique and Business Crawl to maximize your time in Lanesboro.
- Stay & Play: Book a bed & breakfast or historic inn within walking distance of the theater for a full small-town getaway.
- Outdoor & Arts Pairing: Mix theater with biking, kayaking, or a leisurely stroll through Lanesboro’s galleries, shops, and cafés.
- Dining & Drinks: Enjoy a pre-show meal at any of Lanesboro's wonderful restaurants and eateries, and toast the night with a post-show nightcap at one of our breweries, saloons, and pubs.
Spring Awakening: The Half-Life of Marie Curie and the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour
The Half-Life of Marie Curie (April 5–July 5) | Directed by Jaclyn June Johnson
Brilliance. Scandal. Sisterhood. Marie Curie, poised to receive her second Nobel Prize, faces public disgrace and retreats to the seaside home of her friend, engineer, and suffragist Hertha Ayrton. As the world teeters on the brink of war, the two women—scientists, mothers, and pioneers—grapple with personal and professional challenges, discovering strength in their extraordinary friendship. With sharp wit and deep empathy, Lauren Gunderson brings to life a true story of resilience, illuminating the indomitable power of women supporting women.
Perfect for fans of: Silent Sky, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Bernhardt/Hamlet,
Featuring: Stela Burdt and Laurie Roberts.
Bluff Country Studio Art Tour (April 25–27)
This self-guided tour takes you behind the scenes of southeastern Minnesota’s thriving arts community. You’ll visit working artists in their private studios—tucked into historic buildings, nestled along winding country roads, and perched on scenic bluffs. See pottery thrown on the wheel, paintings in progress, and intricate fiber arts taking shape. Many artists open their doors just for this weekend, offering one-of-a-kind pieces for sale. It’s an intimate, immersive way to experience the creative heart of Bluff Country.
Suggested Itinerary: Visit in late April to enjoy both the insightful performance of The Half-Life of Marie Curie and the immersive art tour. The tour goes from 10 AM-5 PM, over the course of 3 days all throughout the driftless region! That gives you enough time to freshen up, and grab a delicious meal at at downtown Lanesboro restaurant before the show!
Early Summer Festivities: The Angel Next Door and the Rhubarb Festival
The Angel Next Door (May 17–September 6) | Directed by Charlie Oates
A dazzling romantic comedy with wit, charm, and just a touch of chaos. Aspiring novelist Oliver Adams arrives at a lavish Newport estate, unaware that his muse—the glamorous Broadway diva Margot Bell—is staying next door. As walls prove thinner than secrets, misunderstandings, unexpected guests, and a meddling housekeeper send the weekend spiraling into delightful mayhem. Overflowing with sparkling dialogue and high-society hijinks, this effervescent comedy is a love letter to 1940s screwball films and the magic of a well-timed plot twist.
Perfect for fans of: Rumors, She Loves Me, Leading Ladies, Boeing Boeing.
Featuring: Hal Cropp, Tim Sailer, and Adrienne Sweeney.
Rhubarb Festival (June 7)
Where else can you find an entire festival dedicated to rhubarb? This quirky, joyfully offbeat event celebrates Lanesboro’s deep-rooted love for the tangy vegetable. With rhubarb tastings, rhubarb games (including the infamous Rhubarb Stalk Toss), a Rhubarb Rant poetry contest, live music, and a farmers market filled with rhubarb-themed treats. It’s a deliciously fun way to experience the town’s lighthearted spirit—and trust us, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried rhubarb brats or a slice of award-winning rhubarb pie.
Suggested Itinerary: Visiting during early June allows you to experience the Rhubarb Festival (June 7) and enjoy The Angel Next Door. And with the Commonweal’s repertory schedule, you can also catch The Half-life of Marie Curie. With 6 performances from Thursday-Monday 3 performances of each show with both Matinee and evening performances, you can catch both shows and enjoy the Rhubarb festivities.
Midsummer Melodies: Lone Star Spirits and Whalan's Music in the Bluffs
Lone Star Spirits (July 12–October 25) | Directed by Adrienne Sweeney
A hilarious, heartwarming homecoming—ghosts and all. Marley’s quick trip home to small-town Texas takes a wild turn when she and her hipster fiancé step into her father’s liquor store. Between an old flame, an overenthusiastic childhood friend, and a ghostly pioneer who may or may not be real, this homecoming is anything but smooth. Equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly tender, Lone Star Spirits is a sharp, spirited look at family, identity, and the ties that never quite let go.
Perfect for fans of: Ugly Lies the Bone, True West, Eelpout, Come Back.
Featuring: Lizzy Andretta, Cody Beyer, Alex Schlesinger, and Jeremy van Meter.
Whalan's Music in the Bluffs (June 28, July 26 & August 16)
Whalan may be tiny, but it knows how to throw a music festival. Set against the stunning bluffside landscape, this intimate event brings together an incredible lineup of regional musicians, spanning folk, bluegrass, and Americana. It’s a laid-back day of great tunes, local eats, and small-town hospitality—just a stone’s throw from the Root River State Trail, making it a perfect stop for cyclists and music lovers alike. Grab a slice of pie, some of the concessions sold at the pavilion, and enjoy the music!
Suggested Itinerary: Mid-August is ideal for visitors aiming to enjoy both delightful theatrical performances and a day of music in the picturesque surroundings of Whalan. Rent some bikes in town and hit the trail in the morning-take in the music at the Gazebo in Whalan and then take in Lone Star Spirits on Saturday evening! And if you haven’t seen it already, you can catch The Angel Next Door in Sunday’s Matinee!
Autumn Adventures: King Lear and the Fall Boutique & Business Crawl
King Lear (September 13–November 2) | Adapted & Directed by Amanda Rafuse
A storm is coming. And it will tear a kingdom apart. When aging King Lear divides his land among his daughters, he sets in motion a devastating chain of betrayal, madness, and war. Stripped of power and cast into a storm-ravaged wilderness, he must confront his own humanity in a world teetering on the brink of chaos. Shakespeare’s monumental tragedy explodes onto the Commonweal stage for the first time, revealing a timeless tale of ambition, loyalty, and redemption.
Featuring: Hal Cropp as Lear and founding company member Eric Bunge as Gloucester, with Cody Beyer, Jaclyn June Johnson, Josiah Laubenstein, Laurie Roberts, and Tim Sailer.
Fall Boutique & Business Crawl And Lanesboro’s Beer and Wine Fest (September 20th)
Truly one of the best weekends in Lanesboro. The heat has fully broken but the crisp winds of fall have yet to bring a chill, and the leaves are just starting to add color to the lush green of summer. Imagine warm autumn air, and a weekend of shopping and sipping your way through Lanesboro’s charming boutiques, galleries, and local businesses. Many shops offer seasonal specials, artisan goods, and handcrafted gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Festivities will be happening all over town, with local artisan stalls, and prizes that can be won by completing a scavenger hunt, plus, this weekend features a craft beverage festival, where you can sample locally made wines, ciders, and brews—making it the ultimate fall getaway for those who love both cozy sweaters and a good drink.
Suggested Itinerary: Grab breakfast and a coffee in town, and start your shopping and hit the streets for deals all day long! If you come to town on Friday, you can see a preview performance of King Lear (discounted) or take in the Opening Saturday night! And stay for the opening reception, and meet the cast!
Winter Whimsy: A Sherlock Carol and Experience the Magic of Lanesboro & Whalan
A Sherlock Carol (November 8–December 21) | Directed by Michael Bigelow Dixon
Holmes. Scrooge. One last mystery before Christmas.Sherlock Holmes has lost his spark—until a grown-up Tiny Tim Cratchit seeks his help to investigate the mysterious death of Ebenezer Scrooge. As ghosts of past, present, and future close in, Holmes must rediscover his legendary powers of deduction to solve a case where the holiday spirit is more than just metaphorical. A clever, thrilling, and heartwarming mash-up of Dickens and Doyle, A Sherlock Carol is the perfect blend of mystery and holiday magic for the whole family.
Perfect for fans of: Holmes & Watson, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, The 39 Steps, A Christmas Carol.
Featuring: Hal Cropp, John B. Nicol, Laurie Roberts, Alex Schlesinger, and Jeremy van Meter.
Experience the Magic of Lanesboro (November 29)
This isn’t your average holiday market—it’s a full-on Hallmark-movie-level holiday experience. Think twinkling lights, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers filling the air with festive music, and local shops decked out with special holiday deals. Lanesboro new Legion Lights turn Sylvan Park into a magical adventure and both Lanesboro and Whalan go all-in on the Christmas charm, making it the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. If you love classic winter wonderland vibes, this is the weekend to visit.
Suggested Itinerary: Experience the Magic falls on Small Business Saturday and Lanesboro and Whalan go all out with horse drawn carriages, hot cider and coco, and a winter artisan market with lots of wonderful unique holiday shopping from local and regional artisans. Take in the holiday cheer and then grab yourself some stick to your ribs, delicious comfort food from one of Lanesboro's amazing array of dining & spirits options and then catch the amazing Holiday Mystery.
Make a Year of it with a 2025 Season Pass!
See all 5 shows for only $130!
The best deal in town! When you join the Commonweal Family and get
- Admission to all mainstage shows
- Advanced seating
- Discounted tickets for your guests
- Discounts to other special events
- Can’t make a show? You can share your season pass with a friend!
- See any show again for only $15
Commonweal Theatre Company