Secrets of the Little Yellow Diary
presented by Patty Nieman
Showtimes
Thu., Jul. 31 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 2 @ 2:30 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 4 @ 8:30 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 10 @ 5:30 p.m.
Show details
Venue: Ritz Theater Proscenium
Duration: 60 minutes
For ages 9+
Created by Patty Nieman and Rob Hartmann
Genres: Solo, Musical theatre, Comedy
Overall rating
Write a review
You must be logged in to review shows.
User reviews
Good singing, but a missable show
by Raka Mitra Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Although Patty Nieman is an excellent vocalist, the writing of this show was repetitive, somewhat boring, and lacked depth.
Fabulous show for anyone who was ever 12
by Pat Lindgren Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This was a delightful show. She sucked you first into her 12-year-old world, and then back into your own. My 10-year-old granddaughter thought that she was hopelessly "old school" but totally understood the girl who wrote that diary. We had big fun!
Genre Piece
by phillip low Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Extraordinarily well-done, but built around a rather wearisome concept. Musical theatre aficionados and those who hold a lot of nostalgia for their adolescent years will probably eat this up -- for those of us who struggle with these genres, this is rougher going. Full review available at the Twin Cities Daily Planet.
Cute and sweet with little substance
by Tiffanie Kilgast Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
We all know what the show is about from what all the reviewers have said. And that's what it's about and nothing more. I felt like I was watching an NBC sitcom about being 12 again. Simple songs and simple substance. I was really hoping that she was slowly and slyly weaving a web of some greater meaning, but sadly, there was no web. Maybe it was just me because most of the audience did seem to enjoy it. But I have to agree with most of Phillip Low's review. Patty is obviously a talented actress and singer. I wish she had delved deeper and left us with something more than just tales of crushes and dreams.
Charming, colorful, upbeat
by Florence Brammer Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This is an engaging show with a very tender text and warmly delivered tunes. The colorful set and Mr. Nieman's commited performance add to the sweetness. Pre-teens would really enjoy this.
Delightful!
by Joy Donley Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show was completely delightful. In fact, I found myself smiling from beginning to end--and afterwards having a sore face! "Diary" brought me right back to my own small-town upbringing and love of theatre (and Holly Hobbie). Patty Nieman brings us a young girl that is full of joy, angst and dreams--very much reminding me of Anne Frank, without the tragedy, of course. Excellent direction by Rob Goudy, who moves things along swiftly and makes the diary days visually interesting. Drew Jansen provides solid and tender accompaniment.
I'm telling everyone I know to go see this show.
Patty rocks!
by Lauren Asheim Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This one woman show is charming, sweet, uplifting and really brave! Patty takes us through the universal ups and downs associated with being 13. Her brilliant voice and generous stage presence are showcased at their best in this piece. Take the journey back to 1977, through Patty's eyes!
Superb!
by Mike Neuharth Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A fun hour of theater and wonderfully original music. The staging and lights make an intimate setting out of the Ritz for this one woman show. Nieman embodies her 13 year old self with honesty and joy that was a real treat for this audience member.
Top of my see it list!
by Tonya Leholm Knuttila Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Having seen 17 fringe shows thus far, this one is at the top of my recommendation list. She makes the 13 year old girl subject matter and makes it funny for all ages and genders. Wonderfully written and performed. Even my husband really liked it. See it!
Somewhere over the Little Yellow Diary
by Jon Skaalen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A great little Fringe show that anyone can take pleasure in. No extraneous props or movements. Focused acting. Clearly chosen diary excerpts. Songs that are interesting if not phenomenal and that advance rather than stop the story. This Patty could do anything - Charlie Brown's female friends or Sondheim's women -- and here she chose to bring her little yellow diary to life. Silliness and sweetness realized!
Superber than Julie?
by Patrick Pfundstein Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Opening this diary peels back the years to a time when everything mattered so much more (and there was so much more Debbie Boone). Great writing, acting, singing and even a hint of Grieg in the background where appropriate. I loved you Patty! Good night!
Estrogen souffle!
by Dan Pinkerton Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A joyous and moving musical for former girls and former boys alike. I knew next to nothing about the joys and small tragedies of a 13-year old girl until Patty graciously opened up her diary and let me understand.
This could have been cloying, simpleminded nostalgia, but Patty has thoroughly avoided that route by sticking completely to the words she wrote in her 1977 diary. Even the songs featured only slightly rearranged diary entries that composer Rob Hartmann has set skillfully and sensitively.
The result is both light and oddly serious --- and quite moving. Don't miss this. You'll love it.
Better than The Sound of Music
by Curt Lund Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Plan A: Enter the theater, laugh your butt off, tear up a little (if you're a softie like me), and leave the theater completely charmed. There is no Plan B.
Extremely Well Put Together
by Erica Mauter Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The reading aloud from the diary is hilarious because you just know how a 13-year-old girl writes and the kinds of things a 13-year-old girl finds dramatic. The premise in and of itself may be off-putting to some, but this show is really well put together. The original songs are totally appropriate to the dramatic nature of a show about a 13-year-old girl who is into theater. Patty Nieman herself was fantastic, enjoyable, and clearly an experienced performer. The whole show tickled me and gave me a warm fuzzy.
Superior Musical
by Robert Kaul Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This one women and pianist musical show about a teenage girl and her diary is funny, professional and an audience pleaser.
What a charming little gem!
by Max Wojtanowicz Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
You can't change the world in 60 minutes, but Patty Nieman's thirteen-year-old self makes a 'superb' try at it. Honest, engaging, and beautifully sung, this show will leave you in such a great mood as you leave the Ritz! Wish I could see it again!
She has a fabulous future
by Paula Nancarrow Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
In musical theater. Superb!
Hilarious, poignant, wonderful
by Eric Mueller Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show captures the earnestness, joy, yearning and heartbreak that we all felt in junior high. The story is touching, the music is delightful, and the acting is so real that you can feel every emotion as if you were 12 again, too. Do not miss this one!
Couldn't be sweeter!
by Dennis Curley Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a terrific show! Patty weds passages from her childhood diary to wonderful music by Rob Hartmann, and the whole combination (for me, anyway) evoked all the longing, joy and drama of my own youth.
I've seen bits and pieces of this show as a work in progress over the last four years or so, and it has come together beautifully.
Highly recommended for kids of all ages!
