Guthrie Theater

Greta Oglesby, a late bloomer as an actor, is suddenly the center of attention in the poignant lead role of "Caroline, or Change."
by Rohan Preston 

Avid Guthrie theatergoer Susan Lenfestey was crying when she left the opening-night performance of "Caroline, or Change." The Tony Kushner musical about Caroline Thibodeaux, a black maid employed by a white family, had dredged up memories from Lenfestey's own childhood.

Then there was actor/singer Greta Oglesby, whose portrayal of Caroline transmitted the character's pain and anger with an exquisite, deep-reaching beauty. After joining the audience in a sustained standing ovation, Lenfestey asked, of Oglesby, "Who is she? Where did she come from?"

Many theatergoers are asking that after seeing what Lenfestey describes as Oglesby's "superstar turn."

Although it's Oglesby's second turn at the Guthrie - she sang in "Crowns" there in 2004 - she is hardly new to the Twin Cities theater scene.

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