Why Opening Night at the Commonweal Theatre Is the Best Show in Town (And the Perfect Excuse for a Lanesboro Getaway)
July 15, 2025
There’s something undeniably electric about an opening night performance. The anticipation, the buzz, the actors feeling the energy of a live audience—it all combines to create a one-of-a-kind experience. At the Commonweal Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Lanesboro, that electricity doesn’t stop when the curtain falls. On opening nights, the celebration continues with a lively post-show reception, where audience members are invited to mingle with the cast and crew, enjoy wine and snacks (including a famously addicting punch), and toast the beginning of a new artistic journey. It’s immersive, joyous, and the best way to experience live theatre.
And an extra treat: playwright Josh Tobiessen will be in attendance at the opening night reception for Lone Start Spirits after the show!
👻 A Small-Town Ghost Story with Heart: Lone Star Spirits
This summer’s opening night centerpiece is Lone Star Spirits, a sharp and heart-filled comedy by Josh Tobiessen that brings a haunted Texas liquor store to life in the most unexpected ways. The story follows Marley, a woman who returns to her small hometown with her Brooklyn fiancé, only to find herself face-to-face with her past—including an ex-boyfriend, a single mom on a wild bachelorette adventure, and the ghost of the town’s bear-wrestling founder. Funny, fast-moving, and surprisingly poignant, Lone Star Spirits strikes the perfect balance between laugh-out-loud comedy and emotional resonance. And if you’ve ever left a small town behind—or stayed in one—you’ll find yourself somewhere in the story. Note: this show does contain adult language and situations and may not be suitable for all ages.
Catch Lone Star Spirits on stage July 19th through October 25, 2025.
🔁 Double Your Drama: Commonweal’s Repertory Season
One of the unique joys of visiting the Commonweal is its repertory schedule, which allows audiences to see more than one play in the same weekend. Currently in rep with Lone Star Spirits is The Angel Next Door, a glamorous screwball comedy set in 1940s Newport. It’s packed with high society antics, mistaken identities, and fast-paced, family friendly banter—a perfect counterpoint to Lone Star’s ghostly small-town vibes.
Plan your weekend around these performances and you can see both shows—perhaps a Friday evening with the Angel, followed by Lone Star Spirits on Saturday, capped off with the opening night party.
🚲 Fill Your Days with Fun
Between performances, Lanesboro invites you to slow down and savor its charms. Start your morning with a fresh pastry and a latte, or full-on hearty breakfast, then rent a bike and cruise the Root River State Trail—a 60-mile paved path that winds through scenic bluffs, gentle river bends, and welcoming small towns. Prefer the water? Grab a kayak or canoe and paddle the river, exploring the North and South branches at your own pace. If it’s a rainy day—or if water recreation isn’t your thing—explore the many tours and attractions in and around Lanesboro.
Later, head downtown to explore everything this vibrant town has to offer. Browse local art galleries, unique shops, cozy cafés, inviting restaurants, and welcoming bars, breweries, and pubs. It’s the perfect way to soak in Lanesboro’s creative spirit and small-town charm. For a seamless evening, consider making a dinner reservation before the show—there are plenty of delicious options just steps from the theatre. After the performance, grab a nightcap on a riverside deck and enjoy live music to end your night on a high note.
🎭 Plan Your Weekend Around the Stage
Whether you're a theater veteran or a first-time visitor, there’s something magical about experiencing a show at the Commonweal—especially on opening night. It’s a moment where the audience and artists share in the joy of something new, and in a place like Lanesboro, that moment becomes part of a larger weekend of discovery. You’re not just seeing a play—you’re stepping into a community, a landscape, and a rhythm that makes southeast Minnesota one of the most unique destinations in the Midwest.
So make your plans. Book the room, grab your tickets, and come early enough to take it all in. Lone Star Spirits won’t just make you laugh—it’ll remind you why theatre matters. And Lanesboro will remind you why weekends like this are worth savoring.