Synopsis

THE VISIT, by Swiss playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt, is the most well-known play by one of the most important playwrights since the Second World War. Set in a small town that is in a deep economic depression, the townspeople await the visit of Claire Zachanassian, who was driven out of town as a young girl years ago because she was pregnant. Now the wealthiest person in the world who has just married her 8th husband, she returns to a town that desperately hopes her millions will save them. She, however, has a different agenda, returning with the mission to buy justice: she will offer the town her fortune in exchange for the life of the man who not only spurned her but rigged the public trial against her.

“In the fractious culture we find ourselves in today, the line between justice and revenge can get more and more thin. THE VISIT provides a chance to consider the complexities of that distinction, and does so in a very compelling and entertaining manner in this dark comedy,” says Artistic Director Wendy Knox.

ABOUT THE VENUE for THE VISIT: The Minnesota Transportation Museum is housed in the Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul, a fully functional railroad roundhouse, one of the last of its kind in the country. During winter months, the Roundhouse is a functioning work area for Museum rolling stock, often with the volunteer workforce welding, grinding and sending sparks flying. Visitors taking the escorted shop tours are often amazed at the work being performed, commenting to docents and staff that they have “…never seen anything like it.” The building was erected by the Great Northern Railway in 1907, replacing another older roundhouse. The site has been used for rail transportation since the first railroad came to Minnesota in the 1860s. The Roundhouse and surrounding grounds are a near complete display of American Industrial history from the 19th century through the mid-20th century. The roundhouse is also home to the famous Northern Pacific Railway steam engine No. 2156, best known to many Twin Cities children from the 1960s and 1970s as Casey Jones‘ steam engine, from the popular children’s program.

PERFORMANCES
Friday, September 28, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Saturday, September 29, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Sunday, September 30, 2PM
Thursday, October 4, 8PM
Friday, October 5, 8PM
Saturday, October 6, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Sunday, October 7, 2PM  SOLD OUT*
Thursday, October 11, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Friday, October 12, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Saturday, October 13, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Sunday, October 14, 2PM  SOLD OUT*
Thursday, October 18, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Friday, October 19, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Saturday, October 20, 8PM  SOLD OUT*
Sunday, October 21, 2PM  SOLD OUT*

*A waitlist will be available at the door 45 minutes before showtime.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund; and by a grant from the national Endowment for the Arts.

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Ticket cost: $25 ($22 for students and seniors)

The reviews are in.

“Frank Theatre’s ‘The Visit’ is weirdly contemporary — and not for the squeamish.” – Pioneer Press

“Frank Theatre launches its 30th season with indelible production of ‘The Visit’.” – Star Tribune

“…a very Frank play, with a huge and talented cast and great commitment to the highly stylized design and tone of the play.” – Cherry and Spoon

“Frank Theatre is a masterful purveyor of epic theatre in the Twin Cities. A prime example is director Wendy Knox’s rollicking production of The Visit, now running in an unlikely, but (it turns out) fabulous setting amid historic railroad cars at the Minnesota Transportation Museum.” – Talkin’ Broadway

“I would highly recommend The Visit — the script, the acting, and the scenic and lighting design in the Minnesota Transportation Museum make it a standout performance. Wait until you see how they use some of the lights from the trains!” – Minnesota Playlist