Almost exactly a year ago, the History Theatre took a big gamble, putting a big cast on stage to perform a big play of big ideas: “All the Way” chronicled the presidency of Lyndon Johnson from his tragedy-filled ascension in November 1963 to his election victory a year later. It was a master class in politics and theater.

The company reunited the major players from that cast to open the St. Paul theater’s 41st season with “The Great Society,” the second half of Robert Schenkkan’s LBJ duology. And it is, if anything, an even better piece of theater … more nuanced, more complex; with higher stakes and even more finely honed performances. To read more, click here.