Art Hounds: Three plays on love, disfigurement and death

This week, the Art Hounds are barking about "Intimate Apparel," "The Elephant Man" and "The Boy and Robin Hood."

The Schubert Club's Aly Fulton-Kern took in her first play by Ten Thousand Things Theater, and says it's now her favorite company to see. Unlike most companies, TTT stages its shows with no special lighting and no set, so that it can bring its shows to prisons, homeless shelters and rehab centers. Its latest production, "Intimate Apparel," centers around a seamstress and her quest for love. Public performances run through Sunday at Open Book in Minneapolis.

Lanesboro Arts' Robbie Brokken saw Commonweal Theatre's production of "The Elephant Man" and says it's one of the best shows the company has ever staged. It's based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, a man who was so severely disfigured that his family abandoned him; he ended up touring in a freak show in order to survive. Brokken says the show underscores the difference between Merrick's external appearance and his inner character. Given how he was treated by society, Brokken says, the audience is made to ask, "Who is the real monster?"

Prairie Fire Lady Choir's Brooke Nelson thoroughly enjoyed "The Boy and Robin Hood," the first production by the new company Trademark Theater. Nelson says she typically goes to improv comedy shows and lighter musicals, so she was a bit surprised by how much death there was in this tale. But she loved the way this production tears down the myth of the hero and reveals how quickly things can get out of control. Performances run through June 11 at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis.