In the quiet beauty of northern Minnesota, where the forests meet the lakes and life unfolds at a pace dictated by the rhythms of nature, something extraordinary is happening. The Northern Lakes Arts Association, long a cultural cornerstone of the region, is unveiling its 2025 Broadway in the Boundary Waters season: Together We Rise. It’s a season as ambitious as it is poignant, one that Artistic Director Ian Francis Lah hopes will resonate far beyond the confines of the stage.
For Lah, the choice of this year’s theme—resilience, hope, and connection—was deeply personal. “Theater, to me, is more than entertainment. It empowers, educates, and reminds us of our shared resilience,” he says. “In a world that often feels fragmented, these stories remind us of the courage it takes to heal and the strength we find in community.”
The season features three bold productions: Matilda The Musical, Next to Normal, and Sister Act. Together, they weave a narrative that is both universal and intimate, exploring the myriad ways humans confront adversity, find joy, and build connection.

Matilda The Musical: Small But Mighty
The season opens with Matilda The Musical, a vibrant adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale of a brilliant young girl who refuses to let injustice and neglect define her. Matilda Wormwood may be small, but her courage and determination prove transformative—not just for herself, but for everyone around her.
Lah notes that Matilda offers a lens into the resilience of children, who often face challenges with a clarity and tenacity that adults sometimes lack. “Matilda reminds us that bravery isn’t about the absence of fear,” he says, “but about finding the strength to act in spite of it.” With its witty humor, imaginative staging, and songs that stay with you long after the curtain falls, Matilda is a family-friendly celebration of empowerment and the audacity of dreaming big.

Next to Normal: Confronting the Darkness
If Matilda is a tale of childhood courage, Next to Normal shifts the focus to the emotional terrain of adulthood. The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical centers on Diana Goodman, a mother battling bipolar disorder, and the ripple effects her mental health has on her family.
Raw, unflinching, and deeply human, Next to Normal delves into mental health with a sensitivity rarely seen in mainstream entertainment. Its electrifying rock score underscores moments of pain, hope, and healing, creating a visceral experience for audiences. Lah, who has spoken openly about his own experiences with mental health, believes this production is especially timely. “In a world that often stigmatizes vulnerability, Next to Normal reminds us that there’s strength in asking for help, in confronting our pain, and in finding ways to move forward.”

Sister Act: Finding Joy in Unlikely Places
The season closes with a jubilant burst of music and humor in Sister Act. This story of a nightclub singer-turned-convent-choir-director might seem an unlikely choice, but its message of community and transformation fits perfectly within the season’s thematic framework.
“Sister Act is pure joy,” Lah says. “It’s about finding connection in the most unexpected places and realizing that community can change us for the better.” With Alan Menken’s infectious score and a story that blends humor with heart, the production serves as a reminder that even the most unexpected journeys can lead to profound personal growth.
What unites these three productions is a shared belief in the transformative power of resilience, connection, and courage. In Matilda, we see the bravery of standing up to injustice; in Next to Normal, the healing that comes from facing life’s darkest truths; and in Sister Act, the joy of discovering community in unexpected places.
“These stories remind us that, even in our most isolated moments, we are not alone,” Lah explains. “They show us that strength is not just an individual trait but something we build together, as a community.”
The season also underscores theater’s unique ability to hold a mirror to our lives. It invites audiences not just to witness transformation on stage but to reflect on their own challenges and triumphs. “Theater has the power to foster empathy,” Lah says. “It allows us to see our own struggles in someone else’s story, and in doing so, we feel less alone.”
As much as Together We Rise is about the stories being told on stage, it’s also about the people who bring those stories to life. Local auditions will be held in March, welcoming performers of all backgrounds to step into the spotlight. Rehearsals, now including evening sessions, aim to make participation more accessible for those balancing work and family commitments.
“Community theater is exactly that—a community,” Lah emphasizes. “Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping on stage for the first time, there’s a place for you here. Together, we create something bigger than ourselves.”

Together We Rise is more than a collection of musicals—it’s a call to action, a celebration of the indomitable human spirit, and a testament to the power of storytelling. It’s about rising above adversity, finding strength in unity, and transforming life’s struggles into stepping stones.
Tickets for the season go on sale February 1, and Lah hopes audiences will come away not just entertained but deeply moved. “This season is an invitation,” he says. “To laugh, to cry, to reflect—and, most importantly, to connect. That’s the magic of theater.”
For northern Minnesota, Together We Rise is a shining example of how art can build bridges and inspire hope in even the most challenging times.
As the lights dim and the curtain rises, the message is clear: In this small corner of the world, the arts are alive, thriving, and ready to uplift us all.
A little disappointed there aren't 5 as usual, but we will definitely be there with friends for the 3. Wouldn't miss any of them for the world.